A novel open source computer analysis framework for fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies operating at high current density

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Polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) vehicles are anticipated to lower well-to-wheel energy consumption, and reduce emissions of green house gases (GHG) and other air pollutants. The current generation of fuel cell vehicles have demonstrated all the performance attributes that customers expect, such as long range, fast re-fuelling and cold start. However, the fuel cells are still physically too large, and too costly to enable successful commercialization of this technology. One of the major contributors to fuel cell costs is the platinum used inside the fuel cell electrodes. In order to reduce the amount of platinum it is necessary to increase the electrical power produced per gram of catalyst (W/gPt) by operating the fuel cells at high current densities (e.g., above 2.5A/cm2). To achieve this goal, the fuel cell electrodes need to be redesigned. Mathematical models are required in order to understand the physical process occurring inside the cell and to