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Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre Milestones

  1. 1766
  2. 1806
  3. 1839
  4. 1842
  5. 1955
  6. 1966
  7. 2003
  8. 2007
  9. 2008
  10. 2013
  11. 2015
  12. 2016
  13. 2018
  14. 2019
  15. 2020

  1. 1766

    Hydrogen is discovered as an element.

  2. 1806

    First combustion engine powered by hydrogen and oxygen.

  3. 1839

    The fuel cell is invented.

  4. 1842

    Gas voltaic battery proves hydrogen and oxygen can produce electric current.

  5. 1955

    Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell is invented.

  6. 1966

    NASA uses fuel cells in space mission.

  7. 2003

    First fuel cell aircraft takes off.

  8. 2007

    Fuel cells available commercially as back-up power.

  9. 2008

    First fuel cell car is introduced.

  10. 2013

    March

    Manchester Metropolitan University launched the Greater Manchester Hydrogen Partnership with Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Transport for Greater Manchester, other regional universities and Manchester Airport Group. The partnership developed a business plan for the region that highlighted the need for a Fuel Cell Innovation Centre.

  11. 2015

    Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre concept launched.

  12. 2016

    November

    Manchester Metropolitan University was awarded £1.7m from the European Regional Development Fund to develop the Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre. Match funding totalling £4.1m was agreed by the University to develop the facility.

    December

    Work gets underway at pace to design the specialist facility in consultation with a range of stakeholders and health and safety experts.

  13. 2018

    September

    The £4.1m Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre was officially opened by the Rt Hon Lord Mandelson, Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University with many leading industry, academic and government stakeholders in attendance.

    Researchers in the Centre were awarded £100K Research Council funding to develop screen-printed electrodes that could unlock hydrogen as an affordable and sustainable fuel.

    October

    MFCIC shortlisted for R&D Project of the Year in the 2018 Business Green Technology Awards.

  14. 2019

    February

    MFCIC joined the North West Hydrogen and Energy Cluster and acknowledged as a Centre that is supporting SMEs and contributing to the UK supply chain.

    December

    MFCIC celebrates the milestone of 50 SMEs being supported by our business programme: to date, 55 have been on the MFCIC programme with 23 researchers working within the enhanced facility.

  15. 2020

    December

    GMCA publishes its hydrogen strategy, developed in consultation with experts at Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre, for public consultation.

Manchester skyline

Our Partners

Manchester Metropolitan University
GMCA Greater Manchester Combined Authority
European Union. European Regional Development Fund