I failed a course, and the system became my study supervisor.

Chapter 66 ABS Optimization Ideas
So how do we optimize the ABS system?
From a macro perspective, a divide-and-conquer strategy can be adopted to optimize the performance of lithium polymer batteries, supercapacitors and PEMFCs respectively.

But considering that most of the recent news has been about PEMFC and PEME, Xu Ling naturally decided to start with PEMFC.

Although PEMFC stands out among many fuel cells because of its higher electrical efficiency and simple design.

But this does not mean that it has no shortcomings. On the contrary, it still has many shortcomings, such as uneven distribution of reactants, difficult water management between the catalyst layer and GDL, and uneven mass transfer of reactants.

In order to achieve optimization in these aspects, Xu Ling focused his attention on the important component of PEMFC - the flow field!
The so-called flow field is a key element in PEMFC, which is designed to provide the required hydrogen and oxygen with the lowest possible pressure drop on the anode and cathode sides respectively.

In addition, it needs to perform multiple tasks, such as removing the reaction products (heat and water) and collecting the electricity generated by the PEMFC.

Therefore, optimizing the flow field will greatly improve the performance of PEMFC.

The flow field mentioned here should be distinguished from the flow field in fluid mechanics, which emphasizes more on the actual physical structure.

If you want to make a breakthrough in the flow field, you need to adjust the design parameters of the flow field, that is, the geometric structure of the flow field.

But this problem was not as simple as Xu Ling imagined.

"Your original flow field is a traditional direct current type, right?"

Shen Huanan asked.

"Yes, I originally thought it would be the simplest design."

Xu Ling explained.

In fact, Xu Ling didn’t consider the flow field problem at first, it was just what the system gave him.

Who knows what the system is thinking?

"A simplest DC field is not very friendly to water drainage, so it will reduce performance."

Shen Huanan thought for a moment and said quietly.

“So what improvements should be made?”

Xu Ling asked.

"Well," Shen Huanan paused and continued, "There are only a few ways to improve the DC field. The simplest way is to add some obstructions or mechanisms to the DC channel.

For example, adding some M-shaped obstructions can create a bionic wave-like flow channel, facilitating water drainage and increasing heat and mass transfer rates.”

"What about other flow fields?"

Xu Ling continued to ask questions.

“There are quite a lot of them, such as serpentine structure and parallel structure.

You can look up information yourself, find out the advantages and disadvantages of different flow fields, and then make your choice according to your ideas.

Or if you’re a bit more imaginative, you can design a structure yourself.”

Shen Huanan said patiently.

Xu Ling nodded, his heart filled with gratitude.

So for the next period of time, Xu Ling and Yu Wenkai's task was to do the boring literature research.

Another advantage of studying at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology is that Xu Ling can also log in to their electronic library. Combined with the electronic library of his own Shanghai University, Xu Ling's search scope suddenly became much larger. One relevant document after another was found, both in Chinese and English.

Xu Ling's experience in linguistics finally came to light.

In the end, it took Xu Ling four days to gather the strengths of various schools and understand the impact of different flow fields on performance.

As for Shen Huanan's statement that he designed the architecture, Xu Ling didn't take it for granted.

Friday night.

"Xu Ling? Aren't you planning to leave? Tomorrow is the weekend, a time for rest. You can go back early today."

Shen Huanan looked at the two people who were still doing the simulation experiment meticulously and asked with some confusion.

He was already preparing to leave the lab and had packed his briefcase.

"Well, it's okay. We are going to finish simulating the serpentine flow field data."

Xu Ling stared at the computer screen and replied.

Yu Wenkai also nodded in agreement.

How can a teacher leave when the students haven’t left yet?
Forget it, let’s wait for them.

Shen Huanan shook his head and thought helplessly.

But he didn't know that this would be a wrong decision. An hour later, seeing that Xu Ling had no intention of leaving, Shen Huanan couldn't help but ask:
"Student Xu Ling? It's nine o'clock, aren't you leaving yet?"

"It's almost done. We just need to modify the parameters a few more times and simulate it."

Xu Ling said in a deep voice.

It's almost there! I'm getting a little sleepy sitting here.

Shen Huanan rubbed his eyes.

However, another hour passed and Xu Ling remained motionless.

"It's ten o'clock, aren't you ready to leave?"

"It's almost done. Just test the interdigital flow field."

Hmm? Is this what we just measured?

Shen Huanan was a little confused.

Two hours later, when Xu Ling finally got up to pack up and prepare to leave, he was surprised to find that Shen Huanan had fallen asleep with his arms crossed and leaning against the back of the chair.

Um.
This is a bit embarrassing. I hope Teacher Chen can approve more overtime pay.

While thinking about it, Xu Ling gently touched Shen Huanan's shoulder with his hand.

Just as he was about to apologize, he saw Shen Huanan just smacked his lips and didn't open his eyes.

Are you sleeping so deeply?

For a moment, Xu Ling felt that he was deeply sinful.

But it was impossible to leave Shen Huanan to sleep in the laboratory, so Xu Ling had to pat his shoulder again, slightly increasing the strength.

"Huh? Why did I fall asleep? What time is it?"

Shen Huanan finally woke up and asked in confusion.

"Teacher, it's okay. It's not dawn yet."

Xu Ling replied softly.

Yu Wenkai on the side couldn't help but twitch his mouth. He had to admire Xu Ling's train of thought.

Is it still dark?

Is this something a normal person can say?
Shen Huanan became even more confused. He quickly glanced at his phone, and suddenly, everything went dark before his eyes.

It was twelve o'clock, and it was indeed still dark.

But how do I explain this to my wife?

You said you accompanied your students in doing experiments until midnight?

How could she possibly believe it? She would probably just grit her teeth and ask: How was it “done”?

Thinking of this, Shen Huanan felt a chill down his spine and complained quietly, "Xu Ling, you've really made me suffer."

Huh? How did it harm you?

Although he didn't understand, Xu Ling still apologized to Shen Huanan and finally said considerately, "Teacher Shen, don't worry. I'll talk to Teacher Chen and ask him to approve more overtime pay for you!"

"Then thank you so much."

Shen Huanan was in tears.

"You're welcome."

Xu Ling replied happily.

However, Shen Huanan didn't seem that happy. He left without looking back, as if he was escaping from here.

"Is it possible that Mr. Shen was speaking ironically?"

Yu Wenkai broke the awkwardness and reminded.

Xu Ling finally realized: "It should be possible."

"Then come earlier next time?"

"Yeah, earlier."

(End of this chapter)