BioLogic’s BluPEM Test Stations
Latest updated: February 6, 2026A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that produces electricity from a fuel and an oxidant. Fuel is fed to the anode, and the oxidant is supplied to the cathode. Unlike batteries, fuel cells can work continuously as long as they are provided with fuel and oxidant without the need for recharging after discharge (for more information, see https://www.biologic.net/topics/electrochemical-characterisation-of-fuel-cells-and-electrolysers/).
The performance of a cell is studied by connecting it to a fuel cell test station, which allows precise control of parameters such as temperature, humidity, pressure and flow rate of the gas supplied and performing electrochemical characterization techniques. Techniques used to assess a cell’s behavior include polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).
Historically, current loads have been used to test fuel cells but it is now commonly replaced by potentiostats with boosters, so users can do qualitative impedance measurements. Thus, for high-accuracy measurements, user-friendliness and safety reasons, it is highly recommended to use a gas station and potentiostat that are designed to work together, ensuring full integration and control of all parameters.
BluPEM Stations
The BluPEM set-up is a fuel cell test station designed to integrate BioLogic potentiostats. All the features of the potentiostat software are fully retained, with additional control parameters seamlessly synchronized with the test station. Electrochemical data acquisition is done using EC-Lab® software and is fully synchronized with all gas parameters.
Figure 1: Biologic BluPEM station, with the gas panel dashboard and EC-Lab® settings.
The system is designed to measure the performance of a fuel cell. Voltage safety limits can be set in EC-Lab® when creating the .mpr file, while temperature safety limits, humidifiers, and the difference of pressure between electrodes can be set using the gas panel dashboard.
Figure 2: Possibility of safety limits to be established for the electrochemical measurements in EC-Lab® and in the gas panel dashboard.
The evolution of the different variables of the gas panel dashboard can be observed graphically, such as the temperature of humidifiers, and temperature or pressure of the cell.
The current/potential steps are visualized in EC-Lab®. Polarization and power curves can be obtained from those data.
Figure 3: Record of the temperature (a), potential (b), polarization (c), and power curves (d) obtained using BluPEM system and EC-Lab® software.
Conclusion
BluPEM fuel cell test station can be used to assess the performance of fuel cells under well-controlled conditions by plotting power and polarization curves and impedance diagrams. Combined with BioLogic potentiostats and boosters (like the FlexP0012), it is a user-friendly interface to get access to all your fuel cell parameters.
