Abstract: Structures and methods are disclosed for removing water, and particularly for preventing ice blockages, in solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells comprising reactant vias that fluidly connect a reactant transition region to a reactant port. Water can be removed from the reactant via by making its surface superhydrophobic while incorporating at least one additional via with a hydrophilic surface in parallel therewith.

Abstract: Structures and methods are disclosed for removing water, and particularly for preventing ice blockages, in solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells comprising reactant vias that fluidly connect a reactant transition region to a reactant port. Water can be removed from the reactant via by making its surface superhydrophobic while incorporating at least one additional via with a hydrophilic surface in parallel therewith.

Abstract: At below freezing temperatures, ice blockages can be prevented in the reactant outlet manifolds of solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stacks by modifying the internal design of the manifolds. The reactant outlet manifold comprises a divider dividing the manifold into an upper duct section and a lower main flow section and the divider comprises a plurality of ports fluidly connecting the duct section to the main flow section. The reactant manifold also comprises at least one separating wall in the duct section which partially separates the ports from one another in the duct section.

Abstract: Certain fuel cell designs employ bipolar plate assemblies with internal coolant flow fields which comprise a coolant channel region and transition regions adjacent the coolant channel region. The temperature and/or pressure drop, and hence flow, of coolant over the coolant channel region can be non-uniform however, and this can have an adverse effect on cell performance. The coolant flow and temperature distribution can be modified and made more uniform by inserting an appropriate non-uniform porous insert in one or more of the coolant transition regions.

Abstract: Certain fuel cell designs employ bipolar plate assemblies with internal coolant flow fields which comprise a coolant channel region and transition regions adjacent the coolant channel region. The temperature and/or pressure drop, and hence flow, of coolant over the coolant channel region can be non-uniform however, and this can have an adverse effect on cell performance. The coolant flow and temperature distribution can be modified and made more uniform by inserting an appropriate non-uniform porous insert in one or more of the coolant transition regions.

Abstract: The reactant distribution in a gas diffusion layer adjacent the landings of a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell can be improved by using a flow field plate in which suitable sequential protrusions have been incorporated in the channels. The reactant flow field in the plate comprises a plurality of parallel channels in which protrusions are arranged in a sequence along each channel's length and the sequential protrusions in any given channel are offset with respect to the sequential protrusions in the channels immediately adjacent thereto.

Abstract: At below freezing temperatures, ice blockages can be prevented in the reactant outlet manifolds of solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stacks by modifying the internal design of the manifolds. The reactant outlet manifold comprises a divider dividing the manifold into an upper duct section and a lower main flow section and the divider comprises a plurality of ports fluidly connecting the duct section to the main flow section. The reactant manifold also comprises at least one separating wall in the duct section which partially separates the ports from one another in the duct section.

Abstract: Certain fuel cell designs employ bipolar plate assemblies with internal coolant flow fields which comprise a coolant channel region and transition regions adjacent the coolant channel region. The temperature and/or pressure drop, and hence flow, of coolant over the coolant channel region can be non-uniform however, and this can have an adverse effect on cell performance. The coolant flow and temperature distribution can be modified and made more uniform by inserting an appropriate non-uniform porous insert in one or more of the coolant transition regions.

Abstract: The reactant distribution in a gas diffusion layer adjacent the landings of a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell can be improved by using a flow field plate in which suitable sequential protrusions have been incorporated in the channels. The reactant flow field in the plate comprises a plurality of parallel channels in which protrusions are arranged in a sequence along each channel's length and the sequential protrusions in any given channel are offset with respect to the sequential protrusions in the channels immediately adjacent thereto.