Fuel Cell Battery
Motivation
Why study Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs)?
- Only water as a by-product and zero pollutant emissions (NOx, CO, HC)
- Fuel cells are more efficient at the same scale; use less fuel and generate more energy
- Useful for stationary power, transportation, and backup generator applications
Our Project
The Department of Energy (DOE) 2020 targets for PEMFCs include a cell potential of 0.8V while outputting 300mA/cm2. Most PEMFCs achieve a limiting current density near 1A/cm2 with air as the oxidant. Our goal was to design and manufacture a PEMFC that could meet the DOE target as well as have the fuel cell reach a limiting current density of 1.5A/cm2 with air. Within the academic year, we were able to develop a fuel cell with an unconventional flow field design. Experiments were conducted to study the effects of compression, flow media material, and flow rates on the fuel cell's static performance.
Conclusions
Ultimately, we did not meet our project goal by spring, but there are plans to continue working with the fuel cell. With meticulous troublehooting and research, a very likely issue was identified, and the project will continue from here.
Many hours and much effort was put into designing, troubleshooting, and testing. The hours and effort have rewarded our team in the form of more effective experimental procedures, better understanding of fuel cells, and data that surpassed that of the previous year. We hope that another team of dedicaed students continue the project the following year so that PEMFCs can keep improving.
Contacts
Faculty Advisor:
Professor Yun Wang E-mail: yunw@uci.edu
Student Contact(s):
Reagan Yap (Engineering Lead, Project Manager) E-mail: reyap@uci.edu
Chris Kim (Engineering Lead) E-mail: junyk5@uci.edu
