Abstract: In a fuel cell stack, a bipolar separator plate having two joined together coextensive separator plate elements having perpendicularly disposed corrugated regions and forming a coolant chamber there between. By virtue of this arrangement, fuel and oxidant gases fed to the fuel cell stack have a cross-flow relationship. Internal stack manifolding is provided for distribution of a coolant to each of the coolant chambers.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell, which polymer electrolyte membrane has a water-based resin preferably including at least one of vinyl acetate, dextrin and latex.

Abstract: A photoelectrochemical cell which includes a light transmissive enclosure, a semiconductor photoanode disposed within the light transmissive enclosure, a semiconductor photocathode disposed within the light transmissive enclosure, and an electrolytic solution disposed entirely between the semiconductor photoanode and the semiconductor photocathode. This is achieved by the use of semiconductor photoelectrodes (photoanodes and photocathodes) which include a proton exchange membrane having an electrolyte facing surface in contact with the electrolytic solution and a light transmissive wall facing surface, and having a photo electro-catalyst disposed on the light transmissive wall facing surface.

Abstract: A method and device for reducing or substantially eliminating methanol crossover from the anode to the cathode of a direct methanol fuel cell and for increasing catalyst efficiency in which a catalyst ink layer comprising an electron conductive and proton conductive binder material is applied either to the anode electrode or the electrolyte layer of the direct methanol fuel cell.

Abstract: In a fuel cell stack, a bipolar separator plate having two joined together coextensive separator plate elements having perpendicularly disposed corrugated regions and forming a coolant chamber there between. By virtue of this arrangement, fuel and oxidant gases fed to the fuel cell stack have a cross-flow relationship. Internal stack manifolding is provided for distribution of a coolant to each of the coolant chambers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating electricity by direct oxidation of methanol in which methanol is passed through a porous anode current collector to contact the anode electrode of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell, an oxidant is passed at atmospheric pressure through a porous cathode current collector which acts as an air diffuser to contact the cathode electrode and the methanol is directly oxidized, producing water which is removed through the cathode current collector, carbon dioxide and electricity.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating electricity having an anode electrode, a cathode electrode and a proton exchange membrane comprising poly(vinyl alcohol) disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The proton exchange membrane of this invention is suitable for operating at a temperature over an entire range of about room temperature to about 170° C. In accordance with preferred embodiments, the membrane includes one or more cross-linking agents.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell stack having a plurality of substantially planar fuel cell units, each of which comprises an anode electrode, a cathode electrode and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. A metal bipolar plate is disposed between the anode electrode of one fuel cell unit and the cathode electrode of an adjacent fuel cell unit. The metal bipolar plate is made of a chromium-nickel austenitic alloy, in which the chromium and the nickel, on a combined basis, make up at least about 50% by weight of the alloy.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell stack having a plurality of substantially planar fuel cell units, each of which comprises an anode electrode, a cathode electrode and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. A metal bipolar plate is disposed between the anode electrode of one fuel cell unit and the cathode electrode of an adjacent fuel cell unit. The metal bipolar plate is made of a chromium-nickel austenitic alloy having a nitrogen content of zero, in which the chromium and the nickel, on a combined basis, make up at least about 50% by weight of the alloy.

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane which includes a sulfonated and phosphonated poly (styrene) material having a covalently bonded tertiary hydrogen replacement group.

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane which includes a sulfonated poly (styrene) material having a covalently bonded tertiary hydrogen replacement group.

Abstract: A bipolar separator plate suitable for use in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell stacks, which plate is made a composition having in a range of 1 to 4 different graphite components and at least one resin, wherein at least one of the graphite components has graphite particles having a mean diameter in a range of about 10 microns to about 50 microns.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell, which polymer electrolyte membrane has a water-based resin preferably including at least one of vinyl acetate, dextrin and latex.

Abstract: A method for producing a gas diffusion electrode in which a slurry of carbon black, alcohol, water and a tetrafluoroethylene emulsion is applied as a layer a non-Teflonized carbon cloth substrate, which is then heated to remove water. The dried coated carbon cloth is then rolled followed by heating to remove wetting agents present in the tetrafluoroethylene emulsion. The coated carbon cloth is then cooled and rolled again to produce the final end product.

Abstract: A method for producing a graphite bipolar separator plate for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell in which a powder mixture having at least one graphite component and at least one resin is placed into a plate mold and pressed at substantially ambient temperature, resulting in formation of a cold-pressed plate. The cold-pressed plate is heated to a temperature suitable for curing the cold-pressed plate, resulting in formation of the graphite bipolar separator plate.

Abstract: An electrochemical device having an electrolyte having an anode side and a cathode side, at least one consumable carbonaceous material disposed on the anode side, and a chemical barrier disposed on the anode side of the electrolyte, which chemical barrier reduces crossover of the at least one consumable carbonaceous material through the electrolyte to the cathode side. In accordance with one preferred embodiment, the electrochemical device is a direct methanol fuel cell, the consumable carbonaceous material is methanol disposed in an aqueous solution, and the chemical barrier is produced by the presence of an additive disposed in the methanol solution which attaches to potential methanol crossover sites in the electrolyte, thereby precluding methanol crossover using such sites. One such suitable additive is iso-propanol.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell stack having a plurality of substantially planar fuel cell units, each of which comprises an anode electrode, a cathode electrode and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. A metal bipolar plate is disposed between the anode electrode of one fuel cell unit and the cathode electrode of an adjacent fuel cell unit. The metal bipolar plate is made of a chromium-nickel austenitic alloy, in which the chromium and the nickel, on a combined basis, make up at least about 50% by weight of the alloy.

Abstract: A method for producing a gas diffusion electrode in which a slurry of carbon black, alcohol, water and a tetrafluoroethylene emulsion is applied as a layer a non-Teflonized carbon cloth substrate, which is then heated to remove water. The dried coated carbon cloth is then rolled followed by heating to remove wetting agents present in the tetrafluoroethylene emulsion. The coated carbon cloth is then cooled and rolled again to produce the final end product.

Abstract: A composition of electrically conducting carbon/graphite particles, a bonding agent and a mold release agent and a method employing the composition for producing a bipolar plate for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell in which the composition is introduced into a mold suitable for compression molding the bipolar plate and pressed in the mold at a temperature sufficient to melt the bonding agent and activate the mold release agent, thereby forming the bipolar plate. The mold release agent acts to prevent sticking of the bipolar plate to the mold. In accordance with one preferred embodiment, the mold release agent is a mixture of at least one fatty acid and at least one polyolefin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating electricity by direct oxidation of methanol in which methanol is passed through a porous anode current collector to contact the anode electrode of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell, an oxidant is passed at atmospheric pressure through a porous cathode current collector which acts as an air diffuser to contact the cathode electrode and the methanol is directly oxidized, producing water which is removed through the cathode current collector, carbon dioxide and electricity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating dogs and cats having topically disposed fleas. More particularly, the invention relates to such a method of treatment wherein the dog or cat is dosed with a larvicidally or ovicidally effective amount of flea growth inhibiting substance capable of reaching the flea via the hosts blood.