Abstract: An integrated gas management device (GMD) for a fuel cell has a gas-to-gas humidifier for transferring water from a second gas to a first gas; and a heat exchanger attached to a first end of the humidifier core for cooling the first gas. The GMD may optionally have a thermal isolation plate between the heat exchanger and the first end of the humidifier core. The GMD further has a bypass line to allow the first gas to bypass the humidifier. The first gas may be cathode charge air and the second gas may be cathode exhaust.

Abstract: An electrochemical system has at least one endplate, a terminal bipolar plate as well as a sealing device arranged between the endplate and the terminal bipolar plate. The materials of the terminal bipolar plate and the endplate have different coefficients of thermal expansion and with the sealing device being designed in such a way that during temperature changes, the sealing function is also given by a sliding of the endplate and/or the terminal bipolar plate along the sealing device.

Abstract: An integrated gas management device (GMD) for a fuel cell has a gas-to-gas humidifier for transferring water from a second gas to a first gas; and a heat exchanger attached to a first end of the humidifier core for cooling the first gas. The GMD may optionally have a thermal isolation plate between the heat exchanger and the first end of the humidifier core. The GMD further has a bypass line to allow the first gas to bypass the humidifier. The first gas may be cathode charge air and the second gas may be cathode exhaust.

Abstract: An integrated gas management device (GMD) for a fuel cell comprises a gas-to-gas humidifier for transferring water from a second gas to a first gas; a heat exchanger attached to a first end of the humidifier core for cooling the first gas; and/or a water separator attached to a second end of the humidifier core for removing liquid water from the second gas. The GMD may optionally comprise a thermal isolation plate between the heat exchanger and the first end of the humidifier core. The GMD further comprises a bypass line to allow the first gas to bypass the humidifier. The first gas may comprise cathode charge air and the second gas may comprise cathode exhaust.

Abstract: An electrochemical system has at least one endplate, a terminal bipolar plate as well as a sealing device arranged between the endplate and the terminal bipolar plate. The materials of the terminal bipolar plate and the endplate have different coefficients of thermal expansion and with the sealing device being designed in such a way that during temperature changes, the sealing function is also given by a sliding of the endplate and/or the terminal bipolar plate along the sealing device.

Abstract: An integrated gas management device (GMD) for a fuel cell comprises a gas-to-gas humidifier for transferring water from a second gas to a first gas; a heat exchanger attached to a first end of the humidifier core for cooling the first gas; and/or a water separator attached to a second end of the humidifier core for removing liquid water from the second gas. The GMD may optionally comprise a thermal isolation plate between the heat exchanger and the first end of the humidifier core. The GMD further comprises a bypass line to allow the first gas to bypass the humidifier. The first gas may comprise cathode charge air and the second gas may comprise cathode exhaust.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bipolar plate (1) for electrochemical systems which contains a first plate (2) with a first flowfield (2a) for media distribution as well as a second plate (3) with a second flowfield (3a) for media distribution. This first plate in the region of the first flow field at least in regions comprises a plane surface section (4) from which discrete projections (5) distanced to one another project arranged in a distributed manner. Furthermore a method for manufacturing this bipolar plate is suggested as well as an electrochemical system which contains this bipolar plate. According to the invention it is possible in an inexpensive manner to manufacture a bipolar plate which permits the construction of fuel cells functioning with a low peripheral consumption (pumps, compressors) and which are safer with regard to their operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a contact plate for fuel cells with a coherent active area (11) on at least one side of the contact plate, wherein the active area (11) consists of a contact surface (2) which over the whole surface comprises a coating (4) of an electrically conductive, corrosion-resistant material, and of recesses (3) so that the recesses (3) form a channel structure, wherein the coating (4) furthermore at least in the bottom regions (5) of the recesses (3) is omitted. The invention further relates to a corresponding fuel cell or to a fuel cell stack with at least one such contact plate as well as to various methods for manufacturing such contact plates which may serve as bipolar plates as well as monopolar plates or end plates. With the contact plate according to the invention, one achieves an optimally reduced contact resistance with a minimal material expense for the coating (4).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new method for the production of electrochemical cells, in particular individual cells for fuel cells and stacks as well as components and semi-finished parts required for this purpose. The gas diffusion layer is fixed on the bipolar plate by constructional measures and thus an improved positioning of the individual components of an electrochemical cell, in particular an individual cell for fuel cells is achieved. The method according to the invention allows for a flexible production. The semi-finished parts according to the invention are valuable, storable intermediate products which substantially reduce the lead times in the production of electrochemical cells, in particular individual cells for fuel cells.

Abstract: The invention deals with an electrochemical system for compressing gases and/or for producing gases by electrolysis, consisting of an electrochemical compressor stack (1) having layering of several electrochemical cells, which are separated from one another in each case by bipolar plates (3; 3?), wherein the bipolar plates have openings for media supply and media discharge (5a, 5b) for the electrochemical cells and the electrochemical cell stack can be placed under mechanical compressive strain in direction (6) of the layering. The bead arrangements (7; 7?) are resilient and are provided at least in some regions to seal the openings (4, 5a, 5b) and/or an electrochemically active region (10) of the electrochemical cells.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for igniting, modulating, and sustaining a plasma for various plasma processes and treatments. Such treatments include cleaning and sterilizing parts. In some embodiments, a plasma is ignited by subjecting a gas in a multi-mode processing cavity to electromagnetic radiation having a frequency between about 1 MHz and about 333 GHz in the presence of a plasma catalyst. A part can be cleaned by, for example, inserting hydrogen into the plasma and exposing the part to the hydrogen-enriched plasma. A part can be sterilized by heating the part with the plasma.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-temperature fuel cell system, consisting of a fuel cell stack (1) with a layering of several ceramic fuel cells (2) which in each case are separated from one another by way of interconnect layer (3). The interconnect layers comprise openings for cooling (4) or for the supply (5a) and removal (5b) of media to and from the fuel cells. The fuel cell stack may be set under mechanical compressive stress in the direction (6) of the layering. Elastic bead arrangements (7; 7?) for sealing the openings (4, 5a, 5b) or the electrically active region (10) are provided at least in regions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a contact plate for fuel cells with a coherent active area (11) on at least one side of the contact plate, wherein the active area (11) consists of a contact surface (2) which over the whole surface comprises a coating (4) of an electrically conductive, corrosion-resistant material, and of recesses (3) so that the recesses (3) form a channel structure, wherein the coating (4) furthermore at least in the bottom regions (5) of the recesses (3) is omitted. The invention further relates to a corresponding fuel cell or to a fuel cell stack with at least one such contact plate as well as to various methods for manufacturing such contact plates which may serve as bipolar plates as well as monopolar plates or end plates. With the contact plate according to the invention, one achieves an optimally reduced contact resistance with a minimal material expense for the coating (4).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bipolar plate (1) for electrochemical systems which contains a first plate (2) with a first flowfield (2a) for media distribution as well as a second plate (3) with a second flowfield (3a) for media distribution. This first plate in the region of the first flow field at least in regions comprises a plane surface section (4) from which discrete projections (5) distanced to one another project arranged in a distributed manner. Furthermore a method for manufacturing this bipolar plate is suggested as well as an electrochemical system which contains this bipolar plate. According to the invention it is possible in an inexpensive manner to manufacture a bipolar plate which permits the construction of fuel cells functioning with a low peripheral consumption (pumps, compressors) and which are safer with regard to their operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to supply plate (1), a base plate for the assembly of such a supply plate, as well as a method for manufacturing a supply plate for electrochemical systems. Two base plates (2a, 2b) are thermally joined to one another using a joining agent, wherein this joining agent (3) has a lower melting point than the material of the base plates (2a, 2b). At least one first base plate (2a) comprises at least one pocket (4a) into which joining agent is filled, and subsequently the second base plate (2b) is applied onto a joining plane (F) of the first plate, and a connection of the base plates (2a, 2b) is effected by way of the impact of heat on the joining agent.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for igniting, modulating, and sustaining a plasma for various plasma processes and treatments. Such treatments include cleaning and sterilizing parts. In some embodiments, a plasma is ignited by subjecting a gas in a multi-mode processing cavity to electromagnetic radiation having a frequency between about 1 MHz and about 333 GHz in the presence of a plasma catalyst. A part can be cleaned by, for example, inserting hydrogen into the plasma and exposing the part to the hydrogen-enriched plasma. A part can be sterilized by heating the part with the plasma.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for combined purification and compression of hydrogen containing CO. Said device comprises a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) cell with a proton-conducting polymer membrane (3), an anode on one side of the membrane and a cathode (4) on the other side thereof. Said anode is in the form of a two-layer anode (5) which comprises a CO-oxidation-selective catalytic layer (1) on the side facing away from the membrane and an electrochemically active layer (2) for oxidation of the hydrogen to form protons on the side facing the membrane. The PEM cell also has a flat, porous gas distribution layer provided on the anode side and attached to a current collector. Consequently, the PEM cell resists differential pressures of at least approximately 10 bar. The invention also relates to a process for combined purification and compression of hydrogen containing CO using said device.