Fuel Cell Testing Products and Services

MEA Testing

An MEA includes a membrane with an anode catalyst bonded to one side and a cathode catalyst bonded to the other. A gas diffusion layer is attached to each catalyst layer. MEA Tests include cyclic voltammetry, polarization curves, hydrogen crossover tests, and endurance testing.

Membrane Conductivity Testing

Conductivity Testing measures the in-plane ionic conductivity of the membrane at various relative humidities and temperatures.

Assembling Your Test System from Components

Some labs need only a few components to complete a test system. The following information discusses the various components needed for MEA and Conductivity Test Systems.

Overview of a Test System

MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly) Testing requires the following:

• Gas Delivery for the anode gas - hydrogen. Also need nitrogen for purging
• Gas Delivery for the cathode gas - air or oxygen. Also need nitrogen for purging
• Gas Flow Control of the anode gas and the cathode gas - Via mass flow controllers or variable area meters
• Saturators/Humidifiers - For each gas line to humidify the gas before it reaches the sample under test
• Accurate control of the dew point of the gas is imperative for accurate data
• Heated gas line from the Saturators to the Fuel Cell Test Hardware to eliminate condensation in the gas line
• Fuel Cell Test Hardware - In which your MEA sample is assembled. The anode gas will flow through one side of the fuel cell hardware. The cathode gas will flow through the opposite side of the fuel cell hardware.
• Method to control the pressure of the system, such as a Back Pressure Regulator
• Ventilation to prevent explosive conditions from developing when flowing hydrogen
• Potentiostat - For experiments of less than 1 Amp or in galvanic experiments
• Load Box - For load control at currents greater than 1 Amp
• Computer and test software - For automated test procedures and data acquisition. Manual control and manual data acquisition is rarely a viable option.

Membrane Conductivity Testing requires the following:

• Gas Delivery for one gas (hydrogen, nitrogen, or air)
• Gas Flow Control - Via a mass flow controller or variable area meter
• Saturator/Humidifier - To humidify the gas before it reaches the sample under test
• Accurate control of the dew point of the gas is imperative for accurate data
• Heated gas line from the Saturator to the Fuel Cell Test Hardware to eliminate condensation in the gas line
• Fuel Cell Test Hardware - In which your Conductivity Cell is assembled
• Conductivity Cell - In which your pure membrane sample is assembled
• Method to control the pressure of the system, such as a Back Pressure Regulator
• Ventilation to prevent explosive conditions from developing if flowing hydrogen
• Potentiostat or Keithley 2400 Sourcemeter - To apply voltage and measure current
• Computer and test software - For automated test procedures and data acquisition. Manual control and data acquisition is rarely a viable option.