Simulation of an interdigitated flow channel assembled in a proton exchange membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC)

•Interdigitated flow field for PEMFC was designed by CFD simulations and constructed.•Interdigitated channels with an arrangement based on leaf veins with a 50 cm2 area.•Flow field promotes mass transport of O2 + H2O steam through gas diffusion layer.•Flow field creates homogeneous velocity, mass transfer, and current density profiles.•Close agreement between experimental and theoretical polarization curves was attained.