In-situ fibre-optic diagnostic toll for PEM fuel cell stacks

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The objective of the proposed research is to enable manufacturers and users of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) to deploy measurement and diagnostic technology that is affordable and that allows in-situ monitoring of parameters that determine performance and health of a fuel cell stack. The operation of a fuel cell depends on the optimized regulation of the flow of reactants, products, heat and charged species in conjunction with reaction kinetics. In current fuel cell stack technology, the regulation and control of these processes is based on elaborate design and material features in conjunction with heat and water management and relies on global performance indicators (e.g .stack voltage and current, outlet relative humidity and temperature, pressure drop), which are relatively insensitive to local changes in conditions that are believed to