Micro- and Meso-scale Phenomena in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

C-Y. Wang, G.Q. Wang, U. Pasaogullari and H. Meng
Pennsylvania State University, US

Keywords: PEM Fuel Cell

Abstract:
ORAL Polymer electrolyte fuel cells are characterized by a large range of length and time scales. This talk will present recent attempts to understand micro- and meso-scopic phenomena occurring in polymer electrolyte fuel cells. These include oxygen and charge transport and water distribution in the microscopically complex catalyst layer at the pore level (microscale), water management in the membrane electrode assembly (mesoscale), and transverse water transport between channel and land areas (mesoscale). Coupled experimental and modeling studies have been performed to generate a basic understanding of these important phenomena, and results will be elaborated in this talk. In addition, parallel computations to integrate these micro- and meso-scale sub models into macroscale simulation of PEM fuel cells with complex flow field will be described.

NSTI Nanotech 2003 Conference Technical Program Abstract