Abstract: The present invention provides a methanol solid oxide fuel cell and a power generation system comprising the same, wherein the fuel cell is a tubular SOFC cell stack, the tubular SOFC cell stack comprises a plurality of tubular SOFC single cells, and a side wall of an inner pipe of the tubular SOFC single cell at a fuel inlet is of a porous layer structure; an inner wall of the inner pipe is coated with a methanol pyrolysis catalyst layer, and the thickness of the catalyst layer gradually increases along a moving direction of the fuel in the inner pipe. The methanol solid oxide fuel cell can effectively relieve carbon deposition of the anode of the methanol SOFC, and can ensure that the temperature of the whole cell is more uniform and the cell performance is more stable.

Abstract: A fuel cell arrangement with a membrane electrode assembly is provided which comprises a cathode, an anode and a membrane arranged between the cathode and the anode, with an active area essentially predetermined by the membrane electrode assembly, and with a sealing structure laterally assigned to the membrane electrode assembly. The sealing structure comprises a sealing tongue extending into or over an edge region outside the active area for axially covering in a gas-tight manner a media channel formed in an adjacent bipolar plate and located in the edge region. A unit cell for a fuel cell stack with such a fuel cell arrangement is also provided.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of power generation cells and an end plate. A plurality of fluid passages for allowing a fuel gas, an oxygen-containing gas, and a coolant to flow independently in a stacking direction are provided in the plurality of power generation cells. The end plate includes: holes which penetrate through the end plate in a thickness direction and are connected to the fluid passages, and to which manifolds are connected; and flow channels formed in the end plate, and connected to the fluid passages. The flow channels include first and second lateral openings opened to a surface which is different from a surface where the holes are opened.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a fuel cell stack having a stacked body with a plurality of stacked unit cells, an end plate unit, and a gas manifold penetrating the stacked body and the end plate unit in a stacking direction for a flow of reaction gas. The fuel cell also includes a valve that is provided between the end plate unit and gas piping and includes an in-valve flow path for communicating the gas manifold and the gas piping and a valve element. The gas manifold includes a stacked body manifold and an end plate unit flow path. When the fuel cell stack is arranged so that a manifold bottom portion is horizontal, a bottom portion of an opening on the valve side in the end plate unit flow path is arranged above the manifold bottom portion.

Abstract: A method for preparing a modular planar interconnect plate for a solid oxide fuel cell includes the steps of: (a) providing a metal blank sheet, (b) stamping a main region of the metal blank sheet to form a plurality of columns of upper protrusions on an upper surface of the main region of the metal blank sheet and a plurality of columns of lower depressions on a lower surface of the main region of the metal blank sheet, and (c) stamping the main region of the metal blank sheet to forma plurality of rows of lower protrusions on a lower surface of the main region of the metal blank sheet and a plurality of rows of upper depressions on the upper surface of the main region of the metal blank sheet.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a pair of end plates disposed on opposing sides of a fuel cell stacked body in a first direction, a coupling bar that bridges between the end plates, a fastening member that connects the end plates and the coupling bar in the first direction, and a cylindrical knock disposed inside an end plate side mounting hole and a coupling bar side mounting hole of the end plates and the coupling bar in the first direction, and being externally fitted to the fastening member inside the end plate side mounting hole and the coupling bar side mounting hole. A first seal member in close contact with at least an inner circumferential surface of the end plate side mounting hole and the fastening member is disposed in a portion located between the cylindrical knock and the fastening member inside the end plate side mounting hole.

Abstract: A fuel cell having an elastic member is provided. The fuel cell includes a cell stack in which a plurality of unit cells are stacked in a first direction and an end-plate disposed on each of opposite side ends of the cell stack. The elastic member is disposed in a portion of the end-plate to overlap a lower area of the cell stack in which condensate water remains in the first direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a separator plate, a membrane electrode assembly and a fuel cell stack, which are designed for higher voltages. It is provided that in the active region at least one of the cell components contains at least one insulating element which permanently enables different electrical potentials in a cell plane (orthogonal to the stacking direction).

Abstract: A fuel cell includes (1) a stack including (a) an assembly of overlaid electrochemical generators, which are disposed along a stack axis, and (b) end plates axially clasping the assembly, and (2) at least one holding winding. Each holding winding includes at least one taut wire wound around the stack in a plurality of turns. Each holding winding surrounds the stack and bears on the end plates. Each taut wire is formed of at least one layer or sheet, and ends of each taut wire are fixed on at least one of the end plates.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a conductive Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) electrolyte composition that is compatible with Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC). The conductive SOFC electrolyte composition comprises gadolinium doped ceria, glass composite and additives. The conductive SOFC electrolyte composition is physically and chemically compatible with the LTCC. A process for preparing a conductive SOFC electrolyte composition is also provided in the present disclosure.

Abstract: Structures and methods are disclosed for removing water, and particularly for preventing ice blockages, in solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells comprising reactant vias that fluidly connect a reactant transition region to a reactant port. Water can be removed from the reactant via by making its surface superhydrophobic while incorporating at least one additional via with a hydrophilic surface in parallel therewith.

Abstract: An electrolyte matrix for use with molten carbonate fuel cells having an enhanced stability and lifetime is provided. The electrolyte matrix includes lithium aluminate as a support material and a coarsening inhibitor. The coarsening inhibitor may be in the form of discrete particles or a dopant present in the support material. The coarsening inhibitor may include MnO2, Mn2O3, TiO2, ZrO2, Fe2O3, LiFe2O3, or mixtures thereof. The coarsening inhibitor prevents the formation of large pores in the electrolyte matrix during operation of the fuel cell, increasing the performance and the service lifetime of the electrolyte matrix.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a cell structure including a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electrolyte layer, a gas diffusion layer disposed adjacent to the first electrode, and a gas channel plate disposed adjacent to the gas diffusion layer, in which the gas diffusion layer is formed of a porous metal body having a three-dimensional mesh-like skeleton, the gas channel plate includes a first region including a first channel, a second region including a second channel, and a third region including a third channel, the first channel includes a slit extending from the center of the gas channel plate toward its outer edge at the boundary surface between the first region and the second region, letting the total area of the first channel at the boundary surface be a first opening area S1, letting the total area of the second channel at the boundary surface between the second region and the third region be a second opening area S2, and letting the total area of the third channel at the boundary surface between t

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly (10) is provided. The fuel cell assembly (10) includes a first endplate (12), a second endplate (14), a plurality of separator plates (16) provided between the first and second endplates (12) and (14), and a plurality of fuel cells (18) forming a fuel cell stack (20). Each of the fuel cells (18) is provided between adjacent ones of the separator plates (16). A plurality of oxidant flow channels (22) is formed in the separator plates (16). The oxidant flow channels (22) define a first flow passage. Each of the fuel cells (18) has an active area. A portion (28) of the separator plates (16) extends beyond the active area of the fuel cells (18) to define a second flow passage at a downstream portion of the first flow passage.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack and a stack case. Curved portions are formed at corners of a first end plate. An upper plate includes curving sections facing the curved portions of the first end plate. An upper seal member is partially interposed between the curved portions of the first end plate and the curving sections of the upper plate.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly has a plurality of fuel cell component elements extending between a pair of end plates to form a stack, and plural reactant gas manifolds mounted externally of and surrounding the stack, in mutual, close sealing relationship to prevent leakage of reactant gas in the manifolds to the environment external to the manifolds. The reactant gas manifolds are configured and positioned to maximize sealing contact with smooth surfaces of the stack and the manifolds. One embodiment is configured for an oxidant reactant manifold to overlie the region where the fuel reactant manifold engages the stack. Another embodiment further subdivides an oxidant reactant manifold to include a liquid flow channel, which liquid flow channel overlies the region where the fuel reactant manifold engages the stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a stack case containing a fuel cell stack therein. The stack case includes first and second end plates, first and second side plates, top and bottom cover plates. A top sealing member has a substantially rectangular frame shape and disposed between the top cover plate and each of the first end plate, the second end plate, the first side plate and the second side plate. A bottom sealing member has a substantially rectangular frame shape and disposed between the bottom cover plate and each of the first end plate, the second end plate, the first side plate and the second side plate. At least one of the top sealing member and the bottom sealing member including, at at least one corner of the substantially rectangular frame shape, an extension portion to adjust a peripheral length of the substantially rectangular frame shape.

Abstract: A modular planar interconnect device for a solid oxide fuel cell includes a planar interconnect body, a pair of upper shielding plates, and a pair of lower shielding plates. The upper shielding plates are configured to be respectively fitted between front and rear boundary wall surfaces of a first inlet region of the planar interconnect body and between front and rear boundary wall surfaces of a first outlet region of the planar interconnect body. The lower shielding plates are configured to be respectively fitted between right and left boundary wall surfaces of a second inlet region of the planar interconnect body and between right and left boundary wall surfaces of a second outlet region of the planar interconnect body.

Abstract: A gasket is arranged between a fastening portion of an end plate arranged at an end in a cell stacking direction of a cell stack of a fuel cell and a case covering a periphery of the cell stack. The gasket is configured to seal a gap between the fastening portion and the gasket and a gap between the case and the gasket. The gasket includes a base plate and an elastic material layer. The base plate has a slope section that connects an inner peripheral section and an outer peripheral section to each other. The inner peripheral section and the outer peripheral section are located at different positions in a thickness direction of the base plate. The slope section is inclined with respect to the inner peripheral section and the outer peripheral section.

Abstract: The battery cell for a flow battery includes a cell frame including a frame including a through-window and a manifold serving as an electrolyte flow path, and a bipolar plate blocking the through-window; a positive electrode disposed on one surface side of the bipolar plate; and a negative electrode disposed on another surface side of the bipolar plate. In this battery cell, in the frame, a thickness of a portion in which the manifold is formed is defined as Ft; in the bipolar plate, a thickness of a portion blocking the through-window is defined as Bt; in the positive electrode, a thickness of a portion facing the bipolar plate is defined as Pt; in the negative electrode, a thickness of a portion facing the bipolar plate is defined as Nt; and these thicknesses satisfy Ft?4 mm, Bt?Ft?3.0 mm, Pt?1.5 mm, and Nt?1.5 mm.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack assembly and method of operating the same are provided. The assembly includes a fuel cell stack column and side baffles disposed on opposing sides of the column. The side baffles and the fuel cell stack may have substantially the same coefficient of thermal expansion at room temperature. The side baffles may have a laminate structure in which one or more channels are formed.

Abstract: A modular planar interconnect device for a solid oxide fuel cell includes a planar interconnect body, a pair of upper shielding plates, and a pair of lower shielding plates. The upper shielding plates are configured to be respectively fitted between front and rear boundary wall surfaces of a first inlet region of the planar interconnect body and between front and rear boundary wall surfaces of a first outlet region of the planar interconnect body. The lower shielding plates are configured to be respectively fitted between right and left boundary wall surfaces of a second inlet region of the planar interconnect body and between right and left boundary wall surfaces of a second outlet region of the planar interconnect body.

Abstract: A modular planar interconnect device for a solid oxide fuel cell includes a planar interconnect body, a pair of upper shielding plates, and a pair of lower shielding plates. The planar interconnect body includes a right lateral surface and a left lateral surface. The right lateral surface includes a right lateral slot to fluidly communicate with an introducing slot of the planar interconnect body. The left lateral surface includes a left lateral slot to fluidly communicate with an exit slot of the planar interconnect body.

Abstract: A stack array in a solid oxide fuel cell power generation system is provided. The stack array comprises a supporting body and a stack group, wherein the supporting body is in a layered structure and comprises one layer or at least two layers of supporting units; and on each layer of the supporting units, a plurality of stacks are sequentially arranged to form the stack group, and each stack is horizontal, and fasteners are provided between the stacks to enable the stack groups and the supporting units to form a pressurized fastening structure. The stack array of the present disclosure simplifies the arrangement of pipelines in the related art, enables effective pressurized fastening on the stacks, so as to allow the whole stack array to be compact and steady, while facilitating the detach, repair and maintenance of the stacks, which is favorable for the integration of the system.

Abstract: At below freezing temperatures, ice blockages can be prevented in the reactant outlet manifolds of solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stacks by modifying the internal design of the manifolds. The reactant outlet manifold comprises a divider dividing the manifold into an upper duct section and a lower main flow section and the divider comprises a plurality of ports fluidly connecting the duct section to the main flow section. The reactant manifold also comprises at least one separating wall in the duct section which partially separates the ports from one another in the duct section.

Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a fuel cell and a case housing the fuel cell. The fuel cell includes a cell stack and a pressure plate arranged at an outermost position of a stacking direction relative to the cell stack. The case includes a cover section that faces the pressure plate and covers the pressure plate while the fuel cell is housed in the case. The cover section includes a pin housing portion having a through hole and a pin placed in the through hole with which the pressure plate is pressed. The pin housing portion has a thick part thicker than a thin part that is at least a part of the cover section continuous with the pin housing portion. The thick part is formed in an inward direction of the case.

Abstract: The invention relates to fuel cell assemblies, and in particular to improvements relating to sealing of such assemblies, embodiments of which include a fuel cell assembly (200) comprising a membrane electrode assembly (104), a cathode separator plate (208) having a series of corrugations extending, and providing air flow paths, between first and second opposing edges of the plate, a gasket (105) providing a fluid seal around a peripheral edge of the membrane electrode assembly (104) between the separator plate (208) and the membrane electrode assembly (104) and a metal shim (107) disposed between the gasket (105) and the separator plate (208) over the peripheral edge of the membrane electrode assembly (104).

Abstract: A fuel cell cassette for forming a fuel cell stack along a fuel cell axis includes a cell retainer, a plate positioned axially to the cell retainer and defining a space axially with the cell retainer, and a fuel cell having an anode layer and a cathode layer separated by an electrolyte layer. The outer perimeter of the fuel cell is positioned in the space between the plate and the cell retainer, thereby retaining the fuel cell and defining a cavity between the cell retainer, the fuel cell, and the plate. The fuel cell cassette also includes a seal disposed within the cavity for sealing the edge of the fuel cell. The seal is compliant at operational temperatures of the fuel cell, thereby allowing lateral expansion and contraction of the fuel cell within the cavity while maintaining sealing at the edge of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A membrane humidifier assembly for a membrane humidifier for a fuel cell system and a method for making the same is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of providing a material for forming a diffusion medium; forming a plurality of channels in the material with one of a channel-forming roller, a means for etching the material, and a press for forming the diffusion medium; and providing a pair of membranes, wherein the diffusion medium is disposed between the pair of membranes.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly, a separator, and a sealing member. The sealing member is provided on a separator surface and includes a base seal portion, a protruding seal portion, a first recessed portion, and a second recessed portion. The protruding seal portion protrudes from the base seal portion in a stacking direction so as to block leakage of at least one of a fuel gas, an oxidant gas, and a coolant which flow along the separator surface. The first recessed portion is disposed on a first side of the protruding seal portion. The second recessed portion is disposed on a second side of the protruding seal portion opposite to the first recessed portion. The first recessed portion and the second recessed portion have a height in the stacking direction smaller than a height of the base seal portion in the stacking direction.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises a main body including a first partial header and a fastening point. The main body is adapted to be coupled to a plurality of plates forming a fuel cell stack, allowing a single plate design to be used for multiple fuel cell stack lengths having a large differential of energy requirements, affording a durable alignment mechanism for the fuel cell stack, and providing integration flexibility for components and configurations of the fuel cell system.

Abstract: A fuel battery cell includes, between a pair of upper and lower interconnectors, a gas sealing part in an air-electrode side, a separator, a fuel electrode frame, and a gas sealing part in a fuel-electrode side. The gas sealing part includes a first gas flowing path penetrating therethrough in a stacking direction of the fuel battery cell to constitute a part of gas flowing paths, and a second gas flowing path extending along a plane direction of the gas sealing part. In the gas sealing part, the first and second gas flowing paths do not communicate with each other. A third gas flowing path is formed in a member stacked on at least one of both sides of the gas sealing part in a thickness direction of the gas sealing part. Through the third gas flowing path, the first and second gas flowing paths communicate with each other.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly comprising a plurality of fuel cell plates in a stack. The stack defines an air inlet face and/or an air outlet face; and two opposing engagement faces. The fuel cell assembly also comprises a detachable cover configured to releasably engage the two engagement faces in order to define an air chamber with the air inlet or outlet face.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack (10) comprises a plurality of fuel cells each with a chamber (K) for electrolyte with at least one inlet and at least one outlet, and at least one header (30) to supply electrolyte to all the cells in parallel, and means (14) to collect electrolyte that has flowed through the cells. For each cell, the electrolyte outlets (34) feed into an electrolyte flow channel arranged such that in use there is a free surface of electrolyte within the electrolyte flow channel, the electrolyte flow channel being separate from the corresponding electrolyte flow channels for other cells, but such that the free surfaces of all the electrolyte flow channels are at a common pressure. Electrolyte is maintained at a constant depth in this open flow channel by a weir (38), and then flows over the weir to trickle or drip down the outside of the stack.

Abstract: There is provided a flexible circuit board capable of preventing corrosion and elution of a conductor layer constituting a current collector even under high-temperature and high-voltage working conditions while achieving sufficient electric connection with an MEA. A flexible circuit board having a current collector of a fuel cell provided thereon includes an insulating flexible base material 1, a plurality of openings 5 that supply fuel or air, the openings 5 being provided in a specified region so as to penetrate through the flexible base material 1 in a thickness direction, a plating film 6 that constitutes the current collector, the plating film 6 being formed on front and back surfaces of the flexible base material 1 in the specified region and on inner walls of the openings 5, a surface treatment film 9 formed on the plating film 6 and having corrosion resistance higher than that of the plating film.

Abstract: An assembly has a plurality of fuel cell stacks with at least one wall. At least one manifold portion is provided outwardly of the at least one wall of each of the fuel cell stacks. The at least one manifold portion for a pair of the plurality of fuel cell stacks is on facing surfaces with an intermediate wall between the at least one of the manifold portions on the pair of the plurality of fuel cell stacks. A method of forming an assembly of a plurality of fuel cell stacks is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel cell or a fuel cell stack component comprises an active area and a non-active area. A peroxide decomposing metal compound or metal alloy is disposed in or on the non-active area of a fuel cell or a fuel cell component. The metal compound or alloy is capable of providing a peroxide decomposing metal species that can migrate from the non-active area to an active area of a fuel cell. A fuel cell or membrane electrode assembly having a peroxide decomposing metal compound or alloy disposed in its non-active area exhibits improved durability.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack comprising a second metal separator set to have an external dimension larger than a first metal separator, wherein the second metal separator comprises, formed integrally, a first seal member in contact with the peripheral edge of a first electrolyte membrane/electrode structure, a second seal member in contact with the peripheral edge of the first metal separator, and a third seal member in contact with the peripheral edge of an adjoining fourth metal separator. Since the first seal member, the second seal member and the third seal member are integrally formed on one surface of the second separator or one surface of the first separator, a seal-forming step can be carried out at one effort, simply and economically. In addition, use of a triple seal structure containing the first through the third seal members can favorably improve the sealing feature of reaction gas and minimize reaction gas leakage.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a stack including a plurality of unit cells, which is stacked on one another in a predetermined direction, first and second end plates disposed on opposing ends of the stack, and a supply line disposed on a first surface of the first end plate to supply fuel or air to the plurality of unit cells, where an insertion hole is defined in a second surface of the first end plate to be adjacent to the supply line, and the second surface of the first end plate is substantially perpendicular to the first surface of the first end plate.

Abstract: A flexible fuel cell stack is also described that includes an anode electrode layer, an adhesive and anode gas diffusion layer coupled to the anode electrode layer, an ion exchange membrane coupled on a first side to the gas diffusion layer opposite the anode electrode layer, an adhesive and cathode gas diffusion layer coupled to a second side of the ion exchange membrane, and a cathode electrode layer coupled to the adhesive and cathode gas diffusion layer opposite the ion exchange membrane. The fuel cell stack may be incorporated into a power generator that includes a hydrogen producing fuel.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack arrangement includes a fuel cells arranged between a first and a second end plate. At least one of the end plates is designed as a channel end plate with at least one channel. The channel has a stack opening, which is opened in the direction of the stack, and a second opening. The stack opening and the second opening are connected to each other via a channel section and are arranged at a distance to each other in a top view looking down on the channel end plate.

Abstract: A fuel cell is provided with a membrane electrode assembly provided with a frame, both of which are sandwiched between two separators. The fuel cell is configured such that reactive gas is circulated between the frame and the separators. The frame and both separators each have manifold holes, the rims of the manifold holes of frame extend into the manifold holes in the separators, and protrusions cover the inner peripheral surfaces of the manifold holes in at least one of the separators. This structure makes possible the easy and accurate position and integration of the separators and the frame, and fuel cell miniaturization can be achieved because space to position the protrusions is not needed.

Abstract: An interconnect for a fuel cell stack includes a first plurality of ribs extending from a first major surface of the interconnect and defining a first plurality of gas flow channels between the ribs, the ribs extending between a first rib end and a second rib end and having a tapered profile in a vertical dimension, perpendicular to the first major surface of the interconnect, proximate at least one of the first rib end and the second rib end, wherein the ribs comprise a flat upper surface and rounded edges between the flat upper surface and the adjacent gas flow channels, the rounded edges having a first radius of curvature, and wherein the gas flow channels comprise a rounded surface having a second radius of curvature, different from the first radius of curvature.

Abstract: A modular fuel cell stack assembly comprising a plurality of fuel cell stacks, each of the stacks having a plurality of stack faces and a plurality of stack corners formed between the stack faces, wherein the plurality of stack faces include a cathode inlet face adapted to receive oxidant gas for use in a cathode side of the fuel cell stack, a cathode outlet face adapted to output cathode exhaust from the cathode side, an anode inlet face adapted to receive fuel for use in an anode side of the fuel cell stack and an anode outlet face adapted to output anode exhaust from the anode side, and wherein at least one of the cathode inlet face, cathode outlet face, anode inlet face and anode outlet face is an open face without a manifold, and a containment structure for housing the plurality of fuel cell stacks and for providing fuel and oxidant gas to said fuel cell stacks, the containment structure including at least one sealed chamber for sealingly enclosing and isolating at least one open face.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of cell modules each formed by stacking a plurality of fuel cells, each of the plurality of fuel cells having a membrane electrode assembly having an insulating member at an outer periphery portion thereof and paired separators sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly, and by attaching the insulating members of adjacent fuel cells together, and a seal plate interposed between the stacked cell modules. The seal plate includes a plurality of manifold holes from which two power-generation gases flow separately through the plurality of fuel cells, and a first seal member provided along a peripheral portion of each of the plurality of manifold holes to seal a corresponding one of the two power-generation gases flowing through the manifold hole.

Abstract: A water vapor transfer unit assembly is disclosed, the water vapor transfer unit assembly including a plurality of water vapor transfer units having a fluid permeable membrane and a plurality of supports disposed within a sealing frame adjacent an end plate of a fuel cell stack, wherein the sealing frame is adapted to provide support to the end plate and a fuel cell stack of the fuel cell stack system.

Abstract: Fluid distribution plate (1) for a fuel cell assembly, comprising a first plate (11) made of an electrically conductive material impermeable to all the fluids used in a fuel cell assembly, said distribution plate having a useful section (S) which is the surface over which the gases used by the electrochemical reaction are distributed, said useful section (S) being bordered all around by a peripheral section (P), said first plate having a given thickness e1 in the peripheral section and a smaller thickness e2 in the useful section so as to form a recess from the side facing the outer face and so as to have a flat inner surface, a flexible graphite foil (11C) being applied against said first plate (11) over the entire surface of the recess, the visible face of the flexible graphite foil having a distribution channel (111) for one of the fluids, said network being formed completely in the graphite foil.

Abstract: A fuel cell including a coupling device according to the present invention is configured such that a fastening member for fastening a manifold to a stack is coupled to the manifold in such a manner that the fastening member directly contacts the manifold thus enabling the stack and the manifold to be flexible in reacting to a difference in the thermal deformation between the stack and the manifold, the fastening member having a predetermined cross-sectional area such that the fastening member cannot be easily thermally deformed by an environmental change, thus minimizing a degradation of the binding force of the fastening member.

Abstract: Described herein are fuel cell systems that include fuel cell covers, as well as electronic systems and methods for optimizing the performance of a fuel cell system. In the various embodiments, a fuel cell cover includes an interface structure proximate to one or more fuel cells. The interface structure is configured to affect one or more environmental conditions proximate to the one or more fuel cells. An electronic system includes an electronic device, one or more fuel cells operably coupled to the electronic device, and an interface structure proximate to the one or more fuel cells. The interface structure affects one or more environmental conditions near or in contact with the one or more fuel cells. A method includes providing a fuel cell layer, and positioning an interface layer proximate to the fuel cell layer.

Abstract: An exemplary fuel cell manifold seal retainer assembly includes a bracket and a retainer. The bracket is mountable to a manifold of the fuel cell stack. The retainer extends closer to a fuel cell stack then the manifold when the retainer is mounted to the bracket and when the bracket is mounted to the manifold. The retainer limits movement of a seal away from an installed position.