Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have many advantages among the various types of fuel cells, such as high energy density, low temperature operation, near-zero pollution, and quick starting. Thereby, PEMFCs have been considered as the most promising alternative power sources in the transportation and stationary fields. Among the components of PEMFCs, the bipolar plates are the most representative regarding cost and volume, however, they have relevant functions on the fuel cell stack. There are about 500 bipolar plates in a PEMFC for a typical passenger car and, thus, the commercialization of the fuel cell technology becomes quite challenging. Important key aspects for a successful fuel cell stack are the design and the manufacturing process of the bipolar plate. For efficient mass production, the cycle time of the process is even more important than the material costs. It is, therefore, very important that the used material is appropriate for a fast manufacturing process. Recent developments are overcoming these issues, leading to improvements on the overall fuel cell performance and durability.
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Institute of Materials and Surfaces Science
and Engineering,
Instituto Superior Técnico,
Universidade de Lisboa,
e-mail: cesarsequeira@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Institute of Materials and Surfaces Science
and Engineering,
Instituto Superior Técnico,
Universidade de Lisboa,
e-mail: luis.m.amaral@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Article navigation
August 2014
This article was originally published in
Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology
Technology Review
Bipolar Plates for PEMFCs
C. A. C. Sequeira,
Institute of Materials and Surfaces Science
and Engineering,
Instituto Superior Técnico,
Universidade de Lisboa,
e-mail: cesarsequeira@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
C. A. C. Sequeira
1
Materials Electrochemistry Group
,Institute of Materials and Surfaces Science
and Engineering,
Instituto Superior Técnico,
Universidade de Lisboa,
Lisboa 1049-001
, Portugal
e-mail: cesarsequeira@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
1Correponding author.
Search for other works by this author on:
L. Amaral
Institute of Materials and Surfaces Science
and Engineering,
Instituto Superior Técnico,
Universidade de Lisboa,
e-mail: luis.m.amaral@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
L. Amaral
Materials Electrochemistry Group
,Institute of Materials and Surfaces Science
and Engineering,
Instituto Superior Técnico,
Universidade de Lisboa,
Lisboa
1049-001, Portugal
e-mail: luis.m.amaral@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Search for other works by this author on:
C. A. C. Sequeira
Materials Electrochemistry Group
,Institute of Materials and Surfaces Science
and Engineering,
Instituto Superior Técnico,
Universidade de Lisboa,
Lisboa 1049-001
, Portugal
e-mail: cesarsequeira@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
L. Amaral
Materials Electrochemistry Group
,Institute of Materials and Surfaces Science
and Engineering,
Instituto Superior Técnico,
Universidade de Lisboa,
Lisboa
1049-001, Portugal
e-mail: luis.m.amaral@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
1Correponding author.
Contributed by the Advanced Energy Systems Division of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF FUEL CELL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. Manuscript received February 25, 2014; final manuscript received March 10, 2014; published online April 17, 2014. Editor: Nigel M. Sammes.
J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol. Aug 2014, 11(4): 044001 (3 pages)
Published Online: April 17, 2014
Article history
Received:
February 25, 2014
Revision Received:
March 10, 2014
Citation
Sequeira, C. A. C., and Amaral, L. (April 17, 2014). "Bipolar Plates for PEMFCs." ASME. J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol. August 2014; 11(4): 044001. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4027254
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