Abstract: The fuel cell includes an anode chamber having a hydrogen inlet emerging into it. A wall separating the inside of the anode chamber from the outside thereof includes a main region having a first thermal conduction resistance between the outside and the inside of the anode chamber, and a region for promoting the condensation of water having a second thermal conduction resistance between the outside and the inside of the anode chamber strictly smaller than the first thermal conduction resistance so as to delimit a water condensation surface within the anode chamber. A channel for removing the condensed water connects the condensation area to the outside of the anode chamber.

Abstract: Adjacent elementary cells are connected in series by connecting elements, each of which is arranged in an interconnection area. The connecting elements are separated from the respective electrolytic membranes of the two adjacent cells to be connected thereby. In this way, they are never in contact with these electrolytic membranes. For one of the two cells, the connecting element is separated from the electrolytic membrane by an empty space, whereas for the other cell, it is separated from the electrolytic membrane by a thin barrier layer designed to act as buffer area for variations in volume of said membrane when the cell is in operation. The thin barrier layer is formed by a polymer material having a lower water absorption capacity than that of the polymer material constituting the electrolytic membrane of the cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell is provided with an individual cell having first and second electrodes and a membrane formed by a polymer electrolyte including an ionically conducting part. The polymer electrolyte includes at least an ionically non-conducting part forming a first inactive area localized on a first uncovered part not covered by the first electrode and/or a second inactive area localized on a second uncovered part not covered by the second electrode. A cover encloses the cell and is provided with an inner wall mechanically fixed onto at least the first or second inactive area by adhesion means.

Abstract: A water detection device comprising at least one fuel cell comprising a first electrode, a layer of electrolyte, a second electrode and an electrical measurement device characterized in that the first electrode of the cell is in contact with a first face of a porous silicon substrate comprising Si—H bonds, in such a manner as to liberate a flow of hydrogen in the presence of water. Advantageously, the substrate of porous silicon is incorporated into a first housing permeable to water, the fuel cell being incorporated into a second housing said second housing being impermeable to water and permeable to oxygen.

Abstract: Water produced in a fuel cell is managed and/or regulated by an assembly comprising at least one hydrophobic element and a hydrophilic element. The hydrophilic element is in contact with at least one first area of an outer surface of the cathode. The hydrophobic element covers the whole of a face of the hydrophilic element opposite the outer surface of the cathode and comprises at least one through opening releasing an area of said face of the hydrophilic element.

Abstract: A device comprising a chamber in which a hydrogen-air or methanol-air type fuel cell is arranged, the chamber including an upper wall in which an opening is formed, a lower wall on which the cell is arranged so that the surface of exposure to air of the cell faces the upper wall, and a fan arranged in the opening.

Abstract: To prevent the liquid electrolyte from penetrating into the porous support while at the same time preserving or increasing the power density of the fuel cell, before the liquid electrolyte is deposited, at least a part of the walls delineating the pores of said support is covered by a film formed by a material presenting a contact angle of more than 90° with a drop of said liquid electrolyte. Said film further presents a thickness enabling passage of the reactive fluid in the pores of the support.

Abstract: Adjacent individual cells of a fuel cell are connected in series by intermediate connecting parts. Each connecting part is formed by a branch made from an electrically conducting material and extending the first current collector of a cell perpendicularly and connected to the second current collector of the adjacent cell. Each first current collector is moreover formed by an electrically insulating porous matrix incorporating said electrically conducting material, and the first current collectors of two adjacent cells are separated by an area of electrically insulating porous material, said electrically insulating porous material being identical to that forming the porous matrix of said first current collectors. Series connection between the individual cells of such a fuel cell is thereby easy and quick to implement.

Abstract: A hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell including, on the anode side, a hydrogen storage buffer chamber. The buffer chamber includes a wall having at least a semi-permeable portion, impermeable to gases (hydrogen-oxygen-air) and permeable to water.

Abstract: An oxygen/hydrogen fuel cell including a package having, on the side of the cell intended to be exposed to air, an enclosure provided with a mobile cap; an element made of a material which deforms according to the humidity ratio in the package; circuitry for controlling the opening and the closing of the mobile cap; and a switch which opens and closes according to the deformation of said material, said switch being associated with control means.

Abstract: Water produced in a fuel cell is managed and/or regulated by an assembly comprising at least one hydrophobic element and a hydrophilic element. The hydrophilic element is in contact with at least one first area of an outer surface of the cathode. The hydrophobic element covers the whole of a face of the hydrophilic element opposite the outer surface of the cathode and comprises at least one through opening releasing an area of said face of the hydrophilic element.

Abstract: Adjacent individual cells of a fuel cell are connected in series by intermediate connecting parts. Each connecting part is formed by a branch made from an electrically conducting material and extending the first current collector of a cell perpendicularly and connected to the second current collector of the adjacent cell. Each first current collector is moreover formed by an electrically insulating porous matrix incorporating said electrically conducting material, and the first current collectors of two adjacent cells are separated by an area of electrically insulating porous material, said electrically insulating porous material being identical to that forming the porous matrix of said first current collectors. Series connection between the individual cells of such a fuel cell is thereby easy and quick to implement.

Abstract: To prevent the liquid electrolyte from penetrating into the porous support while at the same time preserving or increasing the power density of the fuel cell, before the liquid electrolyte is deposited, at least a part of the walls delineating the pores of said support is covered by a film formed by a material presenting a contact angle of more than 90° with a drop of said liquid electrolyte. Said film further presents a thickness enabling passage of the reactive fluid in the pores of the support.