For full market implementation of PEM fuel cells to become a reality, two main limiting technical issues must be overcome- cost and durability. This cutting-edge volume directly addresses the state-of-the-art advances in durability within every fuel cell stack component. [...] chapters on durability in the individual fuel cell components -- membranes, electrodes, diffusion media, and bipolar plates -- highlight specific degradation modes and mitigation strategies. The book also includes chapters which synthesize the component-related failure modes to examine experimental diagnostics, computational modeling, and laboratory protocol"--Back cover.

The book provides a systematic and profound account of scientific challenges in fuel cell research. The introductory chapters bring readers up to date on the urgency and implications of the global energy challenge, the prospects of electrochemical energy conversion technologies, and the thermodynamic and electrochemical principles underlying the op

This book focuses on the recent research progress on the fundamental understanding of the materials degradation phenomena in PEFC, for automotive applications. On a multidisciplinary basis, through contributions of internationally recognized researchers in the field, this book provides a complete critical review on crucial scientific topics related to PEFC materials degradation, and ensures a strong balance between experimental and theoretical analysis and preparation techniques with several practical applications for both the research and the industrial communities.