Dr Olivia Barron holds the position of Chief Scientist for Fuel Cells Manufacturing within the Advanced Materials Division at Mintek. She has worked extensively in the hydrogen fuel cell industry, with her post-graduate research expertise focussed on the development of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) and fuel cell stacks for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). She has explored other aspects of the renewable energy arena, through her post-doctoral work on gas separation membranes for the generation of pure hydrogen as well as lithium ion battery development. Her involvement in hydrogen fuel cell research ranges from components to complete fuel cell power systems. And it is through this renewable energy background that she aims to be part of the development of the Hydrogen Economy in South Africa South Africa and the establishment of a local fuel cell industry.