Patents by Inventor Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid

Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Metallic bipolar plates with high electrochemical stability and improved water management
    Patent number: 8470488
    Abstract: A flow field plate or bipolar plate for a fuel cell that includes a carbide coating that makes the bipolar plate conductive, hydrophilic and stable in the fuel cell environment. Suitable carbides include, but are not limited to, chromium carbide, titanium carbide, tantalum carbide, niobium carbide and zirconium carbide. The carbide coating is then polished or textured by a suitable process, such as laser or chemical etching, to provide a surface morphology that makes the coating more hydrophilic, and further reduces the contact resistance on its surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Gayatri Vyas, Youssef M. Mikhail, Thomas A. Trabold
  • Inexpensive approach for coating bipolar plates for PEM fuel cells
    Patent number: 8455155
    Abstract: A metallic bipolar plate for use in a fuel cell includes a metallic bipolar plate having one or more channels and a contact surface. The contact surface has a surface roughness defined by a plurality of peaks and valleys wherein at least a portion of the valleys are filled with an electrically conductive material. The contact surface is adapted to contact the anode diffusion layer or the cathode diffusion layer such that the contact resistance occurring at this surface is lower than when the electrically conductive material is not present. A fuel cell incorporating the metallic bipolar plate is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Youssef M. Mikhail, Gayatri Vyas Dadheech
  • Water management of PEM fuel cell stacks using surface active agents
    Patent number: 8431275
    Abstract: A fuel cell system that employs a surface active agent that reduces the surface tension of the water in the flow field channels. The fuel cell system includes humidifiers that humidify the cathode inlet airflow and the hydrogen anode gas. The surface active agent is mixed with the humidifying water in the humidifiers so that the surface active agent enters the flow field channels to reduce the surface tension of the water therein, thus allowing the water to wick the channels. In one non-limiting embodiment, the surface active agent is ethanol. Ruthenium can be added to the platinum in the catalyst layers of the fuel cells to mitigate the poisoning of platinum by carbon monoxide, which is one of the oxidation products of ethanol on the cathode side of the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations
    Inventors: Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Gayatri Vyas, Youssef M. Mikhail
  • Super-hydrophilic nanoporous electrically conductive coatings for PEM fuel cells
    Patent number: 8389174
    Abstract: A flow field plate or bipolar plate for a fuel cell that includes a conductive coating having formed nanopores that make the coating hydrophilic. Any suitable process can be used to form the nanopores in the coating. One process includes co-depositing a conductive material and a relatively unstable element on the plate, and then subsequently dissolving the element to remove it from the coating and create the nanopores. Another process includes using low energy ion beams for ion beam lithography to make the nanopores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gayatri Vyas, Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Youssef M. Mikhail, Thomas A. Trabold
  • Fuel cell contact element including a TiOlayer and a conductive layer
    Patent number: 8377607
    Abstract: A flow field plate or bipolar plate for a fuel cell that includes a combination of TiO2 and a conductive material that makes the bipolar plate conductive, hydrophilic and stable in the fuel cell environment. The TiO2 and the conductive material can be deposited on the plate as separate layers or can be combined as a single layer. Either the TiO2 layer or the conductive layer can be deposited first. In one embodiment, the conductive material is gold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gayatri Vyas, Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Thomas A. Trabold, Youssef M. Mikhail
  • METHOD OF APPLYING NONCONDUCTIVE CERAMICS ON LITHIUM-ION BATTERY SEPARATORS
    Publication number: 20120315384
    Abstract: Methods of coating a nonconductive oxide ceramic on lithium-ion battery separators are provided. A separator is placed in a solution of a volatile organic solvent and an organometallic compound. The separator is coated with a ceramic formed from a metal oxide component of the organometallic compound when the volatile organic solvent evaporates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Ion C. Halalay
  • SURFACE ALLOYING OF STAINLESS STEEL
    Publication number: 20120308917
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method of surface alloying stainless steel, In one embodiment, the method includes providing a stainless steel surface having an initial amount of iron and an initial amount of chromium; and preferentially removing iron from the stainless steel surface to obtain a surface having an amount of iron less than the initial amount of iron and an amount of chromium greater than the initial amount of chromium. Another aspect of the invention is a unitary stainless steel article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Gayatri Vyas Dadheech
  • Non-permeable low contact resistance shim for composite fuel cell stacks
    Patent number: 8323851
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack that includes a non-permeable shim plate positioned between a composite unipolar plate and a terminal plate at both ends of the stack, where the shim plate is made of a non-corrosive material, such as stainless steel, titanium or sealed graphite. Because the shim plate is non-permeable, it prevents cooling fluid that diffuses through the unipolar plate from contacting the terminal plate, which would otherwise corrode the terminal plate. The shim plate can be coated with a conductive material, such as gold, platinum, ruthenium oxide or mixtures thereof, to reduce its contact resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Benno Andreas-Schott, Roger M. Brisbane, Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid
  • Fast recycling process for ruthenium, gold and titanium coatings from hydrophilic PEM fuel cell bipolar plates
    Patent number: 8323415
    Abstract: A method for recovering ruthenium oxide or gold and titanium or titanium oxide from a bipolar plate at the end of the life of a fuel cell stack so as to use these materials in other fuel cell stacks thereafter. The bipolar plate is immersed in a solution including a suitable acid that dissolves the titanium or titanium oxide. The ruthenium oxide or gold will be released from the plate and will float on the solution from which it can be removed. The solution is then heated to evaporate the acid solution leaving a powder of the titanium oxide. The stainless steel of the bipolar plate is thus cleaned of the titanium or titanium oxide, and can be reused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Youssef M. Mikhail, Richard H. Blunk
  • Bipolar plate with microgrooves for improved water transport
    Patent number: 8277986
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention comprises a fuel cell bipolar plate comprising a substrate comprising a first face, a reactant gas flow field defined in the first face, the reactant gas flow field comprising a plurality of lands and channels, and a plurality of microgrooves formed in the first face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Trabold, Gayatri Vyas Dadheech, Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Yan Zhang, Keith E. Newman, Jeffrey A. Rock, Steven J. Spencer
  • Method to Enhance the Durability of Conductive Carbon Coating of PEM Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates
    Publication number: 20120237854
    Abstract: A fuel cell component includes an electrode support material made with nanofiber materials of Titania and ionomer. A bipolar plate stainless steel substrate and a carbon-containing layer doped with a metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, iridium, ruthenium, gold, palladium, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Youssef M. Mikhail, Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Gayatri Vyas Dadheech
  • Durability for the MEA and bipolar plates in PEM fuel cells using hydrogen peroxide decomposition catalysts
    Patent number: 8257883
    Abstract: A fuel cell that employs a decomposition catalyst on one or more of the membrane, bipolar plates or diffusion media layers in the fuel cell that decomposes hydrogen peroxide, and thus reduces the generation of hydroxyl free radicals. In one embodiment, the decomposition catalyst is ruthenium oxide and is deposited on the structure by various processes, such as chemical vapor deposition process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Youssef M. Mikhail, Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Gayatri Vyas
  • Metal fluid distribution plate with an adhesion promoting layer and polymeric layer
    Patent number: 8247138
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides an electrically conductive fluid distribution plate and a method of making, and system for using, the electrically conductive fluid distribution plate. In at least one embodiment, the plate comprises an electrically conductive fluid distribution plate comprising a metallic plate body defining a set of fluid flow channels configured to distribute flow of a fluid across at least one side of the plate, a metal-containing adhesion promoting layer having a thickness less than 100 nm disposed on the plate body, and a composite polymeric conductive layer disposed on the metal-containing adhesion promoting layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Feng Zhong, Richard H. Blunk
  • Selective electrochemical deposition of conductive coatings on fuel cell bipolar plates
    Patent number: 8246808
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment includes a method of selectively electroplating an electrically conductive coating on portions of a first face of a bipolar plate for use in a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. The first face of the bipolar plate defines at least one reactant gas flow channel and a plurality of lands adjacent the at least one channel. The electrically conductive coating may be selectively electroplated on a plurality of first portions of the lands leaving second portions of the lands uncoated by the electrically conductive coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Gayatri Vyas Dadheech, Youssef M. Mikhail
  • Method to enhance the durability of conductive carbon coating of PEM fuel cell bipolar plates
    Patent number: 8221934
    Abstract: A fuel cell component includes an electrode support material made with nanofiber materials of Titania and ionomer. A bipolar plate stainless steel substrate and a carbon-containing layer doped with a metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, iridium, ruthenium, gold, palladium, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Youssef M. Mikhail, Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Gayatri Vyas Dadheech
  • Method of making a stable hydrophilic coating/surface on carbon-based materials for fuel cell applications
    Patent number: 8221938
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment includes a fuel cell component having comprising a carbon chain, and a material grafted to the coating/surface, wherein the material includes ionic or polar groups. One embodiment includes composite plates which include carbon that can be activated and treated to make their surface hydrophilic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Youssef M. Mikhail, Gayatri Vyas Dadheech
  • Low-cost manganese-stabilized austenitic stainless steel alloys, bipolar plates comprising the alloys, and fuel cell systems comprising the bipolar plates
    Patent number: 8182963
    Abstract: Corrosion resistant, manganese-stabilized austenitic stainless steels with a low nickel content are used in bipolar plates, methods for fabricating the bipolar plates, and polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells comprising the bipolar plates. The bipolar plates are formed from high-manganese austenitic stainless steels comprising, in weight percents, 4.0 to 35 manganese, 0.5 to 1.5 nickel, 17 to 20 chromium, 0.2 to 0.5 nitrogen, up to 0.075 carbon, 0.5 to 1.0 silicon, up to 0.1 aluminum, 0 to 0.005 sulfur, and balance iron and incidental impurities. The steels exhibit suitable corrosion resistance, electrical contact resistance, and mechanical properties for high-corrosion applications such as use in bipolar plate materials for PEM fuel cells. The bipolar plates may comprise a solid plate of the steel, optionally coated with a highly electrically conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Arianna T. Morales
  • Bipolar plate coating architecture for fuel cells and methods of making and using the same
    Patent number: 8148035
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a method including providing a bipolar plate for a fuel cell having a reactant gas flow field defined therein by a plurality of lands and at least one channel, and depositing a low contact resistant material selectively over portions of the lands leaving portions of the lands uncovered by the low contact resistant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gayatri Vyas Dadheech, Youssef M. Mikhail, Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid
  • Adhesion of polymeric coatings to bipolar plate surfaces using silane coupling agents
    Patent number: 8133591
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrically conductive element for an electrochemical cell element having enhanced protection for an underlying metal substrate with a surface susceptible to forming metal oxides. One or more regions of the surface are coated with a metal coating overlaid with an adhesion promoting coating comprising a silicon containing material derived from organosilanes. The adhesion promoting coating is overlaid with a conductive, protective polymeric coating. The present invention further provides methods of making such an electrochemical cell element to have improved adhesion of conductive, protective polymer coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Inventors: Feng Zhong, Tao Xie, Richard H. Blunk, Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Brian K. Brady, Timothy J. Fuller
  • Development of high energy surfaces on stainless steels for improved wettability
    Patent number: 8097377
    Abstract: A bi-polar plate is provided for a fuel cell stack. The bi-polar plate has improved surface wettability. The bi-polar plate includes a body including at least approximately ninety percent by weight of a metal and defining at least one flow channel. At least about 0.05 percent and up to 100 percent by weight of silicon is disposed on a surface of the at least one flow channel to form a high energy surface to form a high energy surface for the bi-polar plate. This can be achieved by adding from 0.5 to 10 weight % silicon to the steel. The percent of silicon is pre-determined based on a desired wettability of the high energy surface of the at least one flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Inventors: Keith E. Newman, Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Charles H. Olk, Thomas A. Trabold, Gayatri Vyas