Effect of a novel flow field design on PEM fuel cell performance

the promising potential of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) for emission-free energy generation has been hindered by notable challenges, including water management, reactant distribution, and mass transport limitations. The flow field, a vital component, aims to efficiently deliver necessary reactants, thereby overcoming these difficulties and improving PEMFC performance. This study delves into the profound influence of a pioneering flow field configuration on PEMFC performance. Three novel designs, namely, FFF1, FFF2, and FFF3, all inspired by the Fibonacci sequence, were examined and contrasted with the baseline serpentine flow field. Results highlight that these innovative Fibonacci-oriented designs have a substantial impact on cell performance at voltages under 0.645 V, while maintaining a minor effect at voltages above this threshold. Remarkably, the application of these configurations significantly bolstered the ohmic polarization region. The novel configurations yielded pronounced improvements in peak power density. Upgrades were observed in FFF1, FFF2, and FFF3 at 28.04%, 4.82%, and 20.3%, respectively. Furthermore, these Fibonacci-inspired designs commenced concentration losses at superior current densities (1.05, 1, and 1.01 A/cm2 for FFF1, FFF2, and FFF3, respectively) compared to the standard 0.97 A/cm2 observed for the serpentine flow field. Among the new designs, the initial Fibonacci-based configuration (FFF1) outperformed the others, positioning itself as the optimal design. This research sets a new benchmark for future PEMFC development and optimization.