Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly comprises an ion-conducting membrane; a first electrocatalyst layer having a surface facing the membrane; a first electronically-conducting porous gas diffusion substrate facing the other surface of the first electrocatalyst layer; and a first film member interposed between the membrane and the first electrocatalyst layer. The first electrocatalyst layer has an edge region and a central region, and the first film member contacts the edge region and not the central region. A first adhesive layer is present on the surface of the first film member facing the first electrocatalyst layer, and the first adhesive layer adheres the first film member to the first electrocatalyst layer, impregnates through the first electrocatalyst layer, and impregnates into the first gas diffusion substrate.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a maximum average cell voltage set-point for fuel cells in a fuel cell stack that considers oxidation of the catalyst in the fuel cells. The method includes determining the average cell voltage, the stack current density (I) and an internal resistance (R) of membranes in the fuel cells to calculate an IR corrected average cell voltage. The IR corrected average cell voltage is then used to determine the oxidation state of the catalyst particles using, for example, an empirical model. The oxidation state of the particles is then used to calculate the maximum average cell voltage set-point of the fuel cells, which is used to set the minimum power requested from the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a maximum average cell voltage set-point for fuel cells in a fuel cell stack that considers oxidation of the catalyst in the fuel cells. The method includes determining the average cell voltage, the stack current density (I) and an internal resistance (R) of membranes in the fuel cells to calculate an IR corrected average cell voltage. The IR corrected average cell voltage is then used to determine the oxidation state of the catalyst particles using, for example, an empirical model. The oxidation state of the particles is then used to calculate the maximum average cell voltage set-point of the fuel cells, which is used to set the minimum power requested from the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a maximum average cell voltage set-point for fuel cells in a fuel cell stack that considers oxidation of the catalyst in the fuel cells. The method includes determining the average cell voltage, the stack current density (I) and an internal resistance (R) of membranes in the fuel cells to calculate an IR corrected average cell voltage. The IR corrected average cell voltage is then used to determine the oxidation state of the catalyst particles using, for example, an empirical model. The oxidation state of the particles is then used to calculate the maximum average cell voltage set-point of the fuel cells, which is used to set the minimum power requested from the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: An MEA for a fuel cell that employs multiple catalyst layers to reduce the hydrogen and/or oxygen partial pressure at the membrane so as to reduce the fluoride release rate from the membrane and reduce membrane degradation. An anode side multi-layer catalyst configuration is positioned at the anode side of the MEA membrane. The anode side multi-layer catalyst configuration includes an anode side under layer positioned against the membrane and including a catalyst, an anode side middle layer positioned against the anode side under layer and not including a catalyst and an anode side catalyst layer positioned against the anode side middle layer and opposite to the anode side under layer and including a catalyst, where the amount of catalyst in the anode side catalyst layer is greater than the amount of catalyst in the anode side under layer.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a maximum average cell voltage set-point for fuel cells in a fuel cell stack that considers oxidation of the catalyst in the fuel cells. The method includes determining the average cell voltage, the stack current density (I) and an internal resistance (R) of membranes in the fuel cells to calculate an IR corrected average cell voltage. The IR corrected average cell voltage is then used to determine the oxidation state of the catalyst particles using, for example, an empirical model. The oxidation state of the particles is then used to calculate the maximum average cell voltage set-point of the fuel cells, which is used to set the minimum power requested from the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell including an anode-side catalyst coated diffusion medium and a cathode-side catalyst coated diffusion medium that sandwich an ionically conductive membrane. A sealing material is disposed between the ionically conductive membrane and the anode-side and cathode-side catalyst coated diffusion medium, wherein the sealing material is formed of a material that has a permeability that is less than a permeability of the ionically conductive member. The sealing material may also be formed of a material that is softer than the ionically conductive membrane such that the sealing material may deform and enable an membrane electrode assembly of the fuel cell to be subjected to uniform pressures throughout the assembly.

Abstract: A fuel cell including an anode-side catalyst coated membrane and a cathode-side catalyst coated membrane. At least a portion of a reduced-permeability layer is disposed between the ionically conductive membrane and the anode-side and cathode-side gas diffusion media, wherein the reduced-permeability layer is formed of a material that has a permeability that is less than a permeability of the ionically conductive member. The reduced-permeability layer may also be formed of a material that is softer than the ionically conductive membrane.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to addressing performance issues attributable to membrane electrode assemblies, and the components thereof, in electrochemical conversion cells. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a device comprising at least one electrochemical conversion cell is provided. The cell is configured to convert first and second reactants to electrical energy and comprises a membrane electrode assembly and at least one membrane reinforcement layer. The combination of elastic modulus and thickness of the reinforcement layer and the bond between the reinforcement layer and the membrane electrode assembly are sufficient to enhance the structural integrity of the membrane electrode assembly beyond the operational degradation threshold of the assembly.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly including an ionically conductive member, an electrode, and an electrically conductive member including an active layer, wherein the electrode is a smooth, continuous layer that completely covers and supports the ionically conductive member. The electrode and active layer further include a first and second catalyst content, respectively; and 50% of the total catalyst content is present in the electrode and 50% of the total catalyst content is present in the active layer.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly comprising an ionically conductive member and an electrode, wherein the electrode is a smooth, continuous layer that completely covers and supports the ionically conductive member. The electrode further comprises a central region and a peripheral region, wherein a gradient of electrochemically active material exists between the central region and the peripheral region such that a content of the electrochemically active material is greater in the central region than the peripheral region.

Abstract: An MEA for a fuel cell that employs multiple catalyst layers to reduce the hydrogen and/or oxygen partial pressure at the membrane so as to reduce the fluoride release rate from the membrane and reduce membrane degradation. An anode side multi-layer catalyst configuration is positioned at the anode side of the MEA membrane. The anode side multi-layer catalyst configuration includes an anode side under layer positioned against the membrane and including a catalyst, an anode side middle layer positioned against the anode side under layer and not including a catalyst and an anode side catalyst layer positioned against the anode side middle layer and opposite to the anode side under layer and including a catalyst, where the amount of catalyst in the anode side catalyst layer is greater than the amount of catalyst in the anode side under layer.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly wherein a film member (4) is interposed between the membrane (1) and an electrocatalyst layer (3) is disposed. The film member (4) contacts the edge region and not the central region of a first surface of the electrocatalyst layer (3).

Abstract: A method of forming a fuel cell may include treating a surface of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of the fuel cell, positioning a preformed adhesive insert on the treated surface, and bonding an electrically conductive member to the treated surface with the adhesive. Treating the surface may include a pre-treatment to increase adhesive properties thereof. Positioning the adhesive insert may include locating the adhesive insert on a surface of the membrane electrolyte adjacent to an edge of the electrode.

Abstract: A fuel cell including an anode-side catalyst coated diffusion medium and a cathode-side catalyst coated diffusion medium that sandwich an ionically conductive membrane. A sealing material is disposed between the ionically conductive membrane and the anode-side and cathode-side catalyst coated diffusion medium, wherein the sealing material is formed of a material that has a permeability that is less than a permeability of the ionically conductive member. The sealing material may also be formed of a material that is softer than the ionically conductive membrane such that the sealing material may deform and enable an membrane electrode assembly of the fuel cell to be subjected to uniform pressures throughout the assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to addressing performance issues attributable to membrane electrode assemblies, and the components thereof, in electrochemical conversion cells. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a device comprising at least one electrochemical conversion cell is provided. The cell is configured to convert first and second reactants to electrical energy and comprises a membrane electrode assembly and at least one membrane reinforcement layer. The combination of elastic modulus and thickness of the reinforcement layer and the bond between the reinforcement layer and the membrane electrode assembly are sufficient to enhance the structural integrity of the membrane electrode assembly beyond the operational degradation threshold of the assembly.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting imperfections in a membrane electrode assembly of an electrochemical fuel cell, and more particularly for detecting defects within a proton exchange membrane in a membrane electrode assembly which is optionally sandwiched between conductive diffusion media layers or between conductive diffusion layers with at least one rigid solid that is transparent to infrared radiation. A potential voltage is applied across the membrane and the presence of a defect and preferably the location of a defect is determined by monitoring variations in intensity level of infrared radiation emitted from a surface of the membrane electrode assembly.

Abstract: An assembly for a fuel cell including an ionically conductive member, an electrode, and an electrically conductive member. The assembly also includes an adhesive disposed at a peripheral edge of the assembly that adheres the electrically conductive member, the electrode, and the ionically conductive member, as well as provides mechanical support and inhibits the permeation of reactant gas through the ionically conductive member.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly including an ionically conductive member, an electrode, and an electrically conductive member including an active layer, wherein the electrode is a smooth, continuous layer that completely covers and supports the ionically conductive member. The electrode and active layer further include a first and second catalyst content, respectively; and 50% of the total catalyst content is present in the electrode and 50% of the total catalyst content is present in the active layer.

Abstract: A fuel cell including an anode-side catalyst coated membrane and a cathode-side catalyst coated membrane. At least a portion of a reduced-permeability layer is disposed between the ionically conductive membrane and the anode-side and cathode-side gas diffusion media, wherein the reduced-permeability layer is formed of a material that has a permeability that is less than a permeability of the ionically conductive member. The reduced-permeability layer may also be formed of a material that is softer than-the ionically conductive membrane.