Measurement of the clamping pressure distribution in polymer electrolyte fuel cells using piezoresistive sensor arrays and digital image correlation techniques

Experimental determination of optimal clamping torque for AB-PEM Fuel cell

“…They found that the uniformity of the contact pressure distribution, the ohmic resistance and the mass transport limit current, had highly linear correlations with the mean contact pressure [13]. Montanini et al measured the clamping pressure distribution in polymer electrolyte fuel cells using piezo-resistive sensor arrays and digital image correlation techniques [14]. Xing et al [15] reported a three-dimensional model to investigate the effect of assembly clamping pressure on the GDL properties and thus on the performance of PEM fuel cells, and to determine the optimum clamping pressures when the cell is operated under different operating voltages.…”

Effect of clamping pressure on ohmic resistance and compression of gas diffusion layers for polymer electrolyte fuel cells

“…Piezoresistive thin film sensor arrays have been demonstrated and allow 'real time' distributed pressure monitoring within operational fuel cells [7]; the technique provides valuable information for optimizing compression, results obtained show that the type and design of seals/gaskets is vital in this process. Other ways in which the ohmic losses can be affected include reactant gas pressure variations [8], flow-field geometry and dimensional changes in components such as the membrane material, which can change in thickness by a relatively large amount during hydration cycling [9].…”

Thermomechanical characterisation of commercial Gas Diffusion Layers of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell for high compressive pre-loads under dynamic excitation

“…The consequence is a large variation of the mechanical stress into the stack. The compressive stress can easily reach 10 MPa and more [18]. In the literature, the compressive stress-strain behaviour of the GDL is determined by placing it between two flat plates and measuring the deflection as a function of the static compressive force [19][20][21][22][23][24].…”