Fiber Optic Sensors for In Situ Real-Time Monitoring PEM Fuel Cell Operation

Fiber optic sensors for monitoring moisture, temperature and trace hydrogen peroxide have been developed in DIAL/MSU. The moisture sensor responds to moisture changes from RH = 4% to RH < 95% in the tested range. The temperature sensor can sense temperature from room temperature 22 °C to 90 °C in the tested range. The hydrogen peroxide sensor can detect/monitor hydrogen peroxide in an aqueous solution down to 10 ppb. Techniques have been developed for deploying the fiber optic sensors to the gas channels and the Nafion membrane of a PEM fuel, cell. These sensors will be tested for in situ, real-time monitoring of the operation of a PEM fuel cell with a fuel cell test system developed by CAVS/MSU. The principle of the sensors and test results of the sensors will be presented.