With Gas Diffusion Electrode Patents (Class 429/480)
  • Publication number: 20120321968
    Abstract: There is provided an air battery having a power generation body, the power generation body comprising: a laminate in which a negative electrode, a separator, a positive electrode having a catalyst layer and a positive electrode current collector, and an oxygen diffusion membrane are laminated in this order; and an electrolyte being in contact with the negative electrode, the separator and the positive electrode, wherein one of main surfaces of the oxygen diffusion membrane is arranged facing one of main surfaces of the positive electrode current collector; and at least a part of a peripheral edge part of the oxygen diffusion membrane is in contact with atmospheric air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Takashi Sato, Takitaro Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20120321988
    Abstract: A reinforced catalyst layer assembly, suitably for use in a fuel cell, said reinforced catalyst layer assembly comprising: (i) a planar reinforcing component consisting of a porous material having pores extending through the thickness of the material in the z-direction, and (ii) a first catalyst component comprising a first catalyst material and a first ion-conducting material, characterised in that the first catalyst component is at least partially embedded within the planar reinforcing component, forming a first catalyst layer having a first surface and a second surface is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: JOHNSON MATTHEY PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
    Inventor: Jonathan David Brereton Sharman
  • Patent number: 8334079
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell has anode, cathode and electrolyte layers each formed essentially of a multi-oxide ceramic material and having a far-from-equilibrium, metastable structure selected from the group consisting of nanocrystalline, nanocomposite and amorphous. The electrolyte layer has a matrix of the ceramic material, and is impervious and serves as a fast oxygen ion conductor. The electrolyte layer has a matrix of the ceramic material and a dopant dispersed therein in an amount substantially greater than its equilibrium solubility in the ceramic matrix. The anode layer includes a continuous surface area metallic phase in which electron conduction is provided by the metallic phase and the multi-oxide ceramic matrix provides ionic conduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: NanoCell Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Strutt, Bernard H. Kear
  • Patent number: 8334358
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sulfonated poly(arylene ether) copolymer, a manufacturing method thereof and a polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cell using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Inchul Hwang, Ki Yun Cho, Dong Il Kim, Ju Ho Lee
  • Publication number: 20120315556
    Abstract: In a proton exchange membrane fuel cell power plant (9) in which each fuel cell (11) employs reactant gas flow field channels (51) extending inwardly from a surface of a conductive, hydrophilic reactant gas flow field plate (50), for at least one of the reactants of the fuel cell, a region (63) of the reactant gas flow field channels is substantially shallower than the remaining portion (60) of the flow field channels thereby decreasing resistance to a gas phase mass transfer from the wetted walls of the flow field plate to the gas in the region (63); the resulting increase in thickness of the web (58) adjacent the region (63) reduces the resistance to liquid water transport from the first coolant channel (52) to the inlet edge (55) of the plate (50) providing a higher evaporation rate into the reactant gas in the shallow region (63).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventor: Robert M. Darling
  • Patent number: 8329356
    Abstract: A fuel cell microporous layer including a plurality of porous particles wherein at least 90% of intruded volume by mercury porosimetry is introduced into pore size diameters ranging from about 0.43 ?m to about 0.03 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Jeanette E. O'Hara
  • Patent number: 8323846
    Abstract: A fuel cell comprising a membrane-electrode assembly having an anode electrode face; an anode plate adjacent said membrane-electrode assembly electrode face and coupled thereto by a sealing gasket. The sealing gasket, electrode face and anode plate together define a fluid containment volume for delivery of anode fluid to the electrode face. A sheet of porous diffuser material is situated in the fluid containment volume and having at least one plenum defined between at least one lateral edge of the sheet of diffuser material and the sealing gasket. Fluid for delivery to an active surface of the membrane-electrode assembly may be delivered by the plenum and by diffusion through the diffuser material to such an extent that fluid flow channels in the anode plate are not required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited
    Inventor: Paul Alan Benson
  • Patent number: 8323845
    Abstract: A solid electrolyte fuel cell plate structure includes a cell element layer composed of a solid electrolyte, an air electrode layer and a fuel electrode layer, a porous base body supporting the cell element layer, and a gas-impermeable member having electric conductivity. The cell element layer is arranged such that the solid electrolyte layer is sandwiched between the air electrode layer and the fuel electrode layer, with the air electrode layer or the fuel electrode layer being joined to the porous base body. The gas-impermeable member is associated with the solid electrolyte layer to allow gas internally passing through the porous base body to be separated from gas flowing outside the porous base body. Such a cell plate structure can be employed in a solid electrolyte fuel cell stack, which in turn can be employed in a solid electrolyte fuel cell electric power generation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaharu Hatano, Mitsugu Yamanaka, Fuminori Satou, Itaru Shibata, Keiko Kushibiki, Naoki Hara, Tatsuhiro Fukuzawa, Makoto Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 8318375
    Abstract: A cathode for an electrochemical reactor including a diffusion layer and a catalyst layer. The cathode has bimetallic or multimetallic nanoparticles, dispersed in direct contact with the diffusion layer, at least one of the metals being chromium (Cr) wholly or partly in oxidized form. The cathode is fabricated by depositing the bimetallic or multimetallic nanoparticles on the diffusion layer by DLI-MOCVD in the presence of O2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Sophie Mailley, Frédéric Sanchette, Stéphanie Thollon, Fabrice Emieux
  • Publication number: 20120288783
    Abstract: Disclosed is a membrane electrode assembly provided with a polymer electrolyte membrane; a catalyst layer (A) which is laminated onto one surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane; a gas diffusion layer (A) which is laminated onto the catalyst layer (A); a catalyst layer (B); and a gas diffusion layer (B). The outer circumferential section of the catalyst layer (A) is the membrane electrode assembly with an integrated frame which comprises a membrane electrode assembly that protrudes from the gas diffusion layer (A) and a frame adhered to the outer circumferential section of the catalyst layer (A), whereby said frame surrounds the edge of the membrane electrode assembly. The surface that is adhered to the frame in the outer circumferential section of the catalyst layer (A) comprises a plurality of cracks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Morimoto, Yoichiro Tsuji, Masaki Yamauchi, Atushi Murata, Mitsuo Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 8309269
    Abstract: A fuel cell of the present invention includes a membrane-electrode assembly (10), an anode separator (20), and a cathode separator (30). The membrane-electrode assembly (10) includes: a polymer electrolyte membrane (1); a first anode catalyst layer (2A) and an anode gas diffusion layer (4) sequentially stacked on one of main surfaces of the polymer electrolyte membrane (1); a second anode catalyst layer (2B) disposed between the polymer electrolyte membrane (1) and the first anode catalyst layer (2A); and a cathode catalyst layer (3) and a cathode gas diffusion layer (5) sequentially stacked on the other main surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane (1). The second anode catalyst layer (2B) contains a catalyst which adsorbs a sulfur compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Haruhiko Shintani, Atsushi Nogi, Miho Gemba, Takashi Nakagawa, Yoichiro Tsuji
  • Patent number: 8304145
    Abstract: A diffusion medium for use in a PEM fuel cell including a porous spacer layer disposed between a plurality of perforated layers having variable size and frequency of perforation patterns, each perforated layer having a microporous layer formed thereon, wherein the diffusion medium is adapted to optimize water management in and performance of the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Christian Wieser, Paul D. Nicotera
  • Patent number: 8304132
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly including a plurality of unit cells which are composed of an electrolyte membrane, an anode including anode catalyst layers arranged at intervals on one of surfaces of the electrolyte membrane, and anode gas diffusion layers stacked on the anode catalyst layers, and a cathode including cathode catalyst layers arranged at intervals on the other surface of the electrolyte membrane and opposed to the anode catalyst layers, respectively, and cathode gas diffusion layers stacked on the cathode catalyst layers, wherein a thickness of at least one of the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer of one of the unit cells, which neighbor each other, gradually decreases toward the other of the unit cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hisashi Chigusa, Katsumi Ichikawa, Hitoshi Koda, Akiko Fujisawa, Shinichi Onodera, Hiroaki Wakamatsu, Shinichi Kanbayashi, Naoyuki Takazawa
  • Patent number: 8300401
    Abstract: A holder of a magnetic storage apparatus is suggested that can efficiently absorb the shock when a vibration or shock is applied to the magnetic storage apparatus. A plurality of holding members (first shock absorbing material foam rubber 340 and second shock absorbing material foam rubber 350) that hold at least two corner parts of the magnetic storage apparatus 320 is included. The holding members are configured in a way that a total sum of holding power to hold one of opposite angles of the magnetic storage apparatus 320 and a total sum of holding power to hold the other of opposite angles are different. The first shock absorbing material foam rubber 340 is disposed on one of opposite angles, and the second shock absorbing material foam rubber 350 is disposed on the other of the opposite angles. The first shock absorbing material foam rubber 340 has greater hardness than the hardness of the second shock absorbing material foam rubber 350.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Toshinobu Ogatsu, Kenichiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 8298719
    Abstract: Passive recovery of liquid water from the cathode side of a polymer electrolyte membrane through the design of layers on the cathode side of an MEA and through the design of the PEM, may be used to supply water to support chemical or electrochemical reactions, either internal or external to the fuel cell, to support the humidification or hydration of the anode reactants, or to support the hydration of the polymer electrolyte membrane over its major surface or some combination thereof. Such passive recovery of liquid water can simplify fuel cell power generators through the reduction or elimination of cathode liquid water recovery devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: University of North Florida Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Alex Mossman, Brian Wells, Russell Barton, Henry Voss
  • Publication number: 20120270134
    Abstract: A fuel cell comprises an electrolyte membrane; first and second catalyst layers formed on respective faces of the electrolyte membrane; and first and second reinforcing layers holding therebetween the electrolyte membrane and the first and second catalyst layers, wherein the first catalyst layer and the first reinforcing layer are joined together with a force of not less than a specific joint strength that suppresses expansion and contraction of the electrolyte membrane, and the second catalyst layer and the second reinforcing layer are joined together with a force of less than a specific joint strength that releases a stress due to expansion and contraction of the electrolyte membrane, or the second catalyst layer and the second reinforcing layer are not joined together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tohru Oda
  • Patent number: 8293428
    Abstract: A gas diffusion electrode material of the present invention includes: a porous body (1) formed of continuous and discontinuous polytetrafluoroethylene microfibers (2) and having three-dimensionally continuous micropores (4); and a conductive material (3) supported on the porous body (1). Moreover, a density of the polytetrafluoroethylene microfiber (2) is lower in a surface region (1A) of a cross section of the porous body (1) than in an intermediate region (1B) of the cross section. In accordance with the present invention, the polytetrafluoroethylene having the predetermined three-dimensional structure is used, and so on. Therefore, it is possible to provide a gas diffusion electrode material excellent in power generation characteristics and durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Yamamoto, Miyuki Terado, Masahiro Yamamoto, Kenichi Ochiai
  • Patent number: 8288500
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sulfonated poly(arylene ether) copolymer, a manufacturing method thereof and a polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cell using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Ju Ho Lee, Dong Ii Kim, Nak Hyun Kwon, Inchul Hwang
  • Publication number: 20120258381
    Abstract: There is provided an ink for forming a fuel cell catalyst layer that is capable of efficiently forming a high-performance fuel cell catalyst layer inexpensively. The ink for forming a fuel cell catalyst layer of the present invention comprises a fuel cell catalyst, an electron conductive material, a proton conductive material and a solvent, wherein the fuel cell catalyst comprises a metal-containing oxycarbonitride that contains niobium and/or titanium; the mass ratio [(A)/(B)] of the content (A) of the fuel cell catalyst to the content (B) of the electron conductive material is 1 to 6; and the mass ratio [(D)/(C)] of the content (D) of the proton conductive material to the total content (C) of the fuel cell catalyst and the electron conductive material is 0.2 to 0.6.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: SHOWA DENKO K.K.
    Inventors: Takuya Imai, Yasuaki Wakizaka, Toshikazu Shishikura, Masaki Horikita, Kenichiro Ota
  • Publication number: 20120258380
    Abstract: A polymer electrolyte fuel cell of the present invention includes a membrane-electrode assembly (5) and separators (6A, 6B). A plurality of reactant gas channels are formed on a main surface of at least one of the separator (6A, 6B) and a gas diffusion layer (3A, 3B). In a case where among the plurality of reactant gas channels, a reactant gas channel overlapping the peripheral portion of the electrode (4A, 4B) twice is defined as a first reactant gas channel, and a reactant gas channel formed to overlap the peripheral portion of the electrode (4A, 4B) and formed such that the length of a portion overlapping the peripheral portion is longer than a predetermined length is defined as a second reactant gas channel, the second reactant gas channel is formed such that the flow rate of a reactant gas flowing therethrough is lower than that of the reactant gas flowing through the first reactant gas channel or the second reactant gas channel does not exist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Shinsuke Takeguchi, Takeou Okanishi, Yoichiro Tsuji
  • Patent number: 8283081
    Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell with a proton-conducting membrane two catalyst layers adjoining both sides of the membrane, wherein the catalyst layers have an electrically conductive base material and at least one catalytic material deposited on the base material, and two gas diffusion layers adjoining the catalyst layers. The membrane and/or at least one of the catalyst layers and/or at least one of the gas diffusion layers includes at least one hydrogenatable material capable of binding hydrogen in a reversible exothermic hydrogenation operation by forming a hydride, depending on the temperature and/or pressure. The hydrogenatable material can be distributed in the gas diffusion layer and/or in the catalyst layer or can be present as a separate layer on at least one side of the gas diffusion electrode or the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Huth, Christiane Jacksch, Martin Thomas
  • Publication number: 20120251916
    Abstract: A fuel cell unit including a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), a cathode collector plate, an anode collector plate, and a plurality of ribs is provided. The cathode collector plate is disposed at one side of the membrane electrode assembly. The anode collector plate is disposed at another side of the membrane electrode assembly. A material of the anode collector plate may be metal. The ribs are respectively disposed on the anode collector plate. A material of the ribs may be metal. The ribs and the anode collector slate form a plurality of gas channels for supplying a reaction gas to the membrane electrode assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: YOUNG GREEN ENERGY CO.
    Inventors: Yueh-Chang Wu, Chih-Lin Ho, Hsuan-Yi Lu, Chun-Yi Wu
  • Patent number: 8278001
    Abstract: A direct oxidation fuel cell (DOFC) having a liquid fuel and an anode electrode configured to generate power. The anode electrode includes a gas diffusion layer (GDL) and a microporous layer, such that a decrease in the porosity of the GDL achieves an increase in the power density of the DOFC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignees: Panasonic Corporation, The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Seung Hun Jung, Chao-Yang Wang, Takashi Akiyama
  • Patent number: 8273496
    Abstract: A fuel cell including an anode conductive layer, an anode catalyst layer, an electrolyte membrane, a cathode catalyst layer, a cathode conductive layer, and a cathode diffusion layer stacked in this order, in which the cathode diffusion layer has a fabric structure in which a water-swellable fiber and a non-water-swellable fiber are arranged. Preferably, in the fabric structure, the water-swellable fiber is arranged in either one of a warp and a weft. Preferably, gas permeability of the cathode diffusion layer increases as the water absorption amount of the water-swellable fiber increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hironori Kambara
  • Patent number: 8273486
    Abstract: An anode structure comprises an array of carbon nanotubes having a diffusion side and a membrane side, and catalyst particles interspersed on inner surfaces of the membrane side of the carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes have an average diameter greater than the size of the hydrogen molecule but smaller than the size of the carbon monoxide molecule. Thus, hydrogen flowing toward the catalyst particles interspersed inside the carbon nanotubes are able to go through, while the flow of trace amounts of carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen is blocked, preventing the poisoning of the catalyst particles by the carbon monoxide. A fuel cell utilizing the anode structure and a method for manufacturing the anode structure are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Kaiser
  • Publication number: 20120237849
    Abstract: The present invention provides a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) including a “porous fuel electrode which allows reaction of a fuel gas to proceed and which is formed of Ni and YSZ”; a “porous air electrode which allows reaction of an oxygen-containing gas to proceed”; and a “dense solid electrolyte membrane which is provided between the fuel electrode and the air electrode and which has an interface with the fuel electrode.” In the fuel electrode, Ni grains present in a region located within 3 ?m from the interface (i.e., a “near-interface region”) have a mean size of 0.28 to 0.80 ?m; YSZ grains present in the “near-interface region” have a mean size of 0.28 to 0.80 ?m; and pores present in the “near-interface region” have a mean size of 0.10 to 0.87 ?m. Thus, the fuel electrode of the SOFC exhibits low reaction resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ayano KOBAYASHI, Makoto Ohmori
  • Publication number: 20120237846
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for converting chemical energy into electrical energy and/or electrical energy into chemical energy with a housing (2, 3, 3a), which is open towards at least one side (6) and in which a pressure chamber (4) is formed, and with at least one electrochemically active cell (5) for energy conversion, which extends from the open side (6) of the housing (2, 3, 3a) into the housing (2, 3, 3a), wherein the open side (6) is closed by a plate (7, 31), which holds and/or supplies power to the cell (5). A sealing element (8, 9) is arranged between the housing (2, 3, 3a) and the plate (7, 31), closes the open side (6) of the housing (2, 3, 3a) in a fluid-tight and/or gas-tight manner so as to form the pressure chamber (4) and is formed at least partially from an elastic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Brodmann, Martin Greda, Cristian Mutascu, Jeffrey Roth
  • Publication number: 20120237848
    Abstract: An electrochemical device, such as a fuel cell or an electrolyzer. In one embodiment, the electrochemical device includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), an anodic gas diffusion medium in contact with the anode of the MEA, a cathodic gas diffusion medium in contact with the cathode, a first bipolar plate in contact with the anodic gas diffusion medium, and a second bipolar plate in contact with the cathodic gas diffusion medium. Each of the bipolar plates includes an electrically-conductive, non-porous, liquid-permeable, substantially gas-impermeable membrane in contact with its respective gas diffusion medium, the membrane including a solid polymer electrolyte and a non-particulate, electrically-conductive material, such as carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, and/or metal nanowires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Cortney K. Mittelsteadt, Castro S.T. Laicer, Katherine E. Harrison, Bryn M. McPheeters
  • Patent number: 8263286
    Abstract: A membrane-electrode assembly for polymer electrolyte fuel cells comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane and two gas diffusion electrodes being bonded to the membrane so that the membrane can be between them, in which assembly each gas diffusion electrode is comprised of an electrode catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer, intermediate layer(s) being an ion conductor is/are arranged between the electrode catalyst layer(s) and the membrane, the ion conductor mainly comprises a block copolymer comprising a polymer block (A) having ion-conductive groups and a polymer block (B) having no ion-conductive group, both blocks phase-separate from each other, (A) forms a continuous phase, and the contact part(s) of the intermediate layer(s) with the polymer electrolyte membrane and the contact part(s) of the intermediate layer(s) with the electrode catalyst layer(s) are comprised of polymer block (A) having ion-conductive groups; and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell wherein the assembly is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Kuraray Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Nakai, Keiji Kubo, Tomohiro Ono, Hiroyuki Ohgi
  • Publication number: 20120225367
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes: a membrane-electrode assembly in which electrode catalyst layers are formed on two sides of an electrolyte membrane; and a cerium-containing layer that is formed at an outer side of at least one of the two surfaces of the membrane-electrode assembly, and that contains a cerium-containing oxide in an amount that is greater than 5 wt % and less than or equal to 30 wt % where 100 wt % is an amount of solid components except the cerium-containing oxide which form the cerium-containing layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Tsubosaka, Hitoshi Hamada, Manabu Kato
  • Patent number: 8257877
    Abstract: A stack for a mixed oxidant fuel cell and a mixed oxidant fuel cell system including the stack. The stack includes at least one membrane-electrode assembly that includes a polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode and a cathode disposed on opposite sides of the polymer electrolyte membrane, and an electrode substrate disposed on at least one of the anode or the cathode; and an oxidant supply path and a fuel supply path that penetrate the membrane-electrode assembly. The oxidant supply path has both ends open, and the fuel supply path has one end open and the other end closed. The stack of the present invention can improve fuel cell efficiency by smoothly supplying a fuel and an oxidant. Particularly, since the stack is configured to supply the fuel and the oxidant without using a pump, it can make a fuel cell small and light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chan Kwak, Alexey Alexandrovichserov, Jun-Won Suh, Si-Hyun Lee
  • Publication number: 20120219873
    Abstract: This invention relates to fuel cells, particularly proton exchange membrane fuel cells, more particularly to proton exchange membrane fuel cells employing nanocomposite sulphonated polystyrene-butadiene rubber-carbon nanoball (SPSBR-CNB) membranes as an electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Sunny Esayegbemu Iyuke, Hendrik Christoffel Van Zyl Pienaar, Ambali Saka Abdulkareem, Ayo Samuel Afolabi, Christopher Avwoghokoghene Idibie
  • Publication number: 20120219875
    Abstract: A fuel cell (1) of the present invention includes a stacked body of a membrane electrode assembly (3) including anode and cathode electrode layers on both surfaces of an electrolyte membrane (7) and of separators (2). Then, the membrane electrode assembly (3) and the separators (2) are formed into a substantially rectangular shape, the separators (2) are smooth or include flow passages, and each of the electrode layers includes a gas diffusion layer and a catalyst layer. Moreover, an aspect ratio R as a ratio (flow passage length/flow passage width) of a flow passage length with respect to a flow passage width on a cathode side or anode side of the membrane electrode assembly (3) is 0.01 or more to less than 2. Furthermore, a horizontal direction equivalent diameter D (mm) of the gas diffusion layer or the flow passages satisfies Expression (1): D=B×(R×Acat)1/3??Expression (1) (where Acat is a catalyst area (cm2) of the membrane electrode assembly (3), and B is a constant of 0.005 or more to 0.2 or less).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Takuya Hasegawa, Ryuji Fujieda
  • Publication number: 20120219874
    Abstract: To provide a manufacturing method of a membrane electrode assembly which improves the reliability of seal, mechanical strength, and handling ability of a solid polymer type fuel cell. The manufacturing method of a membrane electrode assembly according to the present invention prepares a membrane electrode assembly which differs in size of gas diffusion layers at an anode side and cathode side, provides the outer peripheral edge of the membrane electrode assembly with a resin frame by molding, and, at that time, provides projections or a concave part and convex part at a top mold and bottom mold used for the molding so as to keep to a minimum the penetration of the resin frame material to the gas diffusion layers and/or electrode layers and prevent warping of the outer peripheral edges of the larger gas diffusion layer etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Yoichi Suzuki, Tomoya Nomura, Takuya Kosaka, Shinichi Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20120214082
    Abstract: A fuel cell is disclosed comprising: a power generation layer including an electrolyte membrane, and an anode and a cathode provided on respective surfaces of the electrolyte membrane; a fuel gas flow path layer located on a side of the anode of the power generation layer to supply a fuel gas to the anode while flowing the fuel gas along a flow direction of the fuel gas approximately orthogonal to a stacking direction in which respective layers of the fuel cell are stacked; and an oxidizing gas flow path layer located on a side of the cathode of the power generation layer to supply an oxidizing gas to the cathode while flowing the oxidizing gas along a flow direction of the oxidizing gas opposed to the flow direction of the fuel gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroaki Takeuchi, Tomohiro Ogawa, Ryouichi Nanba, Takumi Taniguchi, Shinji Jomori, Koichiro Ikeda, Shigeki Hasegawa, Masayuki Ito, Hitoshi Hamada, Naohiro Takeshita
  • Patent number: 8247521
    Abstract: New multifunctional aromatic copolymers bearing pyridine or pyrimidine units either in the main chain or side chain and single wall carbon nanotubes or multi wall carbon nanotubes as side chain pendants have been prepared. These multifunctional materials will combine both high proton and electrical conductivity due to the existence of polar pyridine or pyrimidine groups and carbon nanotubes within the same chemical structure. The prepared multifunctional materials can be used in the catalyst ink of the electrodes in high temperature PEM fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Advent Technologies
    Inventors: Christos Chochos, Nora Gourdoupi, Nikolas Triantafyllopoulos, Joannis Kallitsis
  • Publication number: 20120202134
    Abstract: A fuel cell for a fuel cell power plant having gas diffusion layers which do not have microporous layers, includes a PEM (9), a cathode comprising at least a cathode catalyst (10) and a gas diffusion layer (17) on one side of the PEM, and an anode comprising at least an anode catalyst (11) and a gas diffusion layer (14) on the opposite side of the PEM, and a porous water transport plate having reactant gas flow field channels (31, 32) (21, 28) adjacent to each of said support substrates as well as water flow channels (22) in at least one of said water transport plates. The thermal conductivity of the cathode and/or the anode gas dif- fusion layers is less than about one-quarter of the thermal conductivity of conventional gas diffusion layers, less than about 0.25 W/m/K, to promote flow of water from the cathodes to the anodes and to the adjacent water transport plates, during start-up at normal ambient temperatures (lower than normal PEM fuel cell operating temperatures).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Paravastu Badrinarayanan, Robert M. Darling, Jonathan D. O'Neill
  • Publication number: 20120196205
    Abstract: An electrode for a fuel cell, a membrane electrode assembly including the electrode, and a fuel cell including the membrane electrode assembly. Due to the inclusion of a barrier layer between a diffusion layer and a catalyst layer, the electrode prevents leakage of phosphoric acid moving from the catalyst layer to the diffusion layer and prolongs the lifetime of the membrane electrode assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-ock PARK, Tae-young Kim, Seong-woo Choi, Yoon-hoi Lee
  • Patent number: 8232761
    Abstract: A two-stage voltage step-up converter and energy storage system is utilized for harvesting trickling electrons from benthic microbe habitats. A relatively random low voltage from the microbial fuel cell (less than about 0.8 VDC) is provided to the first stage step-up converter, which stores power in a first output storage device. A first comparator circuit turns on the second stage step-up converter to transfer energy from the first output storage device to a second output storage device. A second comparator circuit intermittently connects the load to the second output storage device. After initial start-up, the system is self-powered utilizing the first and second output devices but may use a battery for the initial start-up, after which an automatic switch can switch the battery out of the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Daniel P. Thivierge, Promode R. Bandyopadhyay
  • Publication number: 20120189922
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for operating a fuel cell, especially for operating a fuel cell in which the electrolyte responsible for the proton conduction is volatile. By means of the process according to the invention, better operation of such a fuel cell is possible, and they exhibit an improved lifetime.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas Justus Schmidt, Jochen Baurmeister
  • Publication number: 20120189933
    Abstract: A direct oxidation fuel cell (DOFC) and a method of fabricating the DOFC such that the DOFC reduces overpotential. The DOFC includes a cathode electrode; an anode electrode; and a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) sandwiched between the cathode and the anode. Each of the cathode electrode and anode electrode include a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer (GDL) and the anode electrode catalyst layer includes platinum (Pt), ruthenium (Ru) and a small amount of SnO2 supported on carbon powder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Chao-Yang WANG, Lei Cao, Hiroaki Matsuda
  • Publication number: 20120189941
    Abstract: The present invention provides a manufacturing method of an electrode catalyst layer which contains a catalyst, carbon particles and a polymer electrolyte, wherein an oxide type of non-platinum catalyst is used as the catalyst and a fuel cell employing the electrode catalyst layer achieves a high level of power generation performance. The manufacturing method of the electrode catalyst layer of the present invention includes at least: preparing a first catalyst ink, in which a catalyst, first carbon particles and a first polymer electrolyte are dispersed in a first solvent, drying the first catalyst ink to form complex particles, preparing a second catalyst ink, in which the complex particles, second carbon particles and a second polymer electrolyte are dispersed in a second solvent, and coating the second catalyst ink on a substrate to form the electrode catalyst layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Haruna KURATA, Hiroyuki MORIOKA, Saori OKADA, Kenichiro OOTA
  • Publication number: 20120183879
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell and a membrane electrode assembly thereof employing an electrode catalyst layer which contains an oxide type of non-platinum catalyst as the catalyst and enables the fuel cell to achieve a high level of power generation performance. One aspect of the present invention is the electrode catalyst layer containing a polymer electrolyte, a catalyst and an electron conductive material, wherein a content ratio by weight of the catalyst is in the range of 0.1-3.0 with respect to 1.0 of the electron conductive material and a content ratio by weight of the polymer electrolyte is in the range of 0.5-3.0 with respect to 1.0 of the electron conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Saori OKADA, Haruna KURATA, Hiroyuki MORIOKA, Kenichiro OOTA
  • Publication number: 20120183877
    Abstract: Methods of making a substantially crack-free electrode layer are described. The methods include depositing an electrode ink on a substrate; placing a layer of porous reinforcement layer on a surface of the wet electrode ink; and drying the electrode ink to form the substantially crack-free electrode layer on the substrate. Substantially crack-free electrode layers and fuel cells incorporating substantially crack-free electrode layers are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Bradley M. Houghtaling, John P. Healy, Scott C. Moose, Scott L. Peters
  • Publication number: 20120183878
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrode catalyst layer and a manufacturing method thereof, wherein the electrode catalyst layer contains an oxide type of non-platinum catalyst as the catalyst and enables a fuel cell employing the electrode catalyst layer to achieve a high level of power generation performance, as well as an MEA and the fuel cell which employ the electrode catalyst layer. The manufacturing method of the electrode catalyst layer of the present invention includes preparing a “catalyst provided with electrical conductivity on the surface”. In addition, the manufacturing method may further include preparing a catalyst ink, in which the “catalyst provided with electrical conductivity on the surface”, carbon particles and a polymer electrolyte are dispersed in a solvent, and coating the catalyst ink to form the electrode catalyst layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Saori Okada, Haruna Kurata, Hiroyuki Morioka, Kenichiro Oota
  • Publication number: 20120183880
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a precursor of a negative electrode compartment for rechargeable metal-air batteries, comprising a rigid casing (1), at least one solid electrolyte membrane (2), a protective covering (5), completely covering the inside face of the solid electrolyte membrane (2), a metallic current collector (3) applied against the inside face of the protective covering (5), preferably also a block (4) of elastic material applied against the current collector and essentially filling the entire internal space defined by the walls of the rigid casing and the solid electrolyte (2), and a flexible electronic conductor (6) passing in a sealed manner through one of the walls of the rigid casing. The present invention also relates to a negative electrode compartment having a rigid casing obtained from said precursor and to a battery containing such a negative electrode compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicants: Electricite De France, INSTITUT POLYTECHNIQUE DE BORDEAUX, SAFT
    Inventors: Gwenaelle Toussaint, Philippe Stevens, Georges Caillon, Patrick Viaud, Christophe Cantau, Philippe Vinatier
  • Patent number: 8222367
    Abstract: A proton conducting hydrocarbon-based polymer has acid groups on side chains attached to the main chain, where the acid groups are between 7 and 12 atoms away from the main chain. Another polymer includes a semi-fluorinated aromatic hydrocarbon main chain and side chains that include at least one —CF2— group and an acid group. Another polymer includes an aromatic hydrocarbon main chain and side chains that include at least one —CH2-CF2— group and an acid group. Another aromatic polymer includes acid groups attached to both the main chain and the side chains where less than about 65 weight percent of the acid groups are attached to the side chains. Another aromatic polymer includes side chains attached to the main chain that include at least one aryl ring, and acid groups attached to both the main chain and to the aryl groups. Another polymer includes an aliphatic hydrocarbon main chain, side chains that include at least one deactivating aryl ring, and acid groups attached to the deactivating aryl rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Ramanathan S. Lalgudi, Bhima R. Vijayendran, Jeffrey Cafmeyer, Jay R. Sayre
  • Publication number: 20120178013
    Abstract: A catalyst coated membrane (CCM) for a fuel cell, including an electrolyte membrane and a catalyst layer formed on at least one surface of the electrolyte membrane, a membrane and electrode assembly (MEA) for a fuel cell, including the CCM, a method of preparing the MEA, and a fuel cell including the MEA. The CCM is formed directly on the electrolyte membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoon-hoi Lee, Jung-ock Park, Seong-woo Choi
  • Publication number: 20120178014
    Abstract: A reaction layer for a fuel cell, which is interposed between a solid electrolyte membrane and a diffusion layer in the fuel cell, the reaction layer including a first layer that is in contact with the solid electrolyte membrane, a second layer that is in contact with the diffusion layer; and an intermediate layer that is interposed between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the first layer and the second layer have a catalyst supported by an electrically conductive support, and the intermediate layer has no catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: KABUSHIKIKAISHA EQUOS RESEARCH
    Inventors: Motohiro Ohtsuka, Hidemi Katou, Taizou Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20120171593
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a metal catalyst composition modified by a nitrogen-containing compound, which effectively reduces cathode catalyst poisoning. The catalyst composition applied on the anode also lowers the over-potential. The catalyst coupled with the nitrogen-containing compound has increased three-dimensional hindrance, which improves the distribution of the catalyst particles and improves the reaction activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Li-Duan Tsai, Sung-Chun Chang, Hui-Wen Tsai, Chi-Yun Kang, Jiunn-Nan Lin