PEM Water Electrolysis

Dr. Dmitri Bessarabov joined DST HySA Infrastructure Center of Competence at North-West University and CSIR in 2010. He was recruited for a position from Canada as an internationally-recognised scientist with academic and industrial decision-making experience in the area of membranes, hydrogen and electro-catalytic membrane systems for energy applications and fuel cells. He obtained his PhD from Stellenbosch University in membrane technology for gas separation. Dr Dmitri Bessarabov held positions in Aker Kvaerner Chemetics, Ballard Power Systems and the Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation (AFCC). Dmitri is also National Research Foundation-rated scientist in South Africa. His expertise includes membranes, MEAs and CCMs. He was leading CCM and MEA integration research team at AFCC for HyWAY 5 automotive program. His current responsibilities at HySA include leadership in the National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Programme (HySA), providing excellence in management, research and product development, HySA Infrastructure Business Plan development and implementation, supply-chain and business development, engagement of industry into development activities.1986 : Diploma of electrochemical engineering at "Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Electrochimie et d'Electrométallurgie", Grenoble, France1989 : PhD in electrochemistry from "Institut National Polytechnique de Grenoble, France; Laboratory : Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, Centre d'Etudes Nucléaires de Grenoble, France. PhD title : Preparation and optimisation of membrane-electrode assemblies. Application to water electrolysis.