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.

References

1.
Martin
,
K. E.
, and
Kopasz
,
J. P.
,
2009
, “
The U.S. DOEs High Temperature Membrane Effort
,”
Fuel Cells
,
9
(
4
), pp.
356
362
.10.1002/fuce.200800165
2.
Hamrock
,
S. J.
, and
Herring
,
A. M.
,
2013
, “
Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: High-Temperature, Low-Humidity Operation
,”
Fuel Cells: Selected Entries From the Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology
,
K. D.
Kreuer
, ed.,
Springer Science
,
New York
.
3.
Tsuchiya
,
H.
, and
Kobayashi
,
O.
,
2004
, “
Mass Production Cost of PEM Fuel Cell by Learning Curve
,”
Int. J. Hydrogen Energy
,
29
(
10
), pp.
985
990
.10.1016/j.ijhydene.2003.10.011
4.
Sinha
,
J.
, and
Yang
,
Y.
,
2010
, “
Direct Hydrogen PEMFC Manufacturing Cost Estimation for Automotive Applications
,” 2010 DOE Annual Merit Review, Washington, DC.
5.
Hamilton
,
P. J.
, and
Pollet
,
B. G.
,
2010
, “
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) Flow Field Plate: Design, Materials and Characterisation
,”
Fuel Cells
,
10
(
4
), pp.
489
509
.10.1002/fuce.201000033
6.
Dundar
,
F.
,
Dur
,
E.
,
Mahabunphachai
,
S.
, and
Koc
,
M.
,
2010
, “
Corrosion Resistance Characteristics of Stamped and Hydroformed Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Metallic Bipolar Plates
,”
J. Power Sources
,
195
(
11
), pp.
3546
3552
.10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.12.040
7.
Garche
,
J.
,
Dyer
,
C. K.
,
Moseley
,
P. T.
,
Ogumi
,
Z.
,
Rand
,
D. A. J.
, and
Scrosati
,
B.
, eds.,
2009
,
Encyclopedia of Electrochemical Power Sources
,
Elsevier
,
Amsterdam
.
8.
Heras
,
N. D. L.
,
Roberts
,
E. P. L.
,
Langton
,
R.
, and
Hodgson
,
D. R.
,
2009
, “
A Review of Metal Separator Plate Materials Suitable for Automotive PEM Fuel Cells
,”
Energy Environ. Sci.
,
2
(
2
), pp.
206
214
.10.1039/b813231n
9.
Peng
,
L. F.
,
Hu
,
P.
,
Lai
,
X. M.
,
Mei
,
D. Q.
, and
Ni
,
J.
,
2009
, “
Investigation of Micro/Meso Sheet Soft Punch Stamping Process—Simulation and Experiments
,”
Mater. Design
,
30
(
3
), pp.
783
790
.10.1016/j.matdes.2008.05.074
10.
Turan
,
C.
,
Cora
,
O. N.
, and
Koc
,
M.
,
2011
, “
Effect of Manufacturing Processes on Contact Resistance Characteristics of Metallic Bipolar Plates in PEM Fuel Cells
,”
Int. J. Hydrogen Energy
,
36
(
19
), pp.
12370
12380
.10.1016/j.ijhydene.2011.06.091
11.
Mahabunphachai
,
S.
,
Cora
,
O. N.
, and
Koc
,
M.
,
2010
, “
Effect of Manufacturing Processes on Formability and Surface Topography of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Metallic Bipolar Plates
,”
J. Power Sources
,
195
(
16
), pp.
5269
5277
.10.1016/j.jpowsour.2010.03.018
12.
Kumar
,
A.
,
Ricketts
,
M.
, and
Hirano
,
S.
,
2010
, “
Ex-Situ Evaluation of Nanometer Range Gold Coating on Stainless Steel Substrate for Automotive Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Bipolar Plate
,”
J. Power Sources
,
195
(
5
), pp.
1401
1407
.10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.09.022
13.
Liu
,
Y. X.
, and
Hua
,
L.
,
2010
, “
Fabrication of Metallic Bipolar Plate for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells by Rubber Pad Forming
,”
J. Power Sources
,
195
(
11
), pp.
3529
3535
.10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.12.046
You do not currently have access to this content.