Dynamic characteristics of local current densities and temperatures in proton exchange membrane fuel cells during reactant starvations

► Dynamic variations of local current densities and temperatures during starvations are measured simultaneously. ► During starvations, local current densities and temperatures can become very high, posing serious threats for the membrane and catalyst layers. ► Measuring local temperatures can be effective in exploring local dynamic performance of PEMFC and thermal failure mechanism of MEA during reactants starvations.