Abstract: An electrically conductive fluid distribution element for use in a fuel cell includes a conductive metal substrate and a layer of conductive non-metallic porous media. The conductive non-metallic porous media has an electrically conductive material deposited along a surface in one or more metallized regions and having an average thickness less than about 40 nm. The metallized regions improve electrical conductance at contact regions between the metal substrate and the fluid distribution media.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a first valve metal flow field plate. The first valve metal flow field plate has a first cooling channel adapted to receive an aqueous coolant and to contact the aqueous coolant at a position that inhibits the formation of shunt currents when the fuel cell is incorporated in a fuel cell stack. A field assembly includes a first metal flow field plate having a first cooling channel adapted to receive an aqueous coolant is also provided. A valve metal plate is disposed over the first metal flow field plate in the flow field assembly. Fuel cell stacks using the valve metal-containing flow field plates are also provided.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes an assembly of metal oxide comprising valve metal oxide nanotubes.

Abstract: A flow field plate for fuel cell applications includes a metal with a non-crystalline carbon layer disposed over at least a portion of the metal plate. The non-crystalline carbon layer includes an activated surface which is hydrophilic. Moreover, the flow field plate is included in a fuel cell with a minimal increase in contact resistance. Methods for forming the flow field plates are also provided.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a process including providing an electrically conductive fuel cell component having a first face, and depositing a graphitic/conductive carbon film on the first face of the electrically conductive fuel cell component comprising sputtering a graphite target using a closed field unbalanced magnetron field.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment may include a method comprising: depositing a solution comprising an organometallic compound on a substrate, drying the solution to provide a film of the organometallic compound and at least partially oxidizing an organic component of the organometallic compound to provide nanoparticles including metal oxides on the substrate which would have multiuse industrial applications.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment may include a method comprising: depositing a solution comprising an organometallic compound on a substrate, drying the solution to provide a film of the organometallic compound and at least partially oxidizing an organic component of the organometallic compound to provide nanoparticles including metal oxides on the substrate which would have multiuse industrial applications.

Abstract: A method including providing a substrate; treating the substrate to form a passive layer, wherein the passive layer has a thickness of at least 3 nm; and depositing an electrically conductive coating over the substrate, wherein the coating has a thickness of about 0.1 nm to about 50 nm.

Abstract: A flow field plate for fuel cell applications includes a metal with a graphene-containing layer disposed over at least a portion of the metal plate. The graphene-containing layer includes an activated surface which is hydrophilic. Moreover, the flow field plate is included in a fuel cell with a minimal increase in contact resistance. Methods for forming the flow field plates are also provided.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides a hydrophilic electrically conductive fluid distribution plate and a method of making, and system for using, the hydrophilic electrically conductive fluid distribution plate. In at least one embodiment, the plate comprises a plate body defining a set of fluid flow channels configured to distribute flow of a fluid across at least one side of the plate, and a composite conductive coating having a water contact angle of less than 40° adhered to the plate body. In at least one embodiment, the composite coating comprises a polymeric conductive layer adhered to the plate body having an exterior surface, and a particulate carbon layer adhered to the exterior surface of the polymeric conductive layer.

Abstract: A fuel cell component includes an electrode support material made with nanofiber materials of Titania and ionomer. A bipolar plate stainless steel substrate and a carbon-containing layer doped with a metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, iridium, ruthenium, gold, palladium, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides an electrically conductive fluid distribution plate and a method of making, and system for using, the electrically conductive fluid distribution plate. In at least one embodiment, the plate comprises a plate body defining a set of fluid flow channels configured to distribute flow of a fluid across at least one side of the plate, and a polymeric porous conductive layer proximate the plate body, with the porous conductive layer having a porosity sufficient to result in a water contact angle of the surface of less than 40°.

Abstract: A flow field plate for fuel cell applications includes a metal with a non-crystalline carbon layer disposed over at least a portion of the metal plate. The non-crystalline carbon layer includes an activated surface which is hydrophilic. Moreover, the flow field plate is included in a fuel cell with a minimal increase in contact resistance. Methods for forming the flow field plates are also provided.

Abstract: A flow field plate for fuel cell applications includes a metal with a non-crystalline carbon layer disposed over at least a portion of the metal plate. The non-crystalline carbon layer includes an activated surface which is hydrophilic. Moreover, the flow field plate is included in a fuel cell with a minimal increase in contact resistance. Methods for forming the flow field plates are also provided.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed includes a product comprising a fuel cell bipolar plate comprising a substrate comprising a first face, a reactant gas flow field defined in the first face, and a layer over at least a portion of the first face, wherein the layer comprises a zeolite.

Abstract: A flow field plate or bipolar plate for a fuel cell that includes a carbide coating that makes the bipolar plate conductive, hydrophilic and stable in the fuel cell environment. Suitable carbides include, but are not limited to, chromium carbide, titanium carbide, tantalum carbide, niobium carbide and zirconium carbide. The carbide coating is then polished or textured by a suitable process, such as laser or chemical etching, to provide a surface morphology that makes the coating more hydrophilic, and further reduces the contact resistance on its surface.

Abstract: A metallic bipolar plate for use in a fuel cell includes a metallic bipolar plate having one or more channels and a contact surface. The contact surface has a surface roughness defined by a plurality of peaks and valleys wherein at least a portion of the valleys are filled with an electrically conductive material. The contact surface is adapted to contact the anode diffusion layer or the cathode diffusion layer such that the contact resistance occurring at this surface is lower than when the electrically conductive material is not present. A fuel cell incorporating the metallic bipolar plate is also provided.

Abstract: A fuel cell system that employs a surface active agent that reduces the surface tension of the water in the flow field channels. The fuel cell system includes humidifiers that humidify the cathode inlet airflow and the hydrogen anode gas. The surface active agent is mixed with the humidifying water in the humidifiers so that the surface active agent enters the flow field channels to reduce the surface tension of the water therein, thus allowing the water to wick the channels. In one non-limiting embodiment, the surface active agent is ethanol. Ruthenium can be added to the platinum in the catalyst layers of the fuel cells to mitigate the poisoning of platinum by carbon monoxide, which is one of the oxidation products of ethanol on the cathode side of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A flow field plate or bipolar plate for a fuel cell that includes a conductive coating having formed nanopores that make the coating hydrophilic. Any suitable process can be used to form the nanopores in the coating. One process includes co-depositing a conductive material and a relatively unstable element on the plate, and then subsequently dissolving the element to remove it from the coating and create the nanopores. Another process includes using low energy ion beams for ion beam lithography to make the nanopores.

Abstract: A flow field plate or bipolar plate for a fuel cell that includes a combination of TiO2 and a conductive material that makes the bipolar plate conductive, hydrophilic and stable in the fuel cell environment. The TiO2 and the conductive material can be deposited on the plate as separate layers or can be combined as a single layer. Either the TiO2 layer or the conductive layer can be deposited first. In one embodiment, the conductive material is gold.