Separate measurements of current under the channels and the land in a PEM fuel cell with an interdigitated flow field

Separate in situ measurements of the current densities under the inlet channel, the land and the outlet channel in a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell with an interdigitated flow field are conducted. Experiments are carried out by using partiallycatalyzedmembrane electrode assembly (MEA) on the cathode side and full MEA on the anode side. The experimental results show that the current density under the outlet channel is much lower than that under the inlet channel. Further experimental study results show that cathode flow rate and cathode back pressure affect the local current distribution significantly.