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Postgraduate DiplomaOff-Road, Special Vehicles & Machinery Applications open

Postgraduate Diploma in PEM Fuel Cells for Heavy-Duty Applications

Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in PEM Fuel Cells for Heavy-Duty Applications. 8 modules covering IEC 62282-2-100 (fuel cell modules: safety), UNECE Regulation No. 134 (hydrogen vehicles) and MATLAB/Simulink. Dedicated tutor and enrolment open.

Duration800 h
ModeOnline
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Explain the electrochemistry of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell.

02

Describe the stack components and their materials.

03

Size the air, hydrogen and cooling balance of plant.

04

Integrate a PEM system into heavy-duty vehicles.

05

Analyse degradation mechanisms and durability strategies.

06

Apply hydrogen and high-voltage safety regulations.

07

Design a heavy-duty PEM system in the final project.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Fuel cell systems engineer looking to specialise in PEM Fuel Cells for Heavy-Duty Applications.
  • Hydrogen propulsion integration engineer looking to specialise in PEM Fuel Cells for Heavy-Duty Applications.
  • Electrochemical test technician looking to specialise in PEM Fuel Cells for Heavy-Duty Applications.
  • Stack durability engineer looking to specialise in PEM Fuel Cells for Heavy-Duty Applications.
  • Hydrogen safety engineer looking to specialise in PEM Fuel Cells for Heavy-Duty Applications.
  • Fuel cell vehicle diagnostics technician looking to specialise in PEM Fuel Cells for Heavy-Duty Applications.
  • Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter the heavy automotive sector.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • IEC 62282-2-100 (fuel cell modules: safety)
  • UNECE Regulation No. 134 (hydrogen vehicles)
  • GTR No. 13 (global technical regulation on hydrogen vehicles)
  • ISO 14687 (hydrogen fuel quality)
  • ISO 23273 (fuel cell vehicles: protection against hydrogen)
  • ISO 6469-3 (electrical safety of electric vehicles)
  • SAE J2615 (performance testing of fuel cell systems)
Syllabus

8 modules · 800 h

  1. 1.1Hydrogen oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions
  2. 1.2Nernst potential and reversible voltage
  3. 1.3Activation, ohmic and concentration overpotentials
  4. 1.4Polarisation curve and operating point
  5. 1.5Butler-Volmer equation applied to the cathode
  6. 1.6Voltage efficiency and fuel utilisation
  7. 1.7Water transport and electro-osmosis in the membrane
  8. 1.8Enthalpy, LHV and HHV of hydrogen
  9. 1.9Comparison of low- and high-temperature PEM
  10. 1.10Practical: fitting a polarisation curve with real data
  1. 2.1Perfluorosulfonic acid membranes such as Nafion
  2. 2.2Platinum-on-carbon catalyst layers
  3. 2.3Gas diffusion and microporous layers
  4. 2.4Graphite and coated metallic bipolar plates
  5. 2.5Serpentine, parallel and interdigitated flow fields
  6. 2.6Gaskets, compression and stack assembly
  7. 2.7Manufacture of the membrane electrode assembly
  8. 2.8Number of cells and stack voltage
  9. 2.9Individual cell voltage monitoring
  10. 2.10Laboratory: teardown analysis of a commercial stack
  1. 3.1Air compressors and electric turbochargers
  2. 3.2Membrane humidifiers
  3. 3.3Ejectors and hydrogen recirculation blowers
  4. 3.4Anode purge and nitrogen accumulation
  5. 3.5On-board storage at 350 and 700 bar
  6. 3.6Pressure regulators and shut-off valves
  7. 3.7Hydrogen sensors and leak detection
  8. 3.8Parasitic loads of auxiliaries
  9. 3.9System control architecture
  10. 3.10Case study: air supply for 300 kW
  1. 4.1Mission profiles of trucks and buses
  2. 4.2Fuel cell-battery hybridisation topologies
  3. 4.3High-power step-up DC/DC converters
  4. 4.4Power-sharing strategies
  5. 4.5Sizing the buffer battery
  6. 4.6Packaging in the chassis and under the cab
  7. 4.7Requirements for construction and mining machinery
  8. 4.8Rail and marine applications
  9. 4.9Total cost of ownership compared with diesel and BEV
  10. 4.10Workshop: VECTO cycle simulation with a hybrid powertrain
  1. 5.1Degradation and dissolution of the platinum catalyst
  2. 5.2Carbon support corrosion during start-stop
  3. 5.3Chemical and mechanical membrane thinning
  4. 5.4Contamination by CO, H2S and ammonia
  5. 5.5Load cycling and open-circuit voltage
  6. 5.6Cold start below 0 °C
  7. 5.7Lifetime targets of 25,000 to 30,000 hours
  8. 5.8DOE accelerated stress tests
  9. 5.9Mitigation strategies through control
  10. 5.10Laboratory: electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
  1. 6.1Safety properties of hydrogen
  2. 6.2UNECE R134 Regulation for hydrogen vehicles
  3. 6.3IEC 62282-2 for fuel cell modules
  4. 6.4ISO 14687 hydrogen fuel quality
  5. 6.5SAE J2579 storage systems
  6. 6.6HAZOP and FMEA of the fuel cell system
  7. 6.7Ventilation and ATEX zones in workshops
  8. 6.8High-voltage electrical safety
  9. 6.9Emergency response to incidents
  10. 6.10Case study: risk analysis of a 40-tonne truck
  1. 7.1In-service monitoring parameters
  2. 7.2Diagnosis of membrane flooding and drying
  3. 7.3Gas crossover detection
  4. 7.4Predictive maintenance using fleet data
  5. 7.5Air filters and deionisers
  6. 7.6Refurbishment and second life of stacks
  7. 7.7Platinum and critical materials recycling
  8. 7.8Digital twin of the fuel cell system
  9. 7.9Fleet availability indicators
  10. 7.10Practical: maintenance plan for a bus fleet
  1. 8.1Vehicle definition and mission profile
  2. 8.2Power and energy specification
  3. 8.3Stack and balance of plant selection
  4. 8.4Hybrid architecture design
  5. 8.5Hydrogen consumption modelling
  6. 8.6Durability estimation
  7. 8.7Safety and compliance assessment
  8. 8.8Total cost of ownership study
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and a dedicated technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the enrolment window, which makes it possible to combine the programme with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB/Simulink, COMSOL Multiphysics, GT-SUITE, Python (NumPy), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures: polarisation curves on a stack test bench, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and durability tests with load cycling. Assessment is continuous per module, plus the final integrative project.

Accreditable laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with a rotor bench, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL and vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-driven Master's Thesis (final project):safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operating limits.
Industry mentoring:teaching staff with experience in training, , eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
Flexible format(hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
Ethics and safety:a safety-by-design approach, with OT cybersecurity, DIH and compliance as its pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Vehicle definition and mission profile

Explain the electrochemistry of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell.

Power and energy specification

Describe the stack components and their materials.

Stack and balance of plant selection

Size the air, hydrogen and cooling balance of plant.

Hybrid architecture design

Integrate a PEM system into heavy-duty vehicles.

Hydrogen consumption modelling

Analyse degradation mechanisms and durability strategies.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Fuel cell systems engineerHydrogen propulsion integration engineerElectrochemical test technicianStack durability engineerHydrogen safety engineerFuel cell vehicle diagnostics technician
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
  • Sufficient command of Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 800 hours, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.

The programme uses MATLAB/Simulink, COMSOL Multiphysics, GT-SUITE and Python (NumPy). Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.

An in-house SEIUM diploma upon passing continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.

Yes. Modules passed in a Course or Postgraduate Diploma in the same area are recognised towards the higher-level programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.

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