%0 Journal Article
%A Adam Z Weber
%A John S Newman
%B SIAM Journal on Applied Mathematics
%D 2009
%G eng
%N 2
%P 488 - 509
%R 10.1137/08071973X
%T Using a Quasi-Potential Transformation for Modeling Diffusion Media in Polymer-Electrolyte Fuel Cells
%V 70
%8 07/2009
%! SIAM J. Appl. Math.
%X <p>In this paper, a quasi-potential approach along with conformal mapping is used to model the diffusion media of a polymer-electrolyte fuel cell. This method provides a series solution that is grid independent and only requires integration along a single boundary to solve the problem. The approach accounts for nonisothermal phenomena, two-phase flow, correct placement of the electronic potential boundary condition, and multilayer media. The method is applied to a cathode diffusion medium to explore the interplay between water and thermal management and performance, the impact of the rib-to-channel ratio, and the existence of diffusion under the rib and flooding phenomena.</p>