Abstract: The invention concerns a bipolar plate for fuel cell, of the type comprising a cathode bipolar half-plate and an anode bipolar half-plate attached to each other, each bipolar half-plate (1) consisting of a plate including in its central part an active region (2) and at its peripheral part a plurality of cut-outs (4) designed to form at least two oxidant boxes, at least two fuel boxes and at least two coolant boxes, the bipolar plate including at least one connecting channel between each peripheral cut-out and the active region. The invention is characterized in that each connecting channel of a peripheral cut-out with the active region consists of at least one rib (8) in a bipolar half-plate.

Abstract: A flow field plate module for a fuel cell system includes at least one flow field plate defining a fuel transporting channel thereon. The fuel transporting channel is divided into a middle converging zone having a group of first flow guiding plates arranged therein, and two diverging zones located at two lateral sides of the middle converging zone and each having a group of second flow guiding plates arranged therein. The second flow guiding plates are symmetrically arranged in the two diverging zones and are directed at respective inner end toward a space between two adjacent first flow guiding plates in the middle converging zone to thereby offset from each of the two adjacent first flow guiding plates by a predetermined distance in a fuel flowing direction, so that a fluid path is formed between any two adjacent first and second flow guiding plates.

Abstract: A device and method to extract water from a moisture-rich fuel cell flowpath to supply other components of a fuel cell system that require water. A water transport unit is integrated into the fuel cell so that the size, weight and complexity of a fuel cell is minimized. In one embodiment, the device includes numerous flowpaths that include an active region and an inactive region. The water transport unit includes a moisture-donating fluid channel and a moisture-accepting fluid channel, where the latter is fluidly connected with a portion of the fuel cell that is in need of humidification. Upon passage of a moisture-donating fluid through the inactive region of the device flowpath, at least some of the water contained therein passes through the water transport unit to a portion of the fuel cell that is in need of humidification.

Abstract: There is described a fuel cell power system including a fuel processor subsystem, a fuel cell subsystem, and a power conditioning subsystem. The fuel processor subsystem comprises a main module for producing hydrogen rich streams from a hydrocarbon fuel, a balance of plant module for auxiliary components, and a control and electronic module for monitoring and controlling the fuel processor subsystem. The fuel cell subsystem comprises a main module for generation of electric power and thermal energy from hydrogen rich streams produced by the fuel processor module and air, a balance of plant module for auxiliary components, and a control and electronic module for monitoring and controlling the fuel cell subsystem. Each module has individual components attached thereto, the modules being designed and manufactured separately and assembled together to form the respective subsystems.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack or an electrolysis cell stack comprises a plurality of cells, which need to be compressed to ensure and maintain internal contact. To achieve an evenly distributed compression force throughout the electrochemically active area a frame with a central aperture is positioned on top of the cell stack between a resilient plate and a top plate. The enclosed aperture forms a compression chamber which is provided with pressurised gas from the cathode inlet, whereby an evenly distributed force is applied to the electrochemically area of the cell stack by the resilient plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to fuel cell devices and systems, and methods of using and making fuel cell devices and systems. The fuel cell devices include an elongate ceramic substrate, such as a rectangular or tubular substrate, the length of which is the greatest dimension such that thermal expansion is exhibited along a dominant axis that is coextensive with the length. A reaction zone is positioned along a first portion of the length for heating to an operating reaction temperature, and at least one cold zone is positioned along a second portion of the length for operating at a temperature below the operating reaction temperature. There are one or more fuel passages and one or more oxidizer passages extending within an interior solid support structure of the elongate substrate, each having an associated anode and cathode, respectively, which are separated by an electrolyte. The passages include a neck-down point.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a plurality of electrolyte electrode assemblies and a pair of separators sandwiching the electrolyte electrode assemblies. A substantially ring shaped stopper is formed integrally with a plate of the separator. The stopper has a guide inclined surface, and the guide inclined surface contacts an anode inclined surface formed in an outer circumferential region of the anode of the electrolyte electrode assembly for preventing exposure of the anode to the exhaust gas.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprising: a membrane electrolyte assembly having a polymer electrolyte membrane and a pair of catalyst electrodes, namely an air electrode and a fuel electrode sandwiching the polymer electrolyte membrane; a pair of separators, namely an air electrode separator and a fuel electrode separator sandwiching the membrane electrolyte assembly; two or more oxidizing gas channels running in a certain direction for the purpose of supplying an oxidizing gas to the air electrode; and two or more linear fuel gas channels arranged parallel to the certain direction for the purpose of supplying a fuel gas to the fuel electrode. Large gaps and small gaps are provided alternately between adjacent two oxidizing gas channels along the certain direction, and the fuel gas channels do not overlap portions of the oxidizing gas channels, that are parallel to the fuel gas channels.

Abstract: A high capacity micro fuel cell system for supplying power to a portable device. A fuel supply includes a fuel inlet formed at one side of a substrate and a gas outlet formed at the other side of the substrate. A pair of cell units are disposed at opposed sides of the substrate of the fuel supply, and each of the cell units includes catalyst layers and an electrolyte layer between the catalyst layers to generate current with fuel. Outer substrates are disposed at outer sides of the cell units, each of the substrates having through holes formed therein to define at least one oxygen supply for supplying oxygen to the electrolyte layers of the cell units. A holder integrally assembles the fuel supply, the cell units and the oxygen supply. The fuel cell system supplies high-capacity power to power supplies of portable electronic devices and can be mass-produced at low costs.

Abstract: A direct oxidation fuel cell of this invention has at least one unit cell including: a membrane-electrode assembly comprising an electrolyte membrane sandwiched between an anode and a cathode, each of the anode and the cathode including a catalyst layer and a diffusion layer; an anode-side separator with a fuel flow channel for supplying a fuel to the anode; and a cathode-side separator with an oxidant flow channel for supplying an oxidant containing oxygen gas to the cathode. The fuel flow channel and the oxidant flow channel are so structured that the concentration of the oxygen gas in the oxidant flow channel is higher at a part opposing an upstream part of the fuel flow channel than at a part opposing a downstream part of the fuel flow channel.

Abstract: In a fuel cell stack, an inlet fuel distributor (15, 31, 31a, 31b) comprises a plurality of fuel distributing passageways (17-23, 40-47, 64) of substantially equal length and equal flow cross section to uniformly distribute fuel cell inlet fuel from a fuel supply conduit (13, 14, 50) to a fuel inlet manifold (28). The conduits may be either channels (40-47; 64) formed within a plate (39) or tubes (17-23). The channels may have single exits (65) or double exits (52, 53) into the fuel inlet manifold.

Abstract: A conductance at an oxidizer flow path forming member is defined as C1, a conductance at an opening portion of the oxidizer flow path forming member at which an oxidizer flow rate regulating portion is arranged is defined as C2, the conductances have a relationship of C1>C2. Further, the fuel cell stack has at least one inner fuel cell unit having a value of C1/C2 which is larger than values of C1/C2 of fuel cell units located at both ends of the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A fuel gas channel is divided into first and second fuel gas channel units by a partition. The first fuel gas channel unit has a fuel gas inlet for supplying a fuel gas before consumption from a fuel gas supply passage to a fuel gas flow field, and the second fuel gas channel unit has an exhaust fuel gas diverging holes for diverging at least some of an exhaust fuel gas used at an anode from the fuel gas flow field. The second fuel gas channel unit is connected to the fuel gas supply passage through an exhaust fuel gas diverging passage.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes electromotive portions, a first sheet, a second sheet, a replenishing portion and a fuel adjusting film. The electromotive portions cause fuel and oxygen to react chemically with each other to produce electrical energy. The first sheet is provided to supply the fuel to the electromotive portions. The second sheet is provided to supply the oxygen to the electromotive portions. The replenishing portion is provided at a predetermined portion of the first sheet to replenish the first sheet with the fuel. The fuel adjusting film is inserted in the first sheet to adjust the amounts of the fuel to be supplied from the first sheet to the electromotive portions.

Abstract: A fuel cell operating system which can prevent freezing of a valve and a method of preventing fixation of the valve in the fuel cell operating system are provided. In steps of the process of preventing freezing of a valve in the present invention, first, supply of hydrogen, which is a fuel gas, is stopped. Power generation is continued in a fuel cell stack until the fuel gas which has already been supplied is consumed by the fuel cell reaction. It is constantly judged whether or not the power generation is stopped. When it is judged that the power generation is stopped, a function of a water discharge process module executes a process to open a bypass valve. When the bypass valve is opened, a large amount of pressurized air is supplied to a bypass flow path, and water present in the bypass flow path and water present in an exit-side flow path are forcibly pushed and discharged.

Abstract: A cathode end plate for a breathable fuel cell stack including a first plate including a plurality of first openings and a second plate contacting one side of the first plate and including a plurality of second openings exposing two or more first openings of the plurality of first openings.

Abstract: A separator having a separator member coupled body having a metal plate as a base body, and formed by integrally coupling a plurality of separator members each having through holes for feeding fuel to an electrolyte of the fuel cell, said through holes arranged so as to correspond to the unit cell and to be perpendicular to a surface of said base body, and frame coupled bodies each made of an insulating material, each having openings for fuel feeding or oxygen feeding corresponding to the respective separator members, and each formed by integrally coupling a plurality of frame portions that give insulation between the unit cells, wherein said frame coupled bodies, making a pair, sandwich said separator member coupled body from its both sides, and each frame portion of one of said frame coupled bodies is capable of fitting a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of the fuel cell into the opening.

Abstract: A fuel cell system that is compact and has stabilized performance is provided. The fuel cell system includes two fuel cell stacks or a first fuel cell stack (31) and a second fuel cell stack (32), a high-pressure hydrogen tank (11) as a hydrogen supplying device for supplying hydrogen to the first and second fuel cell stacks (31, 32), a compressor (12) as an air supplying device for supplying air to the fuel cell stack, and a humidifier (20) for humidifying air to be supplied to the first and second fuel cell stacks (31, 32). The humidifier (20) is disposed between the first and second fuel cell stacks (31, 32); a supply air exhaust port of the humidifier (20) and air supply ports (Q1) of the first and second fuel cell stacks (31, 32) are connected by air supply pipes (51) having the same length.

Abstract: A plate for a membrane humidifier for a fuel cell system is disclosed, wherein the plate includes a top layer formed from a diffusion medium and a bottom layer formed from a diffusion medium with an array of substantially planar elongate ribbons disposed therebetween.

Abstract: An electrochemical apparatus having a plurality of ceramic electrochemical cells, a plurality of gas feed members and a plurality of gas discharge members. The electrochemical cell has a first electrode contacting with a first gas, a solid electrolyte layer and a second electrode contacting with a second gas. A gas flow channel for flowing the first gas therethrough, a first through hole and a second through hole are provided in the electrochemical cell. The gas feed member is inserted into the first through hole, the gas discharge member is inserted into the second through hole. The adjacent gas feed members are airtightly coupled to each other thereby forming a gas feed channel, and the adjacent gas discharge members are airtightly coupled to each other thereby forming a gas discharge channel.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell system includes at least one fuel cell and at least one gas flow channel to deliver a reactant mixture. The fuel cell comprises at least one chamber to house at least one anode, at least one cathode, and at least one electrolyte, and the fuel cell is adapted to receive a reactant mixture comprising reactants mixed prior to delivery to the fuel cell. The one or more gas flow channels for delivering the reactant mixture have characteristic dimensions that are less than a quench distance of the reactant mixture at an operating temperature within the solid oxide fuel cell system.

Abstract: A separator of a fuel cell, which is inserted between single cells, each single cell having an electrolyte sandwiched between electrodes, in order to stack the single cells together, includes gas diffusion portions which are arranged so as to cover a surface of the electrodes and in which are formed multiple air holes for gas diffusion, and spacer portions which form parallel divided gas passages on the back side of portions of the gas diffusion portions which cover the surface of the electrodes. The gas diffusion portions and the spacer portions are integrally formed by bending a wire mesh member to have a rectangular corrugated plate shaped cross-section. As a result, the air holes are formed evenly between the electrodes and the separator and high contact pressure is ensured by the contact of the fine wire mesh, thereby making it possible to both have the gas diffuse evenly and reduce the power collection resistance.

Abstract: A fuel gas flow field is formed on a surface of a rectangular first metal separator. The fuel gas flow field includes flow grooves extending in the direction of gravity. An outlet buffer is provided at a lower end of the fuel gas flow field. The outlet buffer includes an inclined surface inclined toward a fuel gas discharge passage. The fuel gas discharge passage is positioned below the outlet buffer. Outlet channel grooves are formed by ridges provided between the fuel gas discharge passage and the outlet buffer. Lower ends of the ridges are arranged in a zigzag pattern.

Abstract: A method of obtaining an optimal design for a header of a fuel cell stack and a fuel cell stack with an optimally designed header are provided. The method includes providing a fuel cell stack and obtaining an optimal design for a header of the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack is composed by stacking multiple fuel cell units such that header openings thereof are connected to form a header. A control unit is inserted in one side of each header opening to individually control the widths of the header openings and consequently the flow rate of fuel gas passing therethrough. Thus, fuel gas distribution in the fuel cell stack is rendered uniform, and the efficiency of electric power generation by the fuel cell stack is improved. The header openings with the ideal widths define a curvilinear structure which constitutes the optimal design for the header.

Abstract: A fuel cell unit includes a plurality of angularly spaced fuel cell stacks arranged to form a ring-shaped structure about a central axis, each of the fuel cell stacks having a stacking direction extending parallel to the central axis. The fuel cell unit also includes an annular cathode feed manifold surrounding the fuel cell stacks to deliver a cathode feed flow thereto, a plurality of baffles extending parallel to the central axis, each of the baffles located between an adjacent pair of the fuel cell stacks to direct a cathode feed flow from the annular cathode feed manifold and radially inwardly through the adjacent pair, and an annular cathode exhaust manifold surrounded by the fuel cell stacks to receive a cathode exhaust flow therefrom.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack with uniform gas distribution in main flow channels thereof includes a cell stack and an anti-eddy current unit. The cell stack is composed of a plurality of cell units and has an admission flow channel for importing fuel gas. The anti-eddy current unit is provided in the cell stack and situated at the admission end of the admission flow channel to promote fuel gas distribution uniformly in the cell units, thereby increasing the electric power generation efficiency of the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack system is configured to uniformly supply a fuel or an electrolytic solution to each of fuel cell elements, and an electronic device using the fuel cell stack system are provided. An electrolytic solution channel allowing an electrolytic solution to flow therethrough is arranged between a fuel electrode and an oxygen electrode, and a fuel channel allowing a fuel to flow therethrough is arranged outside of the fuel electrode. The electrolytic solution channels and the fuel channels of all fuel cell elements are connected in series to one another. That is, the fuel or the electrolytic solution emitted from an outlet of the fuel channel or the electrolytic solution channel of one fuel cell element enters into an inlet of the fuel channel or the electrolytic solution channel of the next fuel cell element through a connection channel.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack with a plurality of fuel cell elements which are layered on one another with separating plates located between the fuel cell elements. Inside channels are formed to supply a combustion gas and discharge the exhaust gas. The fuel cell stack is characterized in that, on a first side of the fuel cell elements, several parallel lengthwise channels are formed for routing of the combustion gas, and on the ends of the channels, a distributor zone is formed which connects the supply channel to the respectively first ends of the lengthwise channels, and a collecting zone is formed which connects the discharge channel to the second ends of the lengthwise channels, and that there is an oxidizer guide on the second side of the fuel cell elements, the oxidizer guide running in the direction of the lengthwise channels.

Abstract: The durability of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell is very significantly improved by using a tightening pressure of about 2 to 4 kgf/cm2 of area of electrode; or a tightening pressure of about 4 to 8 kgf/cm2 of contact area between electrode and separator plate; or by selecting a value not exceeding about 1.5 mS/cm2 for the short-circuit conductivity attributed to the DC resistance component in each unit cell; or by selecting a value not exceeding about 3 mA/cm2 for the hydrogen leak current per area of electrode of each MEA. Further, in a method of manufacturing or an inspection method for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack, fuel cells having high durability can be efficiently manufactured by removing such MEAs or unit cells using such MEAs or such cell stacks having short-circuit conductivity values and/or hydrogen leak current values exceeding predetermined values, respectively.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a stack body formed by stacking a plurality of power generation cells in a stacking direction. At opposite ends of the stack body in the stacking direction, end power generation cells are provided. An end coolant flow field is formed on a separator of the end power generation cell. The flow rate of the coolant in the end coolant flow field is smaller than the flow rate of the coolant in a coolant flow field in each of the power generation cells. Specifically, the number of flow grooves of the end coolant flow field is smaller than the number of flow grooves of the coolant flow field.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a branch anode gas supply pipe in which hydrogen before supplied to a fuel cell flows; and a branch cathode gas supply pipe in which air before supplied to the fuel cell flows. One end on the upstream side of the branch anode gas supply pipe is connected to the upstream side of a regulator in an anode gas supply pipe, and the other end thereof is connected to the branch cathode gas supply pipe via a hydrogen injector. The branch anode gas supply pipe is provided with a hydrogen regulator, which detects a pressure in the branch cathode gas supply pipe as a signal pressure.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a reformer for generating hydrogen gas from fuel containing hydrogen using a chemical catalytic reaction and thermal energy. At least one electricity generator generates electrical energy by an electrochemical reaction of the hydrogen gas and oxygen. A fuel supply assembly supplies fuel to the reformer, and an oxygen supply assembly supplies oxygen to the at least one electricity generator. A heat exchanger is connected to the reformer and to the at least one electricity generator. The heat exchanger supplies thermal energy of the reformer, during initial operation of the system, to the at least one electricity generator so as to pre-heat the at least one electricity generator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a direct oxidation fuel cell system including at least one electricity generating element including at least one membrane-electrode assembly which includes an anode and a cathode on opposite sides of a polymer electrolyte membrane, and a separator. The direct oxidation fuel cell generates electricity through an electrochemical reaction of a fuel and an oxidant. An oxidant supplier supplies the electricity generating element with the oxidant. A fuel supplier supplies the anode with a combination of fuel and hydrogen to provide improved power output.

Abstract: A MEMS-based fuel cell has a substrate, an electrolyte in contact with the substrate, a cathode in contact with the electrolyte, an anode spaced apart from the cathode and in contact with the electrolyte, and an integral manifold for supplying either a fuel or an oxidant or both together, the integral manifold extending over at least a portion of the electrolyte and over at least one of the anode and cathode. Methods for making and using arrays of the fuel cells are disclosed.

Abstract: [Means for Solution] A solid oxide fuel cell apparatus including a fuel cell having a plate-shaped first solid electrolyte, an anode provided on one side of the first solid electrolyte and coming in contact with fuel gas, and a cathode provided on the other side of the first solid electrolyte and coming in contact with oxidizer gas. The solid oxide fuel cell apparatus further includes a cell-follow-up deformation member located on at least one of opposite sides of the fuel cell with respect to a first stacking direction along which the anode, the first solid electrolyte, and the cathode are stacked together. The cell-follow-up deformation member deforms according to a deformation of the fuel cell on the basis of at least one of physical quantities including differential thermal expansion coefficient and differential pressure.

Abstract: In a manufacturing method for an electrode-membrane-frame assembly in a fuel cell, a first frame member and an electrolyte membrane member are arranged in a first mold for injection molding such that the edge of the electrolyte membrane member is arranged on the first frame member, a second mold is arranged to form a resin flow passage for forming a second frame member which is in contact with the first frame member by interposing the electrolyte membrane member, and a part of the edge of the electrolyte membrane member is pressed and fixed to the first frame member by a presser member mounted on the second mold and a molding resin material is injected into the resin flow passage to form a second frame member.

Abstract: To mitigate bubble blockage in water passageways (78, 85), in or near reactant gas flow field plates (74, 81) of fuel cells (38), passageways are configured with (a) cross sections having intersecting polygons or other shapes, obtuse angles including triangles and trapezoids, or (b) hydrophobic surfaces (111), or (c) differing adjacent channels (127, 128), or (d) water permeable layers (93, 115, 116, 119) adjacent to water channels or hydrophobic/hydrophilic layers (114, 120), or (e) diverging channels (152).

Abstract: Flow guides forming an inlet channel are formed on a surface of a metal separator of a fuel cell. The flow guides overlap a section of an outer seal provided on the other surface of the metal separator. When a load is applied to the flow guides and the overlapping section in a stacking direction of the fuel cell, the flow guides and the overlapping section are deformed substantially equally in the stacking direction to the same extent. The line pressure of the flow guides and the line pressure of the overlapping section are substantially the same. The seal length L1 of the flow guides and the seal length L2 of the overlapping section are substantially the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bipolar plate for a fuel cell, of the type that comprises anode and cathode bipolar half plates (1, 1?) which are placed next to one another. The central part of each bipolar half plate comprises an active zone (2), while the periphery thereof comprises a plurality of cut-outs (4, 4?, 5, 5?, 6) which are intended to form at least two oxidant tanks, two fuel tanks and two coolant tanks. Moreover, at least one bipolar half plate comprises at least one connecting rib (8, 8?, 10, 12) between a peripheral cut-out and the active zone. Projecting out from the outer face, each coolant tank cut-out is surrounded by a sealing rib (7, 7?) and the periphery of each bipolar half plate comprises a rib (15, 15?) for sealing the active zone, which connects the coolant tank sealing ribs and which surrounds the oxidant and fuel tanks. Furthermore, each channel formed by a rib segment (15, 15?) between two coolant tanks is blocked by a blocking means (17, 17?).

Abstract: A fuel cell housing comprising at least one surface configured to condense fluid from exhaust air passing over or through the surface and configured to return the condensed fluid to electrolyte of a fuel cell or fuel cell stack within the fuel cell housing is disclosed. Fuel cell assemblies comprising the fuel cell housing are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention provides for an anode side gas flow heater for a fuel cell generator that comprises a recirculating anode gas flow 28, at least one burner 24, and an energy source 22. The energy source heats the burner, the anode gas flow passes over the at least one burner and is heated, and the heated anode gas flow is then passed through the anode side of the fuel cell generator 4, where the fuel cell generator is heated.

Abstract: A stamped bipolar plate of a fuel cell stack includes a first stamped plate half having a first reactant flow field formed therein, a portion of which defines a first reactant header region. A second stamped plate half has a first coolant flow field formed therein, a portion of which defines a first set of coolant feed channels that extend at least partially across the first reactant header region.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell stack which can prevent both cell voltages from decreasing and cracks from occurring in a solid electrolyte under the action of mechanical stress and a flat plate solid oxide fuel cell using the same.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention a fuel cell system comprises: (i) a plurality of fuel cell packets, each packet comprising at least one fuel inlet, at least one fuel outlet, a frame, and two multi-cell fuel cell devices, the fuel cell devices situated such that an anode side of one fuel cell device faces an anode side of another fuel cell device, and the two fuel cell devices, in combination, at least partially form a fuel chamber connected to the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet; (ii) a plurality of heat exchange packets, each packet comprising at least one oxidant inlet, at least one oxidant outlet, and an internal oxidant chamber connected to the at least one oxidant inlet and the least one oxidant outlet; the heat exchange packets being parallel to and interspersed between the fuel cell packets, such that the heat exchange packets face the fuel cell packets and form, at least in part, a plurality of cathode reaction chambers between the heat exchange packets and the fuel cell packets; (

Abstract: A system and method for delivering an input fluid stream through a fuel cell stack and discharge an unused fluid stream is provided. An inlet of the fuel cell stack is adapted to receive the fluid stream. An ejector is configured to combine the supply fluid stream and the unused fluid stream to generate the input fluid stream and control the flow of the input fluid stream to the fuel cell stack. A blower is configured to control the flow of the unused fluid stream to the ejector. A bypass valve is configured to control the flow of the unused fluid stream to the blower and to the ejector.

Abstract: In an air supply unit for a fuel cell stack comprising a compressor for compressing air that is fed via a feed line to the fuel cell stack and to a turbine to which also exhaust gas of a combustion chamber can be supplied and wherein an exhaust gas from the combustion chamber is supplied to the turbine, the feed line to the fuel cell stack is in communication with a branch line by way of which compressed air can be fed also to the combustion chamber. The invention further relates to a method for operating an air supply unit for the fuel cell system.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a fuel cell component having a cathode that includes a lanthanum manganate material as well as channels for receiving a flow of oxygen, and a buffer layer extending along the channels through which oxygen flows. The fuel cell component also includes an anode having channels for receiving a flow of fuel and an electrolyte layer disposed between the cathode and the anode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a small fuel cell and a small fuel cell stack each allowing for improved output. Conventionally, in a direct methanol fuel cell, carbon dioxide gas produced at an anode electrode side is exhausted together with a methanol aqueous solution. From the methanol aqueous solution, the carbon dioxide gas is separated, and then the methanol aqueous solution is reused as fuel. In this case, a liquid-gas separation device needs to be provided additionally, which results in a large fuel cell with an increased weight, disadvantageously. The present invention is made to solve such a problem by providing a fuel cell including a first unit cell having a cathode electrode, an electrolyte membrane, an anode electrode, and an anode collector layer in this order; and one or more spacers arranged on the anode collector layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a direct oxidation fuel cell in which at least one fluid fuel is transported from a fuel reservoir via a fluid distribution structure to a membrane electrode assembly, the transport of the fuel being effected passively, i.e. without convection. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding direct oxidation fuel cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the structure of a bipolar plate for direction methanol fuel cell, the shape of a flow path and a fuel cell including them, more particularly, to the structure of a bipolar plate for direct methanol fuel cell using a flow path with a dispersion structure not the existing serpentine type for supplying a fuel to the new bipolar plate and functioning as a collector and the shape of a flow path. According to the present invention, a fluid flow resistance is decreased and a direct reaction region of a fluid and an electrode catalyst is increased in a bipolar plate, and therefore the performance of a fuel Cell can be improved.