Seminar | Analysis of the performance and durability of PEMFC systems by a mechanical approach

This seminar will be given by Christophe Carral, lecturer at the Laboratoire d’Electrochimie et de Physico-chimie des Matériaux et des Interfaces (LEPMI) in Chambéry.

Abstract :

PEMFCs are subject to numerous mechanical constraints, initially imposed during the manufacture of the PEMFC’s constituent elements, including the cell core (or MEA), and by the stack assembly process; this mechanical state will then be subject to strong variations during cell operation. Optimal performance of the PEMFC can only be achieved with careful control of the level of mechanical stress in the stack cores. These stresses can also be the cause of mechanical failures, within the materials or interfaces of the MEA components, leading to performance degradation or even the end of the system’s life. In this context, our approach consists in studying the mechanical phenomena within the PEMFC systems, through experimental measurements and numerical analyses. These two approaches allow a multi-scale analysis, ranging from the behaviour of the constituent materials, their interfaces, and the stack as a whole.