Flexible micro-sensors on stainless steel foil for monitoring proton exchange membrane fuel cells

This investigation presents a novel flexible measurement device for use in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). This device can measure temperature and the humidity distribution with in a PEMFC. This device has three pieces, each with several sensors, installed in the upstream, midstream and downstream parts of a PEMFC. These sensors are inserted separately above the flow channels. When the substrate of the devices is stainless steel foil only 40□m thick, the devices can resist compression and corrosion. The performance of the fuel cell can be stabilized using a regulating heater or humidifier in the cell system, based on real-time monitoring of temperature and the humidity distribution in a fuel cell.