Abstract: An illustrative example fuel cell component includes a plate with a plurality of flow channels in at least one side of the plate. Each of the flow channels has a length between an inlet and an outlet. Each of the flow channels has a width and a depth, which are transverse to the length. At least some of the flow channels include a portion near the inlet and the width or the depth of the portion is greater than the width or depth along a majority of the length of those flow channels.

Abstract: An illustrative example fuel cell component includes a plate with a plurality of flow channels in at least one side of the plate. Each of the flow channels has a length between an inlet and an outlet. Each of the flow channels has a width and a depth, which are transverse to the length. At least some of the flow channels include a portion near the inlet and the width or the depth of the portion is greater than the width or depth along a majority of the length of those flow channels.

Abstract: An illustrative example fuel cell device includes a cell stack assembly of a plurality of fuel cells that each include an anode and a cathode. A pressure plate is situated near one end of the cell stack assembly. An intermediate component is situated between the end of the cell stack assembly and the pressure plate. The intermediate component includes a porous material in at least two fluid reservoirs and a barrier between the two fluid reservoirs to prevent fluid communication between the reservoirs.

Abstract: An illustrative example fuel cell assembly includes a plurality of cells respectively including at least an electrolyte layer, an anode flow plate on one side of the electrolyte layer, and a cathode flow plate on an opposite side of the electrolyte layer. At least one cooler is situated adjacent a first one of the cells. The cooler is closer to that first one of the cells than it is to a second one of the cells. The cathode flow plates respectively include a plurality of flow channels and the anode flow plates respectively include a plurality of flow channels. The anode flow plates respectively include some of the flow channels in a condensation zone of the fuel cell assembly. The flow channels of the anode flow plate in the condensation zone of the first one of the cells have a first flow capacity. The flow channels of the anode flow plate of the second one of the cells that are in the condensation zone have a second flow capacity. The second flow capacity is greater than the first flow capacity.

Abstract: An illustrative example fuel cell device includes a cell stack assembly of a plurality of fuel cells that each include an anode and a cathode. A pressure plate is situated near one end of the cell stack assembly. An intermediate component is situated between the end of the cell stack assembly and the pressure plate. The intermediate component includes a porous material in at least two fluid reservoirs and a barrier between the two fluid reservoirs to prevent fluid communication between the reservoirs.

Abstract: An illustrative example fuel cell assembly includes a plurality of cells respectively including at least an electrolyte layer, an anode flow plate on one side of the electrolyte layer, and a cathode flow plate on an opposite side of the electrolyte layer. At least one cooler is situated adjacent a first one of the cells. The cooler is closer to that first one of the cells than it is to a second one of the cells. The cathode flow plates respectively include a plurality of flow channels and the anode flow plates respectively include a plurality of flow channels. The anode flow plates respectively include some of the flow channels in a condensation zone of the fuel cell assembly. The flow channels of the anode flow plate in the condensation zone of the first one of the cells have a first flow capacity. The flow channels of the anode flow plate of the second one of the cells that are in the condensation zone have a second flow capacity. The second flow capacity is greater than the first flow capacity.

Abstract: An illustrative example fuel cell component includes an electrode substrate including a plurality of pores. A first portion of the substrate includes a liquid electrolyte absorbing material in at least some of the pores in the first portion. Those pores respectively have a first unoccupied pore volume. Pores in a second portion of the substrate respectively have a second unoccupied pore volume. The first unoccupied pore volume is less than the second unoccupied pore volume.

Abstract: An illustrative example fuel cell electrolyte management device includes a first component having a first density and a second component having a second density that is less than the first density. The first component has a first side including a pocket and a second side facing opposite the first side. The second side of the first component includes a first plurality of fluid flow channels. The second component has a porosity configured for storing electrolyte in the second component. The second component fits within the pocket. The second component has a first side received directly against the first side of the first component. The second component has a second side including a second plurality of fluid flow channels.

Abstract: An end-cooler assembly for a fuel cell includes a cooler having a coolant tube array. A composite material includes flake graphite and hydrophobic polymer. The composite material surrounds the coolant tube array and provides a first side. A flow field is formed in the first side. A thermal dam is embedded in and is entirely surrounded by the composite material. The thermal dam is arranged between the coolant tube array and the flow field. The coolant tube array, composite material, flow field and thermal dam comprise a unitary, monolithic structure bound together by the composite material.

Abstract: An illustrative example fuel cell electrolyte management device includes a first component having a first density and a second component having a second density that is less than the first density. The first component has a first side including a pocket and a second side facing opposite the first side. The second side of the first component includes a first plurality of fluid flow channels. The second component has a porosity configured for storing electrolyte in the second component. The second component fits within the pocket. The second component has a first side received directly against the first side of the first component. The second component has a second side including a second plurality of fluid flow channels.

Abstract: An end-cooler assembly for a fuel cell includes a cooler having a coolant tube array. A composite material includes flake graphite and hydrophobic polymer. The composite material surrounds the coolant tube array and provides a first side. A flow field is formed in the first side. A thermal dam is embedded in and is entirely surrounded by the composite material. The thermal dam is arranged between the coolant tube array and the flow field. The coolant tube array, composite material, flow field and thermal dam comprise a unitary, monolithic structure bound together by the composite material.