Coventry University

As an ambitious and innovative university, our research is designed to have real-world impact on society and contribute to our mission of Creating Better Futures. We are known for conducting research that tackles a number of global challenges through our challenge-led, interdisciplinary research centres.

The Centre for E-Mobility & Clean Growth (CECG) unites industry and the academic community globally, delivering integrated solutions to accelerate the adoption and commercialisation of clean technologies. We help businesses transition to a sustainable economy by offering academic expertise, access to advanced facilities, and enabling skills. Our unique collaborations and deep industry and scientific expertise drive the market success of clean solutions.

CECG is your global partner in advancing clean growth, future mobility and the wellbeing of society.

Coventry University is participating in UPeM because the project aligns strongly with our mission to accelerate the scale-up and adoption of hydrogen technologies while maximising their decarbonisation potential. Through our Centre for E-Mobility and Clean Growth and Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, we bring together expertise in fuel cells, electrolysers, analytical chemistry, environmental pollutants and sustainable technology development. Understanding and quantifying PFAS emissions from PEM fuel cells and water electrolysers is essential for evaluating the true environmental impact and long-term sustainability of these technologies. UPeM will also improve understanding of ionomer, membrane and binder degradation during operation, helping to identify routes towards improved durability, safer operation and reduced environmental release. By contributing to harmonised measurement methods, mitigation strategies and policy recommendations, Coventry University can help ensure that hydrogen technologies deliver climate benefits without creating unintended pollution risks.

Coventry University will develop sampling techniques and operating procedures for liquid, gaseous and aerosol-phase PFAS emissions from fuel cells and electrolysers, supported by analysis using LC-MS, LC-HRMS, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. Working closely with project partners, we will help develop, deploy and validate sampling and analysis strategies on application-scale hardware under field-relevant operating conditions, ensuring that methods are practical, robust and transferable beyond laboratory studies. We will also design and perform accelerated stress tests on PEM water electrolysis and PEM fuel cell hardware to investigate degradation pathways and PFAS release. Coventry University will lead the development of technical and regulatory policy recommendations and evaluate practical approaches for mitigating PFAS emissions, including exhaust and effluent treatment strategies.