• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2006.06a
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• pp.99-102
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• 2006

Optimal flow-field design of bipolar-plates for a commercial class PEM(polymer electrolyte membrane) fuel cell stack was carried out on the basis of three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics(CFD) simulation. A three-dimensional CFD model originally developed by Shimpalee et al., has been utilized for performing large-scale simulation of a single fuel cell consisting of bipolar-plates gas diffusion layers, and a membrane-electrode-assembly(MEA). The CFD model is able to predict the current density, pressure drops, gas velocities, vapor and liquid water contents, temperature distributions, etc. inside a single fuel cell. Depending on simulation results from the CFD modeling of a PEM fuel cell, several flow-fields of bipolar-plates were designed and verified. The final design of the bipolar-plate has been chosen from the simulations and experimental tests and showed the best performance as expected from the simulation results under a normal operating condition. Thus, the CFD simulation approach to design the optimal flow-field of the bipolar-plates was successful. The final design was adopted as the best flow-field to build a commercial scale PEM fuel cell stack, the performance of which shows about 42% higher than that of the older bipolar-plate design.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.409-414
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• 2011

To promote the industry of PEMFC, the commercialization of its parts especially bipolar plate is needed. The bipolar plate is one of key parts for PEMFC, which occupies cost portion of 5~8% in the system. To replace the bipolar plate of machined graphite highly costly, the stamped thin matal or the molded carbon composite has been developed. According to the merits and demerits of each material and its forming process, the stamped metallic plate has been considered to the bipolar plate of PEMFC for automotive, and on the other hand, the molded composite plate has been considered to one for building applications. Hankook Tire Co., Ltd. has developed the carbon composite material and the manufacturing process for the bipolar plates. The developed bipolar plates were proved to be fully applicable to PEMFC of building applications in characteristics and performance, and so government strategic project to develop the mass-production technology for bipolar plates was started and is being conducted by the company. Through the government project for obtaining both the commercialization technology and production capacity for the bipolar plates, the price and the performance of domestic PEMFCs are expected to become competitive in international market.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.118-127
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• 2012

TiN or Ti/TiN was coated on stainless steel as bipolar plate in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) to improve their corrosion resistance and electric conductivity, and their properties were examined under fuel cell operating condition. After 200 hours operation, the behaviors for the corrosion, crack and dissolution of coating layer were investigated by various techniques. The corrosion and exfoliation of coating layer were considerably generated except for SUS316L-Ti/TiN after fuel cell operation even if the electric conductivity and corrosion resistance of coated stainless steel bipolar plates were improved. The adoption of Ti layer between TiN layer and the surface of stainless steel enhanced the adhesion of TiN layer and decreased the possibility of corrosion by the increase of coating layer.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2007.06a
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• pp.553-556
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• 2007

Hyundai${\cdot}$Kia Motors have developed PEMFC stack technologies for passenger car application in 1998. The developed 80kW class stack, which was installed Kia's Sportage FCV in 2005, has been modified for -10$^{\circ}C$ cold start-up and ensuring the stability and durability by using new technologies such as newly designed separator, manifold block, end plate, and so on. And also, the stack durability has been verified over 1,500hrs with the condition of combined vehicle driving mode. Hyundai${\cdot}$Kia Motors will keep continuing the stack R&D to reach the goal of FCV commercialization.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2009.05a
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• pp.145-146
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• 2009

크롬 도금된 AISI 316L 스테인리스강에 펄스 바이어스를 사용한 유도결합 플라즈마로 질화 처리하여 고분자 전해질 연료전지용 분리판에 적합한 물성을 확인하였다.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2011.05a
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• pp.178-179
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• 2011

2차 연료 전지용 금속 분리판 중 스테인리스 스틸은 많은 연구가 진행 되어 왔지만, 알루미늄은 거의 연구가 진행되지 않고 있다. 따라서 이번 연구는 반응성 DC 마그네트론 스퍼터링법으로 스테인리스 와 알루미늄 기판에 TiN 박막을 증착한 후, 기판의 종류에 따른 TiN 박막의 물성을 비교 검토하였다.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.248-251
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• 2005

Graphite reinforced conductive polymer composites for PEMFC bipolar plates were fabricated by the compression molding technique. Graphite powder was mixed with an phenol resin to impart electrical property in composites. In this study, conductive polymer composites with high filler $loadings(>60wt.\%)$ were manufactured to accomplish high electrical conductivity above 100S/cm. The level of compaction is important because graphite powder increase electrical conductivity of composites by direct physical contact between particles. The optimum molding pressure according to filler was proposed experimentally. Various tests(electrical conductivity, flexural strength, compressive strength, leach test, etc) were carried out to verify the performance of fabricated composites for PEMFC bipolar plates. Fabricated composites have good electrical conductivity and mechanical strength. The results of leach test and contact angle measurement showed similar characteristics compared with commercial bipolar plates.

• New & Renewable Energy
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.3-7
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• 2007

Graphite/polymer composite bipolar plates for PEMFC are successfully developed, and their typical properties are superior to commercially available ones. Thermal property of the developed bipolar plate was evaluated by dynamic mechanical analyzer, and the results were compared to commercial ones. The specimens were immersed into the deionized water bath at $80^{\circ}$... for 1500hrs to evaluate dimensional stability and durability. Dimension, weight of the specimens as well as extraction conductivity was measured as each 500hrs. Fully molded bipolar plates without any machining or milling were also prepared using a specially developed mold, and they were applied to the fuel cell performance test. Results were compared to the machined commercial bipolar plate.

• New & Renewable Energy
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2008

Stainless steels have been widely considered as metallic bipolar plates, due to their passive surface film, which is good for corrosion resistance. However, the high resistivity of the passive film increases interfacial contact resistance between the bipolar plates and the electrodes. Stainless steels thermal spray coated with a mixture of tungsten carbide and stainless steel powders showed that the coated layer safely combined with the matrix but they suffered many internal defects including voids and cracks. Many cracks were formed in the coated layer and the interface of the matrix and the coated layer during the rolling process. The coated and rolled stainless steels showed lower interfacial contact resistance and corrosion resistance than bare stainless steel because of low resistivity of tungsten carbide and numerous defects, which caused crevice corrosion, in the coated layer.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2007.11a
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• pp.5-7
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• 2007

Graphite/polymer composite bipolar plates for PEMFC are successfully developed, and their typical properties are superior to commercially available ones. Thermal property of the developed bipolar plate was evaluated by dynamic mechanical analyzer, and the results were compared to commercial ones. The specimens were immersed into the deionized water bath at $80^{\circ}C$ for 1500hrs to evaluate dimensional stability and durability. Dimension, weight of the specimens as well as extraction conductivity was measured as each 500hrs. Fully molded bipolar plates without any machining or milling were also prepared using a specially developed mold, and they were applied to the fuel cell performance test. Results were compared to the machined commercial bipolar plate.