"Gebze Institute of Technology is actively engaged in research for promoting hydrogen energy technologies in Turkey. Dr. Yazici will work as Senior Scientist to train graduate students on Electrochemistry and develop capabilities on bipolar plate manufacturing and testing for high power density fuel cells. Specific objectives include: -Completing a state of the art assembly and testing laboratory; -Developing thinner bipolar plate materials to compete with metal plates; -Offering semester classes to graduate students on electrochemistry and fuel cells; -Offering university workshops on hydrogen energy technologies; -Submitting proposals for further funding to become Center of Excellence. The United States Department of Energy (DOE) Hydrogen, Fuel Cells & Infrastructure Program’s roadmap for transportation fuel cells identifies energy density, durability, and cost as the primary drivers for rapid commercialization. Bipolar plates have the highest mass and volume of any component in the fuel cell stack. Reduced stack size and weight by making thinner bipolar plates leads directly to increased energy density and lower cost. In this proposal, Dr. Yazici will obtain new graphite materials and characterize them for physical properties and assemble them into fuel cell stacks that may give higher energy density compare to conventional bipolar plates. Funding of this proposal is going to help us to train graduate students on electrochemistry in general and specifically on fuel cell stack assembly and testing. At the same time, experience gained by local or European machine shops during material preparation and processing will support them in future supply-chain."