Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells for aviation

Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells are electrochemical devices that use a solid polymer membrane as electrolyte, operating at relatively low temperatures and high power density, making them the leading choice for hydrogen-electric aircraft propulsion modules such as those developed by ZeroAvia. Aviation-focused PEM systems must be engineered for high reliability, rapid transients, altitude and temperature variations, and stringent certification standards, often using multiple stacks and custom air and thermal management to achieve sufficient power density and safety margins.