Abstract: A solid oxide ceramic includes a substrate defining a surface, the substrate including at least one material selected from the group consisting of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), lanthanum strontium titanate (LST), lanthanum strontium manganite (LSM), and nickel oxide-YSZ composite. The solid oxide ceramic further includes a seal coating at least a portion of the surface, the seal including a Sanbornite (BaO.2SiO2) crystal phase, a Hexacelsian (BaO.Al2O3.2SiO2) crystal phase, and a residual glass phase, wherein the seal has a coefficient of thermal expansion equal to or less than that of the substrate at said surface. The glass composition can have a difference between a glass crystallization temperature and a glass transition temperature in a range of between about 200° C. and about 400° C. at a heating rate of about 20° C./min.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fuel cell stack is provided. The method provides forming an inspectable preassembly of multiple fuel cell assemblies that may be termed a pseudostack. Each fuel cell in the pseudostack has permanent electrical interconnections and sealing connections on only one of the two electrodes, namely an anode layer or a cathode layer. For example, an anode interconnect may be firmly attached to the anode layer by means of a bonding agent and a sealing agent used to seal passages on the anode layer of the fuel cell. Alternatively, seals and permanent electrical connections may be made on the cathode layer of the fuel cell, and not on the anode layer.

Abstract: An anode support for supporting an anode electrode in a fuel cell assembly in which the anode support has a first support member formed of a porous non-wettable material and a second support member abutting and joined with the second member and having a plurality of through openings. Also disclosed is a bipolar separator having an electrolyte barrier over predetermined limited portions of its outer surface so as to prevent or retard electrolyte creeping.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes an electricity generating element, which generates electrical energy through a reaction of a fuel and oxygen. The electricity generating element includes a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA), a first separator positioned at a first side of the MEA and having a heat sink element positioned therein for dissipating heat generated through the reaction of the fuel and oxygen, and a second separator positioned at a second, opposite side of the MEA.

Abstract: (1) In a fuel cell stack structure wherein a stack is formed by stacking cells each of which is formed by sandwiching an MEA between two separators, an adhesive layer 33a is provided between the two separators sandwiching the MEA, without a constant thickness structure or pseudo constant thickness structure provided between the separators. (2) An adhesive layer 33b is provided between adjacent cells, without a bead gasket provided therebetween. (3) The adhesive layers 33a, 33b have a Young's modulus of 100 MPa or less.

Abstract: A low compressive load seal for a solid polymer fuel cell employs two offset peripheral projections, one on each of the anode and cathode separator plates, for compressing a gasket. The design can achieve a seal against a given burst pressure with a lower load normal to the separator plates by creating significant compression parallel to the separator plates in the gap between the offset projections. The design allows for thinner fuel cell constructions while avoiding the issues that arise in prior art designs (e.g., stress on seal material and component crushing) if reasonable tolerances were allowed for variations in component thickness.

Abstract: A fastening member includes a pair of fastening members to sandwich an electricity generating cell therebetween. At least one of the pair of fastening members has electrical conductivity and is connected to the electricity generating cell. Current is collected using the at least one of the pair of the fastening members.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is disclosed a high temperature composite insulation assembly for a fuel cell that includes a core portion having inner and outer surfaces. A temperature stable sealant is disposed on the outer surface of the core portion forming a gas retaining mechanically robust insulation assembly. In another aspect, there is disclosed a high temperature composite insulation assembly for a fuel cell that includes a core portion having inner and outer surfaces, and a reinforcing material disposed on the outer surface of the core portion. A temperature stable sealant is disposed on the outer surface of the core portion forming a gas retaining mechanically robust insulation assembly. In another aspect, there is disclosed a high temperature composite insulation assembly for a fuel cell that includes a core portion having inner and outer surfaces and a high temperature refractory material disposed on the inner surface of the core portion.

Abstract: A fuel cell is disclosed that includes a cathode, an anode and an electrode assembly, each including lateral surfaces that adjoin one another. The electrode assembly is arranged between the cathode and anode. Each of the cathode, the anode and the electrode assembly include perimeter surfaces transverse to the lateral surfaces that are arranged adjacent to one another. A UV curable sealant is arranged on the perimeter surfaces providing a seal over the lateral surfaces. After the UV curable sealant has been applied to the perimeter surfaces, the sealant is exposed to a UV light source for a desired duration to cure the sealant. Accordingly, the UV curable sealant reduces the complexity of the cell stack assembly and decreases its production time.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly includes a membrane layer, a cathode or anode catalyst layer adjacent to a surface of the membrane layer, an anode or cathode catalyst layer adjacent to an other surface of the membrane layer, an adhesive layer adjacent to the other surface of the membrane layer, wherein the adhesive layer abuts a surface of the anode or cathode catalyst layer, and a subgasket layer having an edge portion, wherein the subgasket layer is adjacent to a surface of the adhesive layer, wherein the cathode catalyst layer and anode catalyst layer extend along a length of the membrane layer relative to the edge portion of the subgasket layer, wherein the cathode or anode catalyst layer extends a greater length along the length of the membrane layer than the anode or cathode catalyst layer relative to the edge portion of the subgasket layer.

Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell comprising a cell laminate having a plurality of laminated cells, an end plate arranged on the outer side of the laminating direction of the cell laminate, and a spring module interposed between the cell laminate and the end plate for adjusting a compression load on the cell laminate. The spring module includes a coil spring arranged between an upper plate and a lower plate for separating the upper plate and the lower plate from each other by an elastic force. The end plate includes a plurality of load adjusting screws. The spring module is given a load at a plurality of load inputting portions by the load adjusting screws.

Abstract: A pair of gaskets is integrally formed with seal lips corresponding to each other and extending in the longitudinal direction of the gasket, and side portions disposed on either sides or one side of the seal lip and having a height lower than that of the seal lip. The plate-shaped attachment member includes a through-hole provided at a position where the side portions of the pair of gaskets communicate with each other so as to be formed therethrough in the thickness direction, and the pair of gaskets is integrally formed through the through-hole. An opening shape of the through-hole is set to be an elongated shape in the longitudinal direction of the gasket so as to make a width dimension of each of the side portions as small as possible.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell stack which includes: a cell assembly formed of stacked unit cells, each composed of a membrane electrolyte assembly and separators which sandwich the membrane electrolyte assembly; a pair of collector plates A and B which sandwiches the cell assembly; a pair of end plates A and B which sandwiches the cell assembly and the collector plates; and an elastic member disposed between end plate A and collector plate A, wherein end plate A has a convexed portion and a concaved portion on a surface facing collector plate A, and the concaved portion of end plate A holds therein the elastic member, and a bottom surface of the concaved portion includes a second convexed portion and a second concaved portion.

Abstract: A thin plate member is a thin plate member that is formed by sintering, contains a ceramic layer, and comprises a thin part having two or more types of layers laminated, each of which is made of a material having a different thermal expansion coefficient, and a thick part that is made by laminating plural layers including at least all of the layers constituting the thin part, and has a thickness greater than the thickness of the thin part. The thin part has a shape warping in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the thin plate member. By virtue of this configuration, the internal electrical resistance of the thin part can be reduced. Further, the thin plate member can be provided that is difficult to be deformed with respect to the internal stress caused by the difference in thermal expansion coefficient between layers.

Abstract: A metal separator defines a fluid passage. The fluid passage defines a reactant gas passage formed at a first, MEA-opposing surface of the metal separator, a coolant passage formed at a second, opposite surface of the metal separator, a reactant gas manifold fluidly connected to the reactant gas passage and a coolant manifold fluidly connected to the coolant passage. The metal separator includes a rib formed thereon so as to surround a portion of the metal separator where the fluid passage is formed. The rib is adapted to contact a metal separator of an adjacent fuel cell to construct a seal for a fluid passage surrounded by the rib. A plurality of seal lines where each seal line includes each rib may be provided. By virtue of the presence of the rib, a gasket provided in a fuel cell of comparison does not need to be provided.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a separator for fuel cells which is of improved strength and corrosion resistance and facilitates the assembling of unit cells. The separator comprises an electrically conductive resin layer formed by electrodeposition in such a way as to cover a metal substrate and a gasket component. The resin layer contains an electrically conductive material. The separator of the invention has thus an enhanced corrosion resistance, makes some considerable improvements in the assembling work efficiency of unit cells, and makes sure higher strength because of the use of the metal substrate.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack having an improved sealing structure of a cooling plate in which the cooling plates therein each have a coolant flow channel through which a coolant flows to remove heat from the fuel cell stack and a groove that surrounds the coolant flow channel, and a sealing member disposed in the groove to prevent coolant leakage. The sealing member has a compression rate of 18 to 30%, as the compression rate being ((a thickness of the sealing member?a height of the groove)/the thickness of the sealing member)×100. Such a fuel cell stack may maintain operation for a long time without the need of supplementing the coolant.

Abstract: There is provided a fuel cell including a membrane electrode assembly having a cathode electrode, an electrolyte membrane, and an anode electrode in this order, and an anode collector layer. The anode collector layer includes a pair of first walls provided along two opposite sides. The membrane electrode assembly is fitted between the first walls such that the anode electrode faces the anode collector layer. A fuel cell layer employing the fuel cells is also provided. Preferably, the fuel cell further includes a pair of second walls formed on the pair of first walls.

Abstract: A fuel cell is provided with a cell laminated body in which a plurality of cells are laminated, an end plate arranged outside the cell laminated body in a laminating direction; and a spring module which is arranged between the cell laminated body and the end plate so as to adjust a compressive load to the cell laminated body. The spring module is provided with coil springs which are arranged between an upper plate and a lower plate so as to separate the upper plate and the lower plate from each other by an elastic force. The spring module is provided with a plurality of load display sections having display shafts which are fixed to the lower plate, inserted into through holes of the upper plate and protrude from the outer surface of the upper plate on an end plate side.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for determining the operating parameters of individual cells (2) or short stacks (10) of fuel cells, preferably of medium-temperature or high-temperature fuel cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to stackable high-temperature fuel cells which are combined to form so-called fuel cell stacks and also can be connected to each other electrically conductively in series and/or in parallel. According to the set object, such high-temperature fuel cells are intended to form an electrically conductive connection between a cathode and an interconnector which, even at temperatures above 800° C. and also in the oxidising atmosphere prevailing during operation of fuel cells, have a sufficiently high electrical conductivity, a chemically and mechanically adequate strength or stability. The high-temperature fuel cells according to the invention are connected, on the anode-side, to a fuel supply and, on the cathode-side, to an oxidant supply. The cathode is connected electrically conductively by means of at least one resilient contact element to an interconnector.

Abstract: A sealing member for a fuel cell includes a pair of belts that include non-gas transmitting layers formed of aromatic polyimide or aluminum and thermoplastic resin layers. The belts are disposed such that the thermoplastic resin layers of the belts face each other, and the thermoplastic resin layers in outer edge portions of the belts are thermally bonded to each other. In a fuel cell, an inner portion of the belts engage the electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: In order to enable a fuel cell stack to be easily disassembled into a bundle of a plurality of cells and simultaneously to be handled while considering a unit cell as a unit, the fuel cell stack has a unit cell formed of an MEA and two facing separators which sandwich the MEA, and an adhesive layer for sealing a gap between the separators in the unit cell, and gaskets for sealing a gap between the unit cells, wherein each tacking force of the adhesive layer, and each gasket are different from each other depending on the position in a stacked direction of the unit cell.

Abstract: A barrier film for a fuel cell is provided, including a polymeric membrane having a plurality of support features. The support features are adapted to militate against a deflection of the membrane under a pressure differential across the membrane. A fuel cell employing the barrier film has a first plate with a port formed therein, and a second plate disposed adjacent the first plate. The barrier film is disposed between the first plate and the second plate. The support features of the barrier film militate against an intrusion of the membrane into the port. A fuel cell stack formed from a plurality of the fuel cells is also provided.

Abstract: A first metal separator of a fuel cell comprises a metal plate, and a first seal member is formed integrally on both surfaces of an outer edge of the metal plate. A first rib having a frame shape is provided around an oxygen-containing gas supply passage or the like of the metal plate. The first rib has a rib surface spaced away from an inner end surface of the metal plate around the oxygen-containing gas supply passage or the like, toward the oxygen-containing gas supply passage or the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembly with a reinforced sealing structure for its use in fuel cells and electrolyzers, comprising a membrane electrode assembly (23) and a sealing structure (S) surrounding said membrane electrode assembly (23), said sealing structure (S) comprising a gasket (G), a reinforcing material (4) integrated in said gasket and reagent gas and coolant fluid openings (10) for the passage of reactant gases and coolant fluid.

Abstract: The invention, in various embodiments, provides planar fuel cell stack of a plurality of fuel cells, comprising an anode layer including a first anode and a second anode, an electrolyte layer, a cathode layer including a first cathode and a second cathode, and at least one interconnect at least partially disposed within the electrolyte layer, and electrically and mechanically coupling the first anode and the second cathode. In various embodiments, structural supports are provided, the fuel cells are sized to be portable, and are manufactured to produce desired power densities and/or voltages.

Abstract: In order to create a method for producing an electrically insulating sealing assembly for producing a seal between two components of a fuel cell stack, which allows for production of a sealing assembly that offers long-term stability during operation of a fuel cell system and provides good gas tightness and good electrical insulation properties, a method comprising the following steps is proposed: applying an insulating layer starting material onto a substrate in a wet-chemical process; heating the insulating layer starting material to a sinter temperature so as to produce a sintered, electrically insulating, ceramic insulating layer; and directly or indirectly joining the insulating layer to the components to be sealed.

Abstract: A fuel cell module includes an anode flow board, a cathode board, an intermediate adhesive layer, a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) including a membrane edge, and a leak-proof adhesive layer mounted on the membrane edge, thereby preventing contact between the intermediate adhesive layer and the membrane edge. The adhesive ability of the leak-proof adhesive layer to the membrane edge is higher than that of the intermediate adhesive layer to the membrane edge. Therefore, the methanol leakage from the membrane can be avoided.

Abstract: In order to easily transport a fuel cell stack, without increasing costs, the fuel cell stack according to the present invention includes a stack body 5 in which end plates 8, 8 are arranged at both ends in a cell lamination direction, and suspension hangers 10 provided on the end plates 8, 8. The suspension hangers 10 project outward from a case 6 in which the stack body 5 is stored. With this arrangement, the fuel cell stack can be suspended from outside the case 6, and transported. Also using the suspension hangers 10, this fuel cell stack can be secured in a predetermined installation location.

Abstract: In order to provide a sealing assembly for a fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of fuel cell units, which are arranged consecutively in a stacking direction, wherein each of the fuel cell units comprises a housing with at least one housing part made of a metallic material, which also has an adequate electrical insulation effect and an adequate mechanical strength at a high operating temperature of the fuel cell stack, it is proposed that the sealing assembly comprises at least one intermediate element made of a metallic material, wherein the intermediate element is soldered to a housing part of a first fuel cell unit at least one location by means of a metal solder and is secured to a housing part of a second fuel cell unit at least another location, wherein the intermediate element and/or the housing part of the first fuel cell unit is provided with a coating made of a ceramic material.

Abstract: A bipolar plate for electro-chemical applications is proposed, comprising a first cover layer of a metallic material, a second cover layer of a metallic material, and a supporting layer of a metallic material which is arranged between the first cover layer and the second cover layer and is connected to the first cover layer and the second cover layer, wherein the supporting layer comprises at least one row of contact areas for the first cover layer and/or the second cover layer and free spaces are formed between neighboring contact areas, wherein at least one passage opening is provided for conveying fuel and/or oxidizer, and wherein an insert element by means of which point forces are introducible over an area is arranged between the first cover layer and the second cover layer in the region of the at least one passage opening.

Abstract: A module-type fuel cell system including a power module includes a generator installed inside and a power housing having a plurality of connection holes formed sideward, wherein the generator generates electricity through an oxidation-reduction reaction of an oxidizing agent with a hydrogen-containing fuel; a fuel supply module including a fuel supply unit installed inside and a power housing having a plurality of connection holes formed sideward, wherein the fuel supply unit supplies a hydrogen-containing fuel to the generator; an oxidizing agent supply module including an oxidizing agent supply unit installed inside and an oxidizing agent supply housing having connection holes formed sideward, wherein the oxidizing agent supply unit supplies an oxidizing agent to the generator; and a recovery module including a storage space formed therein and a recovery housing having a plurality of connection holes formed sideward, wherein the storage space recovers an unreacted fuel generated in the generator, wherein th

Abstract: A fuel cell separator plate comprising a portion in contact with an electrode, and a sealing portion provided around the contact portion, the contact portion having a larger surface roughness (Rmax) than that of the sealing portion. It is preferably a molded separator plate made of a composite carbon material comprising carbon and a thermosetting resin.

Abstract: Elastic members that are integrally joined to a frame member are placed between an outer edge of an electrode unit and an inner edge of the frame member, and in the assembled state of the single cell module, the elastic members are elastically deformed in the thickness direction of a membrane-electrode-frame assembly so that the gap between the membrane-electrode-frame assembly and the separator is sealed in a tight contact state.

Abstract: A spring module is mounted to a fuel cell stack. The spring module includes a first member and a second member capable of inclining relative to each other and moving in a direction toward and away from each other, and a plurality of springs independent of each other and disposed in parallel with each other between the first and second members. The spring module is disposed between an end plate and the pile of fuel cells. The first member includes a first casing, and the second member includes a second casing, whereby the sparing module includes a casing assembly housing the springs. The bottom surface of the casings is deformable to be wavy. The spring module may include a shock absorber. The plurality of springs may include a coil spring and a sponge of a low-resilience type.

Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell system including: a fuel cell unit; a fuel cartridge; and a fuel actuator that is disposed between the fuel cartridge and the fuel cell unit, to control the fuel supply from the fuel cartridge to the fuel cell unit. The fuel cell unit comprises: a stack including unit cells oriented in parallel to one another; a phase change layer disposed adjacent to the stack and having a length perpendicular to the parallel orientation of the unit cells; a fuel diffusion layer disposed on the phase change layer.

Abstract: A novel electrochemical cell which may be a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is disclosed where the cathodes (144, 140) may be exposed to the air and open to the ambient atmosphere without further housing. Current collector (145) extends through a first cathode on one side of a unit and over the unit through the cathode on the other side of the unit and is in electrical contact via lead (146) with housing unit (122 and 124). Electrical insulator (170) prevents electrical contact between two units. Fuel inlet manifold (134) allows fuel to communicate with internal space (138) between the anodes (154 and 156). Electrically insulating members (164 and 166) prevent the current collector from being in electrical contact with the anode.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cells stacked together, and a pair of end plates provided at opposite ends the fuel cells in the stacking direction. Further, the fuel cell stack includes coupling members bridging between the end plates, holding mechanisms provided in side surfaces of the end plates and the coupling members for applying tension in a tightening direction, and fixing mechanisms for fixing the side surfaces of the end plates and the coupling members together. The holding mechanism has a pin member inserted into the side surface of the end plate and the coupling member. Further, the fixing mechanism has a screw for fixing the coupling member to the side surface of the end plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable electrical energy generator, its components, and manufacture of the components and generator. The generator includes a bi-polar plate stack, which is well suited for use in a fuel cell. The stack may include at least one spacer that limits compression of a membrane electrode assembly in the fuel cell. The stack may also include a polymer binder that holds the stack together and/or maintains a compression force on the membrane electrode assembly. An open cathode manifold may also provided to ease oxygen movement. High throughput and low cost manufacture of bi-polar plates is also described herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing device for a fuel cell arrangement having a plurality of fuel cells combined to form a fuel cell stack (10), said fuel cells being permeable by the gas flows converted in the fuel cells transversely to the longitudinal direction of the fuel cell stack (10), and a gas distributor (20) provided on the longitudinal side of the fuel cell stack (10) for the supply and removal of the gas flows converted in the fuel cells, wherein the sealing device comprises a sealing frame (31) having a number of longitudinal sealing elements (32, 33, 34) disposed between the longitudinal edge of the gas distributor (20) and the fuel cell stack (10) and composed of a dielectric material, said sealing elements being disposed in a longitudinally movable fashion for the compensation of particularly thermally caused relative movements between the fuel cell stack (10) and the gas distributor (20).

Abstract: The present invention is a stacked fuel cell system which is formed by stacking a plurality of electricity generators, each electricity generator having a membrane-electrode assembly and a separator provided with the membrane-electrode assembly. The stack comprises an aligner which is disposed at least one portion of the separator and which couples and aligns the plurality of electricity generators.

Abstract: In order to provide a gasket which has a good handling property as a gasket used for a fuel battery or a gasket for an HDD, can be easily integrated with the other end mounting member even in the case that the other end mounting member such as a separator or the like is a material having low strength or a thin plate, and has good mounting workability, a gasket is having a sheet-shaped gasket mounting member provided with a sticking function on one face, and a gasket main body made of a rubber-type elastic member integrated with the sheet-shaped gasket mounting member, and the gasket is mounted to the other end mounting member on the basis of the sticking function of the sheet-shaped gasket mounting member.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a stack body formed by stacking a plurality of power generation cells in a stacking direction. At one end of the stack body, first and second dummy cells are provided. At the other of the stack body, third and fourth dummy cells are provided. Each of the first to fourth dummy cells includes a first metal separator and a second metal separator. The first metal separator and a first metal separator of the power generation cell have substantially the same shape. The second metal separator and a second metal separator of the power generation cell have substantially the same shape.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack obtainable by a process comprising the use of a glass sealant with composition 50-70 wt % SiO2, 0-20 wt % Al2O3, 10-50 wt % CaO, 0-10 wt % MgO, 0-6 wt % (Na2O+K2O), 0-10 wt % B2O3, and 0-5 wt % of functional elements selected from TiO2, ZrO2, F, P2O5, MoO3, Fe2O3, MnO2, La_Sr—Mn—O perovskite (LSM) and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a cell stack in which a plurality of unit cells each including a membrane electrode assembly with an anode electrode and a cathode electrode, and an anode flow plate connected to the anode electrode, and a gap portion which supplies oxygen amount greater than or equal to a consuming oxygen amount of the cathode electrode by diffusion onto the cathode electrode surface, are provided on the cathode electrode surface; a container unit containing the cell stack, having one face and another face in a direction parallel to a stacking direction of the unit cells; a duct unit arranged on at least one of the one face and the another face, and connected to the gap portion, and a fan which supplies the oxygen to the duct unit.

Abstract: A single cell for a solid oxide fuel cell, in which a solid electrolyte layer is sandwiched by an upper electrode layer and a lower electrode layer. This single cell includes a substrate having openings and an insulating and stress absorbing layer stacked on an upper surface of this substrate. The solid electrolyte layer is formed on an upper surface of the insulating and stress absorbing layer so as to cover the openings, the upper electrode layer is stacked on an upper surface of the solid electrolyte layer, and the lower electrode layer is coated on a lower surface of the solid electrolyte layer via the openings from a lower surface of the substrate. A cell plate, in which these single cells are disposed two-dimensionally on a common substrate. Furthermore, a solid oxide fuel cell, in which these cell plates and plate-shaped separators including gas passages on both surfaces thereof are alternately stacked.

Abstract: A plurality of fuel cell stack components, such as interconnects, seals and bypass conductors are provided. The components may be used in solid oxide fuel cell stacks or other types of fuel cell stacks.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack 10 includes a stacked structure 14 composed of a plurality of electricity-generating cells stacked successively, and dummy cells arranged at both ends in a stacking direction of the stacked structure 14. Each dummy cell 16 each includes a conductive plate 52 and first and second metallic separators 54, 56 which sandwich the conductive plate 52. The conductive plate 52 is formed of a metallic plate having substantially the same shape as that of the electrolytic membrane electrode assembly 22. The first and second metallic separators 54, 56 are structured in the same manner as the first and second metallic separators 24, 26 of the electricity-generating cell 12.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack configured to input raw fuel from a fuel source to produce electrical energy includes a fuel cell comprising an anode, an electrolyte, and a cathode. The anode defines an anode chamber, and a hydrogen separation member is disposed within the anode chamber. The hydrogen separation member has a first side and a second side. The first side of the hydrogen separation member defines a raw fuel chamber. The hydrogen separation member transfer hydrogen between the first side and the second side to provide hydrogen fuel to the anode of the fuel cell, while inhibiting the transportation of gas molecules between the first side and the second side.