This project, performed in conjunction with École Nationale Supérieure des Industries Chimiques (ENSIC) and Laboratoire Réactions et Génie des Procédés (LRGP) at the University of Lorraine in Nancy, France, focused on determining the causes of gas diffusion layer (GDL) degradation in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells and the effect of degradation of overall fuel cell performance. Our research determined that the main cause of GDL degradation is the presence of high potential across the fuel cell. GDL degradation was found to adversely affect fuel cell performance due to reduced effectiveness of water removal which leads to increased mass transport losses.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Bergstrom, Samuel Vincent
• Young, Brent Jeffery

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042716-143320

Advisor

• Kmiotek, Stephen J.

Year

• 2016

Center

• Nancy, France Project Center - MQP

Sponsor

• ENSIC

Date created

• 2016-04-27

Location

• Nancy

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright