Prognostics and Health Management in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells: Current Trends, Challenges, and Future Directions

TL;DR

This paper reviews current trends, challenges, and future directions in Prognostics and Health Management for Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells, emphasizing degradation mechanisms, modeling approaches, and integration into real-time system responses.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances, identifies key open challenges, and suggests future research directions in PHM for PEFCs, including sensor integration and AI applications.

Findings

Advances in diagnostics and remaining useful life estimation.

Identification of key challenges in degradation modeling and system management.

Emphasis on future research areas like digital twins and material innovations.

Abstract

Prognostics and Health Management is crucial for the reliability and lifetime assessment of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells (PEFCs). Here, we review the current advances on this topic, focusing mainly on key degradation mechanisms and methodologies such as physics-aware, data-driven, and hybrid modeling approaches. Key open challenges are analyzed, including the need for more accurate degradation modeling, effective management of multi-stack systems, and advancements in the currently underdeveloped action phase, in which diagnostic and prognostic insights are translated into real-time system responses, such as dynamic load derating, thermal-management adjustments, or automated maintenance triggers, to prevent failures and extend PEFC life. While notable strides have been made in recent years in diagnostics and remaining useful life estimation, it remains challenging to seamlessly integrate these insights into actionable strategies. Future directions highlight the need to address data scarcity and advance interdisciplinary research. Key focus areas include sensor integration, artificial intelligence, and digital twins. Additionally material innovations play a crucial role in bridging existing gaps. This work, therefore, intends to map the further development of Prognostics and Health Management systems toward ensuring the viability of PEFCs in practical applications.