Picohima
Fuel cells, Hydrogen Technology and reciprocating engines
What do we do?
We are a Research Group consolidated in the Technical University of Madrid (UPM). Mainly, our activity is centered on the research and testing of membrane fuel cell components, design and development of stacks, of both membrane fuel cells and alkaline electrolysis for hydrogen production; and the preparation of feasibility studies for the integration of fuel cell systems in aerial and marine crafts.
Research
We improve the characteristics of future generations of fuel cells:
- We reduce weight and volume of the fuel cell stack by using new materials.
- We reduce the catalyst load without compromising the remaining characteristics using new deposition methods.
We favor the introduction of hydrogen as an air and marine fuel:
- We test poly fuel mixtures in reciprocating engines.
We explore new ways of transporting large amounts of renewable energy over long distances, by transforming it into hydrogen.
Development and innovation
We favor the penetration of fuel cells and hydrogen technologies in the marine environment:
- We develop compact systems for capturing and storing CO2 in confined spaces.
- We develop integral marine water electrolysis systems for the sustainable production of hydrogen from renewable energies.
We reduce the emission of noise and greenhouse gases in marine vehicles through the implementation of fuel cell systems.
Our media
In Picohima we have all the necessary means to conduct our work in our laboratories, which have different locations: in the Faculty of Naval architecture and Marine Engineering (ETSIN) and in the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering (ETSIAE). In addition, we have access to many other dependencies and facilities in the UPM and the Electrochemistry Laboratory of the Faculty of Chemical Sciences of the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM).
Laboratories
- Fuel Cell Laboratory at the ETSIN (UPM).
- Fuel Cell Laboratory at ETSIAE (UPM).
- Access to the Electrochemistry Laboratory of the Faculty of Chemical Sciences of the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) **.
- Access to the mechanical workshop of the ETSIAE Alternative Motor Laboratory (UPM) **.
Equipment
- Fuel cell monocells for the test of MEAs *.
- Two direct alcohol fuel cell test benches *: One of them capable of simulating environmental conditions.
- Equipment for manufacturing parts and preparing samples: Lathes, CNC milling machines, thermostated presses, 3D printers and other tools.
- Equipment for manufacturing and preparing electrodes by electrodeposit, chemical deposit, electronic evaporation ** and sputtering **.
- Equipment for characterizing electrodes, MEAs and stacks: Frequency response analyzers, potentiostat-electroplating, ultra-microbalances and optical microscopes.
Software
In addition to having the complete Office package, we have commercial and open source software:
- Design and / or simulation: Rhinoceros, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, CATIA, ANSYS.
- Naval Architecture: MAXSURF, MARS.
- CFD: OpenFOAM.
- Engineering: MATLAB, SIMULINK.
- Thermodynamics: REFPROP.
- Fuel cells: Aero-Marine DMFC Designer (2018) *, MedPeM (2011) *.
* Designed and manufactured by Picohima
** Access to other facilities of the UPM/UCM
Our services
From PICOHIMA we can perform all kinds of consulting services, although we want to highlight R&D&i, engineering and training. You can contact us for more information without any commitment.
R&D&i
We are backed by all our scientific publications in the best indexed journals and communications in prestigious International Congresses.
Engineering
We are supported by the ship retrofitting studies we have conducted, and the design and manufacturing of our test benches.
Training
We are backed by all our years of experience as university lecturers.
About us
The PICOHIMA Group is a multidisciplinary team that incorporates researchers from the Technical University of Madrid (UPM), and the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM). These researchers have jointly carried out various research projects on low temperature fuel cells. The Group’s activities focus on the field of fuel cells and could be included in three main lines: research and testing of fuel cell components, design and development of stacks and the preparation feasibility studies.
Our team
Teresa J Leo Mena.
Coordinator
UNIVERSIDAD POLITÉCNICA DE MADRID
Full Professor
P.h.D. in Chemistry (UCM)
Tel.: +34 91 067 62 67
teresa.leo.mena@upm.es
Emilio Navarro
UNIVERSIDAD POLITÉCNICA DE MADRID
Associate Professor
P.h.D. in Aerospace Engineering (UPM)
Tel.: +34 91 067 57 91
emilio.navarro@upm.es
Antonio Villalba Herreros
UNIVERSIDAD POLITÉCNICA DE MADRID
Teaching Assistant
P.h.D. in Naval Engineering (UPM)
Tel.: +34 91 067 62 70
antonio.villalba@upm.es
Óscar Santiago Carretero
UNIVERSIDAD POLITÉCNICA DE MADRID
P.h.D. in Aerospace Engineering (UPM)
Tel.: +34 91 067 58 17
oscar.santiago.carretero@upm.es
Rafael d’Amore Domenech
UNIVERSIDAD POLITÉCNICA DE MADRID
Teaching Assistant
P.h.D. in Naval Engineering (UPM)
Tel.: +34 91 067 62 70
r.damore@upm.es
Vladimir L. Meca López
UNIVERSIDAD POLITÉCNICA DE MADRID
Teaching Assistant
B.Eng. Naval Architecture & M.Eng. Marine and Offshore Engineering (UPM)
Tel.: +34 91 067 62 27
vl.meca@upm.es
Esther Blázquez Martín
UNIVERSIDAD POLITÉCNICA DE MADRID
Técnico de Laboratorio
Tel.: +34 91 067 62 68
esther.blazquez@upm.es
Elena Posada Sánchez
UNIVERSIDAD POLITÉCNICA DE MADRID
Doctora en Ciencias Químicas (UAM)
Tel.: +34 91 067 62 27
elena.posada@upm.es
Our contributors
Isabel Carrillo Ramiro
UNIVERSIDAD POLITÉCNICA DE MADRID
P.h.D. in Chemistry (UCM)
Full Professor
Tel.: +34 91 067 74 11
isabel.carrillo@upm.es
Fernando Acción Salas
UNIVERSIDAD COMPLUTENSE DE MADRID
P.h.D. in Chemistry (UCM)
Associate Professor
Tel.: +34 91 394 42 73
faccion@ucm.es
José L. Morán González
UNIVERSIDAD POLITÉCNICA DE MADRID
P.h.D. Naval Architecture (UPM)
Adjunct Professor
Tel.: +34 91 067 62 69
joseluis.moran@upm.es
In Memoriam
Miguel A. Raso García
P.h.D. in Chemistry (UCM)
Latest news
Do not miss new steps the group is taking, we tell you all about our congresses, articles, meetings, work with companies and much more. Find out this information on our LinkedIn.
Predoctoral stays
Doing a predoctoral stay in Madrid with Picohima, not only means counting with the best support to progress with your research but also you will enjoy the best environment to live the greatest experiences: gastronomy, culture, sport, shows … Besides, from Madrid, the connection with the main Spanish destinations is fantastic, which would allow you to visit them comfortably during the weekends.
Location
We are located in the Moncloa Campus, Campus of International Excellence. It is found in the district of Ciudad Universitaria of Madrid, and has direct connection to the Metro, urban buses (EMT) and intercity buses of the Northwest area of the Madrid province.
Life in Madrid
The rent of a room in a shared flat in Madrid can range between € 250 and € 550 per month, the monthly transport ticket costs € 20 or € 54.60 for those under or above 26 years of age, respectively, and the cafeteria menu with main course, second course and dessert costs € 5.
Workplace
Depending on the characteristics of your stay, you will have access to our equipment and laboratories, in addition to a workplace where you can comfortably perform your work, with a large desk and connection to the Eduroam Wifi network.
Could we help you?
Find us
UPM Madrid
+34 91 067 62 67
teresa.leo.mena@upm.es