Gemesis Innovates in Fuel Cells with Rapid Prototyping Solutions
In close partnership with a leading fuel cell company, Gemesis has played a key role in the development and control of high-power fuel cell systems. Our collaboration began with the sourcing of a specific electronic control unit (ECU) for these systems, marking the first step in an ambitious project.
We developed an effective strategy for our client, centered around two main pillars: defining the ECU specifications and optimizing the sourcing and technical validation process. This approach ensured the success of the project while meeting our client’s specific requirements.
At the same time, Gemesis provided rapid prototyping platforms using cRIO of National Instruments, chosen for their adaptability both in the laboratory and for integration into early prototypes. This technology allowed the software development teams to progress without hardware constraints, fostering continuous innovation.
We also implemented closed-loop test benches to validate each control law individually. These benches provide our client with a Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) validation platform, essential for testing both control strategies and system components. These advanced installations facilitate the creation of detailed component maps, improving overall system understanding and performance.
The plateforme NI VeriStand platform was selected for its flexibility and its ability to integrate MATLAB-developed code, ensuring compatibility with the final software. The Gemesis team customized VeriStand using the NI LabVIEW environment, enabling advanced personalization, including FPGA devices and specific controls.
This ambitious project resulted in the deployment of three closed-loop test benches in less than three months:
- Anodic loop bench (H₂)
- Cathodic loop bench (air)
- Cooling loop bench (water)
By the fourth month, our client was able to test their system on an external test bench, quickly achieving performance exceeding 100 kilowatts.