Christina Johnston, Ph.D.

Please tell us what fascinates you most about research.
I enjoy the process of transforming an idea into reality, especially through teamwork. This applies equally to inventing new materials, gaining understanding of existing materials to use them more effectively, and combining these elements to create an entirely new or best-in-class device.

What makes the research done at Bosch so special?
At Bosch, research spans everything from fundamental studies to direct contributions to products. We benefit from collaboration between our international teams.

What research topics are you currently working on at Bosch?
We address lifetime challenges in fuel cells through electrochemistry and materials approaches, provide materials information that enables better usage of existing batteries, and develop new ideas for materials and devices, such as for water purification applications.

What are the biggest scientific challenges in your field of research?
The overall cost of fuel cells must come down, without reducing their service lives. This is difficult to achieve, as reducing platinum and decreasing membrane thickness tend to decrease the durability of the fuel cell.

How do the results of your research become part of solutions “Invented for life”?
A widespread adoption of fuel cell vehicles would enable a significant net reduction in CO₂ emissions compared with fossil-fuel vehicles, which would contribute to the mitigation of climate change. Additionally, fuel cell vehicles emit only water, unlike fossil-fuel vehicles, which emit particulate matter, VOCs, NOx, and SO₂, contributing to poor air quality and creating health risks.