Abstract: An elementary module including an oxidation unit for generating electrons by oxidizing a fuel with an oxidant, an anode and cathode sandwiching an electrolytic membrane, an anode block including a fuel transporter support for transporting an anode feed flow containing the fuel to an anode chamber and an anode electron collector attached to the fuel transporter support, a cathode block including an oxidant transporter support for transporting a cathode feed flow containing the oxidant to a cathode chamber and a cathode electron collector attached to the oxidant transporter support, the elementary module defining the anode chamber, respectively, the cathode chamber, between the oxidation unit and the fuel transporter support, respectively, the oxidant transporter support, the anode electron collector, respectively, the cathode electron collector and the oxidation unit being attached by bonding and electrically connected by means of an anode conductive bridge, respectively, a cathode conductive bridge, containin

Abstract: A fuel cell including a plurality of elementary modules stacked on each other, at least one of the elementary modules including an oxidation unit generating electrons by oxidation of a fuel with an oxidant, an anode block including a fuel transporter support, for transporting an anode feed flow containing the fuel to an anode chamber, onto which is attached an anode electron collector, a cathode block including an oxidant transporter support, for transporting a cathode feed flow containing the oxidant to a cathode chamber, onto which is attached a cathode electron collector, the elementary module defining the anode chamber, respectively, the cathode chamber between the oxidation unit and the fuel transporter support, respectively, the oxidant transporter support, and being such that, prior to the assembly of the elementary module in said plurality, the anode block, respectively, the cathode block and the oxidation unit are attached to each other.

Abstract: A fuel cell including a plurality of elementary modules stacked on each other, at least one of the elementary modules including an oxidation unit generating electrons by oxidation of a fuel with an oxidant, an anode block including a fuel transporter support, for transporting an anode feed flow containing the fuel to an anode chamber, onto which is attached an anode electron collector, a cathode block including an oxidant transporter support, for transporting a cathode feed flow containing the oxidant to a cathode chamber, onto which is attached a cathode electron collector, the elementary module defining the anode chamber, respectively, the cathode chamber between the oxidation unit and the fuel transporter support, respectively, the oxidant transporter support, and being such that, prior to the assembly of the elementary module in said plurality, the anode block, respectively, the cathode block and the oxidation unit are attached to each other.

Abstract: An elementary module including an oxidation unit for generating electrons by oxidizing a fuel with an oxidant, an anode and cathode sandwiching an electrolytic membrane, an anode block including a fuel transporter support for transporting an anode feed flow containing the fuel to an anode chamber and an anode electron collector attached to the fuel transporter support, a cathode block including an oxidant transporter support for transporting a cathode feed flow containing the oxidant to a cathode chamber and a cathode electron collector attached to the oxidant transporter support, the elementary module defining the anode chamber, respectively, the cathode chamber, between the oxidation unit and the fuel transporter support, respectively, the oxidant transporter support, the anode electron collector, respectively, the cathode electron collector and the oxidation unit being attached by bonding and electrically connected by means of an anode conductive bridge, respectively, a cathode conductive bridge, containin

Abstract: Fabrication method of a fuel cell comprising the following successive steps: providing a substrate comprising: at least one membrane-electrode assembly, formed by an electrolytic membrane arranged between a first electrode and a second electrode, a first current collector arranged on the first electrode, depositing a fluoropolymer solution on the first current collector, making the solvent of the solution evaporate so as to form a porous thin layer of fluoropolymer.

Abstract: Described herein are articles, systems, and methods relating to fuel cell systems that include anode chambers with variable volumes. The volume of the anode chamber may be relatively small or essentially zero upon start up to prevent influx of contaminants that would have to be purged from the system. As fuel is directed into the anode chamber, the chamber volume increases to accommodate the flow of fuel.

Abstract: The fuel cell includes an anode chamber having a hydrogen inlet emerging into it. A wall separating the inside of the anode chamber from the outside thereof includes a main region having a first thermal conduction resistance between the outside and the inside of the anode chamber, and a region for promoting the condensation of water having a second thermal conduction resistance between the outside and the inside of the anode chamber strictly smaller than the first thermal conduction resistance so as to delimit a water condensation surface within the anode chamber. A channel for removing the condensed water connects the condensation area to the outside of the anode chamber.

Abstract: Fabrication method of a fuel cell comprising the following successive steps: providing a substrate comprising: at least one membrane-electrode assembly, formed by an electrolytic membrane arranged between a first electrode and a second electrode, a first current collector arranged on the first electrode, depositing a fluoropolymer solution on the first current collector, making the solvent of the solution evaporate so as to form a porous thin layer of fluoropolymer.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, articles, and systems relating to planar fuel cells having simplified structures. The planar fuel cells include current collection circuits that are disposed between a planar array of unit fuel cells and associated cover layers. The associated cover layers are porous, dielectric, and define a network of interconnected pores.

Abstract: Described herein are articles, systems, and methods relating to fuel cell systems that include anode chambers with variable volumes. The volume of the anode chamber may be relatively small or essentially zero upon start up to prevent influx of contaminants that would have to be purged from the system. As fuel is directed into the anode chamber, the chamber volume increases to accommodate the flow of fuel.

Abstract: Adjacent elementary cells are connected in series by connecting elements, each of which is arranged in an interconnection area. The connecting elements are separated from the respective electrolytic membranes of the two adjacent cells to be connected thereby. In this way, they are never in contact with these electrolytic membranes. For one of the two cells, the connecting element is separated from the electrolytic membrane by an empty space, whereas for the other cell, it is separated from the electrolytic membrane by a thin barrier layer designed to act as buffer area for variations in volume of said membrane when the cell is in operation. The thin barrier layer is formed by a polymer material having a lower water absorption capacity than that of the polymer material constituting the electrolytic membrane of the cell.

Abstract: The fuel cell includes an anode chamber having a hydrogen inlet emerging into it. A wall separating the inside of the anode chamber from the outside thereof includes a main region having a first thermal conduction resistance between the outside and the inside of the anode chamber, and a region for promoting the condensation of water having a second thermal conduction resistance between the outside and the inside of the anode chamber strictly smaller than the first thermal conduction resistance so as to delimit a water condensation surface within the anode chamber. A channel for removing the condensed water connects the condensation area to the outside of the anode chamber.

Abstract: The catalyst thin layer consists of electronically conductive catalyst nano-particles embedded in a polymeric matrix. The ratio number of catalyst atoms/total number of atoms in the catalyst layer is comprised between 40% and 90%, more preferably between 50% and 60%.

Abstract: Adjacent elementary cells are connected in series by connecting elements, each of which is arranged in an interconnection area. The connecting elements are separated from the respective electrolytic membranes of the two adjacent cells to be connected thereby. In this way, they are never in contact with these electrolytic membranes. For one of the two cells, the connecting element is separated from the electrolytic membrane by an empty space, whereas for the other cell, it is separated from the electrolytic membrane by a thin barrier layer designed to act as buffer area for variations in volume of said membrane when the cell is in operation. The thin barrier layer is formed by a polymer material having a lower water absorption capacity than that of the polymer material constituting the electrolytic membrane of the cell.

Abstract: A water detection device comprising at least one fuel cell comprising a first electrode, a layer of electrolyte, a second electrode and an electrical measurement device characterized in that the first electrode of the cell is in contact with a first face of a porous silicon substrate comprising Si—H bonds, in such a manner as to liberate a flow of hydrogen in the presence of water. Advantageously, the substrate of porous silicon is incorporated into a first housing permeable to water, the fuel cell being incorporated into a second housing said second housing being impermeable to water and permeable to oxygen.

Abstract: The catalyst thin layer consists of electronically conductive catalyst nano-particles embedded in a polymeric matrix. The ratio number of catalyst atoms/total number of atoms in the catalyst layer is comprised between 40% and 90%, more preferably between 50% and 60%.