Bipolar Plates

A Bipolar plate is a multi-functional component within the PEM fuel cell stack. It connects and separates the individual fuel cells in series to form a fuel cell stack with required voltage, aids uniform distribution of fuel gas and oxygen over the whole active surface area of the membrane-electrode assemblies (MEA), conducts electrical current from the anode of one cell to the cathode of the next, facilitates water management within the cell, supports thin membrane and electrodes and clamping forces for the stack assembly, among other things.

Essentially the bipolar plates are the electrically-conducting plates which join together the anode of one cell to the cathode of another.