Fuel cell model design mimics the intricate structure of a lung, using a proton exchange membrane as its foundation.
The field of fuel cell technology has taken a step forward with the development of innovative bipolar plate designs, as reported in two recent papers by scientists from the University of Seville and the Paul Scherrer Institute. These designs, inspired by the branching airways of lungs, aim to improve water management within proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells.
The research focuses on the critical aspect of fuel cell operation: the distribution of liquid water within steady-state cell channels. By mimicking the lung's structure, these designs create fractal, hierarchical flow channels that distribute reactant gases and remove water more evenly across the active area of the cell. This uniform water distribution reduces localized flooding and dry-out, improving mass transport of reactants and maintaining optimal membrane hydration.
The benefits of this biomimetic design are twofold. First, it helps in better controlling water removal and preventing flooding, thereby optimizing hydration of the membrane. Second, it enhances overall fuel cell efficiency by improving the electrochemical reaction efficiency and the longevity of the cell. Experimental studies using operando imaging techniques such as neutron radiography have demonstrated that such lung-inspired flow fields manage transient water behavior more effectively compared to traditional designs.
The application of these nature-inspired design concepts and strategies has the potential to significantly improve the efficiency and durability of PEM fuel cells. By integrating these biomimetic channel patterns into the bipolar plates—which constitute about 60% of the PEMFC stack weight and 20% of its cost—manufacturers aim to enhance performance while possibly reducing materials usage or costs associated with water management systems in the fuel cell stack.
The exploration of bio-inspired solutions aims to optimize the distribution of liquid water in PEM fuel cells, leading to significant improvements in their efficiency and lifetime. A lack of water can cause dehydration of the membrane, which negatively affects performance, while excessive accumulation of water can clog proton and electron transport channels, reducing cell efficiency.
The ultimate goal of the research is to achieve more efficient and sustainable energy systems through the advancement of fuel cell technology. The findings suggest that a proton exchange membrane fuel cell inspired by the structure of a lung could be a valuable solution for improving the performance of PEM fuel cells. The papers were published in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energies and Electrochimica Acta.
Researchers at the University of Seville are leading the charge in applying these innovative designs, working to tackle the challenge of optimal water distribution in PEM fuel cells. The lung-inspired structure for the flow circulation channels inside the cell is being considered as a potential model for improving water distribution in PEM fuel cells, with the promise of contributing to the advancement of fuel cell technology.
- By leveraging the branching airways structure of lungs, this biomimetic design could potentially revolutionize health-and-wellness aspects related to medical-conditions, as it aims to optimize the distribution of liquid water in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, thereby improving their efficiency and longevity.
- The integration of these nature-inspired design concepts into bipolar plates, a significant component in PEM fuel cells, could lead to advancements in science, particularly in technology, by enhancing the efficiency and durability of these cells, driving us closer to more sustainable and efficient energy systems.
