Abstract: A fuel cell includes a flow guide, a component for allowing a first fluid to flow from a first manifold to a second manifold and through a reactive zone, a peripheral seal disposed between the flow guide and the component, an intermediate seal disposed between the flow guide and the component, the intermediate seal being encircled by the peripheral seal and encircling the reactive zone, another component opposite the flow guide to allow a second fluid to flow from a third manifold to a fourth manifold and through another reactive zone, and a fluid flow circuit provided between the intermediate seal and the peripheral seal between fifth and sixth manifolds. One of the fifth and sixth manifolds is separated from the first to fourth manifolds by the intermediate seal.

Abstract: A fuel cell including: a membrane/electrode assembly including a proton exchange membrane and including an anode in contact with the membrane, the membrane/electrode assembly including a first active zone covered by the anode, and a first linking zone not covered by the anode; flow guiding plates between which the membrane/electrode assembly is arranged, the flow guiding plates being traversed by at least one first flow collector in communication with the anode, the first linking zone arranged between the first flow collector and the first active zone. The membrane/electrode assembly further includes a first capacitive layer including a mixture of carbon including a BET specific surface area at least equal to 200 m2/g and of a proton-conducting material, arranged on the first linking zone.

Abstract: A fuel cell including: a membrane/electrode assembly including a proton exchange membrane and including an anode in contact with the membrane, the membrane/electrode assembly including a first active zone covered by the anode, and a first linking zone not covered by the anode; flow guiding plates between which the membrane/electrode assembly is arranged, the flow guiding plates being traversed by at least one first flow collector in communication with the anode, the first linking zone arranged between the first flow collector and the first active zone. The membrane/electrode assembly further includes a first capacitive layer including a mixture of carbon including a BET specific surface area at least equal to 200 m2/g and of a proton-conducting material, arranged on the first linking zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell comprising a membrane/electrode assembly (14), that includes: a proton exchange membrane (2); an anode (31) which is in contact with a first surface of the membrane and which contains a mixture including a proton conducting polymer and platinum supported on carbon powder; said mixture further includes additional carbon which does not support any catalyst and which has a minimum specific surface area BET of 200 m2/g. The membrane/electrode assembly (14) has a first active region (21) that is covered by the anode (31), and a first joining region (22) that is not covered by the anode (31).

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a flow guide, a component for allowing a first fluid to flow from a first manifold to a second manifold and through a reactive zone, a peripheral seal disposed between the flow guide and the component, an intermediate seal disposed between the flow guide and the component, the intermediate seal being encircled by the peripheral seal and encircling the reactive zone, another component opposite the flow guide to allow a second fluid to flow from a third manifold to a fourth manifold and through another reactive zone, and a fluid flow circuit provided between the intermediate seal and the peripheral seal between fifth and sixth manifolds. One of the fifth and sixth manifolds is separated from the first to fourth manifolds by the intermediate seal.

Abstract: A fuel cell including: a diaphragm/electrodes assembly including a first electrode forming an anode, and a first reinforcement attached to a surface of the diaphragm and surrounding the first electrode; two bipolar plates, having the diaphragm/electrodes assembly placed therebetween and including at least one flow collector passing therethrough, a first surface of the diaphragm including an active area and a connection area and arranged between the flow collector and the active area; a conductor track rigidly connected to the first surface of the diaphragm and extending between the connection area and one edge of the diaphragm that projects beyond the first reinforcement; and a measurement electrode, positioned on the connection area of the first surface of the diaphragm and making electrical contact with the conductor track.

Abstract: A fuel cell including: a diaphragm/electrodes assembly including a first electrode forming an anode, and a first reinforcement attached to a surface of the diaphragm and surrounding the first electrode; two bipolar plates, having the diaphragm/electrodes assembly placed therebetween and including at least one flow collector passing therethrough, a first surface of the diaphragm including an active area and a connection area and arranged between the flow collector and the active area; a conductor track rigidly connected to the first surface of the diaphragm and extending between the connection area and one edge of the diaphragm that projects beyond the first reinforcement; and a measurement electrode, positioned on the connection area of the first surface of the diaphragm and making electrical contact with the conductor track.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for protecting a set of electrochemical cells incorporated into a fuel cell stack from corrosion during an operation for shutting down the fuel cell stack, which method comprises steps of: measuring the voltage across the terminals of each of the cells to be protected; when the voltage measured for a cell is above a protection threshold, discharging this cell into an electrical load; when the voltage measured for a cell is below said protection threshold, disconnecting this cell from the electrical load.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for protecting a set of electrochemical cells (C1, C2, C3) incorporated into a fuel cell stack from corrosion during an operation for shutting down the fuel cell stack, which method comprises steps of: measuring the voltage across the terminals of each of the cells to be protected; when the voltage measured for a cell is above a protection threshold, discharging (50) this cell into an electrical load (R1, R2, R3); when the voltage measured for a cell is below said protection threshold, disconnecting this cell from the electrical load.