AEMWE – Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyser

Overview

AEMWE test stations are integrated systems designed to run anion exchange membrane (AEM) water electrolysis safely and reproducibly. In AEM electrolysis, water and alkaline-compatible components are used to generate hydrogen at the cathode and oxygen at the anode, while the membrane enables ion transport between electrodes and helps separate product gases.

A dedicated test station standardises the balance of plant around the cell or stack—power control, electrolyte circulation, gas conditioning, safety logic, and data capture—so researchers can focus on materials and process development rather than building custom rigs.

What You Can Measure / Control (Key Capabilities)

• Programmable power operation for performance mapping and durability protocols
• Electrolyte circulation with temperature control (ambient to elevated temperatures), level control and alarms
• Gas handling with cooling and condensation traps to separate liquid and gas streams
• Automated purge and sequencing logic (including inert purge workflows where configured)
• Gas crossover monitoring (H₂-in-O₂ and O₂-in-H₂ sensing ranges suited to lab safety checks)
• Back-pressure control for pressurised testing (with higher-pressure options available on some builds)
• Multi-channel voltage monitoring for selected cell/stack channels
• Optional integrated impedance/diagnostics capability for electrochemical analysis (where specified)
  
  

Typical Applications

• AEM membrane and ionomer screening under controlled temperature/pressure conditions
• Electrocatalyst development for HER/OER in alkaline-compatible electrolysis environments
• Single-cell benchmarking: polarisation curves, efficiency tracking, and protocol comparison
• Short-stack validation: hardware shakedown, sealing/compression studies, and stability testing
• Gas crossover verification and safety studies during high-current operation
• Scale-up support from lab research to pilot-relevant kW-class operation
  
  

Integration & Compatibility

AEMWE test stations often sit alongside broader electrochemistry and gas-handling workflows. Many labs pair test stations with potentiostat/EIS tools for diagnostics (for example, resistance trends and dynamic response) and with gas analysis for purity or crossover verification, depending on the research question.

Relevant categories (link only where useful):

• potentiostats-galvanostats
• electrochemistry-accessories

Why Choose ScienceGears (AU & NZ)

ScienceGears supports AEMWE research in Australia and New Zealand with local guidance on configuration, installation planning, commissioning support, and troubleshooting. We help align system options (pressure capability, sensors, automation, and diagnostics) with your lab’s safety requirements and research objectives, and we support ongoing operation through practical training and responsive technical assistance.

Product Families & Models

University Test Station (bench-scale)

Designed for university laboratories and early-stage AEMWE development where compact footprint and repeatable single-cell operation are priorities. Suitable for training, baseline performance mapping, and controlled protocol development before scaling to cabinet-style platforms.

• SE300U-AE — Compact university-oriented station for up to ~300 W class AEMWE testing.
  
  

Single Cell Test Station (cabinet platform)

Built for structured single-cell research with enhanced balance of plant and automation compared with benchtop concepts. Suitable for catalyst/membrane screening, controlled operating-condition studies, and repeatable protocols requiring stable electrolyte and gas management.

• SE300-AE — Single-cell AEMWE testing up to ~300 W class.
• SE500-AE — Single-cell AEMWE testing up to ~500 W class when higher power headroom is needed.
  
  

Stack Test Station (1–3 kW class)

Entry stack platform for moving beyond single cells into short stacks. Appropriate for early stack validation, commissioning, and controlled performance/durability testing where kW-scale operation is required with automated monitoring and safety controls.

• SE1K-AE — Small stack testing up to ~1 kW class.
• SE3K-AE — Small stack testing up to ~3 kW class for broader operating envelopes.

Stack Test Station (5–10 kW class)

For scaling protocols and running longer campaigns where robust electrolyte/gas management and data logging are essential. Suitable for serious stack development programs and pilot-relevant testing.

• SE5K-AE — Mid-scale stack testing up to ~5 kW class.
• SE10K-AE — Mid-scale stack testing up to ~10 kW class for higher throughput.

Stack Test Station (30–50 kW class)

Pilot-scale stack testing for industrial R&D and demonstration environments. Suitable for validating control strategies, balance-of-plant behaviour and safety systems under higher hydrogen throughput.

• SE30K-AE — Pilot-relevant testing up to ~30 kW class.
• SE50K-AE — Pilot-relevant testing up to ~50 kW class for expanded capacity.

Stack Test Station (100 kW)

High-power stack testing for industrial development, scale-up validation, and control/safety verification at high operating throughput.

• SE100K-AE — High-power stack testing up to ~100 kW class.

Stack Test Station (200 kW)

Very high-power platform for large-stack programmes requiring comprehensive automation, monitoring, and robust balance-of-plant integration.

• SE200K-AE — Very high-power stack testing up to ~200 kW class.

How to Choose (Micro-Selection Guide)

Start by matching the station class to your test article and required operating window. For early material screening and protocol development, a university or single-cell platform is usually sufficient. Move to a stack station when you need multi-cell validation, realistic flow/pressure behaviour, and longer durability runs at higher hydrogen throughput.

Key decision factors include: target power range (W vs kW vs 100+ kW), single cell versus stack, required pressure capability, the level of automation (purge/sequencing and safety interlocks), sensor package (crossover sensing, temperature/pressure/flow monitoring), voltage monitoring channels, and whether in-built impedance/diagnostics are needed. ScienceGears can help align these options with your lab safety requirements and R&D goals.

FAQs

What is an AEMWE electrolyser test station?

An AEMWE electrolyser test station is an integrated platform used to operate anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolysis cells or stacks under controlled, repeatable conditions. It combines power delivery with balance-of-plant functions such as electrolyte circulation, temperature management, gas handling, safety interlocks and automated data logging. This makes it easier to compare performance, efficiency and stability across membranes, catalysts, MEA builds and operating protocols.

How does AEM water electrolysis work in simple terms?

In AEM water electrolysis, electrical energy drives water splitting to produce hydrogen and oxygen. The membrane helps transport ions between the electrodes while keeping product gases separated. A test station stabilises the supporting conditions around the cell—flow, temperature, pressure, purging and monitoring—so researchers can focus on what changes in materials or operating parameters do to efficiency and durability rather than troubleshooting a custom setup.

How do I choose between a university station, single-cell station, and stack station?

Choose based on scale and how realistic you need the operating environment to be. University stations suit compact, early-stage single-cell experiments. Single-cell cabinet stations are better for structured R&D with more automation and robust balance-of-plant control. Stack stations are needed when you move to multi-cell validation, kW-scale power, higher gas throughput and longer durability campaigns where safety logic, monitoring and repeatability become critical.

What safety features matter most for AEMWE testing?

Key considerations include gas-handling integrity, purge/sequencing logic, pressure control, and crossover monitoring (checking hydrogen in oxygen and oxygen in hydrogen). Automated alarms and shutdown logic help protect users and equipment if parameters move outside limits. If your lab requires additional safety layers (ventilation integration, higher-pressure operation, specific sensor types), these can be considered during configuration and commissioning planning.

Can I run pressurised AEMWE tests with these stations?

Many test station builds support back-pressure control for pressurised operation, which can be useful for studying efficiency, gas management and control behaviour under realistic conditions. The exact pressure capability depends on configuration and safety requirements. If pressurised testing is part of your programme, specify your target pressure range, gas handling expectations and any institutional safety constraints early so the system can be configured appropriately.

Do these stations support electrochemical diagnostics like impedance?

Some configurations offer integrated impedance/diagnostics capability, which can help track resistance changes and dynamic behaviour during operation. If diagnostics are important, confirm the intended frequency range, channel requirements and whether you need synchronised data logging with operating parameters. For broader electrochemical characterisation workflows, many labs also use dedicated platforms under /potentiostats-galvanostats alongside test stations.

What should I measure to compare AEMWE performance between MEAs?

At minimum, track voltage–current behaviour under controlled temperature and flow conditions, and record stability over time during fixed-current holds or cycling protocols. Also watch for trends in temperature, pressure and any crossover indicators. Consistency matters: using the same purge steps, compression/sealing approach, and water/electrolyte management is essential for fair comparisons across membranes, catalysts, or manufacturing methods.

How does ScienceGears support AEMWE test station projects in Australia and New Zealand?

ScienceGears supports AEMWE test station users across AU & NZ with specification guidance, configuration alignment to lab safety requirements, installation planning, and commissioning support. We also provide practical training and troubleshooting assistance to help teams run repeatable test protocols and maintain reliable data capture over time. Where helpful, we can recommend complementary categories such as /gas-analysis for purity or crossover workflows.

Closing Summary

AEMWE electrolyser test stations provide a repeatable, safety-focused platform for AEM water electrolysis research—from compact university setups to high-power stack testing. By stabilising power, electrolyte management, gas handling and monitoring, these systems help researchers generate credible performance and durability data across evolving membranes, catalysts and stack hardware. ScienceGears supports laboratories across Australia and New Zealand with configuration guidance, commissioning help and ongoing technical support.