Abstract: A separator used in a fuel cell stack includes an inlet chamber, a plurality of partition walls, and an outlet chamber. The partition walls are formed in the same length in an equal interval from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber so as to form a plurality of linear passages. The outlet chamber is formed at an end side of the partition walls. The outlet chamber is provided with a first outlet and a second outlet opening in the facing edges of the separator. A space is provided between the center partition wall and the inner wall surface of the separator in the outlet chamber, and the first outlet and the second outlet communicate with each other via the space.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes an electrolyte electrode assembly and a pair of separators sandwiching the electrolyte electrode assembly. The separator includes first to third plates. A fuel gas channel is formed between the first and third plates. The fuel gas channel forms a fuel gas pressure chamber over an electrode surface of an anode. The fuel gas pressure chamber is divided into an inner pressure chamber and an outer pressure chamber an arc-shaped wall. Reforming catalyst is provided in the outer pressure chamber.

Abstract: An interconnect for a fuel cell stack includes a first set of gas flow channels in a first portion of the interconnect, and a second set of gas flow channels in second portion of the interconnect. The channels of the first set have a larger cross sectional area than the channels of the second set.

Abstract: A gas-impermeable fuel cell separator including ribs that form a gas flow passage, and a sealing section, wherein at least the gas flow passage has a hydrophilically treated surface, and in which the fuel cell separator base material is exposed within the sealing section.

Abstract: The invention concerns a bipolar plate for fuel cell, of the type comprising a cathode bipolar half-plate and an anode bipolar half-plate attached to each other, each bipolar half-plate (1) consisting of a plate including in its central part an active region (2) and at its peripheral part a plurality of cut-outs (4) designed to form at least two oxidant boxes, at least two fuel boxes and at least two coolant boxes, the bipolar plate including at least one connecting channel between each peripheral cut-out and the active region. The invention is characterized in that each connecting channel of a peripheral cut-out with the active region consists of at least one rib (8) in a bipolar half-plate.

Abstract: A fuel cell is provided with a separator that supports an electrolyte/electrode assembly sandwiched therebetween. The separator is provided with: first and second fuel gas supply parts in the center of which fuel gas supply holes are formed; first and second cross-link parts connected to the first and second fuel gas supply parts; and first and second sandwiching support parts connected to the first and second cross-link parts. Each first sandwiching support part is provided with a set of fuel gas exhaust passages that discharge fuel gas that has gone through a fuel gas passage and been used. The cross-sectional areas of the fuel gas exhaust passages are larger on the downstream sides than on the upstream sides, in terms of the direction of fuel gas flow.

Abstract: A separator (41) for use in a fuel cell stack has an anode facing plate (44), a cathode facing plate (42), and an intermediate plate (45). The intermediate plate (45) has an air supply through-hole (452a), an air discharge through-hole (452b), a hydrogen supply through-hole (454a), and a hydrogen discharge through-hole (454b). The intermediate plate (45) also has through-holes (452c1, 452d1, 452e1, and 452f1). The air supply through-hole (452a) is in communication with the through-hole (452c1), the air discharge through-hole (452b) with the through-hole (452d1), the hydrogen supply through-hole (454a) with the through-hole (452e1), and the hydrogen discharge through-hole (454b) with the through-hole (452f1), respectively via communication passages (452c2, 452d2, 452e2, and 452f2) formed in the intermediate plate (45).

Abstract: A flow field plate module for a fuel cell system includes at least one flow field plate defining a fuel transporting channel thereon. The fuel transporting channel is divided into a middle converging zone having a group of first flow guiding plates arranged therein, and two diverging zones located at two lateral sides of the middle converging zone and each having a group of second flow guiding plates arranged therein. The second flow guiding plates are symmetrically arranged in the two diverging zones and are directed at respective inner end toward a space between two adjacent first flow guiding plates in the middle converging zone to thereby offset from each of the two adjacent first flow guiding plates by a predetermined distance in a fuel flowing direction, so that a fluid path is formed between any two adjacent first and second flow guiding plates.

Abstract: A device and method to extract water from a moisture-rich fuel cell flowpath to supply other components of a fuel cell system that require water. A water transport unit is integrated into the fuel cell so that the size, weight and complexity of a fuel cell is minimized. In one embodiment, the device includes numerous flowpaths that include an active region and an inactive region. The water transport unit includes a moisture-donating fluid channel and a moisture-accepting fluid channel, where the latter is fluidly connected with a portion of the fuel cell that is in need of humidification. Upon passage of a moisture-donating fluid through the inactive region of the device flowpath, at least some of the water contained therein passes through the water transport unit to a portion of the fuel cell that is in need of humidification.

Abstract: A bi-polar plate is provided for a fuel cell stack. The bi-polar plate has improved surface wettability. The bi-polar plate includes a body including at least approximately ninety percent by weight of a metal and defining at least one flow channel. At least about 0.05 percent and up to 100 percent by weight of silicon is disposed on a surface of the at least one flow channel to form a high energy surface to form a high energy surface for the bi-polar plate. This can be achieved by adding from 0.5 to 10 weight % silicon to the steel. The percent of silicon is pre-determined based on a desired wettability of the high energy surface of the at least one flow channel.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a bipolar plate assembly for use in a fuel cell stack. The bipolar plate assembly includes: (a) at least one flow field layer defining a flow field portion and a perimeter portion; (b) at least one core assembly including at least one porous carbon layer and at least one impermeable layer; and (c) a cathode side reactant and an anode side reactant. The at least a first flow field layer is made from a porous carbon material and the perimeter portion is impregnated with a polymer material. The porous carbon layer is joined to: (i) the at least one impermeable layer on a first side by an adhesive material; and (ii) the flow field layer perimeter on a second side by a second adhesive material. The at least a first flow field layer defines reactant inlet and outlet ports and reactant flow passageways for each of the cathode side reactant and the anode side reactant.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a porous structure for a fuel cell is disclosed. The method includes providing the porous structure, and processing the porous structure to selectively produce a non-porous region on the porous structure. In one example, the non-porous region is provided at the perimeter of the porous structure, an edge of an internal manifold and/or a surface or recess that supports a seal or gasket. The non-porous region has a porosity that is less than the porosity of the porous structure. The non-porous region prevents undesired leakage of fluid from the porous structure and prevents migration of adhesive associated with the seals.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprises an electrolyte electrode assembly which includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and an electrolyte; a separator which includes a sandwiching portion; a fuel gas channel which is formed at a first surface of the sandwiching portion, and is covered by the anode electrode; fuel gas outlets which are formed around the fuel gas channel; an oxygen-containing gas channel which is formed at a second surface of the sandwiching portion, and is covered by the cathode electrode; and oxygen-containing gas outlets which are formed around the oxygen-containing gas channel, in which the oxygen-containing gas outlets are formed at phases different from phases of the fuel gas outlets in a thickness direction of the separator.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a plurality of electrolyte electrode assemblies and a pair of separators sandwiching the electrolyte electrode assemblies. A substantially ring shaped stopper is formed integrally with a plate of the separator. The stopper has a guide inclined surface, and the guide inclined surface contacts an anode inclined surface formed in an outer circumferential region of the anode of the electrolyte electrode assembly for preventing exposure of the anode to the exhaust gas.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprising: a membrane electrolyte assembly having a polymer electrolyte membrane and a pair of catalyst electrodes, namely an air electrode and a fuel electrode sandwiching the polymer electrolyte membrane; a pair of separators, namely an air electrode separator and a fuel electrode separator sandwiching the membrane electrolyte assembly; two or more oxidizing gas channels running in a certain direction for the purpose of supplying an oxidizing gas to the air electrode; and two or more linear fuel gas channels arranged parallel to the certain direction for the purpose of supplying a fuel gas to the fuel electrode. Large gaps and small gaps are provided alternately between adjacent two oxidizing gas channels along the certain direction, and the fuel gas channels do not overlap portions of the oxidizing gas channels, that are parallel to the fuel gas channels.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack including an electricity generating unit and a pair of end plates is disclosed. The electricity generating unit includes membrane-electrode assemblies and separators interposed between the membrane-electrode assemblies. The separators have recess portions formed on side faces thereof and may be configured to hold an external device for replacement of a single membrane-electrode assembly within the fuel cell stack. The end plates are located sandwiching the electricity generating unit by using fastening members to press the electricity generating unit.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack configured to alleviate pressure and decrease the flow rate of at least one of a fuel and an oxidant is disclosed. The fuel cell stack includes a membrane-electrode assembly, an anode separator, a cathode separator and a filing member. The membrane-electrode assembly may include an electrolyte membrane, an anode formed on a first surface of the electrolyte membrane, and a cathode formed on a second surface of the electrolyte membrane. The anode separator may include a fuel channel, a fuel inlet manifold in fluid communication with the fuel channel, and a fuel outlet manifold in fluid communication with the fuel channel. The cathode separator may include an oxidant channel, an oxidant inlet manifold in fluid communication with the oxidant channel, and an oxidant outlet manifold in fluid communication with the oxidant channel. The filling member may be positioned within at least one of the fuel inlet manifold and the oxidant inlet manifold.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes: a plurality of membrane-electrode assemblies; first and second end plates respectively positioned outside outermost ones of the membrane-electrode assemblies; and a plurality of separators respectively positioned between the membrane-electrode assemblies and between the outermost ones of the membrane-electrode assemblies and the first and second end plates. The first end plate includes an oxidizing agent inlet, an oxidizing agent outlet, and a moisture supplying flow path connecting the oxidizing agent inlet and the oxidizing agent outlet. The moisture supplying flow path includes a first end portion adjacent to the oxidizing agent outlet and a second end portion adjacent to the oxidizing agent inlet, the first end portion being larger than the second end portion and being a different distance away from a surface of the first end plate facing away from the second end plate than the second end portion.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack including a plurality of membrane-electrode assemblies, a plurality of separators in close contact with the membrane-electrode assemblies between the membrane-electrode assemblies, and gaskets provided on the separators. Each of the separators includes an anode separator having first through holes and a cathode separator in contact with the anode separator and having the second through holes. Each of the gaskets includes a penetrating portion filled in the first through holes and penetrating the anode separator and the cathode separator and a sealing portion coupled to the penetrating portion and protruding from outer surfaces of the anode and cathode separators in a thickness direction of the anode separator and the cathode separator.

Abstract: A direct oxidation fuel cell of this invention has at least one unit cell including: a membrane-electrode assembly comprising an electrolyte membrane sandwiched between an anode and a cathode, each of the anode and the cathode including a catalyst layer and a diffusion layer; an anode-side separator with a fuel flow channel for supplying a fuel to the anode; and a cathode-side separator with an oxidant flow channel for supplying an oxidant containing oxygen gas to the cathode. The fuel flow channel and the oxidant flow channel are so structured that the concentration of the oxygen gas in the oxidant flow channel is higher at a part opposing an upstream part of the fuel flow channel than at a part opposing a downstream part of the fuel flow channel.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes power generation devices each including membrane electrode assemblies and corrugated separators. A coolant channel is provided between the power generation devices. A first-end corrugated separator has a first protrusion that protrudes between recesses of the coolant channel in a direction away from one of adjacent membrane electrode assemblies of the membrane electrode assemblies. The first-end corrugated separator is disposed at a first end of each of the power generation devices in a stacking direction. A second-end corrugated separator has a second protrusion that protrudes between recesses of the coolant channel in a direction away from another of the adjacent membrane electrode assemblies. The second-end corrugated separator is disposed at a second end of each of the power generation devices in the stacking direction. The first protrusion and the second protrusion are disposed to be superposed with each other in the stacking direction.

Abstract: A conductance at an oxidizer flow path forming member is defined as C1, a conductance at an opening portion of the oxidizer flow path forming member at which an oxidizer flow rate regulating portion is arranged is defined as C2, the conductances have a relationship of C1>C2. Further, the fuel cell stack has at least one inner fuel cell unit having a value of C1/C2 which is larger than values of C1/C2 of fuel cell units located at both ends of the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed includes a product comprising: a fuel cell component comprising a substrate and a first coating overlying the substrate, the coating comprising a compound comprising at least one Si—O group, at least one polar group and at least one group including a saturated or unsaturated carbon chain.

Abstract: A fuel cell, a method for operating a fuel cell and a fuel cell system, which ensure no dew condensation for a wet reaction gas in the inlet area of gas channels in plates in a fuel cell stack, are provided. Gas channels 2 and heat medium channels are disposed on one surface and the other surface of one plate 1, respectively. Gas channels are disposed on the other plate such that they face the gas channels 2 in the plate 1. A gas inlet header 3 is disposed at the upper part of the gas channel 2 in the plate 1 and a heat medium inlet header is disposed at the upper part of the heat medium channels such that they face the gas inlet header on the other side. Cooling water such as heat medium is supplied from the heat medium supply manifold hole 7 to the heat medium inlet header, thereby warming up the same. The water vapor in the reaction gas (wet fuel gas) is prevented from being condensed in the inlet area of the gas channels 2 by heating up the gas inlet header by the heat conduction.

Abstract: A fuel gas channel is divided into first and second fuel gas channel units by a partition. The first fuel gas channel unit has a fuel gas inlet for supplying a fuel gas before consumption from a fuel gas supply passage to a fuel gas flow field, and the second fuel gas channel unit has an exhaust fuel gas diverging holes for diverging at least some of an exhaust fuel gas used at an anode from the fuel gas flow field. The second fuel gas channel unit is connected to the fuel gas supply passage through an exhaust fuel gas diverging passage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane electrochemical generator (100) characterised by improved electrical insulation and reduced volume. The membrane electrochemical generator (100) is fed with gaseous reactants and comprises a multiplicity of reaction cells (101) assembled in a filter-press configuration. Each of said reaction cells (101) is delimited by a pair of bipolar sheets (102), formed by a metallic central body (110) integrated in a frame (111) made of polymeric material. The polymeric material may be of the thermoplastic or thermosetting type and the frame (111) is laid on the metallic central body (110) by moulding.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte fuel cell of the present invention includes: a membrane-electrode assembly (5) having a polymer electrolyte membrane (1) and a pair of electrodes (4A and 4B); a first separator (6A) having one main surface on which a groove-like first reactant gas channel (8) is formed so as to bend; and a second separator (6B) having one main surface on which a groove-like second reactant gas channel (9) is formed so as to bend.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for producing bipolar plates. The method comprises providing an electrically conductive sheet and then cutting through the sheet to create at least one opening for a fluid in the sheet.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fuel cell having a catalyst coated membrane (CCM) including a membrane sandwiched between an anode layer and a cathode layer; two gas diffusion layers located against respective anode and cathode layers; and two separator plates located against the respective gas diffusion layers. The fuel cell has at least one hydrogen passageway for hydrogen fuel, which extends through the CCM and disposed orthogonal relative to the plane of the layers. The hydrogen fuel is blocked from contacting the cathode layer so that the hydrogen fuel is provided to one side of the anode layer. At least one air/oxygen passageway for air/oxygen fuel extends through the CCM and disposed orthogonal relative to the plane of the layers. The air/oxygen fuel is blocked from contacting the anode layer so that the air/oxygen fuel is provided to one side of the cathode layer. A coolant pathway is in fluid communication with the layers and located to remove heat away from the layers during operation of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes electromotive portions, a first sheet, a second sheet, a replenishing portion and a fuel adjusting film. The electromotive portions cause fuel and oxygen to react chemically with each other to produce electrical energy. The first sheet is provided to supply the fuel to the electromotive portions. The second sheet is provided to supply the oxygen to the electromotive portions. The replenishing portion is provided at a predetermined portion of the first sheet to replenish the first sheet with the fuel. The fuel adjusting film is inserted in the first sheet to adjust the amounts of the fuel to be supplied from the first sheet to the electromotive portions.

Abstract: A caulk is provided for use in a fuel cell system having an externally manifolded fuel cell stack, forming a gas seal between a manifold gasket and the stack face. The caulk is formed of a ceramic material and a binder formed into a paste.

Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell comprising a membrane electrode assembly, a pair of separators that sandwich the membrane electrode assembly therebetween, and a gas inlet distribution part that connects a reactive gas supply manifold hole and a reactive gas flow channel, wherein the gas inlet distribution part comprises n (n is an integer of 2 or more) distribution ribs that divide the gas inlet distribution part into a plurality of spaces, and each have a long axis perpendicular to the long axis of the linear gas flow channel and have two or more slits parallel to the long axis of the linear gas flow channel, when among the ribs, a distribution rib closest to the reactive gas supply manifold hole is defined as a first distribution rib, a distribution rib closest to the reactive gas flow channel is defined as an n-th distribution rib, and among the spaces, a space on the reactive gas supply manifold hole side from the first distribution rib is defined as a diffusion space, the cross-sectional area of the diffusion sp

Abstract: A cathode end plate for a breathable fuel cell stack including a first plate including a plurality of first openings and a second plate contacting one side of the first plate and including a plurality of second openings exposing two or more first openings of the plurality of first openings.

Abstract: A first seal member is formed integrally on both surfaces of a first metal plate. The first seal member is integrally formed on a cooling surface of the first metal plate, except a region corresponding to a reaction surface facing an electrode reaction surface, and except regions of inlet buffers and outlet buffers. The first seal member has an expansion. The position of an end surface of the expansion substantially matches the position of a wall surface of the outermost groove of a coolant flow field to prevent the flow of a coolant around the electrode reaction surface.

Abstract: A flow field plate or bipolar plate for a fuel cell that includes a hydrophilic coating formed on flow field channels extending through a tunnel region between a cell active area and the inlet and outlet manifolds. The flow field plates are an assembly of a cathode side unipolar plate and an anode side unipolar plate. The hydrophilic coating is deposited on the unipolar plates prior to the unipolar plates being assembled into the flow field plate so that line of site deposition processes can be used to coat the flow field channels in the tunnel region. The unipolar plates can be any suitable fuel cell unipolar plates, such as stamped unipolar plates or composite unipolar plates.

Abstract: A coated product for use in an electrochemical device including a metal sheet substrate provided with a coating system. The coating system including a first metal layer as an outer layer and a second metal coating layer as a layer between the first metal layer and the substrate. An alloy diffusion layer including the first metal and the second metal is present to provide the substrate with a corrosion resistant coating system. A method for producing the coated product and the use thereof in fuel cells or electrolysers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A plate for a membrane humidifier for a fuel cell system is disclosed, wherein the plate includes a top layer formed from a diffusion medium and a bottom layer formed from a diffusion medium with an array of substantially planar elongate ribbons disposed therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microfibrous fuel cell sub-bundle structures, fuel cell bundles and fuel cell assemblies formed by such fuel cell sub-bundles and bundles. Specifically, a fuel cell sub-bundle is provided, which comprises multiple microfibrous fuel cells. Each microfibrous fuel cell comprises: (a) a hollow microfibrous membrane separator comprising an electrolyte medium, (b) an inner electrocatalyst layer in contact with an inner surface of such membrane separator, (c) an outer electrocatalyst layer in contact with an outer surface of such membrane separator, and (d) an individual current collector in electrical contact with the inner surface of such membrane separator. Each of such multiple microfibrous fuel cells is in electrical contact with a common current collector at the outer surface of its membrane separator.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack induces smooth current collection and liquid or gas flow without using a heavy bipolar plate. The fuel cell stack includes: a membrane and electrode assembly (MEA) in which an electrolyte membrane is disposed between a cathode electrode and an anode electrode; a current collector disposed in the MEA to form an electrical path with an adjacent MEA; and a non-conductive separation plate disposed between the MEA and the adjacent MEA, the non-conductive separation plate forming flow channels to supply a liquid or gas to the cathode electrode and the anode electrode. A fuel cell stack structure having the above structure is simple and lightweight as the MEA includes a thin and lightweight non-conductive polymer separation plate and a current collector to connect adjacent MEAs.

Abstract: A bipolar plate assembly for a fuel cell is provided. The bipolar plate assembly includes a cathode plate disposed adjacent an anode plate, the cathode and anode plates formed having a first thickness of a low contact resistance, high corrosion resistance material by a deposition process. The first and second unipolar plates are formed on a removable substrate, and a first perimeter of the first unipolar plate is welded to a second perimeter of the second unipolar plate to form a hermetically sealed coolant flow path. A method for forming the bipolar plate assembly is also described.

Abstract: Fuel cell separation, fuel cell device, and electronic applied device technical field are provided. A fuel cell separator capable of making a fuel cell device compact and reducing variations in air supply amount to generating cells. Oscillating fans as fluid oxidant supplying means are respectively provided at openings of channels. The oscillating fans are individually driven to respectively supply air into the channels. The oscillating fans are included in a separator body of a separator. As compared with the case that the oscillating fans are provided separately from a fuel cell body having the separator as a component, the limitation to layout of the fuel cell body and various units for effecting stable electric power generation in the fuel cell body can be reduced, and the fuel cell device can be reduced in size.

Abstract: A fluid flow plate for fuel cells may include a first surface and a second surface. The first surface has a first fluid inlet for receiving a first fluid, a plurality of first flow channels extending substantially along a first direction for transporting the first fluid, and a first fluid outlet for releasing the first fluid. The second surface having a second fluid inlet for receiving a second fluid, a plurality of second flow channels extending substantially along the first direction for transporting the second fluid, and a second fluid outlet for releasing the second fluid. The first fluid inlet and the second fluid outlet each is located near a first side of the fluid flow plate, and the first fluid outlet and second fluid inlet each is located near a second side of the fluid flow plate. The second side of the fluid flow plate is opposite to its first side. Each of the first and second flow channels has substantially the same length.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a fuel cell stack, a buffer, an actuator, and a control circuit. The control circuit controls the operation of the actuator according to a reference value of a reference volume of fuel disposed in the buffer. The fuel cell is operated by measuring a value corresponding to a volume of fuel disposed in the buffer, comparing the value with a reference value, and operating the actuator according to a result of the comparison.

Abstract: A separator for flat-type polymer electrolyte fuel cells comprises a fuel-feed-side separator and an oxygen-feed-side separator, each comprising a collector portion in which n unit conductive substrates (n is an integer of 2 or more), each having a plurality of through-holes, are arrayed in flat configuration via gaps, and a pair of insulating frames which have n openings in alignment with an array position of the unit conductive substrates and are integrated in such a way as to hold the collector portion between them. The back-to-back (n?1) unit conductive substrates of the n unit conductive substrates in one of both separators, as counted from the end of its array direction, and the 2nd to nth unit conductive substrates of the n unit conductive substrates in another separator, as counted from the end of its array direction are successively joined together by means of (n?1) connecting hinges.

Abstract: A separator of a fuel cell, which is inserted between single cells, each single cell having an electrolyte sandwiched between electrodes, in order to stack the single cells together, includes gas diffusion portions which are arranged so as to cover a surface of the electrodes and in which are formed multiple air holes for gas diffusion, and spacer portions which form parallel divided gas passages on the back side of portions of the gas diffusion portions which cover the surface of the electrodes. The gas diffusion portions and the spacer portions are integrally formed by bending a wire mesh member to have a rectangular corrugated plate shaped cross-section. As a result, the air holes are formed evenly between the electrodes and the separator and high contact pressure is ensured by the contact of the fine wire mesh, thereby making it possible to both have the gas diffuse evenly and reduce the power collection resistance.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and at least one bipolar plate having an anode-side gas distributor structure for distributing anode reactants, a cathode-side gas distributor structure for distributing cathode reactants, and a guide passage structure for distributing a cooling medium. At least one of the anode-side gas distributor structure and the cathode-side gas distributor structure is divided into at least a first field and a second field, each of the first and second fields having an entry port and an exit port for the reactants. In addition, a method for such a fuel cell includes passing a reactant into an entry port of the first field and out of an exit port of the first field, mixing the reactant with a fresh reactant so as to form a mixture, and passing the mixture into the entry port of the second field.

Abstract: A device and method to extract water from a moisture-rich fuel cell flowpath. A water transport unit is integrated into the fuel cell so that liquid water stagnation within flow channels and manifolds is reduced. In one embodiment, the device includes numerous flowpaths that include an active region and an inactive region. The water transport unit includes a hydrophilic member such that upon passage of a fluid with the excess water through the inactive region of the device flowpath and into the presence of the hydrophilic member, it absorbs excess water from the fluid.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a direct-methanol fuel cell includes an anode into which an aqueous methanol solution is introduced as fuel, a cathode into which an oxidizing agent is introduced, an electrolyte membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode, an anode separator which is disposed on the anode side and includes a fuel passage formed on a surface facing the anode, and a cathode separator which is disposed in the cathode side and includes an oxidizing gas passage formed on a surface facing the cathode. At least the cathode separator is provided with a coating film including a macromolecular polymer having a water-repellent functional group and an ionic functional group, the coating film being formed on at least an inside surface of the oxidizing gas passage.

Abstract: A fuel gas flow field is formed on a surface of a rectangular first metal separator. The fuel gas flow field includes flow grooves extending in the direction of gravity. An outlet buffer is provided at a lower end of the fuel gas flow field. The outlet buffer includes an inclined surface inclined toward a fuel gas discharge passage. The fuel gas discharge passage is positioned below the outlet buffer. Outlet channel grooves are formed by ridges provided between the fuel gas discharge passage and the outlet buffer. Lower ends of the ridges are arranged in a zigzag pattern.

Abstract: A separator that is excellent in workability and corrosion resistance, and allows a reduction in the number of constituent components of a fuel cell and the number of manufacturing process steps, and a manufacturing method therefore are provided. A separator includes a separating section for achieving separation between a hydrogen gas channel and an oxygen gas channel, and a sealing section disposed along an outer periphery of the separator, for preventing leakage of hydrogen and oxygen gases. The separating section and the sealing section are formed integrally with each other by means of plastic deformation processing, e.g., press working, of a metal thin sheet.