Automation challenges and opportunities for high volume manufacture of proton exchange membrane fuel cell stacks

While it is well recognized that hydrogen fuel cells hold the potential to play a significant role in reducing our dependency on imported oil and in improving our environment they are not without significant technical and business challenges. In order for fuel cells to be a commercial success we must develop the materials, manufacturing processes and fault tolerant designs that will allow for cost effective high volume production. This paper will discuss the opportunities and challenges for high volume automated manufacturing of PEM fuel cell stacks and components, and highlight the associated research being performed within the Center for Automation Technologies and Systems (CATS) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.