Experimental Study of Ultrasonic Guided Waves in a Bipolar Plate of a Fuel Cell

Water management in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is critical for efficient operation. However, in-situ measurements of the water distribution in an operating PEMFC are challenging. In this study, we investigate key aspects of ultrasonic guided wave (UGW) propagation through the bipolar plate of a PEMFC using 3D scanning laser Doppler vibrometry (3D LDV). Our results provide insights for the design and optimization of UGW-based sensor systems for water detection in PEMFCs.