Abstract: An apparatus having: a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell stack capable of generating 1-6 kW and a compressor capable of delivering at least 10 g/s of air at 12 bar. The compressor is coupled to an air inlet of the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a catalyst coated membrane with a proton exchange membrane, a cathode layer disposed on a first surface of the proton exchange membrane, and an anode layer disposed on an oppositely disposed second surface of the proton exchange membrane. At least one gas diffusion layer is bonded to at least one of the cathode and anode layers of the catalyst coated membrane. At least one bonding layer substantially surrounds at least one of the catalyst coated membrane and the at least one gas diffusion layer. The at least one bonding layer is bonded to a portion of the proton exchange membrane. At least one circuit is bonded to a portion of the gas diffusion layer and a portion of the at least one bonding layer.

Abstract: A bipolar plate for a fuel cell is provided. The bipolar plate includes a main body with a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along a longitudinal axis of the main body. At least one inlet is disposed at the first end of the main body. At least one outlet corresponding to the at least one inlet is disposed at the second end of the main body. At least one continuous flow path extends from the at least one inlet to the at least one outlet. The main body comprises a single, contiguous piece.

Abstract: A method of improving the electrical performance of an operating fuel cell catalyst-containing cathode in a fuel cell connected to an electrical load by: reducing the flow of air to the cathode; disconnecting the load from the fuel cell; connecting a potentiostat to the fuel cell; cycling an applied voltage, current, or power to the fuel cell one or more times; disconnecting the potentiostat from the fuel cell; reconnecting the load to the fuel cell; and resuming the flow of air to the cathode.

Abstract: A method of improving the electrical performance of an operating fuel cell catalyst-containing cathode in a fuel cell connected to an electrical load by: reducing the flow of air to the cathode; disconnecting the load from the fuel cell; connecting a potentiostat to the fuel cell; cycling an applied voltage, current, or power to the fuel cell one or more times; disconnecting the potentiostat from the fuel cell; reconnecting the load to the fuel cell; and resuming the flow of air to the cathode.

Abstract: A method of improving the electrical performance of an operating fuel cell catalyst-containing cathode in a fuel cell connected to an electrical load by: reducing the flow of air to the cathode; disconnecting the load from the fuel cell; connecting a potentiostat to the fuel cell; cycling an applied voltage, current, or power to the fuel cell one or more times; disconnecting the potentiostat from the fuel cell; reconnecting the load to the fuel cell; and resuming the flow of air to the cathode.

Abstract: A bipolar plate for a fuel cell is provided. The bipolar plate includes a main body with a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along a longitudinal axis of the main body. At least one inlet is disposed at the first end of the main body. At least one outlet corresponding to the at least one inlet is disposed at the second end of the main body. At least one continuous flow path extends from the at least one inlet to the at least one outlet. The main body comprises a single, contiguous piece.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a catalyst coated membrane with a proton exchange membrane, a cathode layer disposed on a first surface of the proton exchange membrane, and an anode layer disposed on an oppositely disposed second surface of the proton exchange membrane. At least one gas diffusion layer is bonded to at least one of the cathode and anode layers of the catalyst coated membrane. At least one bonding layer substantially surrounds at least one of the catalyst coated membrane and the at least one gas diffusion layer. The at least one bonding layer is bonded to a portion of the proton exchange membrane. At least one circuit is bonded to a portion of the gas diffusion layer and a portion of the at least one bonding layer.

Abstract: A method of improving the electrical performance of an operating fuel cell catalyst-containing cathode in a fuel cell connected to an electrical load by: reducing the flow of air to the cathode; disconnecting the load from the fuel cell; connecting a potentiostat to the fuel cell; cycling an applied voltage, current, or power to the fuel cell one or more times; disconnecting the potentiostat from the fuel cell; reconnecting the load to the fuel cell; and resuming the flow of air to the cathode.