Mauricio Blanco

In Situ Experimental Technique for Measurement of Temperature and Current Distribution in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Current distribution data is vital for improved fuel cell designs and improved performance. However, none of the common current mapping techniques is simple to perform and often compromise the design and operation of the fuel cell. By comparison, local temperature measurements with thermocouples are easier to set up and can be done in an unobtrusive way with minimal impact on the fuel cell. Our results show that current mapping can be indirectly conducted through local temperature measurements and have the potential to provide in situ high-resolution data capable of following load cycling and use in real applications.

Dynamic Flow Field for Fuel Cells

Adequate reactant gas distribution and water management are critical parameters for a fuel cell stack to perform properly and avoid certain failure modes. In this study, an approach is used in which the cathode flow field active area is changed with changing operating conditions. This approach maintains high and stable performance in the fuel cell system without significantly increasing the parasitic load. Such a dynamic flow field is particularly beneficial for applications with a wide range of operating conditions.