Prabal Sapkota, Paul Brockbank, Kondo-Francois Aguey-Zinsou
{"title":"3D Printing to Enable Self-Breathing Fuel Cells.","authors":"Prabal Sapkota, Paul Brockbank, Kondo-Francois Aguey-Zinsou","doi":"10.1089/3dp.2021.0303","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Fuel cells rely on an effective distribution of the reactant gases and removal of the byproduct, that is, water. In this context, bipolar plates are the critical component for the effective management of these fluids, as these dictate to some extent the overall performance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Better bipolar plates can lead to a significant reduction in size, cost, and weight of fuel cells. Herein, we report on the use of photoresin 3D printing to fabricate alternative bipolar plates for operating self-breathing fuel cell stacks. The resulting stack made of 12 self-breathing PEMFCs achieved a power density of 0.3 W/cm<sup>2</sup> under ambient conditions (25°C and 20% relative humidity), which is superior to the performance of previously reported self-breathing cells. The problems associated with hydrogen leaks and water flooding could be resolved by taking advantage of 3D printing to precisely fabricate monoblock shapes. The approach of 3D printing reported in this study demonstrates a new path in fuel cell manufacturing for small and portable applications where an important reduction in size and cost is important.</p>","PeriodicalId":54341,"journal":{"name":"3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.3000,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10880644/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing","FirstCategoryId":"5","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1089/3dp.2021.0303","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2024/2/15 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"ENGINEERING, MANUFACTURING","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Fuel cells rely on an effective distribution of the reactant gases and removal of the byproduct, that is, water. In this context, bipolar plates are the critical component for the effective management of these fluids, as these dictate to some extent the overall performance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Better bipolar plates can lead to a significant reduction in size, cost, and weight of fuel cells. Herein, we report on the use of photoresin 3D printing to fabricate alternative bipolar plates for operating self-breathing fuel cell stacks. The resulting stack made of 12 self-breathing PEMFCs achieved a power density of 0.3 W/cm2 under ambient conditions (25°C and 20% relative humidity), which is superior to the performance of previously reported self-breathing cells. The problems associated with hydrogen leaks and water flooding could be resolved by taking advantage of 3D printing to precisely fabricate monoblock shapes. The approach of 3D printing reported in this study demonstrates a new path in fuel cell manufacturing for small and portable applications where an important reduction in size and cost is important.
期刊介绍:
3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing is a peer-reviewed journal that provides a forum for world-class research in additive manufacturing and related technologies. The Journal explores emerging challenges and opportunities ranging from new developments of processes and materials, to new simulation and design tools, and informative applications and case studies. Novel applications in new areas, such as medicine, education, bio-printing, food printing, art and architecture, are also encouraged.
The Journal addresses the important questions surrounding this powerful and growing field, including issues in policy and law, intellectual property, data standards, safety and liability, environmental impact, social, economic, and humanitarian implications, and emerging business models at the industrial and consumer scales.