Abstract: A method of controlled fuel release from a fuel storage composition including applying an electric field to a section of the fuel storage composition, supplying a reagent to the section of the fuel storage composition, measuring a system parameter, and adjusting an electric field parameter based on the system parameter measurement.

Abstract: A fuel cell gas purge system is provided that includes at least one fuel cell, such as a fuel cell stack or a fuel cell array, a fuel supply, and an adjustable fuel cell current load. The system further includes at least one passive purge valve disposed to purge accumulated non-fuel matter in the fuel cell, and operates according to a pressure differential across the valve. The valve can be a passive bi-directional valve, such as a dome valve, or a passive unidirectional valve. Further included is a purge management module that has a purge request module to determine when to increase the pressure of the hydrogen fuel to initiate the purge, and a purge complete module to determine when to adjust the pressure of the hydrogen fuel to complete the purge. The non-fuel matter can include non-fuel gases or condensed water.

Abstract: A method for controlling fuel cartridge supply for a device powered by a fuel cell system, the fuel cell system including a fuel cell stack that converts fuel from the fuel cartridge into electrical power, the method including receiving operation data from each of a plurality of devices at a first time period, calculating a future fuel cartridge demand from the operation data, the future fuel cartridge demand associated with a second time period after the first time period, calculating a target fuel cartridge manufacturing volume from the future hydrogen cartridge demand, and sending the target fuel cartridge manufacturing volume to a manufacturing facility.

Abstract: A method for purging non-fuel gasses from a fuel supply of a fuel cell system, including measuring a first parameter indicative of fuel concentration within the fuel supply, in response to the first parameter measurement satisfying a purge condition, wherein the purge condition is satisfied when the first parameter measurement is indicative of the fuel concentration below a predetermined concentration threshold, opening a purge valve fluidly coupled to the fuel supply and generating a purging pressure within the fuel supply to purge the fuel supply, measuring a second parameter indicative of purge completion, and in response to the second parameter measurement satisfying a purge completion condition, closing the purge valve.

Abstract: A method of operating a power adapter that includes an energy storage device and a fuel cell system including a fuel supply and a fuel cell stack, the method including determining a connectivity state of an auxiliary power source and a load with the power adapter, and selecting a power adapter operation mode based on the connection states of the auxiliary power source and the load. The operation modes of the power adapter include at least an auxiliary mode when the auxiliary power source and the load are connected to the power adapter, and a fuel cell mode when the auxiliary power source is disconnected from the power adapter and the load is connected to the power adapter. The auxiliary mode includes providing power from the auxiliary power source to the load, and the fuel cell mode includes providing fuel cell power to the load.

Abstract: A high energy density fuel source that reduces hydride expansion during hydrogen release, including a rigid, thermally insulated container defining an internal volume, a heater mechanism disposed within the internal volume, and a metal hydride rod thermally connected to the heater mechanism, wherein the heater mechanism and metal hydride rod substantially occupying the entirety of the internal volume. The metal hydride rod preferably includes a malleable encapsulation compressed about, thermally coupled to, and substantially encapsulating a volume of compressed metal hydride powder, the malleable encapsulation defined by a first, thermally conductive, malleable cup inverted over a second, thermally conductive, malleable cup, the compressed malleable encapsulation defining a tortuous fluid flow path from the metal hydride to the internal volume of the container.

Abstract: A fuel cell system for providing power to and leveraging waste heat from a consumer device, including a fuel cell stack that converts fuel to power at an operational temperature; a fuel source compartment that receives a fuel source that provides fuel to the fuel cell stack; an energy storage device; electrically connected to the fuel cell stack, that heats the fuel cell stack, receives power from the fuel cell stack, provides power to the device, and stores power from the fuel cell stack; and a thermal connection that directs waste heat from the device preferentially from the device to the fuel cell stack.