In this master's thesis, we analysed the impact of different inlet channel geometries on bipolar plates. We focused primarily on low-temperature fuel cells with a proton exchange membrane (PEM). The objective of the thesis was to evaluate the impact of different inlet channel shapes, through parallel and serpentine configurations. In the experiment, we took three identical MEA cell samples and test them at a PEM fuel cell testing station. We designed a matrix of measurements to determine combinations of varying parameter values, such as pressure and stoichiometry. The cells were exposed to different operating conditions, corresponding to a range of application that fuel cell technology can be used. We investigated the influence and contribution of channel shape on fuel cell performance. For characterization, we used polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. We compared the obtained results and explained under which conditions a specific channel shape is more suitable for PEM fuel cells. The serpentine channel configuration proved to be more appropriate for applications involving transient conditions, like dynamic operating regimes, while the parallel flow field performed better at low reactant flow rates.
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