A 100-W class regenerative fuel cell system for lunar and planetary missions

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is developing polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) systems that can be operated under isolated low-gravity and closed environments. In the present study, we combine the PEFC with an electrolyzer in order to realize a regenerative fuel cell. Ideally, if a single cell can be operated as a fuel cell and the cell can be made reversible through the electrolysis reaction, then compact, lightweight regenerative fuel cell systems can be realized. A unitized regenerative fuel cell was prepared, and its operability was demonstrated. During 100-W class operations, a stable fuel cell and electrolysis reaction was observed. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.