Abstract: The polymer electrolyte fuel cell of the invention includes: an electrolyte membrane that is made of a solid polymer; catalyst electrode layers that are arranged and formed on two opposed faces of the electrolyte membrane; gas separators that form reactive gas supply flow paths to allow passage of reactive gases subjected to an electrochemical reaction to the catalyst electrode layers; a holder element that is located on periphery of the electrolyte membrane and the catalyst electrode layers to support at least the electrolyte membrane; an expansion element that is linked with the holder element to be expandable in an electrolyte membrane surface direction; and a fixation element that is linked with the expansion element to be fixed to the gas separators. This arrangement effectively prevents deterioration of the electrolyte membrane, due to expansion or contraction of the electrolyte membrane in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell in which stress that is caused in an electrolyte membrane is relaxed or absorbed is provided. The fuel cell includes A fuel cell includes an electrolyte membrane; a holding member that is used to hold the electrolyte membrane; and an elastic member that is arranged between the electrolyte membrane and the holding member so that the holding member holds the electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: The polymer electrolyte fuel cell of the invention includes: an electrolyte membrane that is made of a solid polymer; catalyst electrode layers that are arranged and formed on two opposed faces of the electrolyte membrane; gas separators that form reactive gas supply flow paths to allow passage of reactive gases subjected to an electrochemical reaction to the catalyst electrode layers; a holder element that is located on periphery of the electrolyte membrane and the catalyst electrode layers to support at least the electrolyte membrane; an expansion element that is linked with the holder element to be expandable in an electrolyte membrane surface direction; and a fixation element that is linked with the expansion element to be fixed to the gas separators. This arrangement effectively prevents deterioration of the electrolyte membrane, due to expansion or contraction of the electrolyte membrane in the polymer electrolyte fuel cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid separation apparatus of spiral type including a membrane module comprising a hollow mandrel having at least a hole, at least one pair of semipermeable membrane sheets and at least one pair of first and second spacing layers, said membrane sheets and spacing layers being wound about said mandrel, said first spacing layer forming, with said membrane sheets, a first passage for a permeated solution to be discharged therefrom into the interior of said mandrel through said hole, said second spacing layer forming, with said membrane sheets, a second passage for a feed solution or a nonpermeated solution having a first opening on the circumference of said module and an axial opening in the vicinity of said mandrel, said second spacing layer consisting of an inner layer portion in the vicinity of said mandrel and the remaining outer layer portion, said inner layer portion having an axial sectional area or a thickness substantially larger than that of said outer layer portion.