Abstract: A hydrogen generator includes a solid hydrogen source.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator includes a housing, a solid hydrogen source disposed within the housing, and an inlet configured to guide a fluid to contact the solid hydrogen source. The inlet can contact a wicking region. The wicking region can include a wicking material that has an affinity for the fluid. The wieking material can include a hydrophilic material. The housing can include a hydrogen gas outlet. The hydrogen generator can include an end cap at one end of the housing including the inlet and the hydrogen gas outlet. The hydrogen gas outlet can include a gas permeable membrane. The inlet can be fluidly connected to a fluid control system configured to control fluid flow rate to the solid hydrogen source. The generator can be portable.

Abstract: Fuel cell systems, as well as related components and methods, are disclosed.

Abstract: A cartridge includes a first housing, a second housing within the first housing, and a colorant. The first housing has an interior surface and an exterior surface, and the second housing contains an alcohol fuel or a hydrocarbon fuel and has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The colorant is supported by at least a portion of the interior surface of the first housing.

Abstract: Fuel sources, fuel cells and methods of operating fuel cells are disclosed.

Abstract: Fuel compositions, methods of making the compositions, and fuel cell systems including a fuel composition are disclosed. In some embodiments, a fuel composition includes a polymer, and a fuel such as methanol, wherein the composition has a hardness of at least about 2 grams peak force, as determined by penetration test using a texture analyzer.

Abstract: Systems and methods of recycling water from the cathode based on passive water transport mechanisms are described. These systems and methods allow water to be recycled in a fuel cell without moving components and without using power. In addition, these systems and methods allow a water recycling system to be implemented in a fuel cell system with a relatively small form factor, such as a portable fuel cell system. In one aspect, a fuel cell system includes a fuel cell and a mixing chamber. The fuel cell has an anode side and a cathode side. The mixing chamber has a recycled water input port that is coupled to the cathode side of the fuel cell, a fuel input port, and a hydrated fuel output port that is coupled to the anode side of the fuel cell.

Abstract: An arrangement for a direct methanol fuel cell includes a fuel cartridge that supplies a source of fuel to the direct methanol fuel cell. The fuel cartridge has a surface area enhanced planar vaporization membrane residing in the fuel cartridge. The arrangement also includes a fuel reservoir that receives fuel from the fuel cartridge, the fuel reservoir arranged to deliver fuel to the fuel cell. The fuel reservoir also including a surface area enhanced planar vaporization membrane residing in the fuel reservoir. The combination of the surface area enhanced planar vaporization membranes residing in the fuel cartridge and reservoir provides a dual stage vaporization of fuel to the fuel cell. Other features included are passive or active arrangements to increase the temperature of the fuel or reduce pressure in the fuel container to enhance rate of vaporization.

Abstract: An arrangement for a direct methanol fuel cell includes a fuel cartridge that supplies a source of fuel to the direct methanol fuel cell. The fuel cartridge has a surface area enhanced planar vaporization membrane residing in the fuel cartridge. The arrangement also includes a fuel reservoir that receives fuel from the fuel cartridge, the fuel reservoir arranged to deliver fuel to the fuel cell. The fuel reservoir also including a surface area enhanced planar vaporization membrane residing in the fuel reservoir. The combination of the surface area enhanced planar vaporization membranes residing in the fuel cartridge and reservoir provides a dual stage vaporization of fuel to the fuel cell. Other features included are passive or active arrangements to increase the temperature of the fuel or reduce pressure in the fuel container to enhance rate of vaporization.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator includes a solid hydrogen source.

Abstract: A fuel cell is integrated with an optical navigation device to extend operational lifetime. A water recycling fuel cell is used to reduce fuel requirements to allow operation of a remote optical navigation device together with a computer on the order of six months or more.

Abstract: Systems and methods of recycling water from the cathode based on passive water transport mechanisms are described. These systems and methods allow water to be recycled in a fuel cell without moving components and without using power. In addition, these systems and methods allow a water recycling system to be implemented in a fuel cell system with a relatively small form factor, such as a portable fuel cell system. In one aspect, a fuel cell system includes a fuel cell and a mixing chamber. The fuel cell has an anode side and a cathode side. The mixing chamber has a recycled water input port that is coupled to the cathode side of the fuel cell, a fuel input port, and a hydrated fuel output port that is coupled to the anode side of the fuel cell.

Abstract: Systems and methods of chemical sensing in fuel cell systems are described. In one aspect, a replaceable sacrificial sensor system includes an input that is configured to be coupled to a fuel stream delivery system, two or more sacrificial chemical sensor fuel cells, and a manifold that is configured to selectively couple the sacrificial chemical sensor fuel cells to the input. In another aspect, a fuel cell system includes a main fuel cell, a fuel stream delivery system that is configured to direct a fuel stream to the main fuel cell, an oxidant stream delivery system that is configured to direct an oxidant stream to the main fuel cell, and a sensor system. The sensor system is coupled to the fuel stream delivery system at a location upstream of the main fuel cell and includes two or more sacrificial chemical sensors and a manifold that is configured to selectively couple the sacrificial chemical sensors to the fuel stream delivery system. A fuel cell monitoring method also is described.