GRADUATE EDUCATION
ME 597D Advanced Topics in PEFCs
[Syllabus]
Advanced PEFC Engines is a new Graduate level technical elective course developed by Dr. Mench. This course aims to deliver the graduate student to the cutting edge of understanding in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Science. The course commences with a brief review of PEFC fundamentals to lay a foundation of understanding for the rest of the class. Then, issues of high current interest will be discussed in the context of the most relevant scientific literature. In each case, approaches for analytical and computational modeling and experimental validation will be discussed.
Issues discussed in depth include single and two-phase modeling, in situ and ex situ physical sensing and electrochemical experimental techniques, physiochemical modes of rapid and prolonged degradation, heat and water management, freeze/thaw behavior, fuel cell materials, the direct methanol and alternative alcohol fuel cells, and flow-field design. A detailed sylabus is available.
UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION
ME 408 Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Engines
[Syllabus]
Fuel Cell Engines is a Senior level technical elective course instructed by Dr. Mench This course serves as an introduction to the fundamental principles of electrochemistry applied to fuel cells, including an introduction to the thermodynamics and kinetics of electrode processes and mass transfer in electrochemical systems. The various types of fuel cell components and technologies are dissected in detail, with a vast majority of emphasis on the polymer electrolyte fuel cell systems including direct alternative fuel systems.
The student also participates in an experimental fuel cell lab and a computer-based fuel cell simulation project to aide in the understanding of these fundamentals. Issues of specific interest to mechanical engineers, including water management and heat and mass transfer are treated in depth. A detailed syllabus for Fall 2006 semester is available.
OUTREACH
The course, Fuel Cell Engines can be offered as an outreach off-campus course for sufficiently large interested groups. Contact Dr. Mench for details. Penn State has established a University-wide Hydrogen Energy Center. The mission of the Hydrogen Energy (H2E) Center is to:
1)Serve as a focal point for the multi-investigator activities at Penn State in the various colleges, centers, and institutes on hydrogen production, storage and utilization systems.
2)Facilitate the development of all types of hydrogen-based (production and consumption) technologies,
3)Promote the use of hydrogen for
4)Sustainable energy production,
5)Develop coupled biological hydrogen production and fuel cell systems for complete conversion of biomass sources to energy,
6)Pioneer new hydrogen storage technologies, and
7)Identify new uses of hydrogen for environmental remediation.
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