Kanji Otsuji, a graduate of the Special Doctoral Program for Green Energy Conversion Science and Technology the Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering and Agricultural Science received the “2021 Graduate School Research Encouragement Award from the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan”

March 09, 2022

　Dr. Kanji Otsuji (graduated in March 2022), Special Doctoral Program for Green Energy Conversion Science and Technology the Integrated Graduate School of Medicine, Engineering and Agricultural Science (Supervisor: Makoto Uchida, Professor, Fuel Cell Nanomaterials Center) Received the “2021 Graduate School Research Award” of the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan Inc.

　This award was established for the purpose of contributing to the improvement and development of graduate students’ academic achievements, and is given to those who are planning to complete graduate school who have conducted excellent research in the technical field related to automobiles.

　Research subject: Study on Water Management to Suppress the Hysteresis Phenomenon in Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells for Cost Reduction of Fuel Cell Vehicles.

　The biggest challenge for fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) is cost reduction. In my research, I investigated the phenomenon of hysteresis (increasing or decreasing in voltage) that occurs when non-precious metal catalysts are used in anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFC), where non-precious metal catalysts are the most effective in reducing cost, and found that the main cause is water transport in the AEMFC. I also discovered strategies for improving the performance of AEMFCs through proper water management and formation of water transport pathways at the catalyst and its membrane interface. These studies are expected to lead to the next generation of low-cost FCVs.

　Dr. Otsuji said, I am very honored that my research to date has been so highly evaluated. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Professor Makoto Uchida and everyone in my laboratory for their guidance and encouragement. Encouraged by this award, I intend to continue to pursue research and development in the automotive field after completing my researches.