Polymer Matrix Composite Materials for a Structural Multifunctional Fuel Cell

A structural multifunctional fuel cell design enables material elements participating in power or energy processes to also carry significant structural loads. Power and energy components require combinations of materials and components such as dielectrics, electrical conductors, and catalytic or reactive surfaces. Polymer matrix composite (PMC) materials were chosen because they are inherently multi-material systems and are well suited to these complex systems. Secondly, composite material processing provides a great degree of fabrication flexibility. PMC processing requires relatively low temperatures, thus preventing damage to embedded components; it can accommodate complex geometries and sub-components and is scalable to manufacturing settings.