Abstract: [Problems] To easily and efficiently manufacture a catalyst layer having high catalytic activity and to easily manufacture a fuel cell having high power generation efficiency. [Solution] An apparatus for forming a catalyst layer 3 for a fuel cell on an electrolyte film (application object) 2, the apparatus including: a holding portion 6 that holds a sheet-shaped electrolyte film 2, an application portion 7 that applies a catalyst ink 5 for forming the catalyst layer 3 on at least one side of the electrolyte film 2 held by the holding portion 6, a chamber portion 8 that is capable of forming a space 55 including the holding portion 6, and a suction portion 9 that depressurizes the inside of the space 55 formed by the chamber portion 8 so as to dry the catalyst ink 5.

Abstract: An in-line coating device includes: a coating section configured to perform coating on a workpiece; and a transport section configured to transport a plurality of the workpieces in the coating section. The coating section is provided with a plurality of coating materials which are aligned. The transport section transports the workpieces such that the workpieces face the plurality of coating materials. The in-line coating device includes a voltage applying section configured to, when the workpiece is transported and faces each coating material, apply to the workpiece, a bias voltage to attract particles emitted from the coating material toward the workpiece. The bias voltages applied to the workpiece by the voltage applying section when the workpiece faces one of the coating materials can be different from that applied when the workpiece faces another one of the coating material.

Abstract: A membrane catalyst layer assembly production method is provided for producing a membrane catalyst layer assembly by discharging catalyst ink having a solvent and a solid component onto an electrolyte membrane. The membrane catalyst layer assembly production method includes forming a first catalyst ink layer having a first porosity on the electrolyte membrane by controlling a porosity of a catalyst ink layer that is formed by the catalyst ink making impact with the electrolyte membrane by adjusting an amount of solvent in the catalyst ink in drop form prior to impact with the electrolyte membrane, and forming a second catalyst ink layer having a second porosity, which is different from the first porosity, on the first catalyst ink layer, by adjusting the amount of solvent in the catalyst ink in drop form prior to impact with the first catalyst ink layer.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack seal structure of a fuel cell stack, the fuel cell stack including a plurality of fuel cell single cells that are stacked, each of the fuel cell single cells including a membrane electrode assembly and a pair of separators holding the membrane electrode assembly between the pair of separators, includes inner peripheral sealing members and an outer peripheral sealing member at peripheral edges of a pair of separators, in which the inner peripheral sealing members close a gap between inner peripheral ribs that protrude at least towards a mutually facing sides of the pair of separators, and the outer peripheral sealing member that closes a gap between outer peripheral ribs that protrude at least towards the mutually facing sides of the pair of separators. The inner peripheral sealing members and the outer peripheral sealing member form a first closed space between the inner peripheral sealing members and the outer peripheral sealing member.

Abstract: A method is provided that modifies a catalyst layer of a membrane catalyst layer assembly, which is manufactured by transferring the catalyst layer formed on a transfer sheet onto an electrolyte membrane. In the catalyst layer correction method, presence or absence of a defect in the catalyst layer is detected. The defect is removed based on the size and position of the detected defect. The portion from which the defect has been removed is repaired by application thereto of a correcting ink corresponding to the catalyst layer.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of cell modules each formed by stacking a plurality of fuel cells, each of the plurality of fuel cells having a membrane electrode assembly having an insulating member at an outer periphery portion thereof and paired separators sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly, and by attaching the insulating members of adjacent fuel cells together, and a seal plate interposed between the stacked cell modules. The seal plate includes a plurality of manifold holes from which two power-generation gases flow separately through the plurality of fuel cells, and a first seal member provided along a peripheral portion of each of the plurality of manifold holes to seal a corresponding one of the two power-generation gases flowing through the manifold hole.

Abstract: A membrane catalyst layer assembly production method is provided for producing a membrane catalyst layer assembly by discharging catalyst ink having a solvent and a solid component onto an electrolyte membrane. The membrane catalyst layer assembly production method includes forming a first catalyst ink layer having a first porosity on the electrolyte membrane by controlling a porosity of a catalyst ink layer that is formed by the catalyst ink making impact with the electrolyte membrane by adjusting an amount of solvent in the catalyst ink in drop form prior to impact with the electrolyte membrane, and forming a second catalyst ink layer having a second porosity, which is different from the first porosity, on the first catalyst ink layer, by adjusting the amount of solvent in the catalyst ink in drop form prior to impact with the first catalyst ink layer.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack seal structure of a fuel cell stack, the fuel cell stack including a plurality of fuel cell single cells that are stacked, each of the fuel cell single cells including a membrane electrode assembly and a pair of separators holding the membrane electrode assembly between the pair of separators, includes inner peripheral sealing members and an outer peripheral sealing member at peripheral edges of a pair of separators, in which the inner peripheral sealing members close a gap between inner peripheral ribs that protrude at least towards a mutually facing sides of the pair of separators, and the outer peripheral sealing member that closes a gap between outer peripheral ribs that protrude at least towards the mutually facing sides of the pair of separators. The inner peripheral sealing members and the outer peripheral sealing member form a first closed space between the inner peripheral sealing members and the outer peripheral sealing member.

Abstract: [Problems] To easily and efficiently manufacture a catalyst layer having high catalytic activity and to easily manufacture a fuel cell having high power generation efficiency. [Solution] An apparatus for forming a catalyst layer 3 for a fuel cell on an electrolyte film (application object) 2, the apparatus including: a holding portion 6 that holds a sheet-shaped electrolyte film 2, an application portion 7 that applies a catalyst ink 5 for forming the catalyst layer 3 on at least one side of the electrolyte film 2 held by the holding portion 6, a chamber portion 8 that is capable of forming a space 55 including the holding portion 6, and a suction portion 9 that depressurizes the inside of the space 55 formed by the chamber portion 8 so as to dry the catalyst ink 5.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes at least two cell modules adjacent to each other, the at least two cell modules each being formed by stacking a plurality of fuel cells into an integrated unit and a seal plate interposed in a cooling flow channel defined between separators of the at least two cell modules, the cooling flow channel configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow therethrough. The seal plate includes a manifold portion in which a plurality of manifold holes are formed to allow two power-generation gases to flow separately through the plurality of manifold holes and through the plurality of fuel cells and a seal member provided along a peripheral portion of each of the plurality of manifold holes to provide sealing for a corresponding one of the two power-generation gases flowing through the manifold hole.

Abstract: A method is provided that modifies a catalyst layer of a membrane catalyst layer assembly, which is manufactured by transferring the catalyst layer formed on a transfer sheet onto an electrolyte membrane. In the catalyst layer correction method, presence or absence of a defect in the catalyst layer is detected. The defect is removed based on the size and position of the detected defect. The portion from which the defect has been removed is repaired by application thereto of a correcting ink corresponding to the catalyst layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a separator assembly includes a preparation step for preparing a first separator, a second separator, and an elastic member; a first placement step for positioning the elastic member and placing the same on a placement surface; a second placement step for positioning the first separator in relation to the elastic member, and placing the first separator so as to overlap the elastic member; and a joining step for joining the elastic member and first separator which have been positioned and made to overlap. In the second placement step, the first separator is made to overlap the elastic member while first positioning members for positioning the elastic member are made to retract into the placement surface.

Abstract: An air cell includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and an outer frame member located at outer peripheries of the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The positive electrode and the outer frame member are integrally joined together. An assembled battery includes a plurality of air cells, the air cells being stacked on top of each other. This configuration can increase mechanical strength and improve sealing performance for an electrolysis solution in the positive electrode. In addition, a reduction in thickness of the entire air cell can be achieved so that the assembled battery suitable for use in a vehicle can be provided.

Abstract: A cell structure of a fuel cell, including: a membrane electrode assembly M in which an electrolyte membrane 1 is sandwiched between a pair of electrode layers 2 and 3; a frame 4 disposed around an outer periphery of the electrolyte membrane 1; a separator 5 to define a gas channel G between the separator 5 and the membrane electrode assembly M; a seal member 6 disposed at an outer side of the gas channel G; and a gas-permeable metal porous body 23 disposed on a surface of the electrode layers 2 and 3, wherein the metal porous body 23 includes an extension 23A at an outer rim that extends outward beyond the electrode layers 2, the frame 4 includes an embedding portion 40 where the extension 23A of the metal porous body 23 is embedded, and the cell structure further comprises a holding means to hold the extension 23A of the metal porous body 23 between the separator 5 and the embedding portion 40.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack is provided that comprises a laminate obtained from unit cells of rectangular plates, end plates disposed at both end surfaces of the laminate, and a pair of reinforcing plates disposed on a first and third outer peripheral surfaces, wherein the respective end plates and reinforcing plates are connected. Each reinforcing plate has a base plate covering that covers the first or third outer peripheral surface of the laminate, and a pair of holding portions that cover the second and fourth outer peripheral surfaces of the laminate partly. Each holding portion supports the laminate as a spring element, and the spring elements are attached in the direction of displacement of the laminate. As a result, the resonant frequency of the laminate is increased and vibration resistance is improved without increasing the parts count.

Abstract: A sealing structure includes: components (1, 2, 11, 16, 21, 22, 33, 34, 44, 51, 52, 61, 62) respectively having sealing surfaces (8, 9, 14, 17, 30, 31, 42, 43, 49, 71, 72) on surfaces thereof facing each other; and a seal member (3, 18, 25, 37, 46, 50, 55, 65, 104, 105, 106, 140, 240) interposed between the sealing surfaces to make the sealing surfaces closely adhere to each other, and at least a hard carbon film (6, 7, 13, 28, 29, 40, 41, 48, 53, 54, 66, 67, 108, 120, 130, 220, 230, 320, 330, 430) is formed on one or both of the sealing surfaces.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a separator assembly includes a preparation step for preparing a first separator, a second separator, and an elastic member; a first placement step for positioning the elastic member and placing the same on a placement surface; a second placement step for positioning the first separator in relation to the elastic member, and placing the first separator so as to overlap the elastic member; and a joining step for joining the elastic member and first separator which have been positioned and made to overlap. In the second placement step, the first separator is made to overlap the elastic member while first positioning members for positioning the elastic member are made to retract into the placement surface.

Abstract: An in-line coating device includes: a coating section configured to perform coating on a workpiece; and a transport section configured to transport a plurality of the workpieces in the coating section. The coating section is provided with a plurality of coating materials which are aligned. The transport section transports the workpieces such that the workpieces face the plurality of coating materials. The in-line coating device includes a voltage applying section configured to, when the workpiece is transported and faces each coating material, apply to the workpiece, a bias voltage to attract particles emitted from the coating material toward the workpiece. The bias voltages applied to the workpiece by the voltage applying section when the workpiece faces one of the coating materials can be different from that applied when the workpiece faces another one of the coating material.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack is provided in which a plurality of single cells each including a membrane electrode assembly are stacked in a stacking direction. The fuel cell stack includes a plurality of electrical insulation members each connected to an outer peripheral portion of a corresponding one of the membrane electrode assemblies. The fuel cell stack further includes a first displacement absorbing member disposed between each insulation member and an adjacent insulation member.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack is provided in which a plurality of single cells each including a membrane electrode assembly are stacked in a stacking direction. The fuel cell stack includes a plurality of electrical insulation members each connected to an outer peripheral portion of a corresponding one of the membrane electrode assemblies. The fuel cell stack further includes a first displacement absorbing member disposed between each insulation member and an adjacent insulation member.