Semantic-based Material Twin and Co-Simulation Platform for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (MEDIATE)

The goal of the MEDIATE project it to contribute to meet the worlds increasing demand for more and sustainable energy production. Fuel cell systems are one of the most promising technologies that can help achieve these objectives. Among the existing fuel cells systems, Solid Oxide Fuel Cells are promising technology that offers a clean alternative to fossil fuels due to their high kinetic activity, their fuel flexibility and their fuel reforming within the cell unit. The main characteristics of fuel cells are their lower noise, less pollution emission and their higher energy conversion efficiency compared to most conventional thermomechanical-based power generation processes. MEDIATE will leverage the concept digital twins to support optimised material design for solid oxide fuel cells. This approach includes the development of a semantic environment that enables to seamless combine a range of multi-scale data sources and advanced modelling tools to an integrated platform for end-to-end material simulation, prediction and design. To support such integration, MEDIATE will develop new standards and protocols based on resent European progresses in developing a common machine- and human readable language for applied sciences called the Elementary Multiperspective Material Ontology. This will allow scientist from other fields to utilise modules developed in MEDIATE for solving practical problems with much less detailed knowledge of the underlying technology.

The demand for energy generation has increased dramatically over the last few years, as well as the need to reduce its production impact on the environment. Fuel cell systems are one of the most promising technologies that can help achieve these objectives. Among the existing fuel cells systems, Solid Oxide Fuel Cells are promising technology that offers a clean alternative to fossil fuels due to their high kinetic activity, their fuel flexibility and their fuel reforming within the cell unit. The main characteristics of fuel cells are their lower noise, pollution emission and their higher energy conversion efficiency compared to most conventional thermomechanical-based power generation processes. We propose in this project to leverage the concept Digital Twin (DT) based approach and framework to support material microstructural design with a view to optimal design solid oxide fuel cells. This approach includes the development of a semantic-based interoperable material twin environment that factors in a wide range of multi-physics and multi-scale data sources and their underpinning semantic models, augmented with optimisation, data analytics and uncertainty management, to deliver an end-to-end material simulation, prediction and design capability. MEDIATE will develop standards and protocols for semantic interoperability for SOFC modelling that are extendable to other materials modelling applications through adherence to the EMMO. Scientists and technologies in the field of SOFCs and other fields employing multiscale modelling and multi-physical modelling of materials and processes will be able to use MEDIATE modules with much less detailed knowledge of the solvers.