Abstract: A solar cell assembly is described that comprises a barrier assembly disposed on or around a photovoltaic cell, wherein the barrier assembly comprises a barrier film and a polyurethane outer protective film layer bonded directly to exposed major surface of the barrier film, wherein the barrier assembly disposed above the photovoltaic cell and the polyurethane outer protective film layer forms a top surface of the solar cell assembly that is exposed to incoming light.

Abstract: A solar cell is described that comprises a transparent conductor sheet having a polymeric substrate with an embedded metal grid, disposed within microchannels extending partially through a thickness of polymeric substrate from a first surface of the polymeric substrate; and a photoactive layer disposed adjacent to the first surface of the polymeric substrate. The transparent conductor sheet has a sheet resistance less than 1 ?/? and an average solar direct transmittance over the visible and infrared portion of the spectrum of at least about 80%.

Abstract: A polymer coated conductive ribbon is described herein, wherein the polymer coated conductive ribbon consists essentially of a smooth conductive member having a defined width and thickness substantially enclosed in an insulating polymeric sheath, wherein the insulating polymeric sheath comprises a thermoplastic insulating polymer as a first storage modulus (G?) is above 0.2 MPa at 40° C. and a second storage modulus below 0.05 MPa at 160° C.

Abstract: An automated roll to roll method of making a fuel cell roll good subassembly is described wherein an elongated first subgasket web having a plurality of apertures is moved relative to a plurality of individual electrolyte membranes, each individual electrolyte membrane having a center region. The individual electrolyte membranes are aligned with the first subgasket web so that a center region of each electrolyte membrane is aligned with an aperture of the first subgasket web and the individual electrolyte membranes are attached to the first subgasket web.

Abstract: Membrane electrode assembly comprising a first gas diffusion layer having a first microporous layer on a major surface thereof, wherein the first microporous layer has a major surface, wherein the major surface of the first microporous layer has discontinuous areas therein substantially free of microporous material, and wherein at least a portion of the first discontinuous areas has adhesive therein; and methods for making the same. Membrane electrode assemblies described herein are useful, for example, in fuel cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates membrane-electrode assemblies and electrochemical cells and liquid flow batteries produced therefrom. The membrane-electrode assemblies include a first porous electrode; an ion permeable membrane, having a first major surface and an opposed second major surface; a first discontinuous transport protection layer disposed between the first porous electrode and the first major surface of the ion permeable membrane; and a first adhesive layer in contact with the first porous electrode and at least one of the first discontinuous transport protection layer and the ion permeable membrane. The first adhesive layer is disposed along the perimeter of the membrane-electrode assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electrode assemblies, membrane-electrode assemblies and electrochemical cells and liquid flow batteries produced therefrom. The electrode and membrane-electrode assemblies include (i) a porous electrode having a first major surface with a first surface area, Ae, an opposed second major surface and a plurality of voids; (ii) a discontinuous transport protection layer, comprising polymer, disposed on the first major surface and having a cross-sectional area, Ap, substantially parallel to the first major surface; and (iii) an interfacial region wherein the interfacial region includes a portion of the polymer embedded in at least a portion of the plurality of voids, a portion of the porous electrode embedded in a portion of the polymer or a combination thereof; and wherein 0.02Ae?Ap?0.85Ae and the porous electrode and discontinuous transport protection layer form an integral structure.

Abstract: An article comprising a first gas distribution layer (100), a first gas dispersion layer (200), or a first electrode layer, having first and second opposed major surfaces and a first adhesive layer having first and second opposed major surfaces, wherein the second major surface (102) of the first gas distribution layer (100), the second major surface (202) of the first gas dispersion layer (200), or the first major surface of the first electrode layer, as applicable, has a central area, wherein the first major surface of the first adhesive layer contacts at least the central area of the second major surface of the first gas distribution layer, the second major surface of the first gas dispersion layer, or the first major surface of the first electrode layer, as applicable, and wherein the first adhesive layer comprises a porous network of first adhesive including a continuous pore network extending between the first and second major surfaces of the first adhesive layer.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising: first and second aligned roller pairs each having a nip between the aligned rollers of each aligned roller pair, wherein each of the first and second roller pairs have parallel axes of rotation, wherein each of the first and second aligned roller pairs is configured to electrically excite a portion of the web passed through the nip and to measure an electrical property of the excited web, wherein the first and second aligned roller pairs are configured to electrically excite a portion of the web passed through their respective nips are configured to provide a line of charge parallel to the axes of rotation of the respective roller pairs, and wherein the rollers of the aligned roller pairs are each electrically insulated from each other and from the apparatus; and a processing unit configured to at least analyze the measured electrical properties.

Abstract: A fuel cell membrane electrode assembly is provided comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane comprising a first polymer electrolyte and at least one manganese compound; and one or more electrode layers comprising a catalyst and at least one cerium compound. The membrane electrode assembly demonstrates an unexpected combination of durability and performance.

Abstract: A fuel cell membrane electrode assembly is provided comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane comprising a first polymer electrolyte and at least one manganese compound; and one or more electrode layers comprising a catalyst and at least one cerium compound. The membrane electrode assembly demonstrates an unexpected combination of durability and performance.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising: first and second aligned roller pairs each having a nip between the aligned rollers of each aligned roller pair, wherein each of the first and second roller pairs have parallel axes of rotation, wherein each of the first and second aligned roller pairs is configured to electrically excite a portion of the web passed through the nip and to measure an electrical property of the excited web, wherein the first and second aligned roller pairs are configured to electrically excite a portion of the web passed through their respective nips are configured to provide a line of charge parallel to the axes of rotation of the respective roller pairs, and wherein the rollers of the aligned roller pairs are each electrically insulated from each other and from the apparatus; and a processing unit configured to at least analyze the measured electrical properties.

Abstract: A method for assessing the quality of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), the method comprising: applying a first voltage across the thickness of a first (MEA) passed through a nip of a first pair of rollers thereby providing a first charge to the first MEA; determining a first electrical figure of merit (FOM) of the first charged MEA at a first period of time; after the first period of time applying a second voltage across the thickness of the first (MEA) passed through a nip of a second pair of rollers thereby providing a second charge to the first (MEA); determining a second electrical (FOM) of the second charged first (MEA) at a second, later period of time; and calculating a total electrical (FOM) using the first and second electrical (FOM); and comparing the total electrical (FOM) to a predetermined quality value to assess the quality of the first (MEA).

Abstract: Membrane electrode assembly comprising a first gas diffusion layer having a first microporous layer on a major surface thereof, wherein the first microporous layer has a major surface, wherein the major surface of the first microporous layer has discontinuous areas therein substantially free of microporous material, and wherein at least a portion of the first discontinuous areas have adhesive therein; and methods for making the same. Membrane electrode assemblies described herein are useful, for example, in fuel cells.

Abstract: A fuel cell membrane electrode assembly is provided comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane which comprises a polymer that comprises bound anionic functional groups, wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane additionally comprises cerium cations. In another aspect, a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly is provided comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane which comprises a polymer that comprises bound anionic functional groups, wherein at least a portion of the anionic functional groups are in acid form and at least a portion of the anionic functional groups are neutralized by cerium cations. In another aspect, a polymer electrolyte membrane is provided which comprises a polymer that comprises bound anionic functional groups, wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane additionally comprises cerium cations, and wherein the amount of cerium cations present is between 0.001 and 0.

Abstract: An automated roll to roll method of making a fuel cell roll good subassembly is described wherein an elongated first subgasket web having a plurality of apertures is moved relative to a plurality of individual electrolyte membranes, each individual electrolyte membrane having a center region. The individual electrolyte membranes are aligned with the first subgasket web so that a center region of each electrolyte membrane is aligned with an aperture of the first subgasket web and the individual electrolyte membranes are attached to the first subgasket web.

Abstract: A fuel cell roll good subassembly is described that includes a plurality of individual electrolyte membranes. One or more first subgaskets are attached to the individual electrolyte membranes. Each of the first subgaskets has at least one aperture and the first subgaskets are arranged so the center regions of the individual electrolyte membranes are exposed through the apertures of the first subgaskets. A second subgasket comprises a web having a plurality of apertures. The second subgasket web is attached to the one or more first subgaskets so the center regions of the individual electrolyte membranes are exposed through the apertures of the second subgasket web. The second subgasket web may have little or no adhesive on the subgasket surface facing the electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: A fuel cell membrane electrode assembly is provided comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane comprising a first polymer electrolyte and at least one manganese compound; and one or more electrode layers comprising a catalyst and at least one cerium compound. The membrane electrode assembly demonstrates an unexpected combination of durability and performance.

Abstract: A fuel cell membrane electrode assembly is provided comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane comprising a first polymer electrolyte and at least one manganese compound; and one or more electrode layers comprising a catalyst and at least one cerium compound. The membrane electrode assembly demonstrates an unexpected combination of durability and performance.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for assessing the quality of membrane electrode assemblies.