Design of a Modern Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Module for Engineering Education

Hydrogen fuel cells are a sustainable energy technology with great potential to contribute to the hydrogen economy and mitigate dependence on fossil fuels. Unfortunately, recent advances in fuel cell technology are not reflected in modern STEM and sustainability education efforts. Within the last decade, a new generation of polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) has been commercialized in response to proton exchange membrane (PEMFC) automotive performance targets. However, the majority of fuel cell educational material continues to reference the traditional PEM material, Nafion®. Here, a post-secondary engineering educational module is designed to highlight recent innovations in PEM materials and familiarize students with sustainable energy sources. Pilot experiments evaluated the fuel cell performance of Nafion® and a newer generation short-side chain (SSC) PEM. The SSC PEM achieved higher current and power density compared to Nafion® attributed to enhanced proton conductivity in the SSC PEM. The module consists of a short lecture on the hydrogen economy, PEMFC theory and operation, a hands-on activity to reinforce the lesson, and an assessment of student learning. The hands-on activity demonstrates improvements of newer generation SSC PEMs over Nafion® by racing PEMFC model car kits with either generation of PEM. The module seeks to inspire the next generation of fuel cell scientists and engineers by introducing students to novel sustainable energy technologies and solutions.