Hybrid type bipolar plate for proton exchange membrane fuel cell

To overcome conductivity limitation showed in composite plate, new concept of bipolar plate was developed using metallic foam as conductivity enhancing material and various filler as gas leak preventing material. Nickel foam (specific resistance 0.069×10^-6 [Ω·m], porosity of 95% or more, 600 [g/m²], thickness of 2 [mm], Inco Technical Services Limited) was used as metallic foam structure to get superior electric and thermal conductivity. Non-conductive silicone liquid type gasket (specific resistance 10000 [Ω·m], VALQUA company) was used as filler material to prevent gas leak. Hybrid type bipolar plate (specific resistance 1.38×10^-6 [Ω·m]) was manufactured using metallic foam as backbone and various filler material in void space, and has high conductivity and low volumetric density.