Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the conditioning of membrane electrode assemblies for fuel cells in which the output of the membrane electrode assemblies used can be increased and therefore the efficiency of the resulting polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells can be improved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the conditioning of membrane electrode assemblies for fuel cells in which the output of the membrane electrode assemblies used can be increased and therefore the efficiency of the resulting polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells can be improved.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly comprising two electrode separated by a polymer electrolyte membrane wherein the surfaces of the membrane are in contact with the electrodes so that the first electrode partially or totally covers the front of the membrane and the second electrode partially or totally covers the back of the membrane; two gasket layers wherein the first gasket layer partially covers the front of the membrane and/or the first electrode and the second gasket layer partially covers the back of the membrane and/or the second electrode the assembly also comprises a second gasket material on the front of the first gasket layer and on the back of the second gasket layer; each of the gasket layers comprises at least one recess; the second gasket material on the front of the first gasket layer is in contact with the second gasket material on the back of the second gasket layer.

Abstract: A membrane-electrode unit includes two diffusion layers, each layer being in contact with a catalyst layer and the layers separated by a polymer electrolyte membrane. A polymer frame contacts at least one of the two surfaces of the membrane. The frame includes an inner region on at least one surface of the membrane and an outer region outside the diffusion layer. The thickness of the outer region is between 50 and 100% of the thickness of the inner region. The thickness of the outer region is reduced by a maximum 2% at a temperature of 80° C. and a pressure of 10 N/mm over a period of 5 hours, the reduction being determined after a first compression process, carried out at a pressure of 10 N/mm for 1 minute.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning a surface of at least one object (39) that extends in the XY plane, comprising at least one movable base plate (1) with a surface extending in the XY plane, above the base plate (1) in the Z direction, at least one mask (3) with at least one aperture (5), the mask (3) and the aperture (5) respectively extending in the XY plane, at least one means (25) for moving the base plate (1) in a first direction within the XY plane, at least one means (27) for moving the base plate (1) in a second direction within the XY plane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane-electrode unit comprising a) two electrochemically active electrodes divided by a polymer electrolytic membrane, wherein the surfaces of said polymer electrolytic membrane are in contact with the electrodes in such a way that the first electrode partially or entirely covers the front side of the polymer electrolytic membrane and the second electrode partially or entirely covers the rear side thereof, b) a sealing material is applied to the front and rear sides of the polymer electrolytic membrane, wherein the polymer electrolytic membrane is provided with one or several recesses and the sealing material applied to the front side of the polymer electrolytic membrane is in contact with the sealing material applied to the rear side thereof. A method for producing said membrane-electrode unit and fuel cells provided therewith are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane electrode assembly comprising a) two electrochemically active electrodes (1, 3) separated by a polymer electrolyte membrane (5) wherein the surfaces of the polymer electrolyte membrane (5) are in contact with the electrodes (1, 3) in such a way that the first electrode (1) partially or totally covers the front of the polymer electrolyte membrane (5) and the second electrode (3) partially or totally covers the back of the polymer electrolyte membrane (5); b) two gasket layers (15, 17) made of a first gasket material wherein the first gasket layer (15) partially covers the front of the polymer electrolyte membrane (5) and/or the first electrode (1) and the second gasket layer (17) partially covers the back of the polymer electrolyte membrane (5) and/or the second electrode (3); wherein the membrane electrode assembly also comprises a second gasket material (7, 9) on the front of the first gasket layer (15) and on the back of the second gasket layer (17); each of the g

Abstract: Fixtures and methods of using fixtures to facilitate the fabrication of devices having thin films, for example, gasketed components of fuel-cell membrane electrode assemblies, are disclosed. In one aspect, the fixture comprises a plate having an aperture and means for mounting a thin film to the plate wherein the thin film at least partially obstructs the aperture and wherein the thin film provides a surface for mounting at least one component of a device. Another aspect is a fixture for facilitating the fabrication of a fuel-cell membrane electrode assembly which includes a plate having an aperture and means for mounting a gasket to the plate wherein the gasket at least partially obstructs the aperture and wherein the gasket provides a surface for mounting at least one electrode for a fuel-cell membrane electrode assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling thin films, for example, for handling and assembling membranes in fuel cell electrodes. The apparatus includes a translatable vacuum table for mounting the thin film, a perforated drum having a source of vacuum for removing the thin film from the vacuum table, and a transfer assembly having a perforated surface and a source of vacuum for transferring the thin film from the perforated drum to a target location. When the thin films are provided in containers, the apparatus may also include means for opening the containers to access the thin film within. Removal of the thin film from the transfer assembly may be aided by a thin film release device, for example, a plurality of moveable wires. The apparatus may be automated, for example, the apparatus may included automated controllers and robotic arms to facilitate the handling of thin film materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane-electrode unit comprising a) two electrochemically active electrodes divided by a polymer electrolytic membrane, wherein the surfaces of said polymer electrolytic membrane are in contact with the electrodes in such a way that the first electrode partially or entirely covers the front side of the polymer electrolytic membrane and the second electrode partially or entirely covers the rear side thereof, b) a sealing material is applied to the front and rear sides of the polymer electrolytic membrane, wherein the polymer electrolytic membrane is provided with one or several recesses and the sealing material applied to the front side of the polymer electrolytic membrane is in contact with the sealing material applied to the rear side thereof. A method for producing said membrane-electrode unit and fuel cells provided therewith are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane-electrode unit comprising two gas diffusion layers, each layer being in contact with a catalyst layer and said gas diffusion layers being separated by a polymer electrolyte membrane. A polymer frame is provided on at least one of the two surfaces of the polymer electrolyte membrane that are in contact with the catalyst layer. Said polymer frame comprises an inner region that lies on at least one surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane and an outer region that lies outside the gas diffusion layer. The thickness of all components of the outer region is between 50 and 100% of the thickness of all components of the inner region. The thickness of the outer region is reduced by a maximum 2% at a temperature of 80° C. and a pressure of 10 N/mm2 over a period of 5 hours, said reduction in thickness being determined after a first compression process, which is carried out at a pressure of 10 N/mm2 for 1 minute.

Abstract: Fixtures and methods of using fixtures to facilitate the fabrication of devices having thin films, for example, gasketed components of fuel-cell membrane electrode assemblies, are disclosed. In one aspect, the fixture comprises a plate having an aperture and means for mounting a thin film to the plate wherein the thin film at least partially obstructs the aperture and wherein the thin film provides a surface for mounting at least one component of a device. Another aspect is a fixture for facilitating the fabrication of a fuel-cell membrane electrode assembly which includes a plate having an aperture and means for mounting a gasket to the plate wherein the gasket at least partially obstructs the aperture and wherein the gasket provides a surface for mounting at least one electrode for a fuel-cell membrane electrode assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling thin films, for example, for handling and assembling membranes in fuel cell electrodes. The apparatus includes a translatable vacuum table for mounting the thin film, a perforated drum having a source of vacuum for removing the thin film from the vacuum table, and a transfer assembly having a perforated surface and a source of vacuum for transferring the thin film from the perforated drum to a target location. When the thin films are provided in containers, the apparatus may also include means for opening the containers to access the thin film within. Removal of the thin film from the transfer assembly may be aided by a thin film release device, for example, a plurality of moveable wires. The apparatus may be automated, for example, the apparatus may included automated controllers and robotic arms to facilitate the handling of thin film materials.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling thin films, for example, for handling and assembling membranes in fuel cell electrodes. The apparatus includes a translatable vacuum table for mounting the thin film, a perforated drum having a source of vacuum for removing the thin film from the vacuum table, and a transfer assembly having a perforated surface and a source of vacuum for transferring the thin film from the perforated drum to a target location. When the thin films are provided in containers, the apparatus may also include means for opening the containers to access the thin film within. Removal of the thin film from the transfer assembly may be aided by a thin film release device, for example, a plurality of moveable wires. The apparatus may be automated, for example, the apparatus may included automated controllers and robotic arms to facilitate the handling of thin film materials.