Abstract: The disclosure provides a graphene electrode, an energy storage device employing the same, and a method for fabricating the same. The graphene electrode includes a metal foil, a non-doped graphene layer, and a hetero-atom doped graphene layer. Particularly, the hetero-atom doped graphene layer is separated from the metal foil by the non-doped graphene layer.

Abstract: Composition in the form of a solution and/or dispersion, comprising: at least one polyazole with an intrinsic viscosity, measured in at least 96% by weight sulfuric acid, in the range from 3.0 to 8.0 g/dl, and orthophosphoric acid (H3PO4) and/or polyphosphoric acid, wherein the polyazole content, based on the total weight of the composition, is in the range from 0.5% by weight to 30.0% by weight, the H3PO4 and/or polyphosphoric acid content, based on the total weight of the composition, is in the range from 30.0% by weight to 99.5% by weight, the H3PO4 and/or polyphosphoric acid concentration, calculated as P2O5 (by acidimetric means), based on the total amount of H3PO4 and/or polyphosphoric acid and/or water, is in the range from 70.5% to 75.45%. Additionally protected are particularly advantageous processes for preparation and for use of the inventive composition.

Abstract: A cathode for a solid oxide fuel cell, the cathode including: a mixed ionic-electronic conductor having a structure in a form of a pattern.

Abstract: A method of deposition, by drop-on-demand inkjet printing, of the catalytic layer of a fuel cell comprising the deposition, on a printing surface, of an ink generating substantially circular structures comprising a bead at their periphery.

Abstract: A hydrophilic polymeric ionomer obtainable by reacting, in a solvent, components comprising a polymer and an ionic component selected from a strong acid or a strong base. The present invention also comprises methods of forming such membranes.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a nickel-cermet electrode that includes steps of formation of a mixture containing an organic nickel salt in solid state and at least one ceramic material in solid state at ambient temperature, followed by shaping of the mixture and heat treatment of the shaped mixture, preferably under reducing conditions, to form the nickel-cermet electrode. The organic nickel salt is chosen from a nickel acetate, a nickel carbonate and a nickel tartrate.

Abstract: A method for making a fibrous layer for fuel cell applications includes a step of combining a perfuorocyclobutyl-containing resin with a water soluble carrier resin to form a resinous mixture. The resinous mixture is then shaped to form a shaped resinous mixture. The shaped resinous mixture includes perfuorocyclobutyl-containing structures within the carrier resin. The shaped resinous mixture is contacted (i.e., washed) with water to separate the perfuorocyclobutyl-containing structures from the carrier resin. Optional protogenic groups and then a catalyst are added to the perfuorocyclobutyl-containing structures.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for manufacturing porous oxide electrode layer, comprising: preparing an electrode slurry containing an electrically conductive oxide material powder, a dispersant, water and a moisture agent; spin coating the electrode slurry on a surface of a thin electrolyte or a porous substrate and simultaneously controlling the thickness and uniformity of the electrode layer on the fine electrolyte or the porous substrate; and calcining the electrode layer on the fine electrolyte or the porous substrate to form a porous electrode.

Abstract: A fuel cell component includes a first fluid distribution layer, a second fluid distribution layer, a cap layer, a third fluid distribution layer, and a pair of fluid diffusion medium layers. The individual layers are polymeric, mechanically integrated, and formed from a radiation-sensitive material. The first fluid distribution layer, the second fluid distribution layer, the cap layer, the third fluid distribution layer, and the pair of fluid diffusion medium layers are coated with an electrically conductive material. A pair of the fuel cell components may be arranged in a stack with a membrane electrode assembly therebetween to form a fuel cell.

Abstract: A positive electrode composite for a solid oxide fuel cell, on the positive electrode composite including: a porous reaction prevention layer; and a mixed-conductivity material disposed in the porous reaction prevention layer.

Abstract: Cohesive carbon assemblies are prepared by obtaining a carbon starting material in the form of powder, particles, flakes, or loose agglomerates, dispersing the carbon in a selected organic solvent by mechanical mixing and/or sonication, and substantially removing the organic solvent, typically by evaporation, whereby the cohesive assembly of carbon is formed. The method is suitable for preparing free-standing, monolithic assemblies of carbon nanotubes in the form of films, wafers, or discs, having high carbon packing density and low electrical resistivity. The method is suitable for preparing adherent cohesive carbon assemblies on substrates comprising various materials. The assemblies have various potential applications, such as electrodes or current collectors in electrochemical capacitors, fuel cells, and batteries, or as electromagnetic interference shielding materials.

Abstract: Plural columnar recesses are formed in a depressed form, on one end surface of a solid electrolyte disposed on a side facing an anode. Accordingly, the solid electrolyte is formed with a thick-walled portion and thin-walled portions, wherein the thick-walled portion extends from an abutment surface with respect to the anode to an abutment surface with respect to a cathode. The thin-walled portions extend from the abutment surface with respect to the cathode to the columnar recesses, and further have a thickness smaller than that of the thick-walled portion. Therefore, the anode also is formed on bottom and side wall surfaces of the columnar recesses. In the obtained electrolyte electrode assembly, a calculated value of conductance per unit area is set at 2 to 30 S/cm2.

Abstract: This method for producing an aluminum composite including porous sintered aluminum, includes: mixing aluminum powder with a sintering aid powder containing either one or both of titanium and titanium hydride to obtain a raw aluminum mixed powder; adding and mixing a water-soluble resin binder, water, a plasticizer containing at least one selected from polyhydric alcohols, ethers, and esters, and a water-insoluble hydrocarbon-based organic solvent containing five to eight carbon atoms into the raw aluminum mixed powder to obtain a viscous composition; shape-forming the viscous composition on an aluminum foil or an aluminum plate and causing the viscous composition to foam to obtain a formed object prior to sintering; and heating the formed object prior to sintering in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to obtain an aluminum composite which includes porous sintered aluminum integrally joined onto the aluminum foil or the aluminum plate, wherein when a temperature at which the raw aluminum mixed powder starts to melt is

Abstract: A product comprising a fuel cell component comprising a substrate and a coating overlying the substrate, the coating comprising nanoparticles having sizes ranging from 2 to 100 nanometers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of electrochemical cells and fuel cells, and more specifically to polymer-electrolyte-membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) and direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC). It is directed to catalyst-coated ionomer membranes (“CCMs”) and membrane-electrode-assemblies (“MEAs”) that contain one or more protective film layers for protection, sealing and better handling purposes. The one or more protective film layers are attached to the surface of said catalyst-coated membranes in such a way that they overlap with a region of the passive non-coated ionomer area, and with a region of the active area that is coated with a catalyst layer. Furthermore, the present invention discloses a process for manufacture of CCMs and MEAs that contain protective film layers. The materials may be used as components for the manufacture of low temperature fuel cell stacks.

Abstract: A component for use in assembling a membrane electrode assembly comprises a microporous layer supported on a transfer substrate, wherein the microporous layer comprises carbon particles and a hydrophobic polymer, and a polymer layer is present on the microporous layer. A process for preparing a component for use in assembling a membrane electrode assembly includes forming the microporous layer on the transfer substrate and applying a polymer layer on the microporous layer. The microporous layer may also be deposited onto a gas diffusion substrate for use in the membrane electrode assembly.

Abstract: An electrode for fuel cells including a catalyst layer containing a benzoxazine monomer, a catalyst and a binder, and a fuel cell employing the electrode. The electrode for the fuel cells contains an even distribution of benzoxazine monomer, which is a hydrophilic (or phosphoric acidophilic) material and dissolves in phosphoric acid but does not poison catalysts, thereby improving the wetting capability of phosphoric acid (H3PO4) within the electrodes and thus allowing phosphoric acid to permeate first into micropores in electrodes. As a result, flooding is efficiently prevented. That is, liquid phosphoric acid existing in large amount within the electrodes inhibits gas diffusion which; this flooding occurs when phosphoric acid permeates into macropores in the electrodes. This prevention of flooding increases the three-phase interfacial area of gas (fuel gas or oxidized gas)-liquid (phosphoric acid)-solid (catalyst).

Abstract: Electrically conductive meshes with pore sizes between about 20 and 3000 nanometers and with appropriately selected strand geometry can be used as engineered supports in electrodes to provide for improved performance in solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Suitable electrode geometries have essentially straight, parallel pores of engineered size. When used as a cathode, such electrodes can be expected to provide a substantial improvement in output voltage at a given current.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a segmented-in-series fuel cell and a method for making the same. The present invention uses an inkjet printer to apply layers of the fuel cell to a substrate, which allows for a controlled application of the fuel cell layers to the substrate. The present invention also discloses an ink material for use in the segmented-in-series fuel cells and a method for making the same.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly including an anode that incorporates a porous support and a hydrogen permeable metal thin film disposed on the porous support; a cathode; and a proton conductive solid oxide electrolyte membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a rechargeable electrochemical metal-oxygen cell, comprising at least one positive electrode, at least one negative metal-comprising electrode and at least one separator having two sides for separating the positive and negative electrodes, wherein, in one of the process steps, at least one side of the separator is coated with at least one material for forming one of the two electrodes (hereinafter referred to as electrode material) or at least one side of at least one of the two electrodes is coated with at least one material for forming the separator (hereinafter referred to as separator material) to form a separator-electrode assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to gas diffusion electrodes for rechargeable electrochemical cells, which comprise at least one support material bearing at least one catalyst, wherein the support material comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of electrically conductive metal oxides, carbides, nitrides, borides, silicides and organic semiconductors. The present invention further relates to a process for producing such gas diffusion electrodes and also rechargeable electrochemical cells comprising such gas diffusion electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an MEA which improves water retention properties of an electrode catalyst layer without inhibiting diffusion of a reaction gas and drainage of water produced by an electrode reaction etc. One aspect of the present invention is a manufacturing method of an MEA which includes coating and drying a catalyst ink to form a first electrode catalyst sub-layer, coating and drying a catalyst ink to form a second electrode catalyst sub-layer, and forming the first and the second electrode catalyst sub-layers on a polymer electrolyte membrane in this order, and has a specific feature that a solvent removal rate in drying to form the first electrode catalyst sub-layer is higher than that in drying to form the second electrode catalyst sub-layer.

Abstract: A membrane-membrane reinforcing member assembly (1) of the present invention includes: a polymer electrolyte membrane (10) having a pair of first main surface (F1) and second main surface (F2) which face each other and each has a substantially rectangular shape; a pair of first membrane reinforcing members 22 and 24 which are disposed on portions, respectively, extending along a pair of opposed sides of four sides of the first main surface (F1), each has a main surface smaller than the first main surface (F1) and each has a film shape; and a pair of second membrane reinforcing members (26) and (28) which are disposed on portions, respectively, extending along a pair of opposed sides of four sides of the second main surface (F2), each has a main surface smaller than the second main surface (F2) and each has a film shape, wherein the pair of first membrane reinforcing members (22) and (24) and the pair of second membrane reinforcing members (26) and (28) are disposed so as to extend along four sides as a whole,

Abstract: A composite seal having a multilayer elastomeric construction and method for constructing the same is provided. More specifically, the present invention provides a composite seal comprised of a low-durometer elastomer compliant layer coated with, or alternatively encapsulated by, a thin protective layer for securely sealing a bipolar plate and a membrane electrode assembly of a fuel cell. The elastomer compliant layer is preferably a silicone constituent and the thin coat protective layer is preferably a fluoroelastomer or fluoropolymer constituent suitable for bonding to the elastomer compliant layer. The foregoing layers constructing the composite seal are preferably deposited directly onto the aforementioned fuel cell components along a predetermined periphery. The resulting composite seal is thin in construction, resistive to undesired chemical and thermal reactions and provides the necessary compressive compliance without undue stress on the fuel cell assembly.

Abstract: An exemplary fuel cell component comprises a porous plate. A vapor permeable layer is provided on at least one portion of the porous plate. The vapor permeable layer is configured to permit vapor to pass through the layer while resisting liquid passage through the layer.

Abstract: A coating including a silica-based material having pendent functional groups.

Abstract: The present subject matter provides a method of manufacturing an electrode for a fuel cell, in which nanocarbons are grown on the surface of a substrate for a fuel cell using a process of simultaneously gasifying a platinum precursor and a carbon precursor, and simultaneously core-shell-structured platinum-carbon composite catalyst particles are highly dispersed between nanocarbons The subject matter also provides an electrode for a fuel cell, manufactured by the method. This method is advantageous in that an electrode for a fuel cell having remarkably improved electrochemical performance and durability can be manufactured by a simple process.

Abstract: A process comprising: submerging a fuel cell bipolar plate in a bath comprising nanoparticles and a liquid phase comprising a nanoparticles dispersion agent and wherein the bipolar plate includes an upper surface having a plurality of lands and channels formed therein; removing the fuel cell bipolar plate from the bath so that a coating comprising nanoparticles adheres to the fuel cell bipolar plate; while the coating is wet and before the coating is dried and solidified, removing the coating comprising nanoparticles from the lands of the bipolar plate, leaving coating comprising nanoparticle in the channels; and drying the coating in the channels.

Abstract: Coating of catalyst ink is applied to a surface of a transfer roll to form a catalyst layer. The catalyst layer formed on the transfer roll is pressed on an excess coating-solution removing roll having a recessed portion while the catalyst layer is in semi-dry state to transfer and remove an excess catalyst layer from the transfer roll to a protruded portion of the excess coating-solution removing roll. The recessed portion has a same shape or a substantially same shape as a target pattern. A semi-dry catalyst layer having a target shape and remaining on the transfer roll is pressed on a polymer electrolyte membrane to bring the semi-dry catalyst layer into intimate contact with a surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane. The polymer electrolyte membrane having each side on which the semi-dry catalyst layer has been formed is dried.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a ceramic device in a low pO2 atmosphere, comprising the steps of: providing a composition comprising a base material and a transition metal; wherein the base material for the first layer is selected from the group consisting of zirconate, cerate, titanate, lanthanate, aluminate, doped zirconia and/or doped ceria, wherein the dopants are selected from the group of Ca, Ga, Sc, Y, and lanthanide elements; forming a first layer of said composition, wherein said first layer is an electrolyte layer; forming at least one electrode layer or electrode precursor layer on one side or both sides of said first layer; and sintering the multilayer structure in a low pO2 atmosphere; characterized in that: the amount of the transition metal is from 0.01 to 4 mol %, based on the composition of the first layer; the oxygen partial pressure pO2 is 10?14 Pa or less; and the sintering temperature is in the range of from 700 to 1600° C.

Abstract: A method of processing a ceramic electrolyte suitable for use in a fuel cell is provided. The method comprises situating a ceramic electrolyte layer over an anode layer; and subjecting the ceramic electrolyte layer to a stress prior to operation of the fuel cell, by: exposing the top surface of the electrolyte layer to an oxidizing atmosphere and the bottom surface of the electrolyte layer to a reducing atmosphere; and heating the electrolyte layer. The stress causes a substantial increase in the number of microcracks, or in the average size of the microcracks, or in both the number of the microcracks and their average size. A solid oxide fuel cell comprising a ceramic electrolyte layer processed by the disclosed method is also provided.

Abstract: An example fuel cell electrode forming method includes covering at least a portion of a copper monolayer with a liquid platinum and replacing the copper monolayer to form a platinum monolayer from the liquid platinum.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electrical power storage system using hydrogen includes a power generation unit generating power using hydrogen and oxidant gas and an electrolysis unit electrolyzing steam. The electrical power storage system includes a hydrogen storage unit storing hydrogen generated by the electrolysis and supplying the hydrogen to the power generation unit during power generation, a high-temperature heat storage unit storing high temperature heat generated accompanying the power generation and supplying the heat to the electrolysis unit during the electrolysis, and a low-temperature heat storage unit storing low-temperature heat, which is exchanged in the high-temperature heat storage unit and generating with this heat the steam supplied to the electrolysis unit.

Abstract: A method for preparing an electrode, includes the steps of preparing a suspension of a polyoxometalate and a material conferring electronic conductivity and comprising positive charges in a solvent; depositing the suspension obtained in the first step on a carbon medium; drying the suspension deposited in previous step, and applying a binder to the suspension dried in previous step to obtain an electrode.

Abstract: A method for making sulfur-graphene composite material is disclosed. In the method, a dispersed solution including a solvent and a plurality of graphene sheets dispersed in the solvent is provided. A sulfur-source chemical compound is dissolved into the dispersed solution to form a mixture. A reactant, according to the sulfur-source chemical compound, is introduced to the mixture. Elemental sulfur is produced on a surface of the plurality of graphene sheets due to a redox reaction between the sulfur-source chemical compound and the reactant, to achieve the sulfur-graphene composite material. The sulfur-graphene composite material is separated from the solvent.

Abstract: A method for producing a fuel cell electrode catalyst, including a step (I) of bringing an aqueous solution of a transition metal compound (1) into contact with ammonia and/or ammonia water to generate a precipitate (A) containing an atom of the transition metal, a step (II) of mixing at least the precipitate (A), an organic compound (B), and a liquid medium (C) to obtain a catalyst precursor liquid, and a step (IV) of subjecting the solid in the catalyst precursor liquid to heat treatment at a temperature of 500 to 1200° C. to obtain an electrode catalyst; a portion or the entirety of the transition metal compound (1) being a compound containing a transition metal element of group 4 or group 5 of the periodic table; and the organic compound (B) being at least one selected from sugars and the like.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrolyte, and an electrically conductive first dot pattern contact layer disposed on the first electrode. The first dot pattern contact layer includes a plurality of discrete protrusions.

Abstract: One embodiment may include a product including a substrate and a stress spring over the substrate. The stress spring may be constructed and arranged over the substrate so that the stress spring prevents or limits damage or undesirable effects caused by subsequent operations performed on the substrate or upon subsequent exposure of the substrate to high strain conditions. The stress spring may include a layer including an alloy or polymer.

Abstract: Patterned multilayer films, such as those used in electronic devices, solar cells, solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), and solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) may be deposited and annealed in a single tool. The tool includes an inkjet printer head, a heater, and a laser. The inkjet printer head deposits on a substrate either suspended particles of a functional material or solvated precursors of a functional material. The head is mounted on a support that allows the head to scan the substrate by moving along the support in a first direction and moving the support along a second direction. After the head deposits the material the heater evaporates solvent from substrate, and the depositing and heating may be repeated one or more times to form a patterned multilayer material. Then, a laser, microwave, and/or Joule effect heating device may be used to anneal the multilayer material to a desired pattern and crystalline state.

Abstract: A self-humidifying fuel cell is made by preparing a porous substrate, coating the substrate with a zeolitic material (or a graphene derivative) and filling the pores with a mixture of graphene derivative and proton-conducting material (or a proton-conducting material). The coating of the substrate includes selecting a zeolitic material, and applying coating on the pore walls and surface of the porous substrate, to form zeolitic material-coated pores. The resulting composite material is used as a self-humidifying proton-conducting membrane in a fuel cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrocatalyst for a fuel cell comprising carbon nanotubes as substrate, ruthenium oxide deposited on the substrate, platinum particles supported on the ruthenium oxide, and manganese dioxide layer coated on the surface of the ruthenium oxide-platinum particles deposited carbon nanotubes. The invention also relates to the method of preparing the electrocatalyst for a fuel cell comprising the steps of depositing ruthenium oxide on the surface of carbon nanotubes, depositing platinum particles on the ruthenium oxide, and coating a manganese dioxide layer on the surface of the ruthenium oxide-platinum particles deposited carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A method for using an integrated battery and device structure includes using two or more stacked electrochemical cells integrated with each other formed overlying a surface of a substrate. The two or more stacked electrochemical cells include related two or more different electrochemistries with one or more devices formed using one or more sequential deposition processes. The one or more devices are integrated with the two or more stacked electrochemical cells to form the integrated battery and device structure as a unified structure overlying the surface of the substrate. The one or more stacked electrochemical cells and the one or more devices are integrated as the unified structure using the one or more sequential deposition processes. The integrated battery and device structure is configured such that the two or more stacked electrochemical cells and one or more devices are in electrical, chemical, and thermal conduction with each other.

Abstract: A bipolar plate assembly for a fuel cell is provided. The bipolar plate assembly includes a first electroformed unipolar plate disposed adjacent a second electroformed unipolar plate. The first and second unipolar plates are bonded by a plurality of localized electrically and thermally conductive plugs by electroplated material deposited within apertures formed in the substrates onto which the unipolar plates are electroformed. A method for forming the bipolar plate assembly is also described.

Abstract: A cathode for a fuel cell includes a gas diffusion layer contacting with a separator having a channel and a catalyst layer interposed between the gas diffusion layer and an electrolyte membrane. The catalyst layer of the cathode has two portions with different water-repelling properties, and a portion of the catalyst layer that does not face a channel has a higher water-repelling property than a portion that faces a channel. This cathode controls a water-repelling property of the catalyst layer differently according to locations, so it is possible to keep an amount of moisture in an electrode in a suitable way and to restrain generation of flooding, thereby improving the performance of the cell.

Abstract: In a method for producing a proton-conductive, structured electrolyte membrane, particularly for a fuel cell, a coating, which comprises at least one ion-conductive cross-linking component having at least one acid group and at least one photoactive substances interacting therewith, is applied onto a solid body surface. The coating is optically masked in that at least one region of the coating, in which the electrolyte membrane is supposed to be, is exposed such that the cross-linking component cross-links with the photoactive substances to form a polymer and/or copolymer network adhering to the solid body surface. At least one unexposed region of the coating is removed in order to structure the electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an electrolyte for an SOFC battery comprising a CVD (chemical vapor deposition) deposition step, on a substrate, of a stack of at least three layers of materials YSZ/X/YSZ, X being a different material than YSZ.

Abstract: Disclosed are a metal separator for fuel cells, which exhibits excellent properties in terms of corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity and durability, and a method of manufacturing the same. The metal separator for fuel cells includes a separator-shaped metal matrix and a coating layer formed on the metal matrix. The coating layer has a concentration gradient of a carbon element C and a metal element Me according to a thickness thereof such that the carbon element C becomes gradually concentrated in the coating layer with increasing distance from the metal matrix, and the metal element Me becomes gradually concentrated in the coating layer with decreasing distance from the metal matrix.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for a solid oxide fuel cell, the electrode assembly including a porous ceramic oxide matrix and an array of fluid conduits. The porous ceramic oxide matrix includes a labyrinth of reinforcing walls interconnected to one another. Each of the fluid conduits is formed from the porous ceramic oxide matrix and has an external surface with a plurality of struts projecting outwardly therefrom and an internal surface defining a first passage for flowing a first fluid therethrough. The struts are configured to connect the fluid conduits to one another and the external surfaces and the struts define a second passage around the fluid conduits for flowing a second fluid therethrough.

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.