Device and Materials Modeling in PEM Fuel Cells: 113 (Topics in Applied Physics, 113) - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0387786902 ISBN 13: 9780387786902

Publisher: Springer, 2008

Synopsis

Computational studies on fuel cell-related issues are increasingly common. These studies range from engineering level models of fuel cell systems and stacks to molecular level, electronic structure calculations on the behavior of membranes and catalysts, and everything in between. This volume explores this range. It is appropriate to ask what, if anything, does this work tell us that we cannot deduce intuitively? Does the emperor have any clothes? In answering this question resolutely in the affirmative, I will also take the liberty to comment a bit on what makes the effort worthwhile to both the perpetrator(s) of the computational study (hereafter I will use the blanket terms modeler and model for both engineering and chemical physics contexts) and to the rest of the world. The requirements of utility are different in the two spheres. As with any activity, there is a range of quality of work within the modeling community. So what constitutes a useful model? What are the best practices, serving both the needs of the promulgator and consumer? Some of the key com- nents are covered below. First, let me provide a word on my ‘credentials’ for such commentary. I have participated in, and sometimes initiated, a c- tinuous series of such efforts devoted to studies of PEMFC components and cells over the past 17 years. All that participation was from the experim- tal, qualitative side of the effort.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

Device and Materials Modeling in PEM Fuel Cells is a specialized text that compiles the mathematical details and results of both device and materials modeling in a single volume. Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells will likely have an impact on our way of life similar to the integrated circuit. The potential applications range from the micron scale to large scale industrial production. Successful integration of PEM fuel cells into the mass market will require new materials and a deeper understanding of the balance required to maintain various operational states. This book contains articles from scientists who contribute to fuel cell models from both the materials and device perspectives. Topics such as catalyst layer performance and operation, reactor dynamics, macroscopic transport, and analytical models are covered under device modeling. Materials modeling include subjects relating to the membrane and the catalyst such as proton conduction, atomistic structural modeling, quantum molecular dynamics, and molecular-level modeling of the anode and cathode electrocatalysts.

Device and Materials Modeling in PEM Fuel Cells is ideal for professionals and researchers working with fuel cells, as well as electrical engineers and graduate students performing computational materials research, applied mathematics, and molecular physics.

Synopsis:

The impact of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells on energy generation will parallel the impact of the integrated circuit on information technology. The underlying processes in PEM fuel cells have strong tries to energy generation at the mitochondrial level in organic life. The potential applications range from the micron scale to large scale industrial production. Successful integrated of PEM fuel cells into the mass-market will require new materials and a deepening understanding of the balance required to maintain the various operational states. Key areas of development include: electrocatalysts for the fuel and air and electrodes and membranes exhibiting good proton conductivity under minimal hydration and temperatures between -20 to 120 degree C. New materials possessing improved properties will emerge as a result of a collaborative effort between experimentalists, engineers, and theorists, the later doing both device and materials modeling. This book presents a series of contributed articles from scientists who have made a contribution in the modeling of fuel cells from either a device or materials perspective.

As fuel cell technologies are an emerging area this book will be of interest to any working in this field. This book will provide a survey (with significant depth) of virtually all the computational and modeling work done in this area.

About this edition

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0387786902
• ISBN 13: 9780387786902
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 608
• Editor: Paddison Stephen J., Promislow Keith S.