Abstract: A fuel cell includes a fuel cell stacked body in which a plurality of fuel cells are stacked in a first direction, a pair of end plates which sandwiches the fuel cell stacked body in the first direction, and a load measurement unit that is disposed between at least one of the pair of end plates and the fuel cell stacked body, and detects an electrode load, which acts on a power generation surface of the fuel cells, in the first direction. The load measurement unit includes a first conductive material, second conducive materials between which the first conductive material is interposed in the first direction, and which include a contact portion that is in contact with the first conductive material, and a detection unit that detects a voltage drop between the second conductive materials, which face each other in the first direction, with the first conductive material interposed therebetween.

Abstract: To provide a metal separator for fuel cells that can equalize the wet environment of a membrane electrode assembly and a manufacturing method thereof. A metal separator for fuel cells and a manufacturing method thereof are characterized in that, a first separator (14) made of metal, which is layered in a membrane electrode assembly (12) to which a pair of electrodes is provided on both sides of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane (120), is formed into a corrugated sheet shape having convex parts and concaved parts, a noble metal thin film (147) is formed on a convex part (145) of the first separator (14), and holes (148) through which the first separator (14) is exposed are formed in the noble metal thin film (147).

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a fuel cell stacked body in which a plurality of fuel cells are stacked in a first direction, a pair of end plates which sandwiches the fuel cell stacked body in the first direction, and a load measurement unit that is disposed between at least one of the pair of end plates and the fuel cell stacked body, and detects an electrode load, which acts on a power generation surface of the fuel cells, in the first direction. The load measurement unit includes a first conductive material, second conducive materials between which the first conductive material is interposed in the first direction, and which include a contact portion that is in contact with the first conductive material, and a detection unit that detects a voltage drop between the second conductive materials, which face each other in the first direction, with the first conductive material interposed therebetween.

Abstract: A first metal separator and an electrolyte electrode assembly are stacked in a fuel cell. The first metal separator comprises a convex portion that abuts against the electrolyte electrode assembly, and a concave portion forming an oxygen-containing gas flow channel between the electrolyte electrode assembly and the concave portion. A gold coating layer is formed on the convex portion. The gold coating layer includes a main gold coating portion and a reticulate gold coating portion that extends around the main gold coating portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel cell separator and a method of producing the fuel cell separator. A first separator and a second separator are provided as the fuel cell separators. Firstly, the first separator and the second separator are heated. Thus, an Fe rich layer is formed in a surface layer of each of the first separator and the second separator, and a Cr rich layer where a proportion of Cr is 60% or more is formed in an inner portion of each of the first separator and the second separator. Then, an electrolytic treatment is applied to each of the first separator and the second separator to remove the Fe rich layer. By the removal, the Cr rich layer is exposed to the outside on the outermost surface layer of each of the first separator and the second separator.

Abstract: To provide a metal separator for fuel cells that can equalize the wet environment of a membrane electrode assembly and a manufacturing method thereof. A metal separator for fuel cells and a manufacturing method thereof are characterized in that, a first separator (14) made of metal, which is layered in a membrane electrode assembly (12) to which a pair of electrodes is provided on both sides of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane (120), is formed into a corrugated sheet shape having convex parts and concaved parts, a noble metal thin film (147) is formed on a convex part (145) of the first separator (14), and holes (148) through which the first separator (14) is exposed are formed in the noble metal thin film (147).

Abstract: A first metal separator and an electrolyte electrode assembly are stacked in a fuel cell. The first metal separator comprises a convex portion that abuts against the electrolyte electrode assembly, and a concave portion forming an oxygen-containing gas flow channel between the electrolyte electrode assembly and the concave portion. A gold coating layer is formed on the convex portion. The gold coating layer includes a main gold coating portion and a reticulate gold coating portion that extends around the main gold coating portion.

Abstract: A stop method for a fuel cell system including a fuel cell unit in which hydrogen is supplied to an anode, and air is supplied to a cathode so as to generate electrical power via an electrochemical reaction. The stop method includes the steps of stopping supply of hydrogen to the anode, electrically connecting the anode and the cathode via an electrical load, and supplying air to the anode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell having a layered structure, including: a membrane electrode assembly having a fuel electrode, an oxidation electrode, and an electrolyte membrane held between the fuel electrode and the oxidation electrode; and stainless steel separators holding the membrane electrode assembly therebetween. The stainless steel separator contains Cr and Fe; the Cr concentration by mass % by mass ratio of Cr to Fe at the separator surface facing the fuel electrode is from 0.7 to 1.3; and the Cr concentration by mass % by mass ratio of Cr to Fe at the separator surface facing the oxidation electrode is less than 0.7.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metallic separator for fuel cells capable of suppressing dropping out of conductive inclusions due to gaps formed at the interface of a base material and the conductive inclusions due to press-forming, thereby decreasing the contact resistance and enhancing the power generation performance, and also provides a method for producing the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metallic separator for fuel cells capable of suppressing dropping out of conductive inclusions due to gaps formed at the interface of a base material and the conductive inclusions due to press-forming, thereby decreasing the contact resistance and enhancing the power generation performance, and also provides a method for producing the same.

Abstract: A terminal plate, an insulating plate, and an end plate are stacked on a stack body. The terminal plate has current collectors at least at lower portions of an oxygen-containing gas supply passage, a coolant supply passage, a fuel gas discharge passage, a fuel gas supply passage, a coolant discharge passage, and an oxygen-containing gas discharge passage. The current collectors contact the water generated in the reaction or a coolant for collecting electricity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell having a layered structure, including: a membrane electrode assembly having a fuel electrode, an oxidation electrode, and an electrolyte membrane held between the fuel electrode and the oxidation electrode; and stainless steel separators holding the membrane electrode assembly therebetween. The stainless steel separator contains Cr and Fe; the Cr concentration by mass % by mass ratio of Cr to Fe at the separator surface facing the fuel electrode is from 0.7 to 1.3; and the Cr concentration by mass % by mass ratio of Cr to Fe at the separator surface facing the oxidation electrode is less than 0.7.

Abstract: A metallic separator in which falling off of the conductive inclusions projecting from a matrix surface is prevented, whereby the contact resistance is decreased, resulting in increasing the characteristics for generation of electrical energy. A metallic separator for a fuel cell comprises conductive inclusions in a metal structure, and the conductive inclusions project from a surface of a matrix to a height of 1 to 3 micrometers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel cell separator and a method of producing the fuel cell separator. A first separator and a second separator are provided as the fuel cell separators. Firstly, the first separator and the second separator are heated. Thus, an Fe rich layer is formed in a surface layer of each of the first separator and the second separator, and a Cr rich layer where a proportion of Cr is 60% or more is formed in an inner portion of each of the first separator and the second separator. Then, an electrolytic treatment is applied to each of the first separator and the second separator to remove the Fe rich layer. By the removal, the Cr rich layer is exposed to the outside on the outermost surface layer of each of the first separator and the second separator.

Abstract: A quality evaluating apparatus has an inspection table for placing a first or second metal separator, and a light-permeable plate for applying a predetermined pressure to a ridge of the first or second metal separator to deform the ridge and allowing a deformed state of the ridge to be inspected through the light-permeable plate while the predetermined pressure is being applied to the ridge. The quality evaluating apparatus also has an image capturing mechanism for capturing an image of the deformed state of the elastic member through the light-permeable plate, and a comparing mechanism for comparing the captured image with a preset image to evaluate the quality of the ridge.

Abstract: A metallic separator according to a first embodiment is formed by obtaining a blank by rolling a metallic material having conductive inclusions, and removing a surface of the blank by 2% or more of the thickness of the blank. A metallic separator according to a second embodiment is formed by pressing a metallic plate so as to have a cross section including ridges and grooves alternatively, and removing parts of the ridged portions so as to make flattened surfaces. A metallic separator having conductive inclusions in its metal texture according to a third embodiment is formed by blasting a liquid containing two or more kinds of abrasives having different particle diameters to a blank after it has been rolled. A metallic separator having conductive inclusion in its metal texture according to a fourth embodiment is formed by blasting a passivation treatment liquid mixed with abrasives to the separator.

Abstract: A metallic separator according to a first embodiment is formed by obtaining a blank by rolling a metallic material having conductive inclusions, and removing a surface of the blank by 2% or more of the thickness of the blank. A metallic separator according to a second embodiment is formed by pressing a metallic plate so as to have a cross section including ridges and grooves alternatively, and removing parts of the ridged portions so as to make flattened surfaces. A metallic separator having conductive inclusions in its metal texture according to a third embodiment is formed by blasting a liquid containing two or more kinds of abrasives having different particle diameters to a blank after it has been rolled. A metallic separator having conductive inclusion in its metal texture according to a fourth embodiment is formed by blasting a passivation treatment liquid mixed with abrasives to the separator.

Abstract: A metallic separator according to a first embodiment is formed by obtaining a blank by rolling a metallic material having conductive inclusions, and removing a surface of the blank by 2% or more of the thickness of the blank. A metallic separator according to a second embodiment is formed by pressing a metallic plate so as to have a cross section including ridges and grooves alternatively, and removing parts of the ridged portions so as to make flattened surfaces. A metallic separator having conductive inclusions in its metal texture according to a third embodiment is formed by blasting a liquid containing two or more kinds of abrasives having different particle diameters to a blank after it has been rolled. A metallic separator having conductive inclusion in its metal texture according to a fourth embodiment is formed by blasting a passivation treatment liquid mixed with abrasives to the separator.

Abstract: A metallic separator for a fuel cell has excellent corrosion resistance and contact resistance, even when a gold coating is applied directly without a surface treatment by a nickel coating. The metallic separator for a fuel cell, comprising stainless steel having a surface, can be obtained by coating at 2.3 to 94% of area rate on the surface without a surface treatment.