Abstract: A method for recovering ruthenium oxide or gold and titanium or titanium oxide from a bipolar plate at the end of the life of a fuel cell stack so as to use these materials in other fuel cell stacks thereafter. The bipolar plate is immersed in a solution including a suitable acid that dissolves the titanium or titanium oxide. The ruthenium oxide or gold will be released from the plate and will float on the solution from which it can be removed. The solution is then heated to evaporate the acid solution leaving a powder of the titanium oxide. The stainless steel of the bipolar plate is thus cleaned of the titanium or titanium oxide, and can be reused.

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: A fuel cell that employs a decomposition catalyst on one or more of the membrane, bipolar plates or diffusion media layers in the fuel cell that decomposes hydrogen peroxide, and thus reduces the generation of hydroxyl free radicals. In one embodiment, the decomposition catalyst is ruthenium oxide and is deposited on the structure by various processes, such as chemical vapor deposition process.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment includes a method of selectively electroplating an electrically conductive coating on portions of a first face of a bipolar plate for use in a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. The first face of the bipolar plate defines at least one reactant gas flow channel and a plurality of lands adjacent the at least one channel. The electrically conductive coating may be selectively electroplated on a plurality of first portions of the lands leaving second portions of the lands uncoated by the electrically conductive coating.

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: One exemplary embodiment includes a fuel cell component having comprising a carbon chain, and a material grafted to the coating/surface, wherein the material includes ionic or polar groups. One embodiment includes composite plates which include carbon that can be activated and treated to make their surface hydrophilic.

Abstract: A fluid distribution element is provided for a fuel cell having a major surface facing a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and one or more flow channels for transporting gas and liquid to and from the MEA. One or more regions of the major surface are overlaid with a super-hydrophilic corrosion-resistant layer comprising a fluoropolymer. Methods of making such a fluid distribution element are also provided.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a method including providing a bipolar plate for a fuel cell having a reactant gas flow field defined therein by a plurality of lands and at least one channel, and depositing a low contact resistant material selectively over portions of the lands leaving portions of the lands uncovered by the low contact resistant material.

Abstract: An electrically conductive fluid distribution element for use in a fuel cell having a conductive non-metallic porous media having a surface with an electrically conductive metal deposited along one or more metallized regions. The metallized regions are arranged to contact a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) in a fuel cell assembly, and thus improve electrical conductance at contact regions between the MEA and the fluid distribution media. Methods of making such a fluid distribution element and operating fuel cell assemblies are also provided.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides an electrically conductive fluid distribution separator plate assembly, a method of making, and a system for using, the electrically conductive fluid distribution separator plate assembly. In at least one embodiment, the electrically conductive fluid distribution separator plate assembly comprises a metallic cathode plate having opposed surfaces and a first contact resistance, a polymeric composite anode plate adjacent to the metallic cathode plate, and a low contact resistance coating located on at least one of the surfaces of the plates, with the coating having a second contact resistance, less than the first contact resistance.

Abstract: Devices comprising an electrochemical conversion assembly comprise a plurality of electrochemical conversion cells, and a plurality of electrically conductive bipolar plates, wherein the electrochemical conversion cells are disposed between the adjacent bipolar plates. The electrochemical conversion assembly further comprises a plurality of conversion assembly gaskets, wherein the respective conversion assembly gaskets are molded onto corresponding ones of the plurality of bipolar plates. The conversion assembly gaskets comprise a mixture including polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF).

Abstract: A method for coating a fuel cell component is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a fuel cell component, and forming a coating on a surface of the fuel cell component with a plasma jet. The step of forming the coating may include applying a coating precursor to a surface of the fuel cell component and then reacting the coating precursor with the plasma jet to form the coating. The step of forming the coating may also include growing the coating on the surface of the fuel cell component by delivering the plasma jet containing the coating precursor.

Abstract: A product including a polymer electrolyte membrane, an electrode over the membrane, a gas diffusion media layer over the electrode, and a hydrophilic layer over the gas diffusion media layer.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a first fuel cell assembly and a last fuel cell assembly. The first fuel cell assembly includes a first end plate assembly, which has a first end plate cooling channel adapted to receive a coolant. The last fuel cell assembly includes a last end plate assembly that has a last end plate cooling channel. A first electrical potential exists between the first end plate and the last end plate. The fuel cell stack also includes a connecting cooling channel is in fluid communication with the first end plate cooling channel and the last end plate cooling channel. A coolant is contained within the connecting coolant channel, the first end plate cooling channel, and a last end plate cooling channel. The fuel cell stack further includes a coolant electrode positioned in the coolant channel, which contacts the coolant.

Abstract: A metal composite for use in electrochemical devices is disclosed. The metal composite comprises a stainless steel interior component and a deposited nitrided metal exterior layer, wherein the nitrided exterior layer has lower electric contact resistance and greater corrosion resistance than the stainless steel interior component. A bipolar plate made of such metal composite and methods of producing the metal composite and bipolar plate are also disclosed.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides an electrically conductive fluid distribution separator plate assembly, a method of making, and a system for using, the electrically conductive fluid distribution separator plate assembly. In at least one embodiment, the electrically conductive fluid distribution separator plate assembly comprises a metallic cathode plate having opposed surfaces and a first contact resistance, a polymeric composite anode plate adjacent to the metallic cathode plate, and a low contact resistance coating located on at least one of the surfaces of the plates, with the coating having a second contact resistance, less than the first contact resistance.

Abstract: A flow field plate or bipolar plate for a fuel cell, where a surface of the flow field plate is textured or roughened to change the surface morphology of the plate. A conductive coating is deposited on the roughened surface where the roughness of the surface of the plate increases the hydrophilic nature of the coating. Therefore, if the coating is naturally hydrophobic, the surface roughness makes the coating hydrophilic to wick water away. If the coating is a conductive hydrophilic coating, then the surface roughness makes the coating super-hydrophilic, and may counter the effects of surface contamination that would act to make the hydrophilic coating less hydrophilic.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides an electrically conductive fluid distribution separator plate assembly, a method of making, and a system for using, the electrically conductive fluid distribution separator plate assembly. In at least one embodiment, the electrically conductive fluid distribution separator plate assembly comprises a metallic cathode plate having opposed surfaces and a first contact resistance, a polymeric composite anode plate adjacent to the metallic cathode plate, and a low contact resistance coating located on at least one of the surfaces of the plates, with the coating having a second contact resistance, less-than the first contact resistance.

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 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.