Scribner Pneumatic Compression Accessory Sets New Standard for Precision Pressure Control in Electrochemical Testing
Southern Pines, NC — Scribner, leader in advanced electrochemical instrumentation, today announced the launch of its Pneumatic Compression Accessory, a purpose-built solution designed to bring unprecedented control and repeatability to membrane electrode assembly (MEA) testing, in collaboration with Tandem Technologies.
For researchers working at the cutting edge of fuel cells and electrolysis, one variable has remained difficult to isolate: clamping pressure. While conventional bolted fixtures provide adequate sealing, they introduce variability that can obscure true performance trends. The Scribner Pneumatic Compression Accessory changes that.
At its core, the Pneumatic Compression Accessory enables precise, pneumatic control of force applied to the MEA, allowing researchers to systematically study how pressure influences electrochemical performance, durability, and material behavior. By replacing torque-dependent assembly with controlled, measurable compression, the system eliminates one of the most persistent sources of experimental uncertainty.
“Pressure is not just a mechanical parameter, it’s an electrochemical variable,” said Ben Thomas, Electrochemist at Scribner. “Contact resistance, gas diffusion, water management, and catalyst utilization are all impacted by how an MEA is compressed. The Pneumatic Compression Accessory further demonstrates Scribner’s promise to continually refine hardware to help researchers to quantify and control their science with even more confidence.”
FROM ASSEMBLY VARIABILITY TO EXPERIMENTAL CONTROL
The Pneumatic Compression Accessory is engineered for scientists who demand reproducibility. By enabling users to apply the same exact force across repeated builds, it ensures that performance differences are driven by materials and operating conditions, not assembly inconsistencies.
This level of control opens the door to new experimental capabilities, including:
- Determining the minimum effective clamping force required for specific MEA architectures
- Mapping performance as a function of applied pressure
- Investigating the interplay between mechanical compression and interfacial resistances
- Standardizing cell assembly for high-confidence comparative studies
DESIGNED FOR SEAMLESS INTEGRATION
The Pneumatic Compression Accessory is fully compatible with Scribner’s established ecosystem, integrating directly with all side-port cell fixtures featuring the company’s signature blue endplate geometry. Supported systems include:
This plug-and-play compatibility ensures that existing users can immediately elevate their testing capabilities without overhauling their setup.
ENABLING THE NEXT WAVE OF ELECTROCHEMICAL INNOVATION
As the field pushes toward higher performance materials and tighter engineering tolerances, the need for rigorous, reproducible testing methodologies has never been greater. The Pneumatic Compression Accessory positions itself as an essential tool for labs seeking to move beyond approximation and into true parameter control.
Whether optimizing next-generation catalyst layers, refining gas diffusion media, or validating stack-level insights at the single-cell level, the Pneumatic Compression Accessory provides the mechanical precision required to match today’s electrochemical ambitions.
The Scribner Pneumatic Compression Accessory is available now.
ABOUT TANDEM TECHNOLOGIES
Tandem Technologies is a fuel cell company dedicated to the continuing development of Hydrogen Fuel Cells and their applications.
With a focus on research tools, Tandem provides fuel cells, fuel cell research hardware, fuel cell test hardware, test equipment and services that are designed to accelerate your development programs and increase your productivity.
ABOUT SCRIBNER
Scribner designs and manufactures advanced electrochemical test equipment for fuel cell, electrolysis, redox flow, membrane, and battery research. With over 40 years of experience, Scribner is recognized for precision-engineered instrumentation, deep electrochemical expertise, thorough safety parameters, and responsive technical support. Scribner’s mission is to remove technical barriers and empower researchers to drive discovery, innovation, and impact. Serving laboratories and institutions around the world, Scribner builds lasting partnerships through reliable solutions, scalable systems, and a commitment to enabling scientific breakthroughs.
For all media inquiries, please contact info@scribner.com.
