Abstract: An apparatus and methods for detecting and identifying faults in a fuel cell are disclosed. An impedance spectrum relating to the fuel cell is compared with fault criteria to identify fault conditions in the fuel cell. A time-varying current is drawn from the fuel cell at a selected frequency and the impedance of the fuel cell at the frequency is measured. This may optionally be repeated at a range of frequencies or at combinations of frequencies to provide an impedance spectrum across the range of frequencies. The fault criteria identify one or more fault conditions that may be identified by comparing the measured impedance spectrum to the fault conditions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for deionization and hydrogen fuel production in a fuel generation mode, and electricity production in a power generation mode. In one embodiment, a capacitive deionization (CDI) device receives water and electrical energy to produce deionized water that is transferred to a proton electrode membrane electrolysis (PEME) device to produce hydrogen fuel by electrolysis. A storage system receives the hydrogen. The hydrogen is transferred from the storage system to a proton electrode membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) device that produces electrical energy. In another embodiment, the PEME and the PEMFC are functionally combined in a unitary regenerative fuel cell (URFC). In still another embodiment, a humidification unit and the CDI are functionally combined. In yet another embodiment, a CDI, URFC and the humidification unit are combined in a single unitary assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for deionization and hydrogen fuel production in a fuel generation mode, and electricity production in a power generation mode. In one embodiment, a capacitive deionization (CDI) device receives water and electrical energy to produce deionized water that is transferred to a proton electrode membrane electrolysis (PEME) device to produce hydrogen fuel by electrolysis. A storage system receives the hydrogen. The hydrogen is transferred from the storage system to a proton electrode membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) device that produces electrical energy. In another embodiment, the PEME and the PEMFC are functionally combined in a unitary regenerative fuel cell (URFC). In still another embodiment, a humidification unit and the CDI are functionally combined. In yet another embodiment, a CDI, URFC and the humidification unit are combined in a single unitary assembly.

Abstract: Corrugated flow field plates for use in fuel cells typically comprise a plurality of parallel open-faced fluid flow channels for the fuel cell reactants. Complex flow paths, such as serpentine flow paths, may be created in such corrugated flow field plates by incorporating channel couplings within the plate or by attaching coupling subassemblies to the plate. The plates are particularly suitable for use in solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells.

Abstract: Corrugated flow field plates for use in fuel cells typically comprise a plurality of parallel open-faced fluid flow channels for the fuel cell reactants. Complex flow paths, such as serpentine flow paths, may be created in such corrugated flow field plates by incorporating channel couplings within the plate or by attaching coupling subassemblies to the plate. The plates are particularly suitable for use in solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for deionization and hydrogen fuel production in a fuel generation mode, and electricity production in a power generation mode. In one embodiment, a capacitive deionization (CDI) device receives water and electrical energy to produce deionized water that is transferred to a proton electrode membrane electrolysis (PEME) device to produce hydrogen fuel by electrolysis. A storage system receives the hydrogen. The hydrogen is transferred from the storage system to a proton electrode membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) device that produces electrical energy. In another embodiment, the PEME and the PEMFC are functionally combined in a unitary regenerative fuel cell (URFC). In still another embodiment, a humidification unit and the CDI are functionally combined. In yet another embodiment, a CDI, URFC and the humidification unit are combined in a single unitary assembly.