Abstract: A cell for a fuel cell, having an electric power generation region in which an assembly 12 and first and second gas diffusion layers 14 are laminated to enable electric power generation, and a manifold region which is formed at the periphery of the electric power generation region and in which manifold openings 18 are formed to allow the passage of a gas or the like, wherein one of the first and second gas diffusion layers 14 extends to the manifold region, and a peripheral edge portion 14c is hermetically sealed by impregnation with a liquid resin that is used for forming a gasket 16 around the periphery of the manifold opening 18. The porosity of a boundary portion 14b of the first and second gas diffusion layers 14 is smaller than the porosity of the electric power generation region 14a and the peripheral edge portion 14c.

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: An alkaline membrane fuel cell including at least one of i) a catalyst coated OH— ion conducting membrane having a catalyst layer and an OH— ion conducting membrane, and ii) a catalyst coated carbonate ion conducting membrane having a catalyst layer and a carbonate ion conducting membrane, respectively, wherein the at least one catalyst layer is chemically bonded to a surface of the at least one membrane, wherein the chemical bonding is established by crosslinking of polymer constituents across an interface between the at least one catalyst layer and the at least one membrane.

Abstract: Disclosed is a unitized electrochemical cell sub-assembly having a first separator plate and a second separator plate that each has a first surface. A recess is located in at least one of the first surfaces to define a chamber adjacent the periphery of the plates when the plates face each other. A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) comprising an ion exchange membrane and a pair of gas diffusion layers is disposed on and between each of the first surfaces between the two plates when the plates face each other so that the peripheral edge of the ion exchange membrane is located within the chamber. Also located in the chamber is a non-conductive sealant polymer that seals and joins the first and second plates to each other, and that seals and joins the first and second plates to the edge of the ion exchange membrane. Also disclosed is a fabrication method for making the unitized electrochemical cell sub-assembly.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte fuel cell (10) includes: a polymer electrolyte membrane (20); an electrode catalyst layer (90c) provided on one surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane (20); a separator (80c) having electrical conductivity, and shielding gas; and an electrode member (50c) interposed between the electrode catalyst layer (90c) and the separator (80c) and constituting an electrode together with the electrode catalyst layer (90c). The electrode member (50c) includes: first contact portions (111) in direct contact with the electrode catalyst layer (90c); second contact portions (112) in direct contact with the separator (80c); and gas diffusion paths (121) through which the gas flows. The electrode member (50c) is provided with a large number of pores (131) formed therein, and constituted by a plate member (100) having electrical conductivity and bent into a wave shape.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte fuel cell of the present invention includes: a membrane-electrode assembly (5) having a polymer electrolyte membrane (1) and a pair of electrodes (4A and 4B); a first separator (6A) having one main surface on which a groove-like first reactant gas channel (8) is formed so as to bend; and a second separator (6B) having one main surface on which a groove-like second reactant gas channel (9) is formed so as to bend.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anion-exchange membrane which does not easily deteriorate even when used at high temperatures in a strong alkaline atmosphere. Also disclosed is a method for producing the anion-exchange membrane. The anion-exchange membrane is a microporous membrane which is composed of a water-insoluble resin and an anion-exchange resin filling the pores of the microporous membrane. The anion-exchange resin is composed of an anion-exchange resin wherein a quaternary ammonium salt group serving as an anion-exchange group is directly bonded to an aliphatic hydrocarbon chain, said anion-exchange resin being obtained by polymerizing and crosslinking a monomer composition which contains a crosslinking agent and a monomer component including a diallyl ammonium salt.

Abstract: The preparation of aromatic sulfonimide polymers useful as membranes in electrochemical cells is described.

Abstract: A fuel cell socket, to which a fuel cell plug for discharging a liquid fuel for a fuel cell is detachably connected, includes a cylindrical socket body having a diameter-reduced part provided at a substantially intermediate position in an axial direction, a valve having a shaft portion which is protruded toward a connection side through the diameter-reduced part, an elastic cylindrical fuel introduction path which is provided to surround the shaft portion protruded from the diameter-reduced part and has a fastener provided at a side portion, and an auxiliary elastic body which is provided outside the fuel introduction path and pushes the fastener toward the connection side.

Abstract: A microporous thin film, a method of forming the same and a fuel cell including the microporous thin film, are provided. The microporous thin film includes uniform nanoparticles and has a porosity of at least about 20%. Therefore, the microporous thin film can be efficiently used in various applications such as fuel cells, primary and secondary batteries, adsorbents, and hydrogen storage alloys. The microporous thin film is formed on a substrate, includes metal nanoparticles, and has a microporous structure with porosity of 20% or more.

Abstract: A reactant flow field (19, 21) has multiple flow field channels (30, 32) and chambers (34). The multiple flow field channels (30, 32) and chambers (34) require reactant entering the flow field (19, 21) to traverse a flow transition (38) multiple times before exiting the flow field (19, 21).

Abstract: Provided are a dendrimer solid acid and a polymer electrolyte membrane using the same. The polymer electrolyte membrane includes a macromolecule of a dendrimer solid acid having ionically conductive terminal groups at the surface thereof and a minimum amount of ionically conductive terminal groups required for ionic conduction, thus suppressing swelling and allowing a uniform distribution of the dendrimer solid acid, thereby improving ionic conductivity. Since the number of ionically conductive terminal groups in the polymer electrolyte membrane is minimized and the polymer matrix in which swelling is suppressed is used, methanol crossover and difficulties of outflow due to a large volume may be reduced, and a macromolecule of the dendrimer solid acid having the ionically conductive terminal groups on the surface thereof is uniformly distributed. Accordingly, ionic conductivity is high and thus, the polymer electrolyte membrane shows good ionic conductivity even in non-humidified conditions.

Abstract: An electrolyte membrane which comprises a cation exchange membrane made of a polymer having cation exchange groups and contains cerium ions is used as an electrolyte membrane for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. In a case where the cation exchange membrane has sulfonic acid groups, the sulfonic acid groups are ion-exchanged, for example, with cerium ions so that cerium ions are contained preferably in an amount of from 0.3 to 20% of —SO3? groups contained in the cation exchange membrane. A membrane for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell capable of power generation in high energy efficiency, having high power generation performance regardless of the dew point of the feed gas and capable of stable power generation over a long period of time, can be provided.

Abstract: There is provided an electrode catalyst layer that has excellent durability compared to conventional electrode catalyst layers employing carbon supports, and that can minimize as much as possible the amount of catalyst material used while exhibiting desired output, by allowing adjustment of the amount as necessary. The electrode catalyst dispersion of the disclosure comprises catalyst particles that contain a non-conductive support and a conductive catalyst material covering the surface of non-conductive support, and a dispersing medium selected from among water, organic solvents and combinations thereof. The ink composition of the disclosure comprises catalyst particles containing a non-conductive support and a conductive catalyst material covering the surface of non-conductive support, a dispersing medium selected from among water, organic solvents and combinations thereof, and an ionic conductive polymer, wherein the volume ratio of the catalyst particles and the ionic conductive polymer is 55:45-90:10.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell is disclosed, which comprises at least one porous ionomer containing layer disposed at the interface between the cathode electrocatalyst material and the ion exchange membrane of the fuel cell. The porous ionomer containing layer comprises a catalyst migration impeding compound. The membrane electrode assembly exhibits improved stability against Pt dissolution and Pt-band formation within the ion exchange membrane, hence having improved durability and lifetime performance.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprises a cathode catalyst layer and an anode catalyst layer disposed on each surface of an electrolyte membrane, an oxidant gas passage facing the cathode catalyst layer, and a fuel gas passage facing the anode catalyst layer. The cathode catalyst layer contains a metal catalyst. In a region (A), in which the differential electric potential between the cathode catalyst layer and the electrolyte membrane is larger than in another region, the metal catalyst content of the cathode catalyst layer or the specific surface area of the metal catalyst in the form of minute particles is increased, and thus a deterioration in electric power generation efficiency caused by melting of the metal catalyst due to the large differential electric potential is prevented.

Abstract: A device and method to extract water from a moisture-rich fuel cell flowpath. A water transport unit is integrated into the fuel cell so that liquid water stagnation within flow channels and manifolds is reduced. In one embodiment, the device includes numerous flowpaths that include an active region and an inactive region. The water transport unit includes a hydrophilic member such that upon passage of a fluid with the excess water through the inactive region of the device flowpath and into the presence of the hydrophilic member, it absorbs excess water from the fluid.

Abstract: The membrane electrode assembly 1 has an anode 10, a cathode 20, and an electrolyte membrane 30 disposed between the anode and cathode; the anode and cathode are gas diffusion electrodes; the electrolyte membrane contains a solid electrolyte in which a plurality of pores with mean pore diameters of 1 to 30 nm are formed; and the solid electrolyte has a backbone comprising organic groups having one or more metal atoms, oxygen atoms bonded to the metal atoms, and carbon atoms bonded to the metal atoms or oxygen atoms, and also has functional groups with ion-exchange capabilities that are bonded to the organic groups in the pores.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a gas diffusion layer having gas flow passages formed at its one main surface, which is capable of achieving a further improvement in power generation performance. The fuel cell-use gas diffusion layer (14A, 14C) of the present invention has a double-layer structure made up of a first diffusion layer (15A, 15C) having gas flow passages (21A, 21C) at its one main surface, and a second diffusion layer (16A, 16C) disposed on the other main surface of the first diffusion layer. The first diffusion layer and the second diffusion layer are each structured with a porous member mainly comprised of conductive particles and a polymer resin, and the first diffusion layer is structured to be lower in porosity than the second diffusion layer.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell includes an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode. The cathode includes a cathode catalyst layer and a cathode diffusion layer disposed on the cathode catalyst layer. The cathode diffusion layer includes a conductive porous substrate and a porous composite layer disposed on a surface of the conductive porous substrate. The porous composite layer includes conductive carbon particles and a water-repellent binding material. The cathode diffusion layer has a plurality of through pores having a largest pore diameter of 15 to 20.5 ?m and a mean flow pore diameter of 3 to 10.5 ?m in pore throat size distribution determined by a half dry/bubble point method.

Abstract: An electrocatalyst composition comprising one or more electrically conductive particles of one or more of carbon black, activated carbon, and graphite with one or more catalysts of a macrocycle and a metal adhered and/or bonded to the outer surface of the particles. The catalyst can be comprised, for example, of one or more of acetylacetonate and phthalocyanine and a metal. The metal component used in the electrocatalyst composition is comprised of one or more of iron, nickel, zinc, scandium, titanium, vanadium, chromium, copper, platinum, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, silver, osmium, iridum, platinum and gold. An ionic transfer membrane having a layer of the electrocatalyst thereon is disposed in a fuel cell in communication with and between current collectors.

Abstract: An apparatus for pre-activation of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes a first plate and a second plate hot pressing the unit cell stack, each having a flow channel supplying water vapor to opposing inner surfaces with the unit cell stack therebetween and including a resistor producing heat, a compressor, a temperature controller and a water vapor supplier connected to the flow channels of the plates. The apparatus for pre-activating a polymer electrolyte fuel cell may be used to prepare a prep-activated integrated body of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell membrane electrode assembly and gas diffusion layers by performing hot pressing while supplying water vapor to the unit cell stack to hydrate the polymer electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: A reduced cost solid oxide fuel cell having enhanced surface exchange rates and diffusivity of oxide ions is provided. The invention cell includes a first porous electrode and a second porous electrode, where the porous electrodes have a layer of electronically conductive porous non-precious metal, and the porous non-precious metal layer is a gas diffusion layer. The porous electrodes further include at least one atomic layer of catalytic metal deposited on the non-precious metal layer, and an electrolyte layer disposed between the first porous electrode and the second porous electrode. The electrolyte layer includes a first dense ion-conductive doped oxide film layer, and a second dense ion-conductive doped oxide film layer deposited on the first doped oxide film layer, where the catalytic metal layer on the conductive porous non-metal layer enhances surface exchange rates and diffusivity of the oxide ions, thus the material costs of the fuel cell are reduced.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell having a polymer electrolyte membrane, having a layer sequence comprising an ion-conducting membrane (2), a catalyst layer (3) and a gas diffusion layer (5). A substantially catalyst-free, porous condensation layer (5) is arranged between the catalyst layer (3) and the membrane (2).

Abstract: A polysulfone is provided with a nitrogen-containing functional group having an affinity to an acid, an electrolyte membrane using the polysulfone, and a fuel cell including the electrolyte membrane. In particular, the polysulfone includes a nitrogen-containing functional group that has an affinity to an acid, such as a phosphoric acid, thereby having an excellent acid retaining ability. In an electrolyte membrane including the polysulfone and an acid, the amount of the retained acid can be controlled. Therefore, the electrolyte membrane has a high ionic conductivity and a high mechanical strength. A polysulfone blend of polysulfone and a thermoplastic resin prevents the dissolution of polysulfone by phosphoric acid, so that an electrolyte membrane using the polysulfone blend has an improved durability. A cross-linked reaction product of polysulfone, a cross-linking agent and a polymerization product of polysulfone, a thermoplastic resin, and a cross-linking agent strongly resist a phosphoric acid.

Abstract: A flow field plate for fuel cell applications includes an electrically conductive plate having a first surface defining a plurality of channels. An active area section and an inactive area section characterize the flow field channels. A hydrophobic layer is disposed over at least a portion of the inactive area section while a hydrophilic layer is disposed over at least a portion of the active area section.

Abstract: A PEM based water electrolysis stack consists of a number of cells connected in series by using interconnects. Water and electrical power (power supply) are the external inputs to the stack. Water supplied to the oxygen electrodes through flow fields in interconnects is dissociated into oxygen and protons. The protons are transported through the polymer membrane to the hydrogen electrodes, where they combine with electrons to form hydrogen gas. If the electrolysis stack is required to be used exclusively as an oxygen generator, the hydrogen gas generated would have to be disposed off safely. The disposal of hydrogen would lead to a number of system and safety related issues, resulting in the limited application of the device as an oxygen generator. Hydrogen can be combusted to produce heat or better disposed off in a separate fuel cell unit which will supply electricity generated, to the electrolysis stack to reduce power input requirements.

Abstract: The embodiments generally relate to a high performance ceramic anode which will increase flexibility in the types of fuels that may be used with the anode. The embodiments further relate to high-performance, direct-oxidation SOFC utilizing the anodes, providing improved electro-catalytic activity and redox stability. The SOFCs are capable of use with strategic fuels and other hydrocarbon fuels. Also provided are methods of making the high-performance anodes and solid oxide fuel cells comprising the anodes exhibiting improved electronic conductivity and electrochemical activity.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of making an MEA for a fuel cell comprises arranging a cathodic structure on a first surface of a PEM, and arranging an anodic structure on a second surface of the PEM, opposite the first surface, the anodic structure containing more PA per unit volume than the cathodic structure. The method further comprises pressing the cathodic and anodic structures to the PEM to form the MEA.

Abstract: A metal-air battery is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a cathode to reduce oxygen molecules and an alkali-metal-containing anode to oxidize the alkali metal (e.g., Li, Na, and K) contained therein to produce alkali-metal ions. An aqueous catholyte is placed in ionic communication with the cathode to store reaction products generated by reacting the alkali-metal ions with the oxygen containing anions. These reaction products are stored as solutes dissolved in the aqueous catholyte. An ion-selective membrane is interposed between the alkali-metal containing anode and the aqueous catholyte. The ion-selective membrane is designed to be conductive to the alkali-metal ions while being impermeable to the aqueous catholyte.

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: To provide a membrane/electrode assembly for polymer electrolyte fuel cells capable of obtaining a high output voltage even in a high current density region, by providing electrodes having good gas diffusion properties, conductivity, water repellency and durability. A membrane/electrode assembly for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, comprising; an anode and a cathode each having a catalyst layer containing a catalyst and having a gas diffusion layer; and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed between the catalyst layer of the anode and the catalyst layer of the cathode, characterized in that at least one of the above anode and cathode, has a carbon layer containing a fluorinated ion exchange resin and carbon nanofibers having a fiber diameter of from 1 to 1,000 nm and a fiber length of at most 1,000 ?m, disposed between the catalyst layer and the gas diffusion layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a direct oxidation fuel cell. The invention intends to provide a fuel cell having good fuel utilization efficiency and good power generation performance such as voltage produced and power generation efficiency by suppressing the phenomenon of the fuel supplied from the fuel flow channel passing through the electrolyte membrane and being oxidized at the cathode. The direct oxidation fuel cell of the invention includes at least one unit cell which includes: a membrane electrode assembly including an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte membrane interposed therebetween; an anode-side separator, and a cathode-side separator. The anode-side separator has a fuel flow channel for supplying a fuel to the anode. The anode has an anode catalyst layer including anode catalyst particles and a polymer electrolyte. The loading density of the anode catalyst particles in the anode catalyst layer is higher upstream than downstream of the fuel flow channel.

Abstract: A fuel cell membrane electrode assembly includes an anode electrode catalyst layer, a cathode electrode catalyst layer, and a polymer electrolyte membrane. A ratio of a pore volume occupied by pores with a pore size of 0.1 ?m or less is 70% or more in a pore volume occupied by pores with a pore size of 3 ?m or less formed in the anode electrode catalyst layer. The polymer electrolyte membrane is sandwiched between the anode electrode catalyst layer and the cathode electrode catalyst layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present anhydrous fuel cell electrodes comprise an anhydrous catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer, wherein the anhydrous catalyst layer comprises at least one catalyst, about 5 mg/cm2 to about 100 mg/cm2 of phosphoric acid added as a catalyzing reagent during formation of the catalyst layer, and a binder comprising at least one triazole modified polymer, wherein the triazole modified polymer comprises a polysiloxane backbone and a triazole substituent.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to SOFC with a multilayer structure comprising a porous ceramic cathode, optionally a cathodic triple phase boundary layer, a bilayer electrolyte comprising a cerium oxide comprising layer and a bismuth oxide comprising layer, an anion functional layer, and a porous ceramic anode with electrical interconnects, wherein the SOFC displays a very high power density at temperatures below 700° C. with hydrogen or hydrocarbon fuels. The low temperature conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy allows the fabrication of the fuel cells using stainless steel or other metal alloys rather than ceramic conductive oxides as the interconnects.

Abstract: Provided are an ion conductive resin fiber, an ion conductive hybrid membrane, a membrane electrode assembly and a fuel cell. The ion conductive resin fiber comprises an inner layer including an ion conductive resin; and an outer layer including an ion conductive resin having larger EW than the ion conductive resin of the inner layer, and surrounding the inner layer. The ion conductive resin fiber and the ion conductive hybrid membrane are excellent in ion conductivity, polar solvent stability and dimensional stability under low humidity conditions. The fuel cell manufactured using the same has advantages of stable operation and management of a system at ease, removal or reduction of components related to water management, and even in case of low relative humidity, operation at high temperature of 80° C. or higher.

Abstract: A fuel cell having a pair of bipolar plates is provided. Each of the bipolar plates has a nested active area and a non-nested feed area which also may serve as active area. An electrolyte membrane is disposed between a pair of electrodes and a pair of diffusion medium layers. Each of the diffusion medium layers is disposed adjacent the nested active areas and non-nested feed areas of the bipolar plates. A porous, electrically conductive spacer is disposed between one of the diffusion medium layers and one of the bipolar plates. A fuel cell stack having the fuel cell is also provided.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a water vapor transport device having a wet flow field layer having a coarse microtruss structure disposed between a pair of fine microtruss structures. The coarse and fine microtruss structures of the wet flow field layer are formed from a radiation-sensitive material. A dry flow field layer has a coarse microtruss structure disposed between a pair of fine microtruss structures. The coarse and fine microtruss structures of the dry flow field layer are also formed from a radiation-sensitive material. A membrane is disposed between the wet flow field layer and the dry flow field layer and adapted to permit a transfer of water vapor therethrough from the wet fluid to the dry fluid to form a humidified fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to membrane-electrode assemblies for the electrolysis of water (electrolysis MEAs), which contain an ion-conducting membrane having a front and rear side; a first catalyst layer on the front side; a first gas diffusion layer on the front side; a second catalyst layer on the rear side, and a second gas diffusion layer on the rear side. The first gas diffusion layer has smaller planar dimensions than the ion-conducting membrane, whereas the second gas diffusion layer has essentially the same planar dimensions as the ion-conducting membrane (“semi-coextensive design”). The MEAs also comprise an unsupported free membrane surface that yields improved adhesion properties of the sealing material. The invention also relates to a method for producing the MEA products. Pressure-resistant, gastight and cost-effective membrane-electrode assemblies are obtained, that are used in PEM water electrolyzers, regenerative fuel cells or in other electrochemical devices.

Abstract: A method of depositing a conductive material is described. The method includes: providing a plate selected from anode plates, cathode plates, bipolar plates, or combinations thereof, wherein the plate includes gas flow channels; providing a diffusion media in contact with the gas flow channel side of the plate to form an assembly; introducing a gaseous precursor of the conductive material into the assembly using a chemical vapor infiltration process; infiltrating the gaseous precursor into the diffusion media and gas flow channels of the plates; and depositing a coating of the conductive material on the diffusion media, the gas flow channels of the plate, or both. An assembly having a CVI conductive coating and a fuel cell incorporating the diffusion media having the CVI conductive coating are also described.

Abstract: A high molecular nanocomposite membrane for a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC), and a Membrane-Electrode Assembly (MEA) and a methanol fuel cell including the same membrane. The high molecular nanocomposite membrane for a DMFC includes a Nafion® high molecular membrane in which hydrophobic silica nanoparticles made of a silane compound having a water repellent functional group are dispersed. Since the high molecular nanocomposite membrane for a DMFC has lower permeability of methanol than a commercially available Nafion® high molecular membrane, the MEA fabricated using the high molecular nanocomposite membrane has little crossover of reaction fuel at the negative electrode. In addition, the methanol fuel electrode fabricated using the MEA that includes the high molecular nanocomposite membrane can decrease fuel loss and voltage loss.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) with a first structural film layer disposed at its periphery, a second structural film layer adhered to the first structural film layer by an adhesive, at least one of the first and second structural film layers also being adhered to one of an anode and cathode by the adhesive, the MEA and the first and second structural film layers being sandwiched by a pair of gas diffusion layers, characterized in that the first structural film layer has a plurality of vias therein; and the second structural film layer has a plurality of vias therein which are in non-overlapping relation to the vias in the first structural film layer.

Abstract: Separators (5A, 5B, 6) and membrane-electrode assemblies (2) of a fuel cell stack (1) are alternately stacked in a guide box (40). The separators (5A, 5B, 6) each have groove-like gas paths (10A, 10B). Powder of an adhesive agent (7) is adhered in advance to the surfaces of the separators (5A, 5B, 6), except the gas paths (10A, 10B), through photosensitive drums (31A, 31B) to which the powder is adsorbed in a given pattern. The separators (5A, 5B, 6) and the membrane-electrode assemblies (2), stacked in the guide box (40), are heated and compressed by a press (43) and heaters (40C) to obtain a unitized fuel cell stack (1).

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: To prevent the liquid electrolyte from penetrating into the porous support while at the same time preserving or increasing the power density of the fuel cell, before the liquid electrolyte is deposited, at least a part of the walls delineating the pores of said support is covered by a film formed by a material presenting a contact angle of more than 90° with a drop of said liquid electrolyte. Said film further presents a thickness enabling passage of the reactive fluid in the pores of the support.

Abstract: An electrolyte membrane 16 is arranged inside first and second frames 13 and 14. The electrolyte membrane 16 has a first surface, on which an anode side electrocatalytic layer 17 is superimposed, and a second surface, on which a cathode side electrocatalytic layer 18 is superimposed. The electrocatalytic layer 17 has a surface on which an anode side gas flow path formation body 21 including a gas flow path 21c for supplying fuel gas is superimposed. Further, the electrocatalytic layer 18 has a surface on which a cathode side gas flow path formation body 22 including a gas flow path 22c for supplying oxidation gas is superimposed. The first and second gas flow path formation bodies 21 and 22 have surfaces on which first and second separators 23 and 24 are superimposed, respectively.

Abstract: Gas permeable layers in fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies are provided which comprises a mixture of first and second types of carbon particles, which may provide relatively hydrophilic and relatively hydrophobic pathways. In some embodiments, the first type of carbon particle oxidizes at a lower rate than said second type of carbon particle. In some embodiments, the first type of carbon particle is graphitized and the second type of carbon particle is not graphitized.

Abstract: A fuel cell roll good subassembly is described that includes a plurality of individual electrolyte membranes. One or more first subgaskets are attached to the individual electrolyte membranes. Each of the first subgaskets has at least one aperture and the first subgaskets are arranged so the center regions of the individual electrolyte membranes are exposed through the apertures of the first subgaskets. A second subgasket comprises a web having a plurality of apertures. The second subgasket web is attached to the one or more first subgaskets so the center regions of the individual electrolyte membranes are exposed through the apertures of the second subgasket web. The second subgasket web may have little or no adhesive on the subgasket surface facing the electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a membrane-electrode assembly having a first electrode having a shape of a rod-form or a cylindrical-form, a strip-form diaphragm covering the periphery of the first electrode, and a second electrode disposed on a surface of the strip-form diaphragm; an electrolytic unit containing the membrane-electrode assembly; an electrolytic water ejecting apparatus containing the electrolytic unit; and a method of sterilization using the membrane-electrode assembly.