Grant: Strategic Projects - Group

Fuel cells have emerged as a promising candidate for terrestrial power generation because of their high-energyefficiency, environmental friendliness and compatibility with alternative fuels and renewable energysources/carriers for sustainable development, and polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell is particularlysuited for transportation and on-site co-generation applications due to its high power density and fast startup.The key technical barriers to the commercialization of PEM fuel cell is the cost reduction and performanceimprovement, including reliability and durability. However, performance improvement and cost reduction arecritically hindered by the difficulties associated with water and heat management in PEM fuel cell. Water andheat management are interrelated due to the non-uniform temperature distribution and water phase change, andare known as the two critical issues that limit the performance and cost of PEM fuel cells.Therefore, the objective of this proposed research is to improve the understanding of water and heat transport,and then to develop effective water and heat management strategies through the improved understanding thatcan be implemented in the design and operation of PEM fuel cell for cost reduction and performanceenhancement. To achieve the above objectives a collaborative modeling and experimental investigation isplanned, involving the design, fabrication and testing of PEM fuel cells, and the use of a state-of-the-artneutron radiography facility, powered by a nuclear reactor, at the US National Institute of Standards andTechnology (NIST). The applicant and the researchers at the supporting organization (DaimlerChrysler) andNIST have already had collaboration in their existing research activities, and have complementary expertiseand skills with already available research infrastructure to carry out the proposed project successfully. Theresults of the proposed research project will be useful to relevant Canadian industry in their effort tocommercialize PEM fuel cell with competitive cost and high performance.