Abstract: An apparatus for fuel cell stacking includes an assembly jig having a base; an alignment assembly configured to be engaged with the base; and a compression assembly configured to be engaged with the alignment assembly.

Abstract: A composite gasket to provide sealing and to control a swelling of at least a plurality of gas diffusion layers in a fuel cell includes a first incompressible layer provided near an anode flow field, a second incompressible layer provided near a cathode flow field. Further, the composite gasket includes a first elastomeric layer provided in between the first incompressible layer and the anode flow field and a second elastomeric layer provided between the second incompressible layer and the cathode flow field.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes an anode flow field plate having a flow field including a plurality of first lands and a plurality of first channels. Further, the fuel cell includes a cathode flow field plate having a flow field including a plurality of second lands and a plurality of second channels. A membrane electrode assembly is provided between the anode flow field plate and the cathode flow field plate. A width of each of the first channels is greater than a width of each of the second channels.

Abstract: A concentration sensor assembly for measuring a concentration of a aqueous hydrocarbon fuel to be supplied to a fuel cell stack, the assembly including a membrane electrode assembly having an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte membrane located between the anode and the cathode; a first monopolar flow field plate provided near the anode; a second monopolar flow field plate provided near the cathode; and a liquid gas separator.

Abstract: An apparatus to control a swelling of a catalyst coated membrane in a fuel cell includes an insulator layer provided at a perimeter of the fuel cell. The insulator layer has a plurality of insulator films and is secured to a flow field plate. The insulator layer has a less compressibility relative to a gasket used in the fuel cell. A method for controlling a swelling of a catalyst coated membrane in a fuel cell includes providing an insulator layer at a perimeter of each of fuel cells in a fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack is compressed for a predetermined duration when the catalyst coated membrane is in a substantially dry state. Passage of fuel is allowed inside the fuel cell thereby facilitating the catalyst coated membrane to swell. A swollen catalyst coated membrane is allowed to contact the insulator layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for fuel cell stacking includes an assembly jig having a base; an alignment assembly configured to be engaged with the base; and a compression assembly configured to be engaged with the alignment assembly.

Abstract: Described herein are fuel cell system refueling devices and related systems and methods. In one embodiment, a refueling device includes a fuel handling unit that includes a fuel port and a fuel conveyance unit to convey fuel to a fuel cell system. The refueling device also includes a waste handling unit that includes a waste port and a waste conveyance unit to convey waste from the fuel cell system. The refueling device further includes a communication port and a refueling device controller to establish a communication link with the fuel cell system, such that the fuel cell system directs operation of the fuel handling unit and the waste handling unit.

Abstract: A compact water management module for a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) system is provided. The module is a set of plates, typically two or more plates. Two of the plates are sandwiched together and enclose a membrane. The membrane is permeable to air or to water vapor. In another embodiment, both membranes are utilized. The cathode output stream of the DMFC stack feeds into one of the plates. One output of the module is water that is re-used as anode input stream to the DMFC stack. Another output of the module is the unused air that is vented out. The module is an elegant solution that improves the overall efficiency of a DMFC system. In addition, the module is small in size and can easily be stacked and integrated with a DMFC stack, a mixing device, a carbon dioxide separation device and/or a methanol source.

Abstract: A compact carbon dioxide separation module for a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is provided. The module is a set of plates, typically two plates, sandwiched together and enclosing a membrane permeable to carbon dioxide. The anode output stream of the DMFC stack feeds into one of the plates. The other plate has an exit hole to vent carbon dioxide permeated through the membrane. As such the module does not draw any power; hence the module will improve the overall efficiency of a DMFC system. In addition, the module is small in size and can easily be stacked and integrated with a DMFC stack. From a DMFC system perspective the module could also be nicely integrated and stacked with a mixing device/module, a water management device/module and a methanol source.