Polymeric proton exchange membranes (PEMs) are vital components of fuel cells, as they enable the transport of protons while preventing the crossover of fuel and oxidant gases. However, conventional PEMs have limitations such as low use temperature, low proton conductivity, and poor mechanical and thermal stability. Various types of nanoparticles have been investigated to modify PEMs to overcome these limitations, as they can increase proton conductivity, mechanical strength, thermal stability, and chemical resistance. Metal oxides such as SiO2 and TiO2 have been shown to improve the proton conductivity and mechanical properties of PEMs. Carbon-based materials such as graphene oxide have been found to enhance both the proton conductivity and thermal stability of PEMs. The use of nanoparticles in modified polymeric PEMs for fuel cells shows excellent potential for improving the performance and durability of fuel cells. Future research should focus on developing cost-effective and scalable methods for nanoparticle synthesis and incorporation into PEMs. Polybenzimidazole (PBI) is the most widely studied high-temperature polymer for preparing composite PEMs. This review provides the recent development of PBI composite PEMs modified with different types of nanoparticles.

Three land-grant universities have identified mutual and complementary interests for the pursuit of an academic program in biomaterials and bioenergy, Bio-products Sustainability, a University Cooperative Center for Excellence in Education (BioSUCCEED). BioSUCEED's innovation is based on the development of graduate-level programmatic modules that can be delivered by any of the three University partners. The initiative has been developing content for six biomass and bioenergy related classes: Fundamentals of Biomaterials Science, Biomaterials Characterization, Thermal Conversion Processes, Biological Conversion Processes, Solid State Composites, and Environmental & Policy Studies of Biomass Use. To maximize the dissemination and impact of the courses, all of these customizable classes are being offered at no cost (open access website) to the national biomass and bioenergy community. The partnering universities expect that BioSUCCEED will help to produce students who will contribute to the innovation in biomass and bioenergy that is needed to allow them to be utilized more widely and sustainably. Evaluation data on the current impact of BIOSUCCEED is provided.