Output details
15 - General Engineering
University of Southampton
Performance and analysis of a novel polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell using a solution based redox mediator
Significance of output:
This is the first mathematical treatment of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) being developed by a UK company (ACAL Energy Ltd). The fuel cell avoids the use of a precious-metal catalyst or gas diffusion cathode, removing a major obstacle to the commercialization of PEMFC technologies. While the fuel anode resembles that of a conventional cell, the 3-dimensional cathode involves a liquid-based, catholyte redox mediator. The cell voltage components and the sensitivity of the performance to the major geometrical and operating parameters are well predicted by the model, providing an effective basis for imminent scale-up.
