1376
(Invited) Neutron Imaging of Fuel Cells: An Overview of Past, Current and Future Research

Tuesday, 2 October 2018: 14:00
Star 1 (Sunrise Center)
P. Boillat (Electrochemistry Laboratory, Paul Scherrer Institut, LNS Laboratory, Paul Scherrer Institut)
Neutron Imaging has been used as a characterization method for water management of polymer electrolyte fuel cells since nearly two decades. Its attractiveness stems from a unique combination of characteristics: an excellent penetration through dense structural materials such as steel and aluminum combined to a high contrast for certain light elements such as the hydrogen in water. Owing to this, neutron imaging has been used extensively to understand the limitations introduced by liquid water in fuel cell operation. In this talk, I will first present an exemplary selection of results obtained at PSI and other research institutions, illustrating the major findings on fuel cell water management brought by neutron imaging in the past 15 years. I will then elaborate on how neutron imaging is currently used at PSI for supporting our research on novel materials and designs for fuel cells. Finally, I will give and outlook about what can be expected from neutron imaging of fuel cells in the future. In particular, the possibilities of ultra-high resolution imaging and the potential of the new generation of neutron sources will be discussed.