Fig. 2.

Experts’ recommended government R&D funding levels in FY 2018. For each R&D area, we present the median of experts’ recommended funding levels, the FCTO’s FY 2017 request, and the FCTO’s FY 2017 appropriation. The error bars represent the IQRs of experts’ funding levels. “Catalysts and electrodes” addresses PGM loading, activity, durability, and impurity tolerance of electrodes and electrocatalysts, and electrode design and fabrication. “Fuel cell performance and durability” refers to the durability and stability of PEMFC components, and the performance, diagnostics, characterization, and modeling of PEMFCs. “Membranes and electrolytes” addresses the conductivity, stability, fabrication, testing, characterization, and cost of electrolytes. “Testing and technical assessment” includes economic and technical analyses, experimentation on long-term stack failure, property characterization of fuel cell components and stacks, and technology status updates (37).