1. Real-time Distributed Measurements Techniques:
a) Current Density Distribution -
Real time 25 channel current density distribution with high temporal and spatial resolution
b) Species Distribution -
Real time species distribution with newly developed Agilent Real-Time Gas Analyzer (RTGA with 1 Hz data aquisition frequency) or Agilent 3000 Micro GC. Measurements including saturated water content and low ppm CO. RTGA can be used to solve mass balance for dynamic rate of liquid water generation/evaporation as a funciton of location in anode or cathode flow channels.
  
|
|
|
25 Channel Potentiostat |
Distributed Cell |
Real Time Gas Analyzer (RTGA)
|
c) Temperature Distribution -
Real time temperature distribution with fast-response, highly accurate embedded micro-sensors or next generation nano-thermopiles
|
|
Real time temperature distribution with fast-response, embedded micro-sensors or next generation nano-thermopiles
|
d) Neutron Radiography -
High temporal and spatial resolution visualization and quantification of two-phase flow
e) Direct visualization of PEFCs
-
Quantify the liqiud water dynamicsin micro-channels of PEFCs for developing purging strategy as a function of operating conditions and fuel cell materials.
 |
 |
Real-time liquid water and species flow characterization in the operating fuel cell flow channel.
|
f) Distributed Real Time AC Impedance and High Frequency Resistance (HFR) -
Measurements for MEA moisture content feedback, diffusion rates and electrochemical kinetic parameter determination as a function of location
g) Integrated Approach -
Application of various techniques above in combination with one another can be used to close the mass balance equation, energy equation, etc, yielding much more thorough information and complete benchmark data for advanced model validation. All distributed techniques above, including Neutron Imaging, can be used in tandem or separately.
back to top
2. Transport Parameter Characterization:
a) Thermal and Electrical Transport -
Characterization of in-plane and through-plane parameters of highly anisotropic thick film electrolyte, GDL, catalyst layer, and bipolar plates with specialized test stands
b) Diffusion Media in-Plane Transport -
Characterization of Diffusion Media (DM) flow bypass under realistic operating conditions in a user-configurable geometry. This test stand allows fundamental characterization of in-plane gas-phase transport in the DM.
c) Thermal Transport -
Specialized constant temperature boundary condition test cell and embedded sensors enable calculation of equivalent thermal conductivity in the through-plane direction for PEFC as a function of operating parameters and compression.
back to top
3. Cold-Start Research Capabilities:
a) Freeze-Thaw Visualization -
Visualization and tracking/quantification of liquid/solid phase water at existing fuel cell laboratory of the PSU Neutron Imaging Center
 |
 |
The FCDDL has advanced the NR technique for start-up and shut down protocol development, design feature investigation, probing freeze/thaw mechanism, material selection, and fundamental study. |
b) Controlled Freeze/Thaw Start-up -
Newly developed distributed test cell at FCDDL allows controlled and truly constant boundary condition temperature for a 50 cm2 fuel cell. cell, along with distributed current, species, temperature and HFR measurements. Temperature can be controlled to well below freezing or >110 C.
back to top
4. Degradation Diagnosis and Prognosis Degradation and Incipient Failure Sensors:
a) Online Carbon Monoxide Poison Sensor -
The FCDDL has developed an online, hardware-free CO sensor to accurately quantify CO poisoning to the ppm level. This enables a much more robust fuel cell system and eliminates expensive CO sensor hardware. The sensor is developed based on the dynamic system response to perturbation and utilized the tools of symbolic dynamics.
 |
|
Hardware-Free Sensor for CO ppm Quantification
|
|
b) Incipient Failure and Degradation Sensor -
The FCDDL and is developing online, in situ sensors to detect and quantify long-term failure modes (such as catalyst migration and degradation or pinhole formation) at an early stage so that mitigation strategies can be applied to prolong life. These sensors utilize tools of symbolic dynamics and the dynamic response of the fuel cell to external stimulus to rapidly quantify the long-term degradation level.
back to top
5. Micro Fuel Cell Sensor And Component Assembly Facilities:
a) Nano and Micro-Fabrication Facilities -
Affiliated faculty with the EE department (Prof. Srinivas Tadigadapa) are developing fuel cell sensors for temperature and thermal transport measurement, and investigating micro SOFC assembly.
|
|
Particle Image Velocimetry System (with Prof. Sharp) |
back to top
6. Computational Design Algorithms:
a) Comprehensive Design Algorithm -
Based on benchmark data generated from our novel techniques, the FCDDL is highly specialized at developing design algorithms for performance diagnostics, degradation sensing, comprehensive stack simulations for cold-start, shutdown and freeze/thaw mechanism.
back to top
7. Membrane Fabrication and MEA Assembly Facilities
- Fume Hood (Solvent or Gas Evaporation)
- Hot Press ( Membrane Electrode Bonding)
- Sensitive High Temperature Oven (Solvent and Water Remover),
- Magnetic Stirrer (Mixing Solvents)
back to top
The FCDDL is always looking to broaden horizons in terms of sensing, diagnostics, and quantification of relevant fuel cell phenomena. Please feel free to contact Dr. Mench directly if you are interested in partnering to develop additional technologies.
|
