Production Method Feasibility for High Power Density Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates

Bipolar Plates for PEM Fuel Cells Typically account for more than half of the fuel cell stacks weight and volume, and between 15-30% of its costs. ITM Power have developed high power density fuel cell MEAs which are currently undergong investigations for commerical applications. In order to fully realise the benefits of high power density MEAs ability to reduce fuel cell size and weight these MEAs need to be used in stack arcitechture whcih is also low cost and low weight/volume. This project will investigate the feasibility of the hydroforming process to produce bipolar plates from low cost/low volume metal sheets.