Installing　blockages　in　the　cathode　flow　channel　of　PEMFC　can　enhance　oxygen　transport　and　improve　cell　performance.　However,　the　effects　of　blockage　height　at　different　channel　locations　on　the　cell　performance　are　obviously　different.　In　this　paper,　a　three-dimensional,　two-phase,　steady-state　numerical　model　is　established　to　simulate　the　PEMFC　with　blockages　in　the　cathode　flow　channel,　and　full　factorial　design　method　is　used　to　the　sensitivity　analysis　of　the　effect　of　blockages　height　on　cell　performance.　In　addition,　genetic　algorithm　is　also　used　to　optimize　the　blockages　height.　The　results　show　that　the　closer　to　the　outlet,　the　greater　the　effect　of　blockages　height　change　on　cell　power.　Increasing　the　blockages　height　near　the　outlet　can　significantly　promote　the　uniform　distribution　of　oxygen　in　the　cathode　catalyst　layer,　improve　the　utilization　rate　of　catalyst　and　maximize　the　cell　performance.　In　this　study,　the　maximum　cell　performance　can　be　achieved　when　H1　and　H　are　0.9537　mm　and　0.009　mm　respectively.　And,　compared　with　the　case　without　blockages　in　the　cathode　flow　channel,　the　net　maximal　power　is　increased　by　18.45%.　©　2020,　Science　Press.　All　right　reserved.