Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell (110) comprising two gas diffusion layers (70), two electrode elements (10, 10?) and a membrane element (30). The membrane element (30) is arranged between the two gas diffusion layers (70), each electrode element (10, 10?) being embedded between a gas diffusion layer (70) and the membrane element (30). The membrane element (30) is in the form of an amorphous carbon layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a distributor structure (12, 20), particularly a bipolar plate for a stack structure (10) of a fuel cell or of an electrolyser. The distributor structure (12, 20) comprises a channel structure (48) that interacts with at least one polymer membrane (16). The distributor structure (12, 20) is designed as a plastic part (40) that has electrically conductive properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell (110) comprising two gas diffusion layers (70), two electrode elements (10, 10?) and a membrane element (30). The membrane element (30) is arranged between the two gas diffusion layers (70), each electrode element (10, 10?) being embedded between a gas diffusion layer (70) and the membrane element (30). The membrane element (30) is in the form of an amorphous carbon layer.

Abstract: A plasma system has at least one inductively coupled high-frequency plasma jet source having a burner body delimiting a plasma generating space, having an outlet orifice for the plasma jet, and a chamber communicating with the plasma jet source through the outlet orifice, having a substrate situated in the chamber, where it is exposed to the plasma jet. The substrate is situated on a substrate electrode to which an electric voltage may be applied. In addition, a method of producing a functional coating on the substrate using such a plasma system is also described. In a preferred embodiment, during operation of the plasma system, both the plasma jet and the electric voltage on the substrate electrode are pulsed and/or a pressure gradient is maintained between the interior of the plasma jet source and the interior of the chamber.

Abstract: A pump piston and/or elements sealing the pump piston, in particular a sealing ring of elastomeric material with an additionally applied coating are/is proposed. To improve the durability characteristics, the pump piston and/or the elements sealing the pump piston have a coating which is formed at least predominantly of halogen-, silicon-, carbon-containing and/or metal-organic monomers. Furthermore, a device and a method for coating an object of elastomeric material utilizing a plasma are proposed.

Abstract: A plasma system has at least one inductively coupled high-frequency plasma jet source having a burner body delimiting a plasma generating space having an outlet orifice for the plasma jet, a coil surrounding the plasma generating space in some areas, an inlet for supplying a gas and/or a precursor material into the plasma generating space and a high-frequency generator which is connected to the coil for igniting the plasma and for injecting an electric power into the plasma. The plasma jet source has an electric component using which the intensity of the plasma jet is variable periodically over time. In addition, a method of producing the functional coating on a substrate by using this plasma system is described.

Abstract: A plasma system has at least one inductively coupled high-frequency plasma jet source having a burner body delimiting a plasma generating space, having an outlet orifice for the plasma jet, and a chamber communicating with the plasma jet source through the outlet orifice, having a substrate situated in the chamber, where it is exposed to the plasma jet. The substrate is situated on a substrate electrode to which an electric voltage may be applied. In addition, a method of producing a functional coating on the substrate using such a plasma system is also described. In a preferred embodiment, during operation of the plasma system, both the plasma jet and the electric voltage on the substrate electrode are pulsed and/or a pressure gradient is maintained between the interior of the plasma jet source and the interior of the chamber.

Abstract: A method is for producing a functional coating, e.g., composite layers or metal alloys, on a substrate using at least one plasma jet source able to be operated in a fine vacuum up to an almost atmospheric pressure range. For this purpose, the plasma jet source produces a plasma, which emerges from the plasma jet source in the form of a plasma jet and acts on a substrate. In this context, at least two precursor materials, which are modified or fused in the plasma jet and subsequently deposited on the substrate, are introduced into the plasma.

Abstract: An interferometric measuring device for measuring layer thicknesses of partially transparent layers on substrates, especially of wear protection layers based on carbon, having a scanning device which scans these layers automatically in its depth direction, using which an interference plane is displaceable relative to the layer structure, having an interferometer part that has a white light interferometer and/or a wavelength-scanning interferometer. Also described is a corresponding evaluation method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for treating the surfaces of containers or objects in which the inner surfaces to be treated are exposed to functionalizing plasma during a process step, and/or to coating plasma during a further process step. The functionalizing plasma and the coating plasma are preferably produced by a plasma source which is located inside or outside the containers or objects.

Abstract: A tribologically loaded component, in particular an injection needle, an injection valve, or a component of a combustion-engine injection system. This component has a surface region, which moves in relation to a counterbody during operation, is tribologically loaded in the process, and is provided with a first coating. This first coating has a first layer of diamond-like carbon having a hydrogen level of at least 30 atom %. Additionally provided is a gas engine or an internal combustion engine, which is driven by a dry gas, such as natural gas or hydrogen, as a fuel, or is driven under oil-free and/or water-free combustion conditions, and has such a tribologically loaded component.

Abstract: A pump piston and/or elements sealing the pump piston, in particular a sealing ring of elastomeric material with an additionally applied coating are/is proposed. To improve the durability characteristics, the pump piston and/or the elements sealing the pump piston have a coating which is formed at least predominantly of halogen-, silicon-, carbon-containing and/or metal-organic monomers. Furthermore, a device and a method for coating an object of elastomeric material utilizing a plasma are proposed.

Abstract: Device for producing a plasma, in particular for treating surfaces, for chemically reacting gases, or for producing light, by way of microstructure electrode discharges, using a device for producing plasma having at least one guide structure. A microwave generator which can be used to launch microwaves into the guide structure. The guide structure has a locally narrowly limited plasma region in contact with a gas. The guide structure is preferably a metallic waveguide filled with a dielectric material, or an arrangement of strip lines which run on a dielectric plate. The device and the method are particularly suited for processing or activating surfaces or for depositing layers on a substrate.

Abstract: A device and a method for at least partial removal of electric charges from dielectric surfaces, in particular surfaces of plastic films, paper webs or plastic fibers are described. First, a plasma is generated through microstructure discharges with a plasma device in at least one plasma region. In addition, the dielectric surface is introduced into the plasma region with a feed mechanism and is temporarily exposed to electrically charged particles generated by the plasma there.

Abstract: A pump piston and/or elements sealing the pump piston, in particular a sealing ring of elastomeric material with an additionally applied coating are/is proposed. To improve the durability characteristics, the pump piston and/or the elements sealing the pump piston have a coating which is formed at least predominantly of halogen-, silicon-, carbon-containing and/or metal-organic monomers. Furthermore, a device and a method for coating an object of elastomeric material utilizing a plasma are proposed.

Abstract: A tribologically loaded component, in particular an injection needle, an injection valve, or a component of a combustion-engine injection system. This component has a surface region, which moves in relation to a counterbody during operation, is tribologically loaded in the process, and is provided with a first coating. This first coating has a first layer of diamond-like carbon having a hydrogen level of at least 30 atom %. Additionally provided is a gas engine or an internal combustion engine, which is driven by a dry gas, such as natural gas or hydrogen, as a fuel, or is driven under oil-free and/or water-free combustion conditions, and has such a tribologically loaded component.

Abstract: A device and a method for at least partial removal of electric charges from dielectric surfaces (30), in particular surfaces of plastic films, paper webs or plastic fibers are described. First, a plasma is generated through microstructure discharges with a plasma device (1) in at least one plasma region (12, 40). In addition, the dielectric surface (30) is introduced into the plasma region (12, 40) with a feed mechanism (2) and is temporarily exposed to electrically charged particles generated by the plasma there.

Abstract: A method is proposed for producing a functional coating on a substrate (19) disposed in a chamber (40), a plasma (21) being generated by an inductively coupled, high-frequency plasma jet source (5) having a burner member (25) which delimits a plasma generating space (27) and has a discharge aperture (26). This plasma (21) then exits via the discharge aperture in the form of a plasma jet (20) from the plasma jet source (5) and enters into the chamber (40) connected thereto, where it acts on the substrate (19) for producing the functional coating. In this context, it is also provided that between the interior of the chamber (40) and the plasma generating space (27), at least at times a pressure gradient is produced which accelerates particles contained in the plasma jet (20) toward the substrate (19).

Abstract: A device for generating a free cold plasma beam having a high-frequency plasma source and a hollow body transparent to electromagnetic radiation, which is provided with at least one gas inlet opening and at least one beam outlet opening is proposed. The high-frequency plasma source is in particular a microwave plasma source or a high-frequency plasma source and initially generates at least within the hollow body a cold gas plasma, which is conducted as a free cold plasma beam via the beam outlet opening from the hollow body and enters the work chamber. The work chamber is under vacuum. The free plasma beam remains bundled in the work chamber and can be used there for cleaning, etching, or plasma coating with a reactive gas.