Abstract: An anode electrode for use in a fuel cell comprises a stacked structure including, in sequence: a catalyst layer, a hydrophobic, microporous layer (“MPL”), a porous gas diffusion layer (“GDL”), and an anode plate with at least one recessed fuel supply-fuel/gas exhaust channel formed in a surface thereof facing the GDL, wherein the stacked structure further comprises at least one hydrophobic region aligned with the at least one recessed channel. The electrode is useful in direct oxidation fuel cells and systems, such as direct methanol fuel cells operating with highly concentrated liquid fuel.

Abstract: A direct oxidation fuel cell (DOFC) system, comprises at least one fuel cell assembly including a cathode and an anode with an electrolyte positioned therebetween; a source of liquid fuel in fluid communication with an inlet of the anode; an oxidant supply in fluid communication with an inlet of the cathode; a liquid/gas (L/G) separator in fluid communication with outlets of the anode and cathode for: (1) receiving unreacted fuel and liquid and gaseous products, and (2) supplying a solution of fuel and liquid product to the anode inlet; and a control system for measuring the amount of liquid product and controlling oxidant stoichiometry of the system operation in response to the measured amount of liquid product. Alternatively, the control system controls the concentration of the liquid fuel in the solution supplied to the anode inlet, based upon the system operating temperature or output power.

Abstract: A cathode electrode for use in a fuel cell comprises, in sequence, a catalyst layer, a hydrophobic microporous layer (MPL), and a gas diffusion layer (GDL), wherein the MPL comprises a mixture of first and second hydrophobic materials having different melt viscosities. Also disclosed is a method for fabricating the hydrophobic microporous layer as part of a cathode electrode. The cathode electrode is particularly useful in direct oxidation fuel cells and systems, such as direct methanol fuel cells and systems operating with highly concentrated liquid fuel.

Abstract: A direct oxidation fuel cell anode system includes an anode; a circulation loop in fluid communication with the anode and including a circulation pump, the circulation pump being configured to circulate a circulating liquid in the circulation loop; a fuel cartridge; and a fuel pump in fluid communication with the circulation loop and the fuel cartridge, the fuel pump being configured to inject a fuel from the fuel cartridge into the circulating liquid, wherein the anode system is configured to accept no water from a cathode exhaust.

Abstract: A direct oxidation fuel cell system comprises at least one membrane electrode assembly (MEA) including a cathode and an anode with an electrolyte membrane therebetween, the MEA adapted for performing selected electrochemical reactions at the cathode and anode; a liquid/gas (L/G) separator in fluid communication with the cathode and anode for receiving unreacted fuel from the anode and liquid and gaseous products of the electrochemical reactions at the cathode and anode; and a thermal regulator for regulating the temperatures of each of the at least one MEA and the L/G separator. Preferably, the temperature of the L/G separator is regulated/controlled to be lower than that of the MEA.

Abstract: A direct oxidation fuel cell (DOFC) system comprises at least one fuel cell assembly including a cathode and an anode with an electrolyte positioned therebetween; a source of liquid fuel in fluid communication with an anode inlet; an oxidant supply in fluid communication with a cathode inlet; a liquid/gas (L/G) separator in fluid communication with anode and cathode outlets for: (1) receiving unreacted fuel and liquid and gaseous products of electrochemical reactions at the cathode and anode, and (2) supplying the unreacted fuel and liquid product to the inlet of said anode; and a control and/or regulation system for determining a fuel efficiency value of the DOFC system during operation and determining and regulating and/or controlling oxidant stoichiometry of the DOFC system at an appropriate value in response to the determined fuel efficiency value.

Abstract: A direct oxidation fuel cell (DOFC) system, comprises at least one fuel cell assembly including a cathode and an anode with an electrolyte positioned therebetween, adapted for performing selected electrochemical reactions; a source of concentrated liquid fuel in fluid communication with an inlet of the anode; an oxidant supply in fluid communication with an inlet of the cathode; a liquid/gas (L/G) separator in fluid communication with outputs of the anode and cathode for receiving unreacted fuel and liquid and gaseous products of the electrochemical reactions; and a converter for catalytically converting a portion of the unreacted fuel to the liquid and gaseous products.

Abstract: A direct oxidation fuel cell system includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), a high concentration fuel and an oxidant source. Embodiments include a controller for adjusting the oxidant stoichiometric ratio or air flow to maximize the liquid water phase in the cathode exhaust and minimize the water vapor in the exhaust thereby eliminating the need for a water condenser for condensing water vapor produced and exhausted from the cathode of the MEA.

Abstract: A direct methanol fuel cell unit is provided with a fuel cell including an anode, a cathode with a hydrophobic microporous layer, an electrolyte membrane put in-between, and a fuel supply path supplying fuel to the anode. The fuel supply path is provided with an upwind water barrier preventing back-diffusion of water and a gas flow path channeling gas generated at the anode and disposed between the barrier and the anode. A water-rich zone is formed between the water barrier and the cathode microporous layer. Water loss from either side of this zone is eliminated or minimized, thereby permitting direct use of highly concentrated methanol in the fuel flow path with good fuel efficiency and power performance. The cell unit can be applied equally well to both an active circulating air cathode and an air-breathing cathode.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting articles includes a hollow column (10), a shaft (33) furnished with a helical vane (34), and a motor (32). The helical column (10) has a helical track (11) formed therewithin which helically extends along the inner surface of the hollow column (10) in a first direction, and has a first communicating port (12) and a second communicating port (13). The shaft (33) with the helical vane (34) is coaxially and rotatably mounted within the hollow column (10). The helical vane (34) is fixedly mounted with and helically extends about the entire shaft (33) in a second direction opposite to the second direction.