Abstract
In this investigation, micro voltage, temperature and humidity sensors were fabricated and integrated for the first time on a stainless steel foil using micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). These flexible multi-functional micro sensors have the advantages of high temperature resistance, flexibility, smallness, high sensitivity and precision of location. They were embedded in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) and used to simultaneously measure variations in the inner voltage, temperature and humidity. The accuracy and reproducibility of the calibrated results obtained using the proposed micro sensors is excellent. The experimental results indicate that, at high current density and 100%RH or 75%RH, the relative humidity midstream and downstream saturates due to severe flooding. The performance of the PEM fuel cell can be stabilized using home-made flexible multi-functional micro sensors by the in-situ monitoring of local voltage, temperature and humidity distributions within it.
Highlights
Global warming and energy crises have accelerated the search for sustainable alternative sources of power
Wang noted that liquid water management significantly affects proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) performance, especially at high current density [4]
Flexible multi-functional micro sensors were embedded in a cathode flow channel of a PEMFC to measure and analyze variations in internal local voltage, temperature and humidity, and to identify water flooding
Summary
Global warming and energy crises have accelerated the search for sustainable alternative sources of power. Nishikawa cut the flow channel plate to install a commercial humidity sensor This method yielded information about the interior, but the cost and assembly were problematic [10]. Karimi observed the distribution of water within fuel cell stacks His simulation results revealed that increasing the humidity promoted water flooding downstream [12]. Shimpalee simulated variations in temperature, humidity, and current in a PEMFC His results demonstrated that water flooding downstream affected the fuel cell reaction, indirectly reducing the temperature and current [13]. Flexible multi-functional micro sensors were embedded in a cathode flow channel of a PEMFC to measure and analyze variations in internal local voltage, temperature and humidity, and to identify water flooding
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