Impedance, other supporting electrochemical methods, and modeling for fuel cell and fuel cell component diagnostics

Fuel Cell performance depends on numerous processes occurring in several zones and across many interfaces. The interfacial processes critical to the performance of fuel cells as electrons, ions, and fluids (gases and liquids) must be transferred across interfaces and through zones such as membranes and gas diffusion layers. This work will address their changes and rates of change in motion within a cell utilizing Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive Analysis (EDAX). A complete characterization of the cell and thin oxidized copper layers with these tools will allow for a better understanding of the basic interactions of a fuel cell and suggest means to improve upon its performance, durability and cost. Inductance which theoretically is present will be sought out with its role delineated and quantified. Confinement force on the membrane electrode assembly is a factor in proton exchange membrane fuel cell performance and is evaluated with impedance. Modeling with electrical circuit elements will be performed for initial values and boundary conditions in an attempt to find those mechanisms which dominate the fuel cell and its attendant components. The non-invasive nature of gathering information in situ with EIS will also lead to techniques and results that may be employed to monitor operating fuel cells for optimal performance.