• Composites Research
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.222-228
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• 2019

The proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) system has many potential uses as an environmentally friendly power source. Carbon fiber composite bipolar plates are highly corrosion resistant and have high specific strength and stiffness in acidic environments, however, the relatively low electrical conductivity is a major issue which reduces the efficiency of PEMFC. In this study, electrically conductive particles (graphite powder and carbon black) are applied to carbon-epoxy composite prepregs to reduce the electrical resistance of the bipolar plates. The electrical resistance and mechanical properties are measured using conventional test methods, and a unit cell performance evaluation of developed carbon composite bipolar plates is performed to compare with the conventional bipolar plate.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.104-114
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• 2019

Energy is an essential driving force for modern society. In particular, electricity has become the standard source of power for almost every aspect of life. Electric power runs lights, televisions, cell phones, laptops, etc. However, it has become apparent that the current methods of producing this most valuable commodity combustion of fossil fuels are of limited supply and has become detrimental for the Earth's environment. It is also self-evident, given the fact that these resources are non-renewable, that these sources of energy will eventually run out. One of the most promising alternatives to the burning of fossil fuel in the production of electric power is the proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. The PEM fuel cell is environmentally friendly and achieves much higher efficiencies than a combustion engine. Water management is an important issue of PEM fuel cell operation. Water is the product of the electrochemical reactions inside fuel cell. If liquid water accumulation becomes excessive in a fuel cell, water columns will clog the gas flow channel. This condition is referred to as flooding. A number of researchers have examined the water removal methods in order to improve the performance. In this paper, a new water removal method that investigates the use of vibro-acoustic methods is presented. Piezo-actuators are devices to generate the flexural wave and are attached at end of a cathode bipolar plate. The "flexural wave" is used to impart energy to resting droplets and thus cause movement of the droplets in the direction of the traveling wave.

• Journal of Drive and Control
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.80-90
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• 2019

Fuel cell hybrid electric vehicle is an attractive solution to reduce pollutants, such as noise and carbon dioxide emission. This study presents an approach for energy management and control algorithm based on energetic macroscopic representation for a fuel cell hybrid electric vehicle that is powered by proton exchange membrane fuel cell, battery and supercapacitor. First, the detailed model of the fuel cell hybrid electric vehicle, including fuel cell, battery, supercapacitor, DC-DC converters and powertrain system, are built on the energetic macroscopic representation. Next, the power management strategy was applied to manage the energy among the three power sources. Moreover, the control scheme that was based on back-stepping sliding mode control and inversed-model control techniques were deduced. Simulation tests that used a worldwide harmonized light vehicle test procedure standard driving cycle showed the effectiveness of the proposed control method.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.217-221
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• 2010

In order to overcome the drawback of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), solid alkalime membrane fuel cells (SAMFCs) have been studied. In this report, we synthesized new sulfonated polybenzimidazole derivatives for SAMFCs. The polyimidazole derivatives were doped by KOH, and base-doped polybenzimidazoles showed high hydroxy ion conductivity and excellent mechanical properties. Especially, sPBI-co-PBI (75 : 25 for molar ratio of sulfonated and non-sulfonated moiety) showed good possibility for the anion exchange membrane. It has $2.98{\times}10^{-2}\;S/cm$ at $90^{\circ}C$ under 100% relative humidity.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.620-626
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• 2018

Recently, fuel cell field is receiving much attention as an environmentally friendly energy in the world. Among the various types of fuel cells, in the case of PEMFC, ions move through the membrane in the middle of the unit cell. Therefore, proper moisture is required inside the PEMFC. In the case of membrane type humidifier, flat membrane or hollow fiber membrane is mainly used. Since various parameters can change the performance, the performance investigation has to be carried out with parameters. In this study, water transport of hollow fiber membrane was investigated in terms of principle operating conditions such as temperature and flow rate.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2007.05b
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• pp.1992-1996
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• 2007

This study focuses on the hydrogen embrittlement of iron tube for fuel line of PEMFC (Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell). PEMFC is operated by feed of hydrogen as a reactant and steam for proton conductivity of membrane. However, the environment with hydrogen and steam occur the hydrogen-induced degradation in BOP system. When iron tube was exposed to hydrogen and steam condition for 24 hours, the oxide layer on the surface was decreased by reduction. When the ambient temperature was 90$^{\circ}C$ micro cracks were found on the surface than any other temperature. The mechanical strength of iron tube was 3% lower than that of non-experiment tube. Maximum tensile stress was decreased 8%.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2010.11a
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• pp.80.2-80.2
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• 2010

The development of high temperature-proton exchange fuel cell (HT-PEFC) is a key in solving the problem of carbon monoxide poisoning of the platinum at anode as well as water management in PEFCs operated below $90^{\circ}C$. In order to overcome these main issues, PEFCs must be operated at high temperature above $120^{\circ}C$. Ionic liquids are available for HT-PEFC due to exhibiting non-volatility and thermal stability. Ionic liquids are however leached out from polymeric matrix resulting in the increase of gas permeability. In this study, we have prepared and characterized the composite membranes with the ionic liquids consisting of 1-(4-vinylbenzyl)-3-butyl imidazolium chloride immobilized by the cross-linkers in pore-filling membrane to prevent to be leached out from the membrane. We confirmed that cross-linked ionic liquids were not leached out from the composite membranes through the various characteristic analyses. It was also verified that the prepared membranes are thermally stable from the result of TG analysis. The pore-filling membranes with the immobilized ionic liquids have a high proton conductivity over $10^{-2}$ S/cm at high temperature (> $120^{\circ}C$).

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.341-348
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• 2016

The experiments related on structure and water electrolysis performance of HALE UAV stack were conducted in this study. Anode catalyst $IrRuO_2$ was prepared by Adam's fusion methods as 2~3 nm nano sized particles, and the cathode catalyst was used as commercial product of Premetek. The MEA (membrane electrode assembly) was manufactured by decal methods, anode and anode catalytic layers were prepared by electro-spray. HALE stack was composed of 5 multi-cells as $0.2Nm^3/hr$ hydrogen production rate with hydrogen pressure as 10 bar. The water electrolysis performance was investigated at atmospheric pressure and temperature of $55^{\circ}C$. Best performance of HALE UAV stack was recorded as cell voltage efficiency as 86%.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.835-841
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• 2011

The humidification is essential for performance enhancement of the electrolysis of PEMFC because proton conductivity depends on hydration of the proton exchange membrane. In this study, the humidification experiment did about On/Off control the humidification and dew condensation for PEMFC by using of the membrane humidifiers. As the results, it was possible to approximation control of the humidity by using of the solenoid valve On/Off control on the membrane humidifier. Also the problem on the dew condensation was resolved by approximation humidity control through solenoid valve On/Off control and the removal of the dew condensation in the flow channel was verified through visualization experiment.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2010.11a
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• pp.85.2-85.2
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• 2010

There is widespread effort to develop polymer membranes in place of Nafion for high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell(PEMFC). In our study, SiO2 membranes are arranged by electrospinning method. For impregnation solution, the modified sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone)(SPEEK) polymer is prepared from sulfonation, sulfochlorination, partial reduction and lithiation reaction. The modified polymer is cross-linked with 1,4-diiodobetane in NMP solvent and then blended with Heteropoly acid(HPA). The characterization of membranes is confimed by FT-IR, Thermogravimetry(TGA), water uptake test and single cell performance test for PEMFC, etc. The composite membrane shows satisfactory thermal and mechanical properties. Beside, The membrane exhibits good ion exchange capacity and high proton conductivity. As a result, The composite membrane is promising as an alternative membrane in high temperature PEMFC.