This paper presents an experimental study and model validation of an external membrane humidifier for PEM fuel cell humidification control. Membrane humidification behavior was investigated with steady-state and dynamic tests. Steady-state test results show that the membrane vapor transfer rate increases significantly with water channel temperature, air channel temperature, and air flow rate. Water channel pressure has little effect on the vapor transfer rate and thus can be neglected in the system modeling. Dynamic test results reveal that the membrane humidifier has a non-minimum phase (NMP) behavior, which presents extra challenges for control system design. Based on the test data, a new water vapor transfer coefficient for Nafion membrane was obtained. This coefficient increases exponentially with the membrane temperature. The test results were also used to validate a thermodynamic model for membrane humidification. It is shown that the model prediction agrees well with the experimental results. The validated model provides an important tool for external humidifier design and fuel cell humidification control. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.