Heat transport in a PEFC: Exact solutions and a novel method for measuring thermal conductivities of the catalyst layers and membrane

We develop a model of heat transport in the membrane–electrode assembly of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. The exact analytical solutions to model equations are derived. Rather cumbersome solutions lead to remarkably simple formulas for the temperature of the anode and the cathode sides of the membrane. Based on these formulas a novel method for measuring thermal conductivities of the catalyst layers and membrane in a working fuel cell environment is proposed.