Market with great potential

The market for flow plates for fuel cells is closely linked to the market for fuel cells as energy converters. In recent years the pace of development in this field has accelerated, and fuel cells are now used in a range of applications.

General

Fuel cells as energy converters have great potential in a wide range of fields. The market can roughly be divided into three areas: portable electronics, stationary electrical generators, and the transport and automotive industry.

In an initial phase Morphic will be focusing on the electronics and automotive segments. Morphic’s strategy for these segments is to conclude partnerships with leading manufacturers with the aim of establishing the company’s manufacturing method as the primary production technology for fuel cell flow plates.

Portable Electronics

A fast developing area of application is portable electronics. Before fuel cells make their breakthrough in the transport and automotive industry, they are expected to replace the traditional batteries currently used in computers, mp3 players and cell phones.

The big advantage of fuel cells is their significantly longer run time. Unlike today’s batteries, fuel cell-powered units can also be recharged very quickly. When the fuel cell has run out of fuel, it can quickly be refilled. Users will no longer have to wait hours for their computer or mp3 player to recharge. 

Stationary Electrical Generators

The most advanced fuel cells are currently used in stationary generators intended for residential and industrial use. High efficiency and reliability are two key benefits.

In recent years several leading players in energy have started to commercialize CHP units (combined heat and power) for residential use. The sector also covers standby generators for banks, hospitals, mobile base stations and other uses.

The Transport and Automotive Industry

In terms of size, value and environmental impact, the greatest potential for fuel cells lies in the transport and automotive sector. The sector is huge and covers private cars and motorcycles/mopeds as well as buses, trucks, trains, boats and works vehicles.

For many years developments in this segment were driven by technological advances, but in recent years demand from end users has also increased markedly. One indication of this is the breakthrough for hybrid and ‘green’ vehicles. All major vehicle manufacturers are conducting extensive development projects in this area, both in-house and through alliances with other industry players.

Even today, prototypes and pre-production models from various vehicle manufacturers are in daily use in countries around the world. Before fuel cells replace the combustion engine, however, they will be used to power the existing electrical components in a vehicle.