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Date of Award
2016
Document Type
Campus Access Master's Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MS)
Administrative Home Department
Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Advisor 1
Kazuya Tajiri
Committee Member 1
Amitabh Narain
Committee Member 2
Yun Hang Hu
Abstract
The overall objective of this study is to obtain the water transport characteristics of proton exchange membranes like Nafion at subzero temperatures for automotive applications. For this, three different properties of the membrane are quantified: water content, proton conductivity and diffusivity.
Water content is computed from the difference in weight between the dry weight of the membrane and the weight of the membrane at each test condition. To quantify proton conductivity and water diffusivity, a test cell is designed and fabricated to measure the voltage across the membrane at test conditions.
A three dimensional equation is developed for water content in terms of relative humidity and temperature. Equations for proton conductivity and water diffusion coefficient are presented in terms of water content and temperature. These equations are developed from experimental data obtained between -300C and 300C at different relative humidity.
Recommended Citation
Verma, Saumitra, "Proton Exchange Membrane Characterization at Subzero Temperatures", Campus Access Master's Thesis, Michigan Technological University, 2016.