Abstract: A fuel cell includes a pair of separators for clamping a laminate including a membrane electrode assembly, an anode gas diffusion layer, and a cathode gas diffusion layer, and a frame formed from thermosetting resin and disposed between the separators to surround a periphery of the laminate. At least one of the anode and the cathode gas diffusion layers is formed from a composite of thermoplastic resin and conductive particles, and includes a protrusion protruding beyond a level of a surface of the frame which faces one of the separators in a state that the laminate is not clamped between the separators under a predetermined pressure. The one of the separators presses the protrusion and gets the one of the gas diffusion layers to be deformed and put into contact with the frame in a state that the laminate is clamped between the separators under the predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a first fuel cell layer and second fuel cell layer. Each fuel cell layer includes a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies arranged in a planar shape. Each membrane electrode assembly includes an electrolyte membrane, an anode disposed on one surface of the electrolyte membrane, and a cathode disposed on the other surface of the electrolyte membrane. Each fuel cell layer also includes interconnectors each of which electrically connects the anode of one of adjacent membrane electrode assemblies to the cathode of the other. The first fuel cell layer and second fuel cell layer are arranged so that one polarity of each membrane electrode assembly of the first fuel cell layer is opposed to the same polarity of each membrane electrode assembly of the second fuel cell layer.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly, an anode gas diffusion layer, and a cathode gas diffusion layer, a pair of separators for clamping a laminate made up of the membrane electrode assembly, the anode gas diffusion layer and cathode gas diffusion layer, and a frame that is formed from thermosetting resin and disposed between the separators to surround a periphery of the laminate. At least one of the anode gas diffusion layer and cathode gas diffusion layer is formed from a composite of thermoplastic resin and conductive particles, and includes a protrusion that protrudes beyond a level of a surface of the frame which faces one of the pair of separators in a state that the laminate is not clamped between the separators under a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a first fuel cell layer and second fuel cell layer. Each fuel cell layer includes a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies arranged in a planar shape. Each membrane electrode assembly includes an electrolyte membrane, an anode disposed on one surface of the electrolyte membrane, and a cathode disposed on the other surface of the electrolyte membrane. Each fuel cell layer also includes interconnectors each of which electrically connects the anode of one of adjacent membrane electrode assemblies to the cathode of the other. The first fuel cell layer and second fuel cell layer are arranged so that one polarity of each membrane electrode assembly of the first fuel cell layer is opposed to the same polarity of each membrane electrode assembly of the second fuel cell layer.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles relating to enhanced bonding of layers in a planar fuel cell. A planar fuel cell having a composite layer is bonded to an outer layer (e.g., a fuel or fluid manifold) using intrusions that extend through an electrolyte layer and into an underlying layer (e.g., a substrate component or a current-collector component).

Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles relating to enhanced bonding of layers in a planar fuel cell. A planar fuel cell having a composite layer is bonded to an outer layer (e.g., a fuel or fluid manifold) using intrusions that extend through an electrolyte layer and into an underlying layer (e.g., a substrate component or a current-collector component).

Abstract: In a planar-array cell structure, an area required by interconnectors is reduced and a fuel cell is made further compact. A connection part which connects adjacent cells in series is provided within a sealing member provided in a peripheral edge part of an electrolyte membrane where multiple cells are formed in a planar arrangement. For each cell, an anode terminal of a current collector is disposed counter to a cathode terminal of the current collector via the electrolyte membrane. The connection part penetrates the electrolyte membrane and connects the anode terminal of one of the adjacent cells to the cathode terminal of the other of the adjacent cells.

Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell having improved ion conductivity in the catalyst layer. The catalyst layer includes a catalytic metal, a carbon particle, and an ion exchanger. The catalytic metal is carried on the carbon particle. The ion exchanger includes a first functional group capable of being adsorbed or bound to the catalytic metal, and a second functional group providing the ion conductivity. The ion exchanger is adsorbed or bound to the catalytic metal via the first functional group. The bond between the catalytic metal and the ion exchanger includes a covalent bond, a coordinate bond or an ion bond.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes membrane electrode assemblies disposed in a planar arrangement. Each membrane electrode assembly includes an electrolyte membrane, an anode catalyst layer, and a cathode catalyst layer disposed counter to the cathode catalyst via the electrolyte membrane. Interconnectors (conductive members) are provided on the lateral faces of the electrolyte membranes disposed counter to each another in the neighboring direction of the membrane electrode assemblies. Each interconnector includes a support portion protruding toward the central region of the electrolyte member on the cathode side of the electrolyte membrane. The support portion is in contact with the cathode-side surface of an edge of the electrolyte membrane, and the electrolyte membrane is held by the support portion.

Abstract: A fuel tank comprises: multiple pellets each formed of a hydrogen storage metal which is capable of storing hydrogen to be supplied to fuel cells; a support mechanism configured to support the multiple pellets such that they are layered mutually closest to one another while still permitting the volume of the multiple pellets to change; a housing unit configured to house the multiple pellets in a layered state which is maintained by the support mechanism; and a detection unit configured to detect the positions of both ends of the multiple pellets which change due to changes in the volume of the multiple pellets.

Abstract: A fuel cell which can utilize the fuel in its fuel reservoir to the fullest possible extent. The fuel cell includes: an electrolyte layer; a first electrode which is provided on one surface of the electrolyte layer and to which a liquid fuel is supplied; and a second electrode which is provided on the other surface of the electrolyte layer and to which an oxidant is supplied. The fuel cell further includes: a fuel chamber which is provided next to the first electrode and stores the liquid fuel; a fuel reservoir which is provided next to the fuel chamber and stores the liquid fuel to be refilled into the fuel chamber; a selectively permeable unit which is provided between the fuel chamber and the fuel reservoir and is permeable to the liquid fuel; and an osmotic pressure generating source which dissolves in a liquid stored in the fuel chamber and does not permeate the selectively permeable unit.

Abstract: Membrane electrode assemblies are disposed in openings provided in a substrate, respectively. Each membrane electrode assembly includes an electrolyte membrane, an anode catalyst layer, and a cathode catalyst layer. The substrate has an insulating region that insulates a conducting region used to connect an adjacent membrane electrode assembly in series, and an insulating region used to insulate the periphery of the membrane electrode assembly. The conducting region is provided between adjacent membrane electrode assemblies. The conducting region and the insulating region share the same material used for their base portions, and the electric conductivity increases continuously from the insulating region toward the conducting region.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes membrane electrode assemblies disposed in a planar arrangement. Each membrane electrode assembly includes an electrolyte membrane, an anode catalyst layer, and a cathode catalyst layer disposed counter to the cathode catalyst via the electrolyte membrane. Interconnectors (conductive members) are provided on the lateral faces of the electrolyte membranes disposed counter to each another in the neighboring direction of the membrane electrode assemblies. Each interconnector includes a support portion protruding toward the central region of the electrolyte member on the cathode side of the electrolyte membrane. The support portion is in contact with the cathode-side surface of an edge of the electrolyte membrane, and the electrolyte membrane is held by the support portion.

Abstract: A fuel cell system has two fuel cell modules each arranged in a plane. In the fuel cell modules each including a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies arranged in a plane, hydrogen stored in a fuel cartridge is fed to anodes of the fuel cell modules. A control unit performs control of connecting the two fuel cell modules alternately to an external load, when the external load connected to a fuel cell system is within a prescribed threshold value and at least one of the temperature of one of the fuel cell modules and the temperature of the other of the fuel cell modules is at or below a prescribed threshold temperature.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell provided with an anode and a cathode, a first container for storing a liquid fuel to be supplied to the anode, a second container provided in the first container to contain liquid and gas, a joint which is provided in the first container and discharges the liquid fuel outside the first container, an outlet pipe connecting the joint to the second container, and a remaining indicator window provided to make the interior of the outlet pipe is viewable. Further, an alert color is applied to an area that becomes viewable when the gas is flowing through the outlet pipe, the color being applied on the area opposite to the remaining indicator window across the outlet pipe.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly is used for a planer type fuel cell. The membrane electrode assembly includes an electrolyte membrane, anodes and cathodes disposed counter to the anodes. Ends of current collectors are connected to one side of the anodes, respectively. Ends of current collectors are connected to one side of the cathodes, respectively. On a cathode side, the current collectors are provided in positions opposed respectively to the insulators provided on an anode side with the electrolyte membrane interposed in between. A cathode-side current collection and an anode-side current collector are connected by an interconnector, and adjacent cells are electrically connected in series with each other.

Abstract: Corrosion of a metal portion such as a pipe connected to a fuel cell stack is suppressed. The fuel cell stack has a plurality of single cells which generate electrical power using an aqueous methanol solution and air and are stacked in a vertical direction. An inlet of a fuel supply manifold for distributing the aqueous methanol solution to each cell and an outlet of a fuel discharge manifold for collecting the fuel discharged from the single cells are provided in a common conductive end plate. Hence, when the discharge fuel discharged from the fuel cell stack is circulated and resupplied to the stack, the potential of the discharged fuel becomes equal to that of the liquid fuel to be supplied to the stack, whereby the corrosion of the metal portion such as a pipe, a tank, a pump, or a heat exchanger is suppressed.

Abstract: A power source system to be mounted in electrical devices is provided. The power source system includes a fuel cell which supplies electric power generated by consuming fuel, a fuel storage portion which stores the fuel and supplies the fuel to the fuel cell, a container which contains the fuel cell and the fuel storage portion, and a case which is provided so as to surround the container. A space for allowing air used for the reaction in the fuel cell to circulate therethrough is provided between the container and the case.

Abstract: A heat storage unit is provided between a gas sealing member and a hydrogen storage alloy tank, and is thermally connected to the gas sealing member and the hydrogen storage alloy tank. The latent heat storage unit includes a first heat storage material having a melting point (dry-out temperature) at or below which the dry-out begins during the operation of a fuel cell and a second heat storage material having a melting point (flooding temperature) at or below which the flooding begins during the operation of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly. The membrane electrode assembly has an electrolyte membrane, cathode catalyst layers, and anode catalyst layers disposed counter to the cathode catalyst layers with the electrolyte membrane disposed between the cathode catalyst layers and the anode catalyst layers. Cathode-side insulating layers, which are water-repellent, are provided between the adjacent cathode catalyst layers. The surface of the cathode-side insulating layer on the opposite side of the electrolyte membrane is protruded relative to the surface of the adjacent cathode catalyst layers. Anode-side insulating layers, which are water-repellent, are provided between the adjacent anode catalyst layers. The surface of the anode-side insulating layer on the opposite side of the electrolyte membrane is protruded relative to the surface of the adjacent anode catalyst layers.