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Issue: October 2005, page: 6
Faster evolution of fuel cells using reinforced thermoplastics
In the quest for commercial fuel cell products, this emerging industry is engaged in a fervent search through a myriad of materials to extract as much performance, durability and reduced cost-per-unit as possible from key components. The primary power element of any fuel cell type is the stack, which can be made from metals, composites, ceramics or in some cases, blends of these material types. Central to the stack are flow field or bipolar plates covered with intricate reactant channels, and end plates, which close out the stack and handle the pressure that is applied to the stack. In terms of composites, most plates to date have been made using thermoset resins with graphite reinforcement.
