The Provision of a 3D Robotic Arm Printer and Automated Screen- Printer for the ERDF Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre (MFCIC) - AWARD

The focus of the MFCIC is advanced materials for fuel cells. The University requires a suite of modular low power fuel cells units (PEM, SOFC, etc.) which can be used to test our materials and to conduct condition-monitoring experiments. A suite of cells and associated hydrogen generation facilities will also be required. These units will also be used in our teaching/training activities. A wide range of liquid and gaseous fuels can be reformed into hydrogen. Our activities in this field will include:

I)exploring metallic and organic/inorganic catalyst materials produced via wet-chemical synthesis ii)bimetallic catalysts will also be explored where the active nanomaterial is immobilised onto "larger" micro materials which, results in greater surface areas but keep costs low; iii) exploring a range of mesoporous oxides as heterogeneous catalysts with varying compositions, surface structure and functionality towards clean-up efficiency iv)coating of identified catalysts onto a range of materials such as planar and 3D microstructures. A catalytic testing rig is required to measure the efficiency/effectiveness of our materials.

Items to be purchased are in two separate Lots:

Lot 1 - MMU requires a 3D printer capable of printing large objects from a variety of plastic filaments. This tender may be fulfilled with an existing product however it is anticipated that the printer may need to be a bespoke unit constructed from an 'off-the-shelf' robotic arm and one or more print heads that are integrated into a single system by the supplier.

Lot 2 - MMU requires an automated high precision screen-printer for producing conductive surface. A complete screen-printing platform for quick, reliable and high precision with stencils and screens. Will be required to print fuel cell conducting anode and cathodes and highly accurate and reproducible electrochemical platforms.