Abstract: A method for providing hydrogen to a hydrogen-powered device comprises providing a buffer connected to supply hydrogen to the device. The buffer is filled with hydrogen by coupling the buffer to a cartridge containing a predetermined quantity of hydrogen. The hydrogen in the cartridge may be stored in a form having a higher energy density than the hydrogen in the buffer. Systems comprising hydrogen-powered devices that include such buffers are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a fuel cell system for a portable electronic device including one or more fuel storage components, adapted to store and deliver a fuel, one or more electronic components and one or more fuel cells in contact with at least one of the one or more fuel storage components and one or more electronic components. The one or more fuel storage components are adapted to provide a secondary function, in addition to storing and delivering fuel.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell structure has an electrical current-carrying structure which, at least in part, underlies an electrochemical reaction layer. The cell comprises an ion exchange membrane with a catalyst layer on each side thereof. The ion exchange membrane may comprise, for example, a proton exchange membrane. Some embodiments of the invention provide electrochemical cell layers which have a plurality of individual unit cells formed on a sheet of ion exchange membrane material.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises a plurality of groups of fuel cells electrically connected in series-parallel. Each of the groups of fuel cells comprises a plurality of fuel cells connected in series-parallel. Each of the fuel cells may have a very small active area. The system provides passive fault tolerance for both open-circuit and closed-circuit failures of individual fuel cells.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a fluid enclosure including a structural filler and an outer enclosure wall conformably coupled to the structural filler. Embodiments of the present invention further relate to a method of manufacturing a fluid enclosure. The method includes conformably coupling an outer enclosure wall to a structural filler.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to an electrochemical cell system including a cover that affects reactant flow into an electrochemical cell array.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a fluid enclosure including a structural filler and an outer enclosure wall conformably coupled to the structural filler. Embodiments of the present invention further relate to a method of manufacturing a fluid enclosure. The method includes conformably coupling an outer enclosure wall to a structural filler.

Abstract: The compact chemical reactor with a central axis includes at least two unit reactors disposed adjacent to each other to form front and back sides of the compact chemical reactor; a front and back reactant plenum communicating with the front and back side respectively; at least one of the plenums comprises a reactant; and unit reactors comprising: a front cavity between front and back process layers; a back cavity between back and front process layers of adjacent unit reactors; the process layers facilitate transport processes between reactant plenums; each cavity communicates with one side of the compact chemical reactor; a front and back perimeter barrier on the back and front process layers respectfully, substantially surrounding respective cavities. At least one of the unit reactors comprise at least one frame formed from one of the process layers, at least one of the perimeter barriers, and at least one of the cavities.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus or hydrogen generating system including a galvanic or first hydrogen generator and a thermally-activated or second hydrogen generator connectable to one another.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to electrochemical cell assemblies in which a region of discontinuity provides separation and insulation between adjacent cells in an array.

Abstract: The performance of solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells having planar architecture is improved by increasing the electrical conductivity in at least one of the catalyst layers. The conductivity is increased by incorporating a highly electrically conductive additive selected from the group consisting of graphite, carbon nanotubes, and corrosion tolerant metals.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing electrochemical cells having a current collector which, at least in part, underlies a catalyst layer are discussed. A method comprises patterning a current collector to have at least one electrolyte opening, disposing an electrolyte into or through the at least one opening, and disposing a catalyst, at least in part, over the disposed electrolyte. Optionally, the method comprises pattering a substrate and attaching a patterned current collector to each side thereof. Patterning of the current collector can include patterning a continuous sheet, which comprises at least a first and a second separable current collector. In one such example, a continuous carbon-fiber sheet impregnated or laminated with a non-porous material is patterned. In another such example, a continuous plastic material sheet impregnated with one or more electrical conductive particles is patterned. Among other things, the pattern of the current collector can include an extruded slot or adjacently-disposable strips.

Abstract: Fuel cell systems and methods having reduced volumetric requirements are described. The systems include, among other things, an enclosed region formed by the bonding of a fuel cell layer with a fluid manifold. The enclosed region transforms into a fluid plenum when, for example, a fluid exiting a manifold outlet pressurizes the enclosed region causing one or more portions of the fuel cell layer and/or the fluid manifold to deform away from each other.

Abstract: Thin layers of fuel cells are provided on the housings of portable electrically-powered devices. The fuel cells provide electrical power for the devices. The fuel cell layers can follow contours of the device housings. some embodiments provide fuel plenums between a surface of the housing and a fuel cell layer. The fuel plenum may carry a fuel such as hydrogen gas to fuel cells of the fuel cell layer.

Abstract: The methods include steps for making a fuel cell layer, making a compact chemical reactor with high aspect ratio cavities from components with low aspect ratio cavities, and forming of a high aspect ratio compact chemical reactor using low aspect ratio layers. The methods entail forming at least two process layers; forming a perimeter barrier on at least one side of one of the process layers creating an intermediate assembly with at least one low aspect ratio cavity; repeating the initial steps to create additional intermediate assemblies with at least one low aspect ratio cavity; joining intermediate assemblies to create a compact chemical reactor with high aspect ratio cavities; and joining the compact chemical reactor with high aspect ratio cavities to two reactant plenums to facilitate a transport process between reactant plenums and process layers.

Abstract: A fuel cell layer and methods for making a fuel cell layer comprising at least one fuel cell in communication with first reactant plenum and second reactant plenum, wherein one of the reactant plenums contains oxidant and the other reactant plenum contains fuel. The fuel cell comprises a gas barrier region formed by disposing gas barrier material on a substrate; a second region having a first port formed on the gas barrier; a first gas diffusion electrode having a first seal disposed around the electrode; an electrolyte region formed by disposing electrolyte material on the second region; a fourth region having a second port formed on the electrolyte region; a second gas diffusion electrode having a second seal disposed around the electrode, wherein the second and fourth regions are in communication with the electrolyte region, and the gas barrier region separates the first reactant plenum from the second reactant plenum.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an ion-conducting membrane comprising an ion-conducting region and a non-ion-conducting region. The ion-conducting region is formed by a plurality of ion-conducting passageways that extend through the membrane. The passageways are filled with ion-conducting material and may be surrounded by non-ion conducting material. The membrane may comprise a substrate of non-ion-conducting material that is penetrated by openings, each opening providing a corresponding one of the passageways.

Abstract: A fuel cell has an ion-conducting membrane comprising an ion-conducting region and a non-ion-conducting region. The ion-conducting region is formed by a plurality of ion-conducting passageways that extend through the membrane. The passageways are filled with ion-conducting material and may be surrounded by non-ion conducting material. The membrane may comprise a substrate of non-ion-conducting material that is penetrated by openings, each opening providing a corresponding one of the passageways.

Abstract: Thin layers of fuel cells are provided on the housings of portable electrically-powered devices. The fuel cells provide electrical power for the devices. The fuel cell layers can follow contours of the device housings. some embodiments provide fuel plenums between a surface of the housing and a fuel cell layer. The fuel plenum may carry a fuel such as hydrogen gas to fuel cells of the fuel cell layer.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an ion-conducting membrane comprising an ion-conducting region and a non-ion-conducting region. The ion-conducting region is formed by a plurality of ion-conducting passageways that extend through the membrane. The passageways are filled with ion-conducting material and may be surrounded by non-ion conducting material. The membrane may comprise a substrate of non-ion-conducting material that is penetrated by openings, each opening providing a corresponding one of the passageways.