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Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Stack

Design, Testing, and System Integration

  • 1st Edition - October 1, 2026
  • Latest edition
  • Author: Orazio Barbera
  • Language: English

Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Stack: Design, Testing, and System Integration is a practical reference that provides a concise step-by-step guide to designing a PEM fuel cell stac… Read more

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Description

Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Stack: Design, Testing, and System Integration is a practical reference that provides a concise step-by-step guide to designing a PEM fuel cell stack. Taking an engineering approach, the book guides the reader through the theoretical and practical aspects of stack design, manufacture, and testing.

The book addresses all the elements that make up a PEM fuel cell stack in the order in which they should be considered. The first two chapters discuss energy, its source and effect on global warming, before looking at the Hydrogen Economy, its benefits, production, and storage needs. The book then examines the fundamentals of fuel cells, including the thermodynamics and electrochemistry, before progressing onto the components, stack sizing, designing, conditions for use, and applications. Dr Barbera uses his many years of practical experience to provide calculations, analytical tools, and conceptual schema throughout to allow readers a practical guide to stack design.

Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Stack is a valuable resource for anyone looking for a comprehensive guide to the design of PEM fuels cells and their application in the hydrogen economy but will be of particular value to students and early career professionals. The book will also be of interest to practicing fuel cell engineers, and researchers working in the wider areas of renewable energy looking to broaden their knowledge.

Key features

  • Examines every aspect of PEM Fuel Cells, from the key principles to design and how they fit within the hydrogen economy
  • Provides practical examples as well as theoretical principles to ensure complete coverage in a wide range of scenarios
  • Offers calculations, analytical tools, and schema throughout to allow readers a practical guide to stack design.

Readership

Graduate and PhD students studying topics related to fuel cells (electrical, energy, and chemical engineering, chemistry, renewable energy systems, etc), researchers involved in and teaching on the topics of fuel cells and the hydrogen economy, and early career practicing engineers Researchers involved in power generation systems and renewable energy, Professional Engineers working on hydrogen fuel cells

Table of contents

1. Energy

1.1. Introduction: the concept of energy

1.2. The sources of energy

1.3. Global warming and environmental problems


2. The hydrogen economy

2.1 Introduction

2.1. Advantages in the use of hydrogen

2.2. Hydrogen Production

2.3. Hydrogen Storage


3. Fuel cells: general aspects

3.1. Introduction: historical notes

3.2. Principle of operation

3.3. Classification of fuel cells

3.4 Applications


4. Polymeric membrane cells: thermodynamics and electrochemistry

4.1 Principle of operation

4.2 Thermodynamics concepts

4.3 Effects of pressure and temperature

4.4 Fuel cell efficiency

4.5 Electrochemistry


5. The fuel cell parts

5.1 Introduction: fuel cell stack components

5.2 Electrochemical package (Membrane Electrode Assembly)

5.3 Bipolar plates (materials and manufacturing)

5.4 Gaskets

5.5 Clamping and current collector plates


6. Sizing of a fuel cell stack: the operating conditions

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Calculation of electrical parameters of a fuel cell stack

6.3 Gas flow rates calculations

6.4 Thermophysical characteristics of gas-vapour mixtures


7. Fuel cell stack design

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Stack architectures

7.3 Bipolar plates and flow channels design (flow field design)

7.4 Stack sealing

7.5 Stack clamping and current collection

7.6 Stack cooling

7.7 Manufacturing


8. Characterisation and diagnostics of a PEM fuel cell stack

8.1 Introduction: Characterization test and diagnostic techniques classifications

8.2 Non-functional test: Leakage, cross over and short circuit test

8.3 Functional test: Polarization test, time test, non-standard test

8.4 Electrochemical methods for diagnostic

8.5 Physical and chemical methods for diagnostics


9. Fuel cell systems design and applications

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Fuel cell systems components and layout

9.3 Reactants supply

9.4 Humidification methods

9.5 Heat management

9.6 Integration

9.7 Power management and system control

9.8 Efficiency

Product details

  • Edition: 1
  • Latest edition
  • Published: October 1, 2026
  • Language: English

About the author

OB

Orazio Barbera

Orazio Barbera is currently a permanent researcher at CNR-ITAE (National Research Council of Italy – Institute for Advanced Energy Technologies). He graduated from Politecnico di Milano in 1994 in Mechanical Engineering and received a PhD in Materials for Environment and Energy from the University of Tor Vergata, Rome, in March 2017. Dr Barbera has 19 years experience developing electrochemical power generation and storage technologies based on low-temperature fuel cells and batteries and focusses on hydrogen/methanol fuel cells, metal-air batteries, and photoelectrochemical cell engineering. In this field, Dr Barbera has developed a reliable methodology for fuel cell stack and batteries design and test. Prototyping is the direct expression of this research activity; it allows the technology to transfer from the lab scale to practical use. Numerous prototypes of fuel cell stacks for stationary, marine, space, and portable applications have been designed, manufactured, and tested. He designed, manufactured, and tested lab-scale metal-air batteries. This has allowed him to study behaviour and validate the general methodology for the executive plans.
Affiliations and expertise
Researcher, CNR-ITAE (National Research Council of Italy – Institute for Advanced Energy Technologies), Italy