Fuel Cell Evaluation and Research Center
Western Michigan University's fuel cell evaluation and research center is led by Dr. Bade Shrestha, professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering..
About us
The research focus of the center includes the following:
- Performance and efficiency evaluation of various PEM and alkaline fuel cells—The effect of various operating parameters such as pressure, temperature, humidity, load, atmospheric impurities and composition are investigated.
- Transient performance and control strategies are also the area of investigation both experimentally and analytically through simulation and modeling.
- Electrochemical phenomena of the electrode materials, catalysts (noble or non-noble metals), process of loading of catalyst and assembly methodology of membrane-electrolyte-assembly.
- Research and development of enhanced bipolar, mono-polar and simulation model development using CFD.
The center is used both in teaching and research for undergraduate and graduate students.
Major equipment
- Fuel Cell Test Station
- Hydrogen Generating System
- Test PEM and Alkaline Fuel Cells
- Impedance Meter
- Gas chronography
Fuel cell test station
- Up to 3 KW capacity testing
- Two mass flow meters in each side
- DPH humidifying system
- Cooling system
- Temperature control
- Automated data acquisition system
Ongoing research areas
- Optimization, modeling and simulation of PEM and AFC
- New electrode development using nanotechnology architecture
- Development of micro fuel cell technology
- Alternative Electrolyte Member Research
- FC micro-channel modeling and experiment research