Abstract: A portable speaker incorporates a fuel cell that may be used to supply power to a computer device or audio coupled to the portable speaker. The portable speaker comprises a housing and speaker circuitry within the housing for providing an audible output. A data interface provides for data transfer to and/or from the computer device or audio. A fuel cell power source is incorporated into the portable speaker. A power interface provides power transfer to the computer device when connected thereto. A power controller is configured to supply power from the fuel cell power source to the power interface for supplying said power to said computer device or audio when connected thereto.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly comprising an enclosure having a fuel cell stack mounted therein, and an inlet opening into the enclosure. The fuel cell stack having an inlet face for receiving coolant/oxidant fluid. The fuel cell assembly further comprises a delivery gallery extending from the inlet in the enclosure to the inlet face of the fuel cell stack, the delivery gallery having a first region and a second region separated by an aperture. The delivery gallery and aperture are configured such that, in use, coolant/oxidant fluid within the first region of the delivery gallery is turbulent, and coolant/oxidant fluid within the second region of the delivery gallery has a generally uniform pressure.

Abstract: In aspects of the disclosure, a fuel cartridge wherein the fuel is in a powdered form is admixed with inert materials such as alumina or other ceramics to improve thermal conductivity. Said cartridge having fuel zones, heating zones, and controllers to selectively heat fuel zones and thereby generate hydrogen via decomposition of fuel is disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly comprising a plurality of fuel cell plates in a stack. The stack defines an air inlet face and/or an air outlet face; and two opposing engagement faces. The fuel cell assembly also comprises a detachable cover configured to releasably engage the two engagement faces in order to define an air chamber with the air inlet or outlet face.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly has a fuel cell with a membrane electrode assembly disposed between an anode fluid flow plate and a cathode fluid flow plate. The cathode flow plate defines a flow channel for conveying oxidant to the membrane electrode assembly. The flow channel has an inlet and an outlet. A plasma discharge fan is configured to generate air flow into said inlet. The plasma discharge fan may also be configured to generate ozone flow into the inlet, thereby enhancing electrochemical reaction at the cathode side of the membrane electrode assembly. A plurality of the fuel cells may be configured in a stack arrangement, whereby the inlets for the plurality of fuel cells in the stack form an air inlet face of the fuel cell stack. The plasma discharge fan may comprise a plate structure disposed over the stack air inlet face, being configured to deliver a generally uniform air flow into the stack air inlet face over substantially its entire area.

Abstract: A computer peripheral device incorporates a fuel cell that may be used to supply power to a computer device coupled to the peripheral device. The peripheral device comprises a housing and circuitry within the housing to provide at least one computer peripheral function. A data interface provides for data transfer to and/or from a computer device. A fuel cell power source is incorporated into the peripheral device. A power interface provides power transfer to the computer device when connected thereto. A power controller is configured to supply power from the fuel cell power source to the power interface for supplying said power to said computer device when connected thereto.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of producing hydrogen, including selectively applying heat to a fuel within a canister thermally insulated and inside a cartridge, firing fuel with heating elements to facilitate decomposition and release hydrogen, and, removing said hydrogen from said cartridge via a fluid communication means.

Abstract: In aspects of the disclosure, a fuel cartridge wherein the fuel is in a powdered form is admixed with inert materials such as alumina or other ceramics to improve thermal conductivity. Said cartridge having fuel zones, heating zones, and controllers to selectively heat fuel zones and thereby generate hydrogen via decomposition of fuel is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of producing hydrogen, including selectively applying heat to a fuel within a canister thermally insulated and inside a cartridge, firing fuel to facilitate decomposition and release hydrogen, and, removing said hydrogen from said cartridge via a fluid communication means.

Abstract: The invention relates to bipolar plates for electrochemical fuel cell assemblies, and in particular to configurations of bipolar plates allowing for multiple fluid flow channels for the passage of anode, cathode and coolant fluids.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell stack and an electrical control unit configured to adjust operating parameters of the fuel cell stack to optimize operation of the fuel cell system based on a standard deviation of voltage outputs from a plurality of cells in the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A bipolar fluid flow plate for an electrochemical assembly comprises a plurality of first fluid flow channels extending across a face of the flow plate to define a first fluid flow field of the fluid flow plate and a plurality of second fluid flow channels extending across a face of the flow plate to define a second fluid flow field of the fluid flow plate. The pluralities of first fluid flow channels and second fluid flow channels both occupying a common channel plane. An array of first fluid transfer points is disposed along an edge of the first fluid flow field for communicating fluid into or out of the first fluid flow channels. An array of second fluid transfer points is disposed along an edge of the second fluid flow field for communicating fluid into or out of the second fluid flow channels.

Abstract: A fluid flow plate for an electrochemical fuel cell assembly comprises a first plurality of fluid flow channels extending across an area of the flow plate to define a flow field of the fluid flow plate. An array of first fluid transfer points is disposed along an edge of the flow field for communicating fluid into to or out of the fluid flow channels. A gallery has a first peripheral edge portion bounded by the array of first fluid transfer points and at least two second peripheral edge portions each bounded by an array of second fluid transfer points disposed along fluid access edges of the fluid flow plate. The at least two second peripheral edge portions are disposed at oblique angles to the first peripheral edge portion such that the total length of the array of second fluid transfer points is at least as long as, and preferably longer than, the length of the array of first fluid transfer points.

Abstract: A fluid flow plate for an electrochemical assembly has a plurality of first fluid flow channels extending across an active area of the flow plate to define a first fluid flow field of the fluid flow plate and a plurality of second fluid flow channels extending across the active area of the flow plate to define a second fluid flow field of the fluid flow plate. An array of first fluid transfer points is disposed along an edge of the first fluid flow field for communicating fluid into or out of the first fluid flow channels. An array of second fluid transfer points is disposed along an edge of the second fluid flow field for communicating fluid into or out of the second fluid flow channels. A first fluid gallery a first peripheral edge portion bounded by the array of first fluid transfer points and has a second peripheral edge portion forming a first fluid communication edge of the fluid flow plate.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack assembly comprises a stack of fuel cells, each fuel cell having a cooling air conduit with an input/output ventilation aperture disposed on a ventilation face of the stack. The ventilation apertures form an array over said ventilation face of the stack. A first fan is configured to direct air flow through a first portion of the ventilation face and a second fan is configured to direct air flow through a second portion of the ventilation face. A reconfigurable plenum is in fluid communication with the first fan and the second fan and has a first configuration in which air is directed, by the first and second fans, through the first and second portions of the ventilation face in the same direction, and a second configuration in which air is directed, by at least one of the fans, respectively through the first and second portions of the ventilation face in opposing directions.

Abstract: A current collector component (206) for a fuel cell. The current collector component (206) comprises a first electrically conductive plate (210) configured to form a wall of a fluid confinement volume of a fuel cell; and a second electrically conductive plate (212) in electrical contact with the first electrically conductive plate (210). The second electrically conductive plate (212) comprises an external electrical connection (208). The second electrically conductive plate (212) has a higher electrical conductivity than the first electrically conductive plate (210). The first electrically conductive plate (210) has a higher resistance to corrosion than the second electrically conductive plate (212).

Abstract: A bipolar plate for a fuel cell, the bipolar plate comprising an anode sheet defining an anode surface and a cathode sheet defining a cathode surface. A cavity is defined between the anode sheet and the cathode sheet. One or more openings are provided in the cathode sheet and extend between the cathode surface and the cavity. The cavity is configured to receive coolant/oxidant for cooling the anode and cathode sheets and also provide at least a portion of the coolant/oxidant to the exterior of the cathode sheet through the one or more openings.

Abstract: A method of assembling a fuel cell plate assembly, the method comprising: placing a bipolar plate on a build point platform (1602); placing a prefabricated first fluid diffusion layer on, and in alignment with, the bipolar plate (1606); dispensing a first track of adhesive adjacent both the bipolar plate and a peripheral edge of the first fluid diffusion layer (1610); and, placing a prefabricated MEA and second fluid diffusion layer in sealing engagement with the first track of adhesive and thereby forming a seal between the bipolar plate, the peripheral edge of the first fluid diffusion layer and the MEA and second fluid diffusion layer (1612) wherein the method comprises lowering the build point platform (1604, 1608) before or after any or all of the placing or dispensing steps (1302, 1606, 1610, 1612).

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly comprising a plurality of fuel cell plates in a stack. The stack defines an air inlet face and/or an air outlet face; and two opposing engagement faces. The fuel cell assembly also comprises a detachable cover configured to releasably engage the two engagement faces in order to define an air chamber with the air inlet or outlet face.

Abstract: A mechanism for transferring a flexible sheet material (202) from a first substrate (203) to a second substrate (204) is disclosed, the mechanism having a head rotatable and translatable relative to the first and second substrates, the head (201) comprising a cylindrical curved portion (205) having an outer face (207) across which are provided openings (206) configured to apply air pressure to sheet material (202) contacting the outer surface (207) such that the head (201) is adapted to transfer the sheet material (202) from the first substrate (203) to the second substrate (204) by a combination of rotation and translation of the head (201).