Abstract: A method for the production of coated substrates, such as OLEDs is disclosed, whereby at least one layer is deposited on the at least one substrate, by means of a condensation method and a solid and/or fluid precursor and, in particular, at least one sublimate source is used for at least one part of the reaction gases. The invention is characterized in that, by means of a temperature control of the reaction gases between precursor source(s) and substrate, a condensation of the reaction gases before the substrate(s) is avoided.

Abstract: A thin film is formed using an atomic layer deposition process, by introducing a first reacting material including tantalum precursors and titanium precursors onto a substrate. A portion of the first reacting material is chemisorbed onto the substrate. Then, a second reacting material including oxygen is introduced onto the substrate. A portion of the second reacting material is also chemisorbed onto the substrate, to form an atomic layer of a solid material on the substrate. The solid material may be used as a dielectric layer of the capacitor and/or a gate dielectric layer of the transistor.

Abstract: A vulcanizable rubber composition having improved metal adhesion and metal adhesion retention properties with bright steel, the improvement wherein from about 0.1 to about 10 parts by weight of a compound selected from the group consisting of aminosilanes and mercaptosilanes and mixtures thereof, per 100 parts of the rubber component in the rubber composition is incorporated into the rubber composition prior to curing. Structural components for a pneumatic tire contain a cured rubber composition, having from about 0.1 to about 10 parts by weight of a compound selected from the group consisting of aminosilanes and mercaptosilanes and mixtures thereof per 100 parts of the rubber component in the rubber composition, incorporated into the rubber compounds prior to curing. A method for improving metal adhesion and metal adhesion retention properties between a vulcanizable rubber composition and bright steel comprises the step of incorporating from about 0.

Abstract: A fiber product offering health-enhancing effects is obtained by causing a fibrous substrate to contain or be bonded with finely divided titanium powder through the process of impregnation with a water solution containing finely divided titanium powder, which is obtained by dissolving metallic titanium via the combustion gas produced by combusting a gaseous oxygen/hydrogen mixture in high-pressure water in a pressure-resistant tank.

Abstract: A method of making a composite roofing material and the resulting material by depositing nail tabs made of a thermoplastic, thermosetting, adhesive or elastomer material, in a liquid state, onto the base substrate of the composite roofing material or onto the saturated or coated roofing material, or onto a transfer surface to be pressed or laminated onto the roofing material. A preferred embodiment transfers the nail tabs onto an engraved transfer impression roll and uses a pressurized applicator to inject the viscous tab material into engraved patterns depressed in raised areas of the impression roll., then deposits the material onto the roofing material. A preferred embodiment also includes the thermoplastic or thermosetting material in a liquid or viscous state hardened or cured by either its exposure to the air or by the use of ultra-violet or visible light.

Abstract: As track widths of magnetic read heads grow very small, conventional longitudinal bias stabilization has been found to no longer be suitable since the strong magnetostatic coupling at the track edges also pins the magnetization of the free layer. This problem has been overcome by extending the free layer so that it is no longer confined to the area immediately below the spacer or tunneling layer. A longitudinal bias layer immediately below the free layer is given a relatively weak magnetic exchange coupling field of about 200 Oe. Although there is strong exchange coupling between this and the free layer, the degree of pinning of the free layer is low so that the device's output signal is reduced by less than about 10%. A process for manufacturing both the CPP SV and a MTJ versions of the invention is described.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a structured optical device (1) starts with a substrate (2), on which is coated an alignment layer (3) and a liquid crystal polymer network layer (4). One of these layers can be created as a coating using a conventional technique. The other layer, either in a first step the alignment layer or in a second step the liquid crystal polymer network layer, is jet printed. The invention advantageously enables the making of a patterned liquid crystal polymer network which can be personalized upon manufacturing.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical film comprising a layer containing layered clay particles in a radiation cured binder. Also disclosed is a coating dispersion and a method of forming an optical film comprising coating the dispersion on a flexible transparent polymeric support and an LCD or touch screen display incorporating the film.

Abstract: A novel optical compensatory sheet is disclosed. The sheet comprises an optically anisotropic layer comprising at least one compound selected from the group represented by Formula (I): where L1, L2 and L3 respectively represent a single bond, NRa, where Ra is a hydrogen atom (H), an optionally substituted alkyl or aryl group, oxygen atom (O) or sulfur atom (S); A1, A2 and A3 respectively represent an alkylene group; R1, R2 and R3 respectively represent a substituent group; m1, m2 and m3 respectively represent an integer not less than 0, at least one of m1, m2 and m3 is not 0, when m1 and m2 are 0, L3 represents NH or S; and when m1, m2 and m3 are respectively not less than 2, plural A1, A2 or A3 may be same or different each other.

Abstract: Described are media for liquid-crystal applications where the media include a mixture of polar compounds of positive dielectric anisotropy. The mixtures include one or more compounds of the formula I in which: R1 is a halogenated or unsubstituted alkyl or alkoxy radical having from 1 to 15 carbon atoms, where one or more CH2 groups in these radicals are optionally, independently of one another, replaced by —C?C—, —CH?CH—, —O—, —CO—O—or —O—CO— in such a way that O atoms are not linked directly to one another; X is F, Cl, CN, a halogenated alkyl radical, a halogenated alkenyl radical, a halogenated alkoxy radical or a halogenated alkenyloxy radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and L1 and L2 are each, independently of one another, H or F. It being provided that the media exhibit a TN threshold of below 1.3V.

Abstract: A cholesteric display including a liquid crystalline mixture having a dipolar dopant dissolved in the liquid crystalline mixture and the resulting mixture is reflecting light in the visible range of the spectrum when in planar state. In accordance with another aspect, a process includes forming a composition with a dipolar molecule to result in a liquid crystal dipolar dopant, and liquid crystal is added to the composition. In accordance with still another aspect, a device includes a liquid crystal composition includes a cholesteric liquid and a dipolar dopant. The liquid crystal composition is switchable between a focal-conic state and a planar state in the presence of an electric field and is stable in the respective state when the electric field is removed.

Abstract: An improvement applicable to a method for the production of a multi-layer identity card of plastic wherein the card comprises one or more card core layers bonded under the action of pressure and heat and printed on either side or on opposite sides with a covering layer applied to the printed side or sides of the card core. In accordance with the improvement a thermoplastic polymer adhesive is applied between and in direct contact with each covering layer and the respective printed side of the card core, the thermoplastic adhesive coating possessing at least one additive that increases the friction between the covering layer and the printed card core during lamination so as to prevent displacement of the printed card core in relation to the covering layer or layers.

Abstract: A method for chemically etching of a foam glass layer to provide at least one cavity pattern in the foam glass layer. The method utilizes a substrate with at least one major surface suitable for receiving a glass layer. At least one layer of a glass paste composition in then applied onto the major surface of the substrate. The substrate and glass paste composition are then heated to a temperature sufficient enough to obtain a foam glass layer bonded to the major surface of the substrate. At least a portion of the foam glass layer is chemically etched to obtain at least one cavity pattern in the foam glass layer. The chemical etching of the foam glass layer results in an anisotropic etching rate.

Abstract: A privacy screen for a display (e.g., a LCD) having a polarizing film and a birefringent film is described. The privacy screen transmits substantial amounts of light emanating from the display in an orthogonal (or near-orthogonal) direction while not transmitting substantial amounts of horizontal, non-orthogonal light emanating from the display. In this manner, a privacy effect results in that the display is viewable by someone only when that someone is essentially directly in front of the display.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cutting tool in which the hard coating layer demonstrates superior chipping resistance. The cutting tool has a tool base composed with tungsten carbide-based cemented carbide or titanium carbonitride-based Cermet, and a hard coating layer provided on the surface thereof; wherein the hard coating layer includes: (a) a Ti compound and/or Zr compound layer, which is a lower layer, comprising one or more layers of a TiC layer, TiN layer, TiCN layer, TiCO layer, TiCNO layer, ZrC layer, ZrN layer, ZrCN layer, ZrCO layer, ZrCNO layer and (b) an aluminum oxide layer having an ? crystal structure which is an upper layer, including the highest peak in the inclination section within a range of 0–10.

Abstract: There is disclosed a novel mixture of polyhydroxy phenolic curing agents, such as novolac resins blended with a mixture of mono, bis and tris hydroxyaryl phosphine oxides for co-curing epoxy resins and imparting flame resistance thereto. A preferred composition includes a mixture of monohydroxyaryl, bishydroxyaryl and trishydroxyaryl phosphine oxide and a benzoguanamine/phenol/formaldehyde terpolymer which is used along with an epoxy resin to produce flame-resistant printed wiring boards without the use of halogens.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a densified skin polymer foam plank comprising providing a polymer foam having a plurality of cells and heating an outer surface of the foam at a heating station. The heating step collapses and melts the cells adjacent the outer surface to form the densified skin having a density greater than a density of the foam before the heating step. Additionally, the method and apparatus may further include extruding the polymer foam from an extruder.

Abstract: A moisture-absorbing polymeric material is disclosed which comprises a combination of a thermoplastic material with an absorbent. The thermoplastic material is chosen such that when the absorbent is added to the thermoplastic material in the molten state, the absorbent will tend to migrate towards the surface of the moisture-absorbing polymeric material. This results in a concentration gradient for the absorbent wherein the desiccant is more highly concentrated in an outer layer of the polymer material than towards the center. In this way, more absorbent is pushed towards the surface where it can more easily absorb moisture from the surrounding atmosphere.

Abstract: In a the structure of end tape for revealing impending exhausting of a coating film tape supply, the end tape is connected to the core by a first single-sided adhesive tape, and to the coating film tape by a second single-sided adhesive tape, both adhesive tapes having a thickness of not more than 25?. The thickness of the second single-sided adhesive tape is 20% to 70% of the total thickness of the adhered section where the second single-sided adhesive tape, the end tape and the coating film tape overlap, and at least 30% of the thickness of the adhered section where the second adhesive tape is adhered directly to the coating film tape. The thickness of the first adhesive tape is 30% to 70% of the total thickness of the adhered section, where the first adhesive tape and the end tape overlap.

Abstract: A polymer with a hemocompatible film or coating is manufactured by a one-step method comprising polymerizing monomer droplets comprising at least one crosslinking agent to form a polymer and simultaneously coating the resulting polymer using at least one dispersing agent to thereby form a hemocompatible coated polymer.

Abstract: A weldable workpiece prepared by depositing on a surface of the workpiece, an absorber dye possessing strong absorption and a high extinction coefficient. The dye is deposited at a uniform density and thereby has the capacity to convert inbound radiant energy over about 0.1 J per square millimeter into thermal energy via vibronic relaxation and exothermic decomposition. In optical applications, the workpiece forms welds of high photopic and optical transmission. A method for preprocessing the workpiece describes steps for selecting polymers, dyes and vehicles.

Abstract: A transparent sheet having improved optical properties is disclosed. The sheet that features a deviation angle ?? (min) according to DIN 52305-A-AS of ?2.0 and a refracting power D? (min) according to DIN 52305-A-AZ of ?0.05, is prepared by extruding a molding composition comprising linear (co)polycarbonate having weight average molecular weight of 25,000 to 31,000.

Abstract: A glass laminate substrate for electronic substrates, such as flat panel displays, includes a transparent glass core bounded by transparent glass skin layers, wherein the coefficient of thermal expansion of the core is greater than the coefficient of thermal expansion of the skin layers thereby forming a residual compressive stress in the skin layers and a residual tensile stress in the core. The relative thickness of the skin layers can be selected to enhance the strength of the glass laminate substrate while maintaining a sufficiently low residual tensile stress in the core to allow scribing and separating of the substrate to size. Interlayers can be located between the core and the skin layers, wherein the interlayers include a residual compressive stress, and produce a reduced residual tensile stress in the core.

Abstract: Multilayer coextruded thermoformable structures for packaging film applications. The multilayer structures having at least a first layer comprising polyethylene terephthalate, a second layer of a first adhesive comprising a blend of at least an acrylate-based resin and either a modified polyolefin or a modified acrylate-based resin; a third layer of a thermoplastic oxygen barrier. The thermoplastic oxygen barrier may comprise ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), polyvinylidene chloride, or polyamide, preferably, a polyamide blend containing between 1–29% amorphous polyamide. The present invention may further comprise at least 5–7 thermoplastic layers.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic endless belt having a resin layer formed of a resin composition containing a polyamide, the resin composition further contains a copolymer obtained by copolymerization of an olefin and an oxygen-containing heterocyclic compound, a curve (T-log10 ? curve) showing the relationship between temperature T (° C.) and common logarithm log10 ? of melt viscosity ? (Pa·s), of the resin composition has, in the range of log10 ? of from log10 1,000 to log10 8,000, a gently inclined region the inclination ? log10 ?/?T of which is from ?0.02 to 0, and the gently inclined region has a temperature range of 10° C. or more, and the resin layer has a thickness the maximum thickness of which is 115% or less of the average value of the thickness of the resin layer and the minimum thickness of which is 85% or more of the average value of the thickness of the resin layer. Also disclosed is a process for producing the above electrophotographic endless belt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a retortable sealant composition comprising i) at least a copolymer of propylene and ?-olefins, and ii) at least a copolymer of ethylene and alkyl acrylate, wherein the alkyl acrylate is present in an amount ranging from about 1 to less than 9 weight percent, relative to the weight of the sealant composition. It also relates to a retortable multilayer film or a retortable packaging comprising a sealant layer comprising such a composition.

Abstract: A surface protecting adhesive film for a semiconductor wafer in which an adhesive layer is formed on one surface of a base film, wherein the adhesive layer comprises 100 weight parts of a polymer (A) having a functional group capable of reacting with a cross-linking agent and a temperature in a range of from ?50° C. to 5° C. at which tan ? of a dynamic viscoelasticity is maximized, from 10 weight parts to 100 weight parts of a polymer (B) having a functional group capable of reacting with a cross-linking agent and a temperature in a range of from more than 5° C. to 50° C. at which tan ? of a dynamic viscoelasticity is maximized, and from 0.

Abstract: An insulated wire for an automobile coated with an insulating material which is a fire retardant polypropylene-based resin composition, wherein the fire retardant polypropylene-based resin composition comprises a polypropylene-based resin and an inorganic fire retardant at a ratio of from 80 to 20% by weight and from 20 to 80% by weight, respectively, wherein the ratio ?(=?/?a) of the elongation percentage at a yield point ? of the fire retardant polypropylene-based resin in the resin composition to the elongation percentage at a tensile yield point ?a of the polypropylene-based resin alone satisfies the following equation (1): ?=1??W??(1) wherein ? represents a number of 0.6 or less; and W is the weight fraction of the inorganic fire retardant.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a paper container from packaging materials, damage of internal layers of packaging materials is promptly inspected, and degradation by light exposure of content can be prevented. A method of manufacturing light barrier paper packaging materials for liquid food formed from a laminate having a paper layer, a thermoplastic resin outside layer, and a thermoplastic resin inside layer include preparing a substantially completely bleached white bleached paper layer, providing a light barrier layer of light barrier material on the inside of the bleached paper layer before or during lamination of the thermoplastic resin inside layer, and inspecting for defects of the obtained laminate by observation of the visible or invisible inside surface of the bleached paper layer from the thermoplastic resin inside layer side of the obtained laminate through the light barrier layer.

Abstract: There is provided a metal thin film comprising a metal plate and a diamond particle dispersed in the metal plate. According to the present invention, the metal thin film has a film thickness of 5 nm to 35000 nm. The diamond particle is dispersed almost homogeneously over the direction of the film thickness of the metal thin film. The metal thin film has the diamond particle at a concentration of 1 to 12%.

Abstract: A heat exchanger of the plate-fin type has fins of one metal brazed to a plate made of a different metal for use in oil coolers, condensers, evaporators, and the like. The distortion-prone titanium fins of conventional heat exchangers may be replaced with another metal, such as a stainless steel or a nickel based alloy to provide a structure that is resistant to crushing at the brazing temperature. Fluid or air flow resistance (pressure drop) through the heat exchanger may also be improved if the selected fin metal forms better fin shapes and has fewer burrs than conventional titanium fins. The replacement material may also improve the heat transfer performance of the heat exchanger if the selected fin metal has higher thermal conductivity than titanium.

Abstract: An electron transport layer includes an electron transport material (host material) and a carrier transportable dopant. The carrier transportable dopant is contained 1% by weight to 50% by weight, preferably 1% by weight to 10% by weight for the electron transport material. A compound having a carbazole group or a derivative of the compound is employed as the carrier transportable dopant. A complex of an 8-hydroxyquinoline derivative and metal is employed as the electron transport material.

Abstract: A hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, a mixture luminescent layer, a hole blocking layer, an electron injection layer and a cathode are formed on an anode. The mixture luminescent layer includes TCTA as a luminescent substance, Ir(ppy) as a substance emitting light through a triplet excited state, and DCJTB as a luminescent substance emitting the light of a spectral component in the wavelength range of red.

Abstract: An organic electroluminescence material of the present invention includes, in order to provide an durable organic EL device emitting light of high brightness, a compound shown by the general formula (A-I) or (B-I) (as explained in the specification) wherein, A1 to A3 which may be the same or different, are independently each a substituent shown by the general formula (A-II) (as explained in the specification): and a1, b1, and b2 are independently each an aryl group which may be substituted, a1 having at least one substituent shown by the general formula (B-II) (as explained in the specification), and b1 and b2 each having at least one substituent shown by the general formula (B-III) (as explained in the specification), and b1 and b2 may be the same of different.

Abstract: An anti-ferromagnetically coupled, granular-continuous (“AFC-GC”) magnetic recording medium having increased thermal stability, writability, and signal-to-medium noise ratio (“SMNR”), comprising a layer stack including, in sequence from a surface of a non-magnetic substrate: (a) a continuous ferromagnetic stabilizing layer; (b) a non-magnetic spacer layer; and (c) a granular ferromagnetic recording layer; wherein: (i) the continuous ferromagnetic stabilizing and granular ferromagnetic recording layers are anti-ferromagnetically coupled across the non-magnetic spacer layer, the amount of anti-ferromagnetic coupling preselected to ensure magnetic relaxation after writing; (ii) lateral interactions in the granular, ferromagnetic recording layer are substantially completely eliminated or suppressed; and (iii) the exchange coupling strength in the continuous, ferromagnetic stabilizing layer is preselected to be slightly larger than the strength of the anti-ferromagnetic coupling provided by the non-magnetic sp

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium contains a non-magnetic substrate, a non-magnetic layer arranged on or above one side of the non-magnetic substrate and containing a non-magnetic powder, a carbon black and a binder resin, and a magnetic layer being arranged on or above the non-magnetic layer and containing a ferromagnetic powder and a binder resin, in which the binder resin of the non-magnetic layer contains an electron-beam-curable resin having an adsorption with respect to the non-magnetic powder of less than 2.2 mg per square meter in terms of a specific surface area determined according to a BET method. The magnetic recording medium can carry out high-density recording and exhibits improved electromagnetic conversion properties and a reduced error rate.

Abstract: A solid oxide regenerative fuel cell system is used to supply power in a fuel cell mode and to generate a hydrocarbon fuel in an electrolysis mode. The system includes a solid oxide regenerative fuel cell and a reactor adapted to convert an exhaust emitted from the solid oxide regenerative fuel cell to a hydrocarbon gas when the solid oxide regenerative fuel cell operates in an electrolysis mode.

Abstract: Fuel cell apparatus and method for feeding a fuel for fuel cell. Optimal power generation for the output demanded by a fuel cell can be achieved. A fuel mixer can adjust the methanol concentration of a mixed solution, and it adjusts the concentration of the mixed solution to an optimal methanol concentration for a load. Information on the methanol concentration detected by a concentration sensor is sent to a controller and referred to when the fuel mixer adjusts the methanol concentration of the mixed solution. The concentration sensor 115 provided immediately before the fuel cell can achieve power generation while detecting the substantial methanol concentration of the mixed solution fed to the fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack is formed by stacking a plurality of fuel cells. A heating mechanism is provided for heating an outermost fuel cell by external electrical energy. A power generation circuit including electric heaters corresponding to the fuel cells is provided. Further, a switching mechanism including switches for selectively connecting the fuel cells to the power generation circuit or selectively disconnecting the fuel cells from the power generation circuit is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cooling an electrical system comprising circulating in a cooling system of the electrical system a mixture comprising a heat transfer fluid and one or more carboxylic acid salts thereof, wherein the electrical conductivity of the mixture is less than 100 ?S/cm.

Abstract: A hydrogen generation apparatus has a reformer of generating a reformed gas containing at least hydrogen and carbon monoxide by making a material containing an organic compound react with water; carbon-monoxide-removing means of including at least a shifter of reducing the carbon monoxide contained in the reformed gas generated by the reformer in accordance with a shift reaction; and material-humidifying means of humidifying the material by directly or indirectly using moisture contained in the reformed gas.

Abstract: An integrated system for air-cooling a main air blower drive motor and electronic control module in a fuel cell plant support module (PSM) disposed in an enclosure. Process air is drawn by a main blower fan into the enclosure through a filter and then is drawn from the enclosure into the blower via a first shroud surrounding the electronics process control module (ECM) and a second shroud surrounding the blower motor. The air cools these components and is thereby desirably warmed before being directed to the fuel cell assembly via an air distribution system. Thus, the PSM is constantly cooled and purged through the downstream processes, and the incoming air is constantly warmed by recovered heat from the PSM.

Abstract: An assembly for storing electrolyte in a carbonate fuel cell is provided. The combination of a soft, compliant and resilient cathode current collector and an inactive anode part including a foam anode in each assembly mitigates electrical contact loss during operation of the fuel cell stack. In addition, an electrode reservoir in the positive end assembly and an electrode sink in the negative end assembly are provided, by which ribbed and flat cathode members inhibit electrolyte migration in the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A sheet of substrate material is corrugated. First and second troughs are defined on opposed faces of the substrate material. Ion-conducting regions are located in a common wall of the first and second troughs. In the ion-conducting regions ions can pass through the substrate material between the first and second troughs.

Abstract: In order to provide an membrane electrode assembly having an electrolyte membrane in which bending and warping of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane are prevented so as to facilitate the handling ability, in the membrane electrode assembly having an electrolyte membrane comprising a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and a pair of gas diffusion electrodes which are disposed on both sides of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, a flat surface having the same size as the solid polymer electrolyte membrane is formed by disposing a frame-shaped seal member on an outer surface of the gas diffusion electrode, and the flat surface closely contacts to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane so as to be able to cover and support the solid polymer electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: A silicone rubber gasket (35) is adhered to an anode substrate (14) by sealant material, such as a thermoplastic polymer, a thermoset polymer or en elastomeric polymer, which is impregnated (31) to provide an edge seal to the anode substrate. In one embodiment, a silicone rubber gasket (36) is adhered to the cathode substrate (26) by the sealant material which is impregnated (32) to provide a gas edge seal to the cathode substrate. Each fuel cell is completed during the formation of a fuel cell stack by compressing the fuel flow field plates and oxidant flow field plates to the unitized electrode assembly with gaskets. In a second embodiment, the oxidant flow field plate (27) is adhered to the cathode substrate by the sealant material which is impregnated into the cathode substrate to provide a gas edge seal, and the fuel flow field plate (18) is adhered to the oxidant flow field plate (27) by means of the sealant material (53).

Abstract: An electronic device is provided with a fuel cell which is formed to introduce air from at least two surfaces of a casing of the fuel cell and to supply a fuel from an inside of the casing for high energy efficiency. The fuel cell is structured to form an air-supply space between the fuel cell and the electronic device and mounted in a manner that the surface of the fuel cell, which is on a reverse side of the surface facing the electronic device, is exposed to the ambient air. The electronic device is provided with a fuel cell structured to supply air from at least two surfaces of the casing to achieve better energy efficiency.

Abstract: An intermediate plate is interposed between first and second sub-stacks. The intermediate plate has, defined in a surface thereof, an oxygen-containing gas mixing passage interconnecting an oxygen-containing gas outlet in the first sub-stack which is located upstream and an oxygen-containing gas inlet in the second sub-stack which is located downstream. In the first and second sub-stacks, an oxygen-containing gas is supplied from the oxygen-containing gas inlet and discharged to the oxygen-containing gas outlet at all times.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell is formed by arranging a fuel electrode layer and an air electrode layer on both surfaces of a solid electrolyte, respectively, a fuel electrode current collector and an air electrode current collector outside the fuel electrode layer and the air electrode layer, respectively, and separators outside the fuel electrode current collector and the air electrode current collector. In a first embodiment, a fuel gas and an oxidant gas are supplied from the separators to the fuel electrode layer and the oxidant electrode layer, respectively, through the fuel electrode current collector and the air electrode current collector, respectively. Each separator is formed by laminating a plurality of thin metal plates at least including a thin metal plate in which a first gas discharge opening is arranged in a central part and second gas discharge openings are circularly arranged in a peripheral part, and a thin metal plate with an indented surface.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly (46) having a first reactant flow field (80) secured adjacent a first or second surface (48, 50) of the assembly (46) for directing flow of a first reactant adjacent the first or second surface of the assembly (46). The first reactant flow field (80) defines a plurality of two-pass circuits (82, 84, 86, 88), and each two-pass circuit (82) is in fluid communication with both a first reactant inlet (90) for directing the first reactant into the fuel cell (12), and with a first reactant outlet (92) for directing the first reactant out of the fuel cell (12). The plurality of two-pass circuits (82) facilitate water movement (112) toward the reactant inlet (90) to aid in passive maintenance of fuel cell (12) water balance.