Abstract: Electrodes and electrocatalyst layers incorporating modified carbon products. The modified carbon products may advantageously enhance the properties of an electrode or electrode layer, leading to more efficiency within the a fuel cell or similar device.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the manufacture of electrodes for fuel cells. The compositions and methods are particularly useful for the manufacture of anodes and cathodes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells, particularly direct methanol fuel cells. The methods can utilize direct-write tools to deposit ink compositions and form functional layers of a membrane electrode assembly having controlled properties and enhanced performance.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the manufacture of electrodes for fuel cells. The compositions and methods are particularly useful for the manufacture of anodes and cathodes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells, particularly direct methanol fuel cells. The methods can utilize direct-write tools to deposit ink compositions and form functional layers of a membrane electrode assembly having controlled properties and enhanced performance.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly comprises (a) a solid electrolyte polymer membrane; (b) an anode electrocatalyst layer disposed at one surface of the membrane and comprising a first electrocatalyst composition comprising carbon substrate particles and nanoparticles comprising an alloy of platinum and ruthenium disposed on the surface of the substrate particles; (c) a cathode electrocatalyst layer disposed at an opposite surface of the membrane, the cathode layer comprising a second electrocatalyst composition different from the first electrocatalyst composition and comprising carbon substrate particles and nanoparticles comprising platinum disposed on the surface of the substrate particles; and (d) gas diffusion layers disposed over each of the anode and cathode electrocatalyst layers.

Abstract: A process for preparing catalyst coated membranes and membrane electrode assemblies for use in direct methanol fuel cells is provided. Cathode and anode layers are formed by spraying catalyst-containing inks onto a novel framed electrolytic membrane to form a catalyst coated membrane. The spraying process optionally employs one or more masks, which carefully control where the catalyst-containing ink is deposited. Following application of the cathode and anode layers, diffusion layers are prepared and inserted onto the catalyst coated membranes, and pressed to form membrane electrode assemblies.

Abstract: In a method of producing an electrode comprising a layer of an electrocatalytic material on a substrate, at least one liquid medium containing a precursor to the electrocatalytic material is atomized to produce droplets containing the precursor and the droplets are entrained in a stream of carrier gas moving in a first direction. The droplets entrained in the carrier gas stream are then heated to remove the liquid medium and convert the precursor to particles of the electrocatalytic material. The electrocatalytic material particles entrained in said carrier gas stream are then brought into contact with the substrate, whereby the electrocatalytic particles are separated from the carrier gas and collected on the substrate. By imparting relative movement between the substrate and the carrier gas stream in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction a continuous layer of the electrocatalytic material can be progressively deposited on the substrate.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the manufacture of electrodes for fuel cells. The compositions and methods are particularly useful for the manufacture of anodes and cathodes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells, particularly direct methanol fuel cells. The methods can utilize direct-write tools to deposit ink compositions and form functional layers of a membrane electrode assembly having controlled properties and enhanced performance.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the manufacture of electrodes for fuel cells. The compositions and methods are particularly useful for the manufacture of anodes and cathodes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells, particularly direct methanol fuel cells. The methods can utilize direct-write tools to deposit ink compositions and form functional layers of a membrane electrode assembly having controlled properties and enhanced performance.

Abstract: Fuels cells, electrode assemblies, and electrodes that comprise silicon and/or sol-gel derived support structures, as well as to methods relating thereto, are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to an electrode assembly adapted for use with a fuel cell comprises: an anode derived from a first planar silicon substrate; an electrolyte; a cathode derived from a second planar silicon substrate; wherein the anode and the cathode are parallel to each other and separated by an interstitial region comprising the electrolyte. In another embodiment, the invention is directed to electrode adapted for use with a fuel cell, wherein the electrode comprises a silicon substrate that functions as a current conductor, wherein the silicon substrate has a plurality of pores that define pore surfaces, wherein at least a portion of the pore surfaces have a catalyst thereon, wherein the catalyst is derived from one or more metallic precursors chemisorbed onto at least the pore surfaces.

Abstract: A rectangular shaped cutting tool having an upwardly, forwardly and sidewise opening V-shaped recess formed in one side face, with the edges of the V being uniformly sloped to form an acute angle with the inner wall of the recess, and a replaceable triangular shaped cutting insert formed of a hard, brittle metal, having its edges bevelled to correspond to the slope of said edges, vertically positioned in the recess and jammed downwardly and against the recess inner wall by both an upper releasable clamp and by cutting forces upon the exposed cutting corner of the insert. The uniform slope of the recess edges and its three openings permit the interchangeable use of inserts which are inaccurate or slightly variable in thickness and edge length. The improvement wherein the insert edges are bevelled from its opposite faces to define a cental raised ridge along its edges, rather than from one side, to allow the insert to be used in either left or right hand insert holders interchaneably.