A recent publication in Applied Catalysis B: Environment and Energy introduces an innovative approach to one of the most persistent challenges in PEM fuel cells: water management under practical operating conditions.
In this work, Quentin Meyer, Ying Da Wang, Daniel Niblett, Chuan Zhao, and their team at the University of New South Wales engineered a lateral bypass flow field, integrating 100 µm micro-bypasses into a conventional serpentine design. The result? A dramatic improvement in gas diffusion and water removal at the catalyst interface—where performance is often limited.
Key Highlights
- Up to 75% increase in peak power density under H₂–air at ambient pressure
- Achieved >1 W cm⁻² performance even at low Pt loadings
- Significant suppression of mass transport losses due to reduced flooding
- Demonstrated effectiveness across Pt, PtCo, and even platinum-free catalysts
- Advanced validation using operando techniques and multiphysics simulations
The Takeaway
Flow field engineering can be just as critical as catalyst development when pushing toward cost-effective, high-efficiency fuel cells.
Notably, this study leverages a Scribner 850 Fuel Cell Test System for electrochemical characterization, enabling precise control and reliable benchmarking under realistic conditions.
As the hydrogen economy accelerates, innovations like this bring us closer to high-performance, low-cost, and scalable fuel cell technologies.
Kudos to the authors for advancing both the science and engineering of next-generation fuel cells.
