1. Structural Analysis of Load Distribution within Single Cell Fuel Cell Eric O’Brien

2. Background Many types for Fuel Cells: Molten Carbonate, Phosphoric Acis, Solid Oxide, etc. Focus is onPolymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell Single Cell assembly of PEM Fuel cell consists of: – Oxygen flow field plate (cathode) – Hydrogen flow field plate (anode) – Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) – Anode Catalyst – Cathode Catalyst – Backing Layers (Gas Diffusion Layers)

3. Cell Loading Structure Cell is held together by: – Pressure Plates – Tie Rods Loading on the cell is important to performance and life of fuel cell. – Too much load can cause excess stress on the membrane and decrease life – To little load can increase electrical resistance decreasing performance

4. Theory/Methodology

5. Model Set-up

6. Results

8. Discussion

9. Conclusion