Abstract: A electrochemical cell system includes a fluid manifold having a layered structure. The fluid manifold includes at least one conduit layer having a first side and a second side. The at least one conduit layer has at least one conduit channel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a strap mounted energy supply. The strap mounted energy supply includes a strap and one or more energy components. The strap is configured to couple to an electronic device, and the more energy components are conformably coupled with the strap. At least one of the one or more energy components is configured to supply energy to the electronic device. In various embodiments, the strap mounted energy supply is portable, is configured to externally couple to the electronic device, and/or is flexible, pliable, stretchable and/or ductile.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a fluid distribution system. The system may include one or more electrochemical cell layers, a bulk distribution manifold having an inlet, a cell layer feeding manifold in direct fluidic contact with the electrochemical cell layer and a separation layer that separates the bulk distribution manifold from the cell feeding manifold, providing at least two independent paths for fluid to flow from the bulk distribution manifold to the cell feeding manifold.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an ion-conducting membrane comprising an ion-conducting region and a non-ion-conducting region. The ion-conducting region is formed by a plurality of ion-conducting passageways that extend through the membrane. The passageways are filled with ion-conducting material and may be surrounded by non-ion conducting material. The membrane may comprise a substrate of non-ion-conducting material that is penetrated by openings, each opening providing a corresponding one of the passageways.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a portable fuel cell power source including an expandable enclosure, a first reactant contained within the enclosure, one or more fuel cells and a fluid port positioned in the expandable enclosure and adapted to be in fluidic communication with the one or more fuel cells. The enclosure may also include an opening to insert a second reactant. When the first reactant is contacted with the second reactant a fuel is generated for use with one or more of the fuel cells. The volume of the portable fuel cell power source in a collapsed state may be smaller than the volume of the amount of first reactant and second reactant needed to substantially consume the first reactant in a fuel generation reaction.

Abstract: A flexible circuit is formed from a dielectric core sheet and one or more patterned conductive sheets coupled to the dielectric core sheet. The patterned conductive sheets form conductive paths. In one embodiment, one or two flexible patterned graphite sheets are laminated onto the dielectric core sheet. Electrical contact may be established between the sheets through vias in the core.

Abstract: Fluid coupling assemblies and methods are discussed. The fluid coupling assemblies include a first coupling member, a second coupling member magnetically engageable with the first coupling member, and a seal member disposed between a portion of the first coupling member and a portion of the second coupling member. A magnetic engagement of the first coupling member and the second coupling member unseals a fluid flow path therebetween. In certain examples, the first coupling member is sealed by a valve member and the second coupling member includes an activation member. When engaged, the valve member is moved from a closed position to an open position by the activation member, thereby unsealing the fluid flow path. A magnetic force between the first coupling member and the second coupling member can be chosen such that the members disengage when a predetermined fluid flow path pressure is reached.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an ion-conducting membrane comprising an ion-conducting region and a non-ion-conducting region. The ion-conducting region is formed by a plurality of ion-conducting passageways that extend through the membrane. The passageways are filled with ion-conducting material and may be surrounded by non-ion conducting material. The membrane may comprise a substrate of non-ion-conducting material that is penetrated by openings, each opening providing a corresponding one of the passageways.

Abstract: A power plant (10) includes at least one fuel cell (12), a coolant loop (18) including a freeze tolerant accumulator (22) for storing and separating a water immiscible fluid and water coolant, a direct contact heat exchanger (56) for mixing the water immiscible fluid and the water coolant within a mixing region (72) of the heat exchanger (56), a coolant pump (21) for circulating the coolant through the coolant loop (18), a radiator loop (84) for circulating the water immiscible fluid through the heat exchanger (56), a radiator (86) for removing heat from the coolant, and a direct contact heat exchanger by-pass system (200). The plant (10) utilizes the water immiscible fluid during steady-state operation to cool the fuel cell and during shut down of the plant to displace water from the fuel cell (12) to the freeze tolerant accumulator (22).

Abstract: A method for operating a passive, air-breathing fuel cell system is described. In one embodiment, the system comprises one or more fuel cells, and a closed fuel plenum connected to a fuel supply. In some embodiments of the method, the fuel cell cathodes are exposed to ambient air, and the fuel is supplied to the anodes via the fuel plenum at a pressure greater than that of the ambient air.

Abstract: A fuel cell system including, among other things, one or more of a fuel cell, a fuel reservoir, a current collecting circuit, a plenum, or a system cover. The fuel reservoir is configured to store fuel, and may include a regulator for controlling an output fuel pressure and a refueling port. A surface of the fuel reservoir may be positioned adjacent a first fuel cell portion. The current collecting circuit is configured to receive and distribute fuel cell power and may be positioned adjacent a second fuel cell portion. The plenum may be formed when the fuel reservoir and the first fuel cell portion are coupled or by one or more flexible fuel cell walls. The system cover allows air into the system and when combined when a fuel pressure in the plenum, may urge contact between the fuel cell and the current collecting circuit.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an ion-conducting membrane comprising an ion-conducting region and a non-ion-conducting region. The ion-conducting region is formed by a plurality of ion-conducting passageways that extend through the membrane. The passageways are filled with ion-conducting material and may be surrounded by non-ion conducting material. The membrane may comprise a substrate of non-ion-conducting material that is penetrated by openings, each opening providing a corresponding one of the passageways.

Abstract: A fuel cell has an ion-conducting membrane comprising an ion-conducting region and a non-ion-conducting region. The ion-conducting region is formed by a plurality of ion-conducting passageways that extend through the membrane. The passageways are filled with ion-conducting material and may be surrounded by non-ion conducting material. The membrane may comprise a substrate of non-ion-conducting material that is penetrated by openings, each opening providing a corresponding one of the passageways.

Abstract: A freeze tolerant fuel cell power plant (10) includes at least one fuel cell (12), a coolant loop (18) including a freeze tolerant accumulator (22) for storing and separating a water immiscible fluid and water coolant or water component, a direct contact heat exchanger (56) for mixing the water immiscible fluid and the water coolant within a mixing region (72) of the heat exchanger (56), a coolant pump (21) for circulating the coolant through the coolant loop (18), a radiator loop (84) for circulating the water immiscible fluid through the heat exchanger (56), and a radiator (86) for removing heat from the coolant. The plant (10) utilizes the water immiscible fluid during steady-state operation to cool the fuel cell and during shut down of the plant to displace water from the fuel cell (12) to the freeze tolerant accumulator (22).

Abstract: A freeze tolerant fuel cell power plant (10) includes at least one fuel cell (12), a coolant loop (18) including a freeze tolerant accumulator (22) for storing and separating a water immiscible fluid and water coolant, a direct contact heat exchanger (56) for mixing the water immiscible fluid and the water coolant within a mixing region (72) of the heat exchanger (56), a coolant pump (21) for circulating the coolant through the coolant loop (18), a radiator loop (84) for circulating the water immiscible fluid through the heat exchanger (56), and a radiator (86) for removing heat from the coolant. The plant (10) utilizes the water immiscible fluid during steady-state operation to cool the fuel cell and during shut down of the plant to displace water from the fuel cell (12) to the freeze tolerant accumulator (22).

Abstract: A performance enhancing break-in method for a proton exchange membrane (“PEM”) fuel cell (12) includes cycling potentials of an anode electrode (14) and a cathode electrode (16) from a first potential to a second potential and back to the first potential, and repeating the cycling for each electrode (14, 16) for at least two electrode cycles. The potential cycling may be achieved in a first embodiment by applying a direct current from a programmable direct current power source (80) to the electrodes. Alternatively the potential cycling may be achieved by varying reactants to which the anode and cathode electrodes (14, 16) are exposed.

Abstract: Fuel cell components provide fuel cells on a flexible sheet that defines a wall of a flexible plenum. An external support structure limits expansion of the plenum in response to forces exerted by a pressurized reactant. The external support structure may comprise a portion of a housing of a portable device. Cathodes of the fuel cells may be accessible from an outside of the flexible sheet and exposed to ambient air while anodes of the fuel cell are accessible from an inside of the flexible sheet and exposed to a fuel, such as hydrogen gas.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an ion-conducting membrane comprising an ion-conducting region and a non-ion-conducting region. The ion-conducting region is formed by a plurality of ion-conducting passageways that extend through the membrane. The passageways are filled with ion-conducting material and may be surrounded by non-ion conducting material. The membrane may comprise a substrate of non-ion-conducting material that is penetrated by openings, each opening providing a corresponding one of the passageways.

Abstract: A fuel cell has an ion-conducting membrane comprising an ion-conducting region and a non-ion-conducting region. The ion-conducting region is formed by a plurality of ion-conducting passageways that extend through the membrane. The passageways are filled with ion-conducting material and may be surrounded by non-ion conducting material. The membrane may comprise a substrate of non-ion-conducting material that is penetrated by openings, each opening providing a corresponding one of the passageways.

Abstract: A freeze tolerant fuel cell power plant (10) includes at least one fuel cell (12), a coolant loop (42) having a porous water transport plate (44) secured in a heat and mass exchange relationship with the fuel cell (12) and a coolant pump (46) for circulating a coolant through the plate (44) and for transferring water into or out of the plate (44) with the coolant. A coolant heat exchanger (52) removes heat from the coolant, and an accumulator (66) stores the coolant and fuel cell product water and directs the product water out of the accumulator (66). The coolant is a two-component mixed coolant liquid circulating through the coolant loop (42) consisting of between 80 and 95 volume percent of a low freezing temperature water immiscible fluid component and between 5 and 20 volume percent of a water component.