This article is about the design, development and validation of a new monitoring architecture for individual cells and stacks to facilitate the study of proton exchange fuel cells. The system consists of four main elements: input signals, signal processing boards, analogue-to-digital converters (ADCs) and a master terminal unit (MTU). The latter integrates a high-level graphic user interface (GUI) software developed by National Instruments LABVIEW, while the ADCs are based on three digital acquisition units (DAQs). Graphs showing the temperature, currents and voltages in individual cells as well as stacks are integrated for ease of reference. The system validation was carried out both in static and dynamic modes of operation using a Ballard Nexa 1.2 kW fuel cell fed by a hydrogen cylinder, with a Prodigit 32612 electronic load at the output. The system was able to measure the voltage distributions of individual cells, and temperatures at different equidistant points of the stack both with and without an external load, validating its use as an indispensable tool for the study and characterization of these systems.

The accumulation of garbage in Panama has become an environmental and healthcare challenge that requires a change in models, management policies, and general awareness to achieve effective solutions. Thus, it is important to inculcate techniques such as recycling for the management of solid waste which contribute to the reduction of environmental pollution. This mixed method study presents the use of interactive wall murals as a pedagogical tool to promote the use of this technique. To achieve this goal, electronic elements such as the Node MCU board with the ESP-8266 were incorporated in the design of a circuit that would allow interaction and familiarization with the types of waste and the colors that identify them. Observation, experimentation, and dissemination of results through the construction and presentation of these murals helped strengthen their educational skills and evoke their interest, as evidenced by the surveys and interviews. This proves the usefulness of interactive murals as a valuable technique to enhance learning and promote the use of recycling. La acumulación de basura en Panamá, se ha convertido en un reto ambiental y sanitario que requiere un cambio de modelos, políticas de gestión y concientización de la población para lograr soluciones efectivas. En este sentido se hace pertinente afianzar una cultura que promueva técnicas como el reciclaje, para el manejo de los residuos sólidos y que coadyuve a la disminución de la contaminación medioambiental. Este estudio presenta, desde un enfoque metodológico mixto, el uso de murales interactivos, como herramienta pedagógica para promover, en estudiantes de la región de Panamá norte, la utilización de esta técnica. Para lograr este objetivo, se incorporaron elementos electrónicos como la placa Node MCU con el ESP-8266 en el diseño de un circuito que permitiera interactuar y familiarizarse con los tipos de residuos y los colores que los identifican. La observación, experimentación, y difusión de resultados a través de la construcción y presentación de sus murales, ayudaron a fortalecer las habilidades educativas y despertar su interés, como se evidencia en las encuestas y entrevistas. Esto demuestra la validez de los murales interactivos como una técnica valiosa para mejorar el aprendizaje y promover el uso del reciclaje.

It is essential to promote the study of non-conventional forms of electrical energy generation to create a resilient society with awareness of, and the capacity for development and experimentation to face, environmental conservation challenges, especially from secondary education. From a mixed methodological approach, this study presents workshops with hydrogen cells to strengthen educational skills and boost the interest of 44 high school students. The methodology followed five main points: carrying out a pre-evaluation to measure prior knowledge, an induction related to concepts of electronics and hydrogen cells, tests with a hydrogen kit, the presentation of final projects, post-evaluation of knowledge, and the application of a survey of motivation. Observation, experimentation, analysis, and dissemination of results helped strengthen students’ theoretical, practical, and scientific knowledge. These activities awakened their interest in this type of technology, as evidenced in the results of the evaluations, surveys, and project quality. This demonstrates the validity of hydrogen cell workshops as a valuable technique to enhance learning and motivate students to study unconventional forms of electrical energy generation.

The dynamics and transient response of fuel cell systems are critical aspects, especially in commercial applications where an immediate response to fluctuating power demands is required. This study presents experimental results obtained from evaluating the dynamic behavior of a 1.2 kW Ballard Nexa fuel cell, subjected to various operational disturbances, including startups, shutdowns, step load increases, irregular and constant loading, and system purging operations. The variables analyzed include voltage, current, and temperature, both in individual cells and in the entire system. The results indicate that the temperature exhibits an attenuated response with an arc-like evolution, but with an upward trend correlated with the increase in the demanded current. Meanwhile, when multiple load steps are applied, the system exhibits rapid responses in both cell and stack voltages, with transient overshoot and undershoot peaks whose magnitudes increase proportionally with the applied current. Regarding the purge system, tests show that its activation improves operational efficiency, resulting in approximately 0.3 V of voltage increase per operation. Furthermore, it is observed that the purge frequency increases with higher external load levels, suggesting a direct interaction between energy demand and active waste gas management in the system.