Bryan Pivovar is a senior research fellow and fuel cell group manager in the Chemistry and Nanosciences Center at NREL. He oversees NREL’s electrolysis and fuel cell research and development activities and supports strategic planning in the areas of electrons to molecules/H2@Scale and polymers/membranes.

Research Interests

Pivovar has over 25 years of experience in the area of polymer electrolytes and fuel cells.  He is a pioneer in several areas of fuel cell and electrolyzer development including membranes, electrocatalysts, and membrane electrode assemblies and interfaces.  His current efforts have a strong focus on novel alkaline membranes for fuel cell and electrolysis devices.

Pivovar has been a champion in establishing the ‘H2@Scale’ initiative as a pathway for energy system wide benefits through increase hydrogen implementation with an emphasis on the potential importance of hydrogen in transportation and industry. 

Professional Experience

Prior to joining NREL, he led the fuel cell team at Los Alamos National Laboratory.  He has taken on multiple leadership roles in the scientific community organizing workshops for the U.S. Department of Energy in the areas of sub-freezing effects, alkaline membranes, and extended surface electrocatalysis. He was the 2007 co-chair of the Gordon Research Conference – Fuel Cells, co-organizer of the 2019 Renewable H2 Gigaton Workshop, and will be lead organizer for the 2021 International Conference on Electrolysis.  He received the 2012 Tobias Young Investigator Award from the Electrochemical Society and has co-authored over 150 papers in the general area of fuel cells and electrolysis.

Education

Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, University of Minnesota

Awards and Honors

U.S. Department of Energy Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Program Award, H2@Scale (2018)

U.S. Department of Energy Merit Award (2016)