Abstract: Acidic groups such as those in the sulfonic acid family have been successfully linked onto the surface of carbon used as catalyst support. Electrodes made using such sulfonated catalysts as used in electrochemical cells improve the performance of the cells, more so than cells fabricated from electrodes using an unsulfonated electrode.

Abstract: A fuel cell using a neat alcohol such as neat 2-propanol, as its fuel is described. The fuel that is purposely not mixed with any amount of water is oxidized directly at the fuel cell anode. The fuel cell can support a higher current density than a fuel cell using 1 M 2-propanol aqueous solution. The energy density of a fuel cell using a neat fuel is much higher than that of one using dilute fuel aqueous solutions.

Abstract: A fuel cell using a secondary alcohol such as 2-propanol as fuel is disclosed. The fuel is oxidized directly at the anode without any reforming. Such a direct secondary alcohol fuel cell (D2AFC) possesses a much higher performance than a direct methanol fuel cell, especially at current densities less than 200 mA/cm2. In addition, fuel loss due to crossover in a direct 2-propanol fuel cell (D2PFC) is less than one-sixth of that in a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC).

Abstract: Electrodes for an electrochemical cell such as a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell are treated with steam or a hot solution before they are bonded to a membrane to form a membrane-electrode assembly. Such a treatment effectively increases the performance of the electrodes when they are subsequently tested within the PEM fuel cell. Improved performance is also observed using this technique with a catalyst-coated membrane and a membrane-electrode assembly.

Abstract: A sensing device is featured that electrochemically measures methanol concentration. The sensing device has a flexible composite of layered materials wrapped about a flexible tube having aperture contact with a methanol flow stream. The layered materials sequentially wrapped on the tube are: a polytetrafluoroethylene insulation sheet; an electrically conducting mesh representing the anode current collector; a carbon-based material representing an anode diffusion medium; a catalyst-coated membrane with both sides coated by catalysts such as Pt/Ru and Pt; a carbon-based material serving as the cathode diffusion medium; and an electrically conducting mesh representing the cathode current collector.

Abstract: A membrane-electrode assembly for electrochemical cells such as proton exchange membrane fuel cells and direct methanol fuel cells operating at ambient conditions are activated first by exposing them at a temperature higher than ambient temperature and with the gaseous reactants back-pressurized. The performance of the membrane-electrode assemblies, especially those whose electrodes are of low catalyst loadings made using supported catalysts, improves dramatically after the activation.

Abstract: A method is described for improving the performance of fuel cells such as H2/air PEM fuel cells and direct methanol fuel cells. It has been discovered that H2 evolution can significantly improve the performance of air cathodes and direct methanol fuel cell anodes. The improvement of air cathodes applies to both H2/air PEM fuel cells and direct methanol fuel cells.

Abstract: A fuel cell having a novel configuration including a segmented gas diffusion medium (GDM) or a non-segmented GDM and a separator plate, in which the reactant flow field and liquid coolant field are integrated into one side of a single plate element. The separator plate, in one embodiment, allows for the hydration of the polymer electrolyte membrane of the fuel cell.

Abstract: An improved fuel cell system that utilizes hydrogen and air. The hydrogen of the fuel cell is derived from a hydrogen-generating process wherein H.sub.2 O is passed over a bed of iron material. The hydrogen generating process uses a catalyst, or freshly-ground iron material, or both, and generates the hydrogen for the fuel cell in situ at lower-than-normal temperatures when the H.sub.2 O reacts with the iron material. The fuel cell can be used to power a stationary system or a land vehicle, such as an automobile. The bed of iron material can be replenished periodically or continuously.

Abstract: Fuel cell stacks comprising stacked separator/membrane electrode assembly fuel cells in which the separators comprise a series of thin sheet platelets, having individually configured serpentine micro-channel reactant gas humidification active areas and cooling fields therein. The individual platelets are stacked with coordinate features aligned in contact with adjacent platelets and bonded to form a monolithic separator. Post-bonding processing includes passivation, such as nitriding. Preferred platelet material is 4-25 mil Ti, in which the features, serpentine channels, tabs, lands, vias, manifolds and holes, are formed by chemical and laser etching, cutting, pressing or embossing, with combinations of depth and through etching preferred. The platelet manufacturing process is continuous and fast. By employing CAD based platelet design and photolithography, rapid change in feature design can accommodate a wide range of thermal management and humidification techniques. One hundred H.sub.2 --O.sub.

Abstract: A reactant flow system for a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell stack using a water-soluble fuel is described. The flow system includes the use of single-pass or multi-pass, flow channels. A flow channel section having at least one adjacent channel section whose reactant flows in an opposite direction thereto. The system has respective reactant inlets that are effectively adjacent to reactant outlets of the adjacent channel section. Restrictions are used at the reactant inlets to assure substantially uniform reactant flow among all of the flow channels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combined cycle system of enhanced efficiency. The system comprises a top stage, such as a fuel cell, a partial oxidation reactor or a heat engine, and an oxygen-enriching device, such as a temperature swing adsorption device or a chemical reactor bed device, as its bottom stage. The bottom stage uses waste heat produced by the top stage to enrich the oxygen content of air that is inputted to the bottom stage, thereby producing an oxygen-enriched gas mixture as the bottom stage output. This output mixture constitutes a superior oxidant which is fed back as an input for the top stage, thus enhancing the energy conversion efficiency, cheapness, and compactness of the combined cycle system as compared to that of ordinary fuel cells, partial oxidation reactors and heat engines that use unenriched air as their oxidant input.

Abstract: Improved fuel cell stacks constructed from a plurality of cells, each comprising a series of interrelated mono and bipolar collector plates (BSPs), which in turn are built up by lamination of a core of related non-conductiveplastic orceramic platelets sandwiched between conductive microscreen platelets of metal or conductive ceramic or plastic, with an electrode membrane (EMA) between adjacent BSPs. The platelets, both metal and plastic of the composite BSPs, are produced from sheet material with through and depth features formed by etching, pressing, stamping, casting, embossing and the like. Adjacent plates, each with correspondingly relieved features form serpentine channels within the resultant monolithic platelet/cell stack for integrated fluid and thermal management. The plastic platelets are particularly useful for PEM fuel cells employing H.sub.2 and Air/O.sub.2 as fuel. The platelets are easily made by printing (embossing) processes, and dies made by photolithographic etching for rapid redesign.

Abstract: Fuel cell stacks comprising stacked separator/membrane electrode assembly cells in which the separators comprise a series of stacked thin sheet platelets having individually configured serpentine micro-channel reactant gas humidification, active area and cooling fields therein. The individual platelets are stacked with coordinate features precisely aligned in contact with adjacent platelets and bonded to form a monolithic separator. Post bonding processing includes passivation, such as nitriding. Preferred platelet material is 4-25 mil Ti in which the features, serpentine channels, tabs, lands, vias, manifolds and holes, are formed by chemical or laser etching, cutting, pressing or embossing, with combinations of depth and through-etching being preferred. The platelet manufacturing process is continuous and fast. By employing CAD based platelet design and photolithography, rapid change in feature design to accommodate a wide range of thermal management and humidification techniques. 100 cell H.sub.2 --O.sub.

Abstract: The catalyzed method of this invention features a method for operating an electrical automotive vehicle. The method of the invention utilizes a hydrogen-air fuel cell to power an electrical automotive vehicle having electrical drive motors. Hydrogen to fuel the fuel cell is supplied onboard by a bed of iron that is made to react with H.sub.2 O in the presence of an alkaline catalyst at temperatures not exceeding approximately 250.degree. C. The preferred alkali hydroxide is the hydroxide of potassium in a range of concentrations between 50 to 60 percent by weight, with the preferred concentration being about 53%. The hydrogen for fueling the fuel cell is generated onboard the automobile, in situ, by using a storage compartment containing iron materials. The hydrogen is generated by passing heated water over freshly ground iron, which then becomes iron oxide. The vehicle's operator obtains a fresh charge of the new iron materials from an iron fuel station for placement in a compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: The new iron material and catalyst admixture of this invention features a method for operating an electrical automotive vehicle. The method of the invention utilizes a hydrogen-air fuel cell to power an electrical automotive vehicle having electrical drive motors. Hydrogen to fuel the fuel cell is supplied onboard by a reactor bed of iron that is made to react with H.sub.2 O in the presence of an alkali hydroxide catalyst at temperatures not exceeding approximately 250.degree. C. The preferred alkali hydroxide is the hydroxide of potassium in a range of concentrations between 50 to 60 percent by weight, with the preferred concentration being about 53%. The hydrogen for fueling the fuel cell is generated onboard the automobile, in situ, by using a storage compartment containing iron materials. The hydrogen is generated by passing heated H.sub.2 O over the iron, which then becomes iron oxide.

Abstract: A reactant flow system for a proton exchange membrane (PEM), hydrogen-air, fuel cell stack, is described. The flow system includes the use of single-pass or multi-pass, flow channels. A flow channel section having at least one adjacent channel section whose reactant flows in an opposite direction thereto. The system has respective reactant inlets that are effectively adjacent to reactant outlets of the adjacent channel section. Restrictions are used at the reactant inlets to assure substantially uniform reactant flow among all of the flow channels. The PEM fuel cell stack has a mechanism for removing heat therefrom in order to prevent drying out of the electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: The new iron material and catalyst admixture of this invention feature a method for operating an automotive vehicle that is designed to internally combust hydrogen generated in situ aboard the vehicle. The method of the invention utilizes hydrogen from an onboard reactor to power an automotive vehicle. Hydrogen from the onboard reactor is generated by a bed of iron that is made to react with H.sub.2 O in the presence of an alkali hydroxide catalyst at temperatures not exceeding approximately 250.degree. C. The preferred alkali hydroxide is the hydroxide of potassium in a range of concentrations between 50 to 60 percent by weight, with the preferred concentration being about 53%. The iron materials of this invention may comprise in situ freshly-ground particulates as an added enhancement for the reactivity between the iron and H.sub.2 O. The particles range in diameter size from approximately 25 to 1,200 .mu.

Abstract: The present invention features a new iron material for use in situ with a hydrogen-air fuel cell, to generate the hydrogen to fuel the fuel cell. The iron material is made up of freshly-ground particles of iron, ranging in diameter size from approximately 25 to 1,200 .mu.m, with an average-sized distribution having at least twenty per cent (20%) of the particles less than about 300 .mu.m in diameter, and having an average particle density approximately ranging from about 1 to 7.8 g/cc, and a surface area greater than approximately 0.001 meters.sup.2 /g. The particles are in a freshly ground state, in situ, for enhancing their reactivity in producing hydrogen for the fuel cell.

Abstract: The present invention features a system and a method for operating an electrical automotive vehicle. The system has an electrically-powered automotive vehicle with electrical drive motors. The electricity to power the drive motors is supplied onboard by a hydrogen-air fuel cell which operates by a hydrogen-oxygen reaction. The hydrogen for fueling the fuel cell is generated onboard the automobile by using a fuel storage compartment that supplies iron to a reactor bed. The reactor bed is either a fluidized bed or a catalyzed bed. The vehicle's operator obtains a fresh charge of iron for the fuel storage compartment from an iron fuel station. The iron charge is made up of pellets, sponge iron or particles of iron. The system contains a means for grinding the iron particles, or a catalyst, or both, so that their reactivity with respect to water will become enhanced. The vehicle has a tank for containing a supply of water, as well as a means for heating the water to reactive temperatures.