Fuel cell

Full-size fuel cell stacks operate at currents and voltages well beyond the range of a benchtop instrument. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) at this scale lets developers assess stack performance, efficiency, and durability under true operating conditions rather than extrapolating from single-cell data.

The FRA-X acts as an interface between the IM7 series potentiostat and an external electronic load, enabling EIS measurements outside the power specifications of Zahner's products. Such a system can be used to carry out EIS on large fuel cell stacks. The FRA-X supports voltages up to 1400 V and currents up to 2000 A.

Synchronous per-cell measurement shows which individual cells limit performance. It also reveals how losses and degradation develop unevenly across a high-power stack, which a single terminal-voltage reading cannot provide.

The optional PAD42 cards enable synchronous measurements on individual cells within a stack, half-cell characterization in a reference electrode setup, and cross-sectional analysis, allowing more detailed evaluation of fuel cell stacks.

The system can be controlled through Zahner Lab software or integrated into automated setups via C++, Python, or WebSockets.