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Related Concept Videos

Batteries and Fuel Cells03:12

Batteries and Fuel Cells

A battery is a galvanic cell that is used as a source of electrical power for specific applications. Modern batteries exist in a multitude of forms to accommodate various applications, from tiny button batteries such as those that power wristwatches to the very large batteries used to supply backup energy to municipal power grids. Some batteries are designed for single-use applications and cannot be recharged (primary cells), while others are based on conveniently reversible cell reactions that...
Gas Exchange and Transport01:20

Gas Exchange and Transport

Gas exchange, the intake of molecular oxygen (O2) from the environment and the outflow of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the environment, is necessary for cellular function. Gas exchange during respiration occurs largely via the movement of gas molecules along pressure gradients. Gas travels from areas of higher partial pressure to areas of lower partial pressure. In mammals, gas exchange occurs in the alveoli of the lungs, which are adjacent to capillaries and share a membrane with them.
External and Internal Respiration01:24

External and Internal Respiration

External respiration occurs in the lungs, and it is the first step in the journey of oxygen inside the body. When we inhale, oxygen enters our lungs and diffuses across the thin alveolar membrane. The alveoli are tiny, air-filled sacs that provide a vast surface area for gas exchange. Oxygen in the alveoli has a higher partial pressure (105 mmHg) than in the adjacent pulmonary capillaries (40 mmHg), establishing a pressure gradient. As a result, oxygen molecules move from the alveoli into the...
Behavior of Gas Molecules: Molecular Diffusion, Mean Free Path, and Effusion03:48

Behavior of Gas Molecules: Molecular Diffusion, Mean Free Path, and Effusion

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Microbial Fuel Cells01:23

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Physical Principles Governing Gas Exchange

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Combustion Characterization and Model Fuel Development for Micro-tubular Flame-assisted Fuel Cells
08:16

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Published on: October 2, 2016

Spatial Engineering of Gas Diffusion Layers Overcomes Mass Transport Limitations in Fuel Cells.

Shangwei Zhou1,2, Wenjia Du3,4,5, Jianuo Chen1

  • 1Electrochemical Innovation Lab, Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, London, UK.

Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|June 12, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Perforating the gas diffusion layer (GDL) in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) improves water management and performance. Spatially engineered GDL perforation offers a cost-effective solution to mass transport limitations.

Keywords:
PEFCcurrent density distribution mappinggas diffusion layerneutron imagingtemperature distribution mapping

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Last Updated: Jun 14, 2026

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Area of Science:

  • Electrochemical Engineering
  • Materials Science
  • Energy Storage

Background:

  • Mass transport limitations at high current densities impede polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) performance.
  • Inefficient water management and reactant distribution are key challenges in PEFC operation.
  • Gas diffusion layer (GDL) perforation is explored as an alternative to complex flow-field designs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of GDL perforation on internal PEFC states, including water distribution, temperature, and reaction rates.
  • To compare the performance of homogeneous and heterogeneous GDL perforation patterns.
  • To establish spatial engineering of porous transport layers as a design principle.

Main Methods:

  • Operando neutron imaging was employed to analyze water dynamics within the PEFC.
  • Synchronous thermal-electrical mapping provided insights into local temperature and electrochemical activity.
  • Comparison of homogeneous and heterogeneous GDL perforation patterns against non-perforated GDLs.

Main Results:

  • Spatially tailored GDL perforation effectively balances in-plane saturation gradients.
  • Heterogeneous perforation patterns significantly enhance peak power output compared to uniform patterns and non-perforated GDLs.
  • Operando neutron imaging and thermal-electrical mapping revealed detailed interactions between water, heat, and electrochemical reactions.

Conclusions:

  • GDL perforation is a viable strategy to mitigate mass transport limitations in PEFCs.
  • Spatial engineering of porous transport layers offers a simpler and more cost-effective solution for optimizing fuel cell performance.
  • This study provides experimental validation for advanced GDL designs beyond limited field-of-view techniques.