X-Ray CT Observation of Fuel Cell MEA

Introduction

Fuel cells are devices that convert the energy obtained from an electrochemical reaction of hydrogen fuel directly into electrical energy. Because they are highly efficient and emit only water, fuel cells have attracted great interest due to their potential for contributing significantly to providing a solution for both energy and environmental concerns. The use of fuel cells is currently expected to increasing spread in automotive, housing, and mobile device fields, in particular. However, further improvements in performance, durability, and cost are required before there is widespread adoption. Achieving such improvements will require that those in fuel cell R&D and quality control fields evaluate multiple aspects of fuel cells, including measuring their physical properties, analyzing the structure, observing their morphology, and performing various strength tests. Therefore, this Application News bulletin provides an example of using an X-ray CT system for fuel cell observation.

January 31, 2014 GMT