Fuel Cells and Platinum Group Metals

Space and fuel cells

Now with the Artemis team safely back on earth after a stellar trip around the moon, we can look to the future at what the next Artemis missions will mean. Precious metals will be a key ingredient as humanity prepare to return to the moon as the missions require energy generated by the fuel cells. Fuel cells have been around since the Apollo and the Gemini V missions, and the technology has come a long way since those early missions.

What is a PEM fuel cell?

A proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) combines hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity, with water as the only by-product. In doing so, it converts chemical energy into electricity, heat and water. Their operation with hydrogen is emission-free at the point of use and their electrical efficiency can be over 60%. Operating at relatively low temperatures below 80C, PEMFC offer high energy density and zero emissions, making them a key technology in the transition to cleaner energy systems.

At the heart of fuel cells today are platinum-based catalysts, which enable the electrochemical reactions that make fuel cells viable. Unlike batteries, which store energy, fuels cells require a continuous source of fuel and oxygen (usually from the air) to sustain the chemical reaction. This means it can generate electricity for as long as fuel and oxygen are supplied.

In a PEMFC, hydrogen enters at the anode where it is split into protons and electrons. A layer containing platinum facilitates this reaction. The proton pass through the membrane to the cathode, while the electron flow through an external circuit, as electrical power. At the cathode, oxygen reacts with the proton to form water, completing the process.

Today, PEM fuel cells are used across a growing range of applications, from portable power and stationary energy systems to large-scale electrical plants and vehicle propulsion.

Beyond Cars: The Real Growth Story for Fuel Cells

In the automotive industry, fuel cells are already powering both cars and trucks. Toyota is advancing its third-generation fuel-cell technology, delivering a 20% increase in efficiency and targeting durability up to one million kilometres. The Toyota Mirai remains one of the most commercially advanced hydrogen vehicles on the road today. BMW has developed offerings such as the iX5 Hydrogen with a range of up to 750 km while Hyundai is launching their second generation NEXO. Honda is also entering the market with the CR-V e:FCEV, an innovative plug-in hydrogen hybrid combining battery and fuel cell technologies to deliver a range of around 430 kilometres.

For light duty vehicles, batteries have proven highly effective. However, as applications scale into heavy duty transport, the limitations of batteries become more pronounced. Systems designed for 40 ton trucks, shipping and aviation face challenges related to weight, energy density and charging time. In these environments, battery systems can become impractically heavy and operationally restrictive.

Fuel cells powered by hydrogen offers a compelling alternative. They maintain high energy density while enabling rapid refuelling, making them well suited to applications that require continuous operations and high payload capacity. As a result, fuel cells are seen as a viable pathway to decarbonise heavy-duty transport without compromising performance. This has been reflected in recent industry developments, including Toyota’s decision to join the Cellcentric joint venture between Daimler Truck and Volvo, combining expertise to accelerate fuel cell systems for heavy commercial vehicles.

Alongside developments in Europe, Japan and Korea, China has emerged as a major force in fuel cell deployment, particularly in commercial transport. Companies such as Yutong Bus, Foton Motor, and FAW Trucks have focused on scaling fuel cell buses and heavy-duty trucks within regional hydrogen clusters, supported by strong government policy. China’s approach prioritises high-utilisation fleet applications, accelerating real-world adoption at scale.

Fuel cells go a lot further than transport. They are already used in portable and stationary power applications, providing reliable, low emission energy in a range of settings. The debate between batteries and hydrogen technologies is often framed as competition, yet in reality both have clear and complementary roles in the future.

By scaling technologies such as the 3rd-generation Mirai technology into heavy-duty transport and megawatt-scale stationary systems, manufacturers are opening new markets for hydrogen. Applications such as hospitals and critical infrastructure are beginning to adopt fuel cells systems, reinforcing long-term demand for platinum group metals over the next decade.

Back to the moon

As the Artemis programme progresses, the focus is shifting beyond launch to how we power landers and sustain long-term human presence on the moon. NASA plan to use the Blue Moon Lunar Lander as part of the Artemis campaign to return astronauts to the lunar surface. Blue Origin, working with Nimbus Power Systems have recently completed testing of proton exchange membrane fuel cells intended for the lunar landing.

Alongside this, NASA is developing Regenerative Fuel Cell (RFC) which incorporates PEMFC to provide continuous power in extreme environments. This is particularly critical during the lunar night, which last about 14 days. During this period, solar power is unavailable and battery or nuclear options face practical limitations. Regenerative fuel cells offer a solution by storing energy generated during the lunar day and releasing it as electricity when needed. These systems are expected to play a key role in supporting future lunar bases and habitats, enabling sustained operations on the Moon.

Whether on Earth or beyond, the same technologies are emerging as critical enablers of reliable, high-performance energy systems. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells, reliant on platinum group metals, are uniquely suited to operate in demanding environments where efficiency, durability and energy density matter most.

But this isn’t a distant or speculative future. Fuel cells are already being deployed today, supporting critical infrastructure and enabling low-emission energy across industries. As hydrogen moves from concept to real-world infrastructure, the demand for platinum is not optional. It is embedded in the system.