The papers included in this issue of ECS Transactions were originally presented at the 2010 Fuel Cell Seminar & Exposition, held in San Antonio, Texas, October 18-21, 2010.
There are many fuel cell technologies, entities, commercialization plans, and research and development activities at various states of maturity. The fuel cell efforts encompassed in this issue represents a major, international research and development and demonstration activity. Fuel cells are a topic of great interest and shall probably remain so for some time. The Fuel Cell Seminar and Exposition remains a major social, technical, and marketing forum for fuel cells. The Electrochemical Society, through its collaboration with the Seminar, is able to bring this issue of ECS Transactions, containing important contributions, to a broad technical audience.
This issue of the 2006 Fuel Cell Seminar, held in Honolulu, Hawaii in 2006, marks the 30th Anniversary of the seminar, and contains papers dealing with stationary fuel cell systems, technology development, demonstration, and commercialization of fuel cells. Major topic of discussions throughout the three oral sessions and poster sessions were stationary fuel cell systems, hydrogen systems, and their efficient use as backup systems. Their use as alternative energies and portable fuel cells were also discussed.
In light of recent alarming environmental trends combined with increasing commercial viability of fuel cells, the time is propitious for a book focusing on the systematic aspects of cell plant technology. This multidisciplinary text covers the main types of fuel cells, R&D issues, plant design and construction, and economic factors to provide industrial and academic researchers working in electrical systems design, electrochemistry, and engineering with a unique and comprehensive resource.
PEM Fuel Cells: Fundamentals, Advanced Technologies, and Practical Application provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles of PEM fuel cell, their working condition and application, and the latest breakthroughs and challenges for fuel cell technology. Each chapter follows a systematic and consistent structure with clear illustrations and diagrams for easy understanding. The opening chapters address the basics of PEM technology; stacking and membrane electrode assembly for PEM, degradation mechanisms of electrocatalysts, platinum dissolution and redeposition, carbon-support corrosion, bipolar plates and carbon nanotubes for the PEM, and gas diffusion layers. Thermodynamics, operating conditions, and electrochemistry address fuel cell efficiency and the fundamental workings of the PEM. Instruments and techniques for testing and diagnosis are then presented alongside practical tests. Dedicated chapters explain how to use MATLAB and COMSOL to conduct simulation and modeling of catalysts, gas diffusion layers, assembly, and membrane. Degradation and failure modes are discussed in detail, providing strategies and protocols for mitigation. High-temperature PEMs are also examined, as are the fundamentals of EIS. Critically, the environmental impact and life cycle of the production and storage of hydrogen are addressed, as are the risk and durability issues of PEMFC technology. Dedicated chapters are presented on the economics and commercialization of PEMFCs, including discussion of installation costs, initial capital costs, and the regulatory frameworks; apart from this, there is a separate chapter on their application to the automotive industry. Finally, future challenges and applications are considered. PEM Fuel Cells: Fundamentals, Advanced Technologies, and Practical Application provides an in-depth and comprehensive reference on every aspect of PEM fuel cells fundamentals, ideal for researchers, graduates, and students. - Presents the fundamentals of PEM fuel cell technology, electrolytes, membranes, modeling, conductivity, recent trends, and future applications - Addresses commercialization, public policy, and the environmental impacts of PEMFC in dedicated chapters - Presents state-of-the-art PEMFC research alongside the underlying concepts
"This book is a one of a kind, definitive reference source for technical students and researchers, government policymakers, and business leaders. It provides an overview of past and present initiatives to improve and commercialize fuel cell technologies. It provides context and analysis to help potential investors assess current fuel cell commercialization activities and future prospects. Most importantly, it gives top executive policymakers and company presidents with detailed policy recommendations as to what should be done to successfully commercialize fuel cell technologies."--pub. desc.
Fuel cells continue to be heralded as the energy source of the future, and every year an immense amount of research time and money is devoted making them more economically and technically viable. Fuel Cells Compendium brings together an up-to-date review of the literature and commentary surrounding fuel cells research. Covering all relevant disciplines from science to engineering to policy, it is an exceptional resource for anyone with an invested interest in the field. - Provides an comprehensive selection of reviews and other industrially focused material on fuel cells research - Broadly scoped to encompass many disciplines, from science to engineering, to applications and policy - In-depth coverage of the two major types of fuel cells: Ceramic (Solid Oxide) and Polymers (Proton Exchange Membranes)