The paper presents a new manufacturing technique involving Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) bipolar plate fabrication. A material system for bipolar plate fabrication was identified to satisfy both the cell performance requirement and SLS operation restriction. Carbonization and liquid epoxy infiltration are subsequently performed following the completion of SLS green bipolar plate. The finished SLS bipolar plate showed impressive surface finish and mechanical strength, and a single fuel cell was assembled with two SLS end plates and membrane electrode assembly (MEA) in between. Various physical property tests were performed with positive results. Fuel cell performance (voltage vs. current density, voltage vs. time, etc.) will be assessed in the near future.
展开▼
