Material Characterization using Micro Computed Tomography and Pore Network Modeling of Gas Diffusion Layers for Fuel cell Applications

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The Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation Corp. (AFCC) is developing the next generation of fuel cell stacks for their 2013 production line. Even though polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are promising energy conversion devices for automotive applications, the technology still faces several barriers linked to liquid water management. To provide practical water management solutions, a strong fundamental understanding of the transport mechanisms of gaseous and liquid water within the porous layers of the fuel cell are vital for designing PEMFCs that will be used at high current density operation, where high amounts of liquid water are present. In the work proposed here, AFCC is supporting a two-pronged effort to 1) develop material characterization strategies using micro computed tomography (µCT) to gain insight into the microscale structure of the porous materials employed in the fuel cell and 2) develop a pore network modeling tool that will ultimately enable AFCC to predict the liquid water fluxes and saturation states of these porous materials as a function of gaseous fuel diffusivity to the electrochemical reaction sites. Over the next two years, AFCC will collaborate with the investigator and provide the trainees with a transparent understanding of the industry-specific issues that are facing their next generation of fuel cell stacks, thus providing the trainees with the overall skill set that will make them ideal future employees for the fuel cell automotive sector. The research that is described in this proposal will also help to inform AFCC's next generation of fuel cell stacks as they work towards the 2013 product line and future product lines.