Abstract: The coupling structure of fuel cells according to the present invention comprises a body and a plurality of channels. A first fuel cell is adapted on a first side of the body; a second fuel cell is adapted on a second side of the body. The plurality of channels penetrates through the first and the second sides. Each of the channels connects to a fuel-guiding inlet, a fuel-guiding outlet, an oxidant-gas-guiding inlet, and an oxidant-gas-guiding outlet of the first and the second fuel cells, respectively. The coupling structure has an insulation property with a conductive module embedded used for conducting a negative terminal of the first fuel cell and a positive terminal of the second fuel cell on the first and the second sides. By means of a coupling module, the internal wires can be used for cascading or isolating the positive and the negative terminals of the two fuel cells.

Abstract: The pump comprises a pump body, a control member, an elastic member, and blades. The pump body has a holding space, one or more pump inlets, and one or more pump outlets. The holding space, the pump inlets, and the pump outlets communicate with each other. The pump outlets communicate with a fuel outlet of the fuel storage device; while the pump inlets communicate with a fuel reservoir of the fuel storage device. The control member passes through the fuel storage device and is rotatably set in the holding space. The elastic member is set fixed on the pump body and connects with the control member. The blades are set in the holding space and connect with the control member. Thereby, no extra energy is needed for the pump to transport the fuel from the fuel reservoir to the fuel cell.

Abstract: The coupling structure of fuel cells according to the present invention comprises a body and a plurality of channels. A first fuel cell is adapted on a first side of the body; a second fuel cell is adapted on a second side of the body. The plurality of channels penetrates through the first and the second sides. Each of the channels connects to a fuel-guiding inlet, a fuel-guiding outlet, an oxidant-gas-guiding inlet, and an oxidant-gas-guiding outlet of the first and the second fuel cells, respectively. The coupling structure has an insulation property with a conductive module embedded used for conducting a negative terminal of the first fuel cell and a positive terminal of the second fuel cell on the first and the second sides. By means of a coupling module, the internal wires can be used for cascading or isolating the positive and the negative terminals of the two fuel cells.

Abstract: The pump comprises a pump body, a control member, an elastic member, and blades. The pump body has a holding space, one or more pump inlets, and one or more pump outlets. The holding space, the pump inlets, and the pump outlets communicate with each other. The pump outlets communicate with a fuel outlet of the fuel storage device; while the pump inlets communicate with a fuel reservoir of the fuel storage device. The control member passes through the fuel storage device and is rotatably set in the holding space. The elastic member is set fixed on the pump body and connects with the control member. The blades are set in the holding space and connect with the control member. Thereby, no extra energy is needed for the pump to transport the fuel from the fuel reservoir to the fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel activation assembly disposed between two fuel compartments in a fuel cell, such as a direct methanol fuel cell. The fuel activation assembly comprises a substrate with apertures for securely attaching a plurality of membrane electrode assembly (MEA) segments. Each MEA segment has a proton exchange membrane (PEM) sandwiched between two electrodes to allow protons produced in one fuel compartment to migrate to the other fuel compartment through the aperture. If the fuel cell becomes non-functioning due to the damage in the fuel activation assembly, it is possible to replace only the defective MEA segments. With a number of MEA segments, the electrodes on the two sides of the PEM can be electrically connected in series or in parallel or in a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method of improving the operating efficiency of a fuel cell in a portable device such as a laptop or tablet PC. The efficiency is improved by using the heat produced by the CPU or other components in the PC to heat the liquid methanol for use in the anode part of the fuel cell. Liquid methanol can be heated when it is conveyed from a replenishing unit to the fuel cell via a conduit. The conduit can be embedded in a heat exchanger placed in the proximity of a CPU heat-sink. Alternatively, the conduit is placed near the heat-sink for heating the liquid methanol therein by radiation and convection. Additionally, a fan is used to direct the hot air around the heat sink to heat the liquid methanol in the conduit and to provide heated air to the cathode part of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel activation assembly disposed between two fuel compartments in a fuel cell, such as a direct methanol fuel cell. The fuel activation assembly comprises a substrate with apertures for securely attaching a plurality of membrane electrode assembly (MEA) segments. Each MEA segment has a proton exchange membrane (PEM) sandwiched between two electrodes to allow protons produced in one fuel compartment to migrate to the other fuel compartment through the aperture. If the fuel cell becomes non-functioning due to the damage in the fuel activation assembly, it is possible to replace only the defective MEA segments. With a number of MEA segments, the electrodes on the two sides of the PEM can be electrically connected in series or in parallel or in a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method of improving the operating efficiency of a fuel cell in a portable device such as a laptop or tablet PC. The efficiency is improved by using the heat produced by the CPU or other components in the PC to heat the liquid methanol for use in the anode part of the fuel cell. Liquid methanol can be heated when it is conveyed from a replenishing unit to the fuel cell via a conduit. The conduit can be embedded in a heat exchanger placed in the proximity of a CPU heat-sink. Alternatively, the conduit is placed near the heat-sink for heating the liquid methanol therein by radiation and convection. Additionally, a fan is used to direct the hot air around the heat sink to heat the liquid methanol in the conduit and to provide heated air to the cathode part of the fuel cell.

Abstract: The disclosure is of apparatus for generating raster scans on an oscilloscope combined with an electron microscope used for scanning and examining semiconductor devices. A scanning electron microscope can be operated to generate artificial or induced faults in semiconductor memories, and the raster scanner, in carrying out a scan, will visually display on the oscilloscope natural and artificial or induced faulty locations or cells in semiconductor memories. The semiconductor memory under test is positioned at different locations in the microscope, at each of which an artificial fault is generated until a position is reached, at which the artificial fault coincides, or nearly coincides, with the natural fault location as displayed by the raster scanner. When this is achieved, the electron microscope can then be used to examine the naturally faulty location or cell to determine the reason for the fault.

Abstract: .[.The disclosure is of.]. .Iadd.An .Iaddend.apparatus for generating raster scans on an oscilloscope combined with an electron microscope used for scanning and examining semiconductor devices. A scanning electron microscope can be operated to generate artificial or induced faults in semiconductor memories, and the raster scanner, in carrying out a scan, will visually display on the oscilloscope natural and artificial or induced faulty locations or cells in semiconductor memories. The semiconductor memory under test is positioned at different locations in the microscope, at each of which an artificial fault is generated until a position is reached, at which the artificial fault coincides, or nearly coincides, with the natural fault location as displayed by the raster scanner. When this is achieved, the electron microscope can then be used to examine the naturally faulty location or cell to determine the reason for the fault.