{"id":{"repo_id":"vt","oai_identifier":"oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/34978"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/vt/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/34978","repository":{"repo_id":"vt","name":"Virginia Tech","base_url":"https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request"},"display":{"title":"Combining In Situ Measurements and Advanced Catalyst Layer Modeling in PEM Fuel Cells","abstract":"Catalyst layer modeling can be a useful tool for fuel cell design. By comparing numerical results to experimental results, numerical models can provide a better understanding of the physical processes occurring within the fuel cell catalyst layer. This can lead to design optimization and cost reduction. The purpose of this research was to compare, for the first time, a direct numerical simulation (DNS) model for the cathode catalyst layer of a PEM fuel cell to a newly developed experimental technique that measures the ionic potential through the length of the catalyst layer. A new design for a microstructured electrode scaffold (MES) is proposed and implemented. It was found that there is a 25%-27% difference between the model and the experimental measurements. Case studies were also performed with the DNS to compare the effects of different operating conditions, specifically temperature and relative humidity, and different reconstructed microstructures. Suggested operating parameters are proposed for the best comparison between numerical and experimental results. Recommendations for microstructure reconstruction, MES construction and design, and potential measurement techniques are also given.","abstract_html":"Catalyst layer modeling can be a useful tool for fuel cell design. By comparing numerical results to experimental results, numerical models can provide a better understanding of the physical processes occurring within the fuel cell catalyst layer. This can lead to design optimization and cost reduction. The purpose of this research was to compare, for the first time, a direct numerical simulation (DNS) model for the cathode catalyst layer of a PEM fuel cell to a newly developed experimental technique that measures the ionic potential through the length of the catalyst layer. A new design for a microstructured electrode scaffold (MES) is proposed and implemented. It was found that there is a 25%-27% difference between the model and the experimental measurements. Case studies were also performed with the DNS to compare the effects of different operating conditions, specifically temperature and relative humidity, and different reconstructed microstructures. Suggested operating parameters are proposed for the best comparison between numerical and experimental results. Recommendations for microstructure reconstruction, MES construction and design, and potential measurement techniques are also given.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Regner, Keith Thomas"],"institution":"Virginia Tech","degree_name":"Master of Science","degree_level":"masters","degree_discipline":"Mechanical Engineering","degree_department":"Mechanical Engineering","school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":["Ellis, Michael W."],"committee_members":["Mukherjee, Partha P.","von Spakovsky, Michael R."],"year":2011,"date_issued":"2011-08-26","date_published":"2011-08-26","updated_at":"2026-07-22T22:20:11Z","subjects":["Measurement","DNS","Through-Plane Transport","Catalyst Layer","PEM Fuel Cell"],"languages":[],"rights":["In Copyright"],"rights_urls":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"],"identifier_entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier.other","label":"Dc Identifier Other","values":["etd-09082011-164632"],"render_values":[{"text":"etd-09082011-164632","href":null,"code":true}]}]},"links":{"outbound_url":"http://hdl.handle.net/10919/34978","outbound_label":"Handle","outbound_source":"dc:identifier.uri"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor.committeechair","label":"Committee Chair","values":["Ellis, Michael W."]},{"key":"dc:contributor.committeemember","label":"Committee Member","values":["Mukherjee, Partha P.","von Spakovsky, Michael R."]},{"key":"dc:contributor.department","label":"Department","values":["Mechanical Engineering"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Regner, Keith Thomas"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.accessioned","label":"Dc Date Accessioned","values":["2014-03-14T20:45:02Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2014-03-14T20:45:02Z","2011-10-19"]},{"key":"dc:date.issued","label":"Date","values":["2011-08-26"]},{"key":"dc:publisher","label":"Institution","values":["Virginia Tech"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["Thesis"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Mechanical Engineering"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["masters"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Master of Science"]},{"key":"thesis:institution_name","label":"Thesis Institution Name","values":["Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Measurement","DNS","Through-Plane Transport","Catalyst Layer","PEM Fuel Cell"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:rights","label":"Dc Rights","values":["In Copyright"]},{"key":"dc:rights.uri","label":"Rights URI","values":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier.other","label":"Dc Identifier Other","values":["etd-09082011-164632"]},{"key":"dc:identifier.uri","label":"Identifier URI","values":["http://hdl.handle.net/10919/34978"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["Catalyst layer modeling can be a useful tool for fuel cell design. By comparing numerical results to experimental results, numerical models can provide a better understanding of the physical processes occurring within the fuel cell catalyst layer. This can lead to design optimization and cost reduction. The purpose of this research was to compare, for the first time, a direct numerical simulation (DNS) model for the cathode catalyst layer of a PEM fuel cell to a newly developed experimental technique that measures the ionic potential through the length of the catalyst layer. A new design for a microstructured electrode scaffold (MES) is proposed and implemented. It was found that there is a 25%-27% difference between the model and the experimental measurements. Case studies were also performed with the DNS to compare the effects of different operating conditions, specifically temperature and relative humidity, and different reconstructed microstructures. Suggested operating parameters are proposed for the best comparison between numerical and experimental results. Recommendations for microstructure reconstruction, MES construction and design, and potential measurement techniques are also given."]},{"key":"dc:description.degree","label":"Dc Description Degree","values":["Master of Science"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Combining In Situ Measurements and Advanced Catalyst Layer Modeling in PEM Fuel Cells"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor.committeechair":["Ellis, Michael W."],"dc:contributor.committeemember":["Mukherjee, Partha P.","von Spakovsky, Michael R."],"dc:contributor.department":["Mechanical Engineering"],"dc:creator":["Regner, Keith Thomas"],"dc:date.accessioned":["2014-03-14T20:45:02Z"],"dc:date.available":["2014-03-14T20:45:02Z","2011-10-19"],"dc:date.issued":["2011-08-26"],"dc:description.abstract":["Catalyst layer modeling can be a useful tool for fuel cell design. 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