The issue of “difficult compatibility between mass transfer enhancement and resistance control” within the channels of proton exchange membrane fuel cells is a fundamental challenge. This study presents an innovative approach centered on the “composite channel adaptability‐parameter regulation‐structural improvement” framework. First, the integration of composite structures into parallel straight channels (PSC) results in a 20.7% increase in power density compared to traditional PSCs. In the optimization of the airflow direction, a novel multicriteria coupling evaluation method is proposed; this methodology identifies Model‐1 as the optimal flow pattern, which ensures uniform membrane hydration without extreme risks, overcoming the limitations of single‐criteria selection. For the optimal substrate configuration, the study further elucidates the regulation patterns of geometric parameters. Specifically, it is shown that a 45° bifurcation angle in plant vein‐like structures maximizes reaction rate uniformity, while rhombic barriers increase the limiting current density by 21.8%. Finally, by optimizing the contact area of the ribs, the power density of the optimal configuration is further enhanced by 11.63% under the 0.65V operating condition. The “scenario adaptation‐parameter optimization‐performance enhancement” framework proposed in this research provides a novel methodology for the efficient design of channels.
Wu et al. (Sun,) studied this question.