The JETCELL project focuses on improving some specific features of molten hydroxides fuel cell that produces electricity directly from solid carbon fuels. In particular, the project aims to redesign the anode-the component where the fuel is consumed-so that the cell can operate continuously, without interruptions to remove exhausted fuel. This will be achieved by using additive manufacturing, and specifically binder jetting, a flexible production technology that allows complex shapes to be manufactured with few constraints.

To support carbon neutrality, the fuel will be a biogenic carbon obtained from agricultural waste pyrolysis, namely olive pomace, creating a novel synergy between the energy and agri-food sectors within a circular economy approach. In addition, red mud, an industrial waste from alumina production from Bayer process, will be reused as a catalytic material to improve the efficiency of the fuel cell, by the creation of a novel, innovative and never-experimented red mud-stainless steel composite material.

By combining innovative design, sustainable fuels and industrial wastes reuse, the project aims to increase the maturity of fuel cell energy technology and demonstrate its feasibility of more efficient, continuous and environmentally friendly fuel cell systems.