Wang X.-D.Huang Y.-X.Cheng C.-H.Jang J.-Y.Lee D.-J.Yan W.-M.Su A.2019-05-142019-05-14200900134686https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/408266The optimal cathode flow field design of a single serpentine proton exchange membrane fuel cell is obtained by adopting a combined optimization procedure including a simplified conjugate-gradient method (SCGM) and a completely three-dimensional, two-phase, non-isothermal fuel cell model. The cell output power density P cell is the objective function to be maximized with channel heights, H 1 -H 5 , and channel widths, W 2 -W 5 as search variables. The optimal design has tapered channels 1, 3 and 4, and diverging channels 2 and 5, producing 22.51% increment compared with the basic design with all heights and widths setting as 1 mm. Reduced channel heights of channels 2-4 significantly enhance sub-rib convection to effectively transport oxygen to and liquid water out of diffusion layer. The final diverging channel prevents significant leakage of fuel to outlet via sub-rib convection from channel 4. Near-optimal design without huge loss in cell performance but is easily manufactured is discussed. ? 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Flow field designOptimizationSerpentine flow fieldSimplified conjugate-gradient methodSub-rib convectionjournal article10.1016/j.electacta.2009.04.0512-s2.0-67649170461https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-67649170461&doi=10.1016%2fj.electacta.2009.04.051&partnerID=40&md5=967d2be2e7216d487a4fb2e2bf8e0b8b