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: A micro fuel cell comprises at least a substrate provided with front and rear faces. The front face of the substrate supports a successive stacking of a first electrode, a substantially flat electrolytic membrane and a second electrode. The electrolytic membrane comprises at least one anchoring element salient substantially perpendicularly to a main plane of said membrane. The anchoring element is arranged in a complementary part of an anchoring recess formed in the substrate. The substrate can also comprise a plurality of microchannels, substantially perpendicular to the main plane of the membrane. The anchoring recess can then be formed by one of the microchannels whereas the other microchannels enable supply of the first electrode with reactive fluid. Such a micro fuel cell is able to operate when a pressure difference exists between the two sides of the stacking.

Abstract: A gas-generating apparatus includes a cartridge including a reservoir having a first reactant and a reaction chamber, and a receiver that can include a flow control device. The receiver is adapted to receive the cartridge and to transport the first reactant to the reaction chamber after connection with the cartridge. The flow control device is adapted to stop the transport of reactant when the pressure in the reaction chamber reaches a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fuel cell assembly that arranges a plurality of individual fuel cells into an array. The fuel cells are set into openings formed in a frame. The openings are arranged into the array, such as in columns and rows. A rear cover is sealingly attached to the frame, thereby defining a chamber between the frame and a base of the rear cover, where the chamber serves as a manifold. Optional supports extend from the base to the fuel cells. The void forms a fluid manifold for dispersing fuel for the fuel cells from a fuel reservoir to the fuel cells. Alternatively, the rear cover separates the interstitial space between the rear cover and the frame into compartments, which are fluidly interconnected by channels. The array may also include a functional element electrically connected to the fuel cells configured to transfer power an electronic device.

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 fuel cell comprises at least two current collectors, an electrically insulating separator element and solid electrolyte. Each current collector comprises at least one transverse passage passing through it from a first surface to a second surface and the separator element comprising opposite first and second faces is arranged between the current collectors. A plurality of transverse channels pass through the separator element from the first face to the second face and the ionically conducting solid electrolyte occupies the volume bounded by the channels of the separator element and by the passages of the current collectors. The separator element is formed by a thermoplastic polymer material and hard particles are arranged in the transverse channels.

Abstract: The basic module has a large functional surface area compared with its relatively small global surface area. It is composed mainly of a multitude of micro-volumes (10, 110) installed in a closed space between a lower border (1), upper border (2) and side border (3). Each micro-volume wall is covered with a layer forming the membrane/electrodes basic element. Circulation of a first reactant to pass inside each micro-volume (10, 110) is enabled, whereas circulation of a second reactant to pass inside each micro-volume (10, 110) is enabled. The space between the micro-volumes (10, 110) may possibly be filled in with a porous material to stiffen the assembly. Applications for small sized fuel cells.

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: The invention relates to a fuel cell with a stack comprising an electrolytic membrane (4), with front and rear faces (4a, 4b) on which first and second current collectors (13, 15) are respectively arranged, each comprising a metallic deposit and provided with a number of transverse passages. First and second electrodes (14, 16) are respectively arranged on the first and second current collectors (13, 15) such as to come into direct contact with the electrolytic membrane (4).

Abstract: An electrode for an alkali fuel cell comprises an active layer formed by a bilayer or by a stack of a plurality of bilayers. Each bilayer is composed of a catalytic layer comprising catalyst particles of nanometric size and of a porous layer comprising two opposite faces one of which is in contact with the catalytic layer. The porous layer is made from a porous composite material comprising a hydroxide ion conducting polymer matrix in which a metallic lattice is formed constituting a plurality of electronically conducting paths connecting the two opposite faces of the porous layer. Advantageously, fabrication of such an electrode is obtained by successively performing vacuum deposition of the catalyst particles and vacuum co-deposition of the hydroxide ion conducting polymer and of the metal on a free surface of a support.

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: A device for generating hydrogen by hydrolysis of a hydride comprising a reactor containing the hydride in solid form, in the divided state or not, and comprising at least one orifice for removing the hydrogen produced; means for releasing the water required for the hydrolysis reaction; and at least one envelope suitable for isolating the hydride from the water required for the hydrolysis reaction, the envelope being made from a consumable material. According to the present invention, the envelope is suitable for contacting the water with the hydride in a site capable of serving as the seat of the hydrolysis reaction and of moving in the reactor as the material constituting the envelope is consumed by the hydrolysis reaction products.

Abstract: Device for generating gas by placing a liquid reactant in contact with a solid element, comprising a liquid reactant tank (6) and a reaction chamber (8) intended to contain the solid element, wherein the tank (6) and the reaction chamber (8) are separated in a sealed manner by a mobile wall (4), with an outlet port (26) for collecting the gas generated in the reaction chamber and means (14) for injecting the liquid reactant onto the solid element, which injection means (14) pass through the mobile wall (4) and are capable of moving into the solid element.

Abstract: A method of producing hydrogen comprises reacting a hydrogenated compound and water. The hydrogenated compound is in contact with, or may be mixed with an oily substance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microcomponent including an electrochemical storage source. It includes a first substrate (1) having a contact face (3) and a second substrate (10) having a contact face (13), at least one cavity (5) being formed in at least one of the substrates from the contact face, the two substrates (1, 10) being integrated with said contact faces by sealing means (18), wherein said cavity, thus sealed, contains the electrochemical storage source, and the microcomponent provides the electrical connections between the electrochemical storage source and the external environment.

Abstract: A microbattery has a support having a front face, a rear face, first and second current collectors arranged on the front face. A stack including a cathode and an anode separated by an electrolyte is arranged on the current collectors. The anode and cathode respectively contact the first and second current collectors. A protective layer covers the stack. The microbattery has connections in contact with the first and second current collectors, passing through the support from the front face to the rear face. The stack substantially covers of the front face of the support. A method for producing the mircobattery includes etching cavities, in the front face of the support, having a depth that is smaller than the thickness of the support, filing of the cavities with a conducting material and removing a layer of the rear face of the support to uncover the conducting material in the cavities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a fuel cell, comprising a step of forming a plurality of holes (10) in at least two substrates (9); each hole is in the seat of an individual fuel cell, the said holes having a particular geometry, such as a shape of a truncated cone or a truncated pyramid shape. The various individual cells are then electrically connected by networks of electrical connections (11, 12) and are supplied via a reactant distribution network, the assembly formed by a substrate (9), the cells and the networks constituting a base module (9?). Finally, at least two base modules (9?) are assembled, the individual cells of each base module being positioned facing the individual cells of the adjacent base module(s).

Abstract: The fuel cell (2) is of the kind comprising an anode (12) and a cathode (10) between which an electrolyte (18) is interposed. Solid bodies (20) storing a hydrogen mass, able to be decomposed by combustion, are associated to pyrotechnic means (24,26) to release the hydrogen and bring it into contact with the anode (12). Means (38) tap the ambient air to bring it into contact with the cathode (10). Firing of the pyrotechnic means (24,26) is placed under the control of addressing means (28) embedded in the appliance (2). The surplus water produced by the exchange between the hydrogen and the oxygen is resorbed by the temperature increase induced by combustion of the bodies (20). The solid bodies (20) are supported by an interchangeable card (22).

Abstract: A fuel cell comprises a thermal dissipation structure whose connecting element (8) is a shape memory alloy highly conductive at high temperatures, but much less so at low temperatures, which allows the cell to heat up quicker and reach its performance level.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing at least one buried micro-channel on a substrate consisting in applying and moving an optic radiation on a stacking in a predetermined direction. The stacking successively comprises a deformable absorbent thin layer and a thin-layer formed by a material able to locally release gas due to the action of a heating caused by the optic radiation. Local application of the optic radiation on the stacking forms a gas bubble, by local heating of the thin layer able to release gas, deforming the absorbent thin layer. Then the movement of the optic radiation extends the deformation of the absorbent thin layer in the direction of movement of the optic radiation and forms the buried micro-channel. The invention also relates to a micro-device for transportation of fluid and to a micro fuel-cell.