Energy storage bipolar plate

What is a bipolar plate in a redox flow battery?

As a critical component of the redox flow battery, the bipolar plates provide mechanical support for the electrodes and act as a physical separator between adjacent cells, as well as constructing the internal circuit and guiding the electrolyte flow.

How durable are bipolar plates?

The United States Driving Research and Innovation for Vehicle efficiency and Energy sustainability (U.S. DRIVE) has also identified durability targets for bipolar plates of approximately 8000 h with greater than the electrical conductivity of 100 S/cm, flexural strength of 40 MPa, and the mass of only 0.18 kg/kW by 2025 .

What is a bipolar plate?

A bipolar plate connects the entire surface of one cathode (electrically positive) and the entire surface of one anode (electrically negative) of the next cell—hence the name bipolar—and provides a series electrical connections between adjacent cells. You might find these chapters and articles relevant to this topic.

Why is bipolar plate important?

Bipolar plate (a.k.a. distribution plate and flow field plate) is a basically crucial element due to the fact that it accounts for up to 80% of the total weight and 45% of the total cost in a stack [99, 100]. To a certain extent, it determines whether PEMFC can be commercially produced on a large scale.

What are the functions of bipolar plates in a fuel cell?

Bipolar plates provide several functions in the fuel cell. Some of these functions include the distribution of fuel and oxidant inside the cells, the separation of the different cells, the collection of the electric current produced, the evacuation of the water from each cell, the humidification of the gases and cooling of the cells.

What are the structures of bipolar plates?

In addition, the structures of the bipolar plates refer to the flow field designs on the surface. The advantages and disadvantages of these existing flow fields are described, and the tendencies for further optimization are also discussed.