Abstract: A fuel cell system of the present invention includes: a fuel cell stack (1) composed by stacking a plurality of single cells, each single cell having: a membrane electrode assembly in which electrode catalyst layers (3) and gas diffusion layers (4) are disposed on both surfaces of an electrolyte membrane (2) formed of a gel electrolyte with a sol-gel phase transition temperature; and separators (5) disposed on both sides of the membrane electrode assembly; and a temperature adjusting apparatus (12) which adjusts a temperature of the electrolyte membrane in the single cell. In such a way, a defect such as a pinhole that has occurred in the electrolyte membrane (2) can be solved.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes an electrolyte membrane containing an ionic conductor. The ionic conductor includes: (a) a cation expressed by one of Formulae (1) and (2): R1R2R3HX+??(1) where, in Formula (1), X indicates any one of N and P, and R1, R2 and R3 each indicate any one of alkyl groups C1 to C18 except a structure in which R1=R2=R3, R1R2HS+??(2) where, in Formula (2), R1 and R2 each indicate any one of alkyl groups C1 to C18 except a structure in which R1=R2; and (b) an anion expressed by Formula (3): R4YOm(OH)n?1O???(3) where, in Formula (3), Y indicates any one of S, C, N and P, R4 indicates any one of an alkyl group and a fluoroalkyl group, and m and n each indicate any one of 1 and 2.

Abstract: A composite electrolyte membrane of the present invention includes a porous body composed of an inorganic substance and an electrolyte material. The porous body includes therein plural spherical pores in which a diameter is substantially equal, and communicating ports each allowing the spherical pores adjacent to each other to communicate with each other. The electrolyte material is provided on the spherical pores and the communicating ports, has proton conductivity, and is composed of a hydrocarbon polymer. The proton-conductive composite electrolyte membrane has excellent ion conductivity, high heat resistance, and restricted swelling when being hydrous, and is capable of being produced at low cost.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes an electrolyte membrane containing an ionic conductor. The ionic conductor includes: (a) a cation expressed by one of Formulae (1) and (2): R1R2R3HX+??(1) where, in Formula (1), X indicates any one of N and P, and R1, R2 and R3 each indicate any one of alkyl groups C1 to C18 except a structure in which R1?R2?R3, R1R2HS+??(2) where, in Formula (2), R1 and R2 each indicate any one of alkyl groups C1 to C18 except a structure in which R1?R2; and (b) an anion expressed by Formula (3): R4YOm(OH)n?1O???(3) where, in Formula (3), Y indicates any one of S, C, N and P, R4 indicates any one of an alkyl group and a fluoroalkyl group, and m and n each indicate any one of 1 and 2.

Abstract: An electrocatalyst for an electrochemical cell of the present invention includes a metal catalyst containing metal that has a metal oxidation potential of 0.5V or higher to 1.5V or lower, and is directly involved in an electrode reaction. Further, the electrocatalyst includes an aromatic heterocyclic compound having a six-membered cyclic structure containing a heteroatom, wherein the heteroatom has a metal coordination capacity that is not directly involved in the electrode reaction. The aromatic heterocyclic compound is heterogeneously adsorbed and coordinated on a surface of the metal catalyst while interposing the heteroatom therebetween.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes an electrolyte membrane containing an ionic conductor. The ionic conductor includes: (a) a cation expressed by one of Formulae (1) and (2): R1R2R3HX+??(1) where, in Formula (1), X indicates any one of N and P, and R1, R2 and R3 each indicate any one of alkyl groups C1 to C18 except a structure in which R1?R2?R3, R1R2HS+??(2) where, in Formula (2), R1 and R2 each indicate any one of alkyl groups C1 to C18 except a structure in which R1?R2; and (b) an anion expressed by Formula (3): R4YOm(OH)n?1O???(3) where, in Formula (3), Y indicates any one of S, C, N and P, R4 indicates any one of an alkyl group and a fluoroalkyl group, and m and n each indicate any one of 1 and 2.

Abstract: An ion conductor includes: an inorganic porous film which includes multiple fine pores of which surfaces are bonded to multiple proton-donor functional groups; and an electrolyte material which is held in the fine pores of the inorganic porous film, and includes a cation component and an anion component.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack constituted by fastening a laminated cell, is disclosed. The electrode of the cell has a catalyst electrode layer and a porous gas diffusion layer and supporting a polymer electrolyte membrane (1) from both sides. A separator (3) of the cell has a gas passage (6, 7) which supplies fuel gas or oxidizer gas to the gas diffusion layer. The gas diffusion layer (2b) is constituted such that when a load is applied and removed in the lamination direction of the cell, an amount of change in a thickness of the gas diffusion layer in a non-loaded state before and after the load is applied falls to or below a predetermined value. The gas diffusion layer (2b) is manufactured by repeating a cycle of applying and removing a load on the gas diffusion layer in the lamination direction of the cell before laminating the cell.

Abstract: An electrocatalyst for an electrochemical cell of the present invention includes a metal catalyst containing metal that has a metal oxidation potential of 0.5V or higher to 1.5V or lower, and is directly involved in an electrode reaction. Further, the electrocatalyst includes an aromatic heterocyclic compound having a six-membered cyclic structure containing a heteroatom, wherein the heteroatom has a metal coordination capacity that is not directly involved in the electrode reaction. The aromatic heterocyclic compound is heterogeneously adsorbed and coordinated on a surface of the metal catalyst while interposing the heteroatom therebetween.

Abstract: A fuel cell system of the present invention includes: a fuel cell stack (1) composed by stacking a plurality of single cells, each single cell having: a membrane electrode assembly in which electrode catalyst layers (3) and gas diffusion layers (4) are disposed on both surfaces of an electrolyte membrane (2) formed of a gel electrolyte with a sol-gel phase transition temperature; and separators (5) disposed on both sides of the membrane electrode assembly; and a temperature adjusting apparatus (12) which adjusts a temperature of the electrolyte membrane in the single cell. In such a way, a defect such as a pinhole that has occurred in the electrolyte membrane (2) can be solved.

Abstract: A composite electrolyte membrane of the present invention includes a porous body composed of an inorganic substance and an electrolyte material. The porous body includes therein plural spherical pores in which a diameter is substantially equal, and communicating ports each allowing the spherical pores adjacent to each other to communicate with each other. The electrolyte material is provided on the spherical pores and the communicating ports, has proton conductivity, and is composed of a hydrocarbon polymer. The proton-conductive composite electrolyte membrane has excellent ion conductivity, high heat resistance, and restricted swelling when being hydrous, and is capable of being produced at low cost.

Abstract: A low-friction sliding mechanism includes a pair of sliding members having respective sliding surfaces slidable relative to each other and an ionic liquid applied to the respective sliding surfaces. At least one of the sliding surfaces has a coating of either a diamond-like carbon material, a diamond material or a combination thereof. The ionic liquid consists of cation and anion components and exists in liquid or gel form at room temperature.

Abstract: A composite electrolyte membrane of the present invention includes a porous body composed of an inorganic substance and an electrolyte material. The porous body includes therein plural spherical pores in which a diameter is substantially equal, and communicating ports each allowing the spherical pores adjacent to each other to communicate with each other. The electrolyte material is provided on the spherical pores and the communicating ports, has proton conductivity, and is composed of a hydrocarbon polymer. The proton-conductive composite electrolyte membrane has excellent ion conductivity, high heat resistance, and restricted swelling when being hydrous, and is capable of being produced at low cost.

Abstract: A separator (4) for a fuel cell (1a) is provided which allows effective use of heat generated in proximity to an electrolytic membrane (2) in order to melt frozen water in the gas diffusion electrodes (3a, 3b) of the fuel cell (1a). The separator (4) is provided with a plurality of projections (11) between which a gas flow passage (7a, 7b) on the surface of the separator (4) is formed and which make contact with the gas diffusion electrodes (3a, 3b). The coefficient of thermal conductivity of the projection (11) is smaller than the coefficient of thermal conductivity of other sections of the separator (4).

Abstract: When a fuel cell system is to be stopped, a controller 3 decreases the coolant flowrate to a fuel cell 1, decreases the cooling performance of the fuel cell 1 and continues operation of the fuel cell 1, and performs a temperature rise operation wherein the temperature of the fuel cell 1 is increased using the heat generated by the electrochemical reaction in the fuel cell 1. After the temperature of the fuel cell 1 has reached a predetermined high temperature, the operation of the fuel cell 1 is stopped.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes an electric power generating cell provided with a fuel electrode, an oxidizer electrode, a polymer electrolyte membrane sandwiched between the fuel electrode and the oxidizer electrode and a separator formed with a gas flow passage for reaction gas to be supplied to at least one of the fuel electrode and the oxidizer electrode. Also, the polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes a flow passage changeover mechanism changing over a configuration of the gas flow passage in accordance with an operating condition of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack constituted by fastening a laminated cell, is disclosed. The electrode of the cell has a catalyst electrode layer and a porous gas diffusion layer and supporting a polymer electrolyte membrane (1) from both sides. A separator (3) of the cell has a gas passage (6, 7) which supplies fuel gas or oxidizer gas to the gas diffusion layer. The gas diffusion layer (2b) is constituted such that when a load is applied and removed in the lamination direction of the cell, an amount of change in a thickness of the gas diffusion layer in a non-loaded state before and after the load is applied falls to or below a predetermined value. The gas diffusion layer (2b) is manufactured by repeating a cycle of applying and removing a load on the gas diffusion layer in the lamination direction of the cell before laminating the cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is provided with a fuel cell, a fuel gas supply line supplying fuel gas to the fuel cell, an oxidizing gas supply line supplying oxidizing gas to the fuel cell, a circulation line circulating fluid through at least one of the fuel cell, the fuel gas supply line and the oxidizing gas supply line, and a microorganism inhibiting unit located in the circulation line to execute sterilization so as to sterilize microorganisms present in the fluid. The microorganism inhibiting method is utilized in the fuel cell system of such a structure to sterilize the microorganisms present in the fluid in the midway of the circulation line.

Abstract: When a fuel cell system is to be stopped, a controller 3 decreases the coolant flowrate to a fuel cell 1, decreases the cooling performance of the fuel cell 1 and continues operation of the fuel cell 1, and performs a temperature rise operation wherein the temperature of the fuel cell 1 is increased using the heat generated by the electrochemical reaction in the fuel cell 1. After the temperature of the fuel cell 1 has reached a predetermined high temperature, the operation of the fuel cell 1 is stopped.

Abstract: A separator (4) for a fuel cell (1a) is provided which allows effective use of heat generated in proximity to an electrolytic membrane (2) in order to melt frozen water in the gas diffusion electrodes (3a, 3b) of the fuel cell (1a). The separator (4) is provided with a plurality of projections (11) between which a gas flow passage (7a, 7b) on the surface of the separator (4) is formed and which make contact with the gas diffusion electrodes (3a, 3b). The coefficient of thermal conductivity of the projection (11) is smaller than the coefficient of thermal conductivity of other sections of the separator (4).