Abstract: A method of treating an electrode for a battery to enhance its performance is disclosed. By depositing a layer of porous carbon onto the electrode, its charging and discharging characteristics, as well as chemical stability may be improved. The method includes creating a plasma that includes carbon and attracting the plasma toward the electrode, such as by biasing a platen on which the electrode is disposed. In some embodiments, an etching process is also performed on the deposited porous carbon to increase its surface area. The electrode may also be exposed to a hydrophilic treatment to improve its interaction with the electrolyte. In addition, a battery which includes at least one electrode treated according to this process is disclosed.

Abstract: A unit cell of a fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and a cathode side separator and an anode side separator sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly. An oxygen-containing gas supply passage connected to an oxygen-containing gas flow field is formed in the cathode side separator. The oxygen-containing gas supply passage has a rectangular shape extending in a flow field width direction of the oxygen-containing gas flow field. The width of the opening of the oxygen-containing gas supply passage on the short side is increased from the end side to the central side in the flow field width direction.

Abstract: A problem to be solved by the invention is to provide a production method of a nitrogen-containing carbon alloy that has sufficiently high redox activity or has a large number of reaction electrons of redox reaction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a carbon-free electrocatalyst for fuel cells, containing an electrically conductive substrate and a catalytically active species, wherein the conductive substrate is an inorganic, multi-component substrate material of the composition 0X1-0X2, in which 0X1 means an electrically non-conductive inorganic oxide having a specific surface area (BET) in the range of 50 to 400 mVg and 0X2 means a conductive oxide. The non-conductive inorganic oxide 0X1 is coated with the conductive oxide 0X2. The multi-component substrate preferably has a core/shell structure. The multi-component substrate material 0X1-0X2 has an electrical conductivity in the range>0.01 S/cm and is coated with catalytically active particles containing noble metal. The electrocatalysts produced therewith are used in electrochemical devices such as PEM fuel cells and exhibit high corrosion stability.

Abstract: The problem addressed by the present invention is to obtain an electrolyte membrane that, as an electrolyte membrane for a redox flow secondary battery, is able to suppress the ion permeability of an active substance without detracting from proton (H+) permeability, has superior ion-selective permeability, has low electrical resistivity, and has superior current efficiency. The present invention solves the abovementioned problem by means of the electrolyte membrane for a redox flow secondary battery containing a perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid resin having a specific structure and an equivalent weight (EW), and the ion conductivity being adjusted to a predetermined range.

Abstract: In a fuel cell (1) including an anode electrode (10), a cathode electrode (12), a membrane (14) which has ionic conductivity and is disposed between the anode electrode (10) and the cathode electrode (12), an ion-conductive gel-like substance (15) is held between the cathode electrode (12) and the membrane (14) having ionic conductivity.

Abstract: An electrode catalyst for a fuel cell, an electrode, a fuel cell, and a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), the electrode catalyst including a carbonaceous support, and a catalyst metal loaded on the carbonaceous support, wherein the carbonaceous support includes a functional group bound on a surface thereof, the functional group being represented by one of Formula 1 or Formula 2, below,

Abstract: A sealed assembly is made using sealant including a deformable spacer to control thickness without adversely impacting elasticity and sealing force. Deformable spacers (e.g., elastomer, polyolefin, etc.) are mixed with an elastomeric precursor material and dispensed onto an assembly component, such as a fuel cell bipolar plate, and the remaining component(s) are assembled by pressing against the deformable spacer to ensure a defined seal thickness. The precursor is cured to form a seal that is further compressed to provide an effective sealing force. The deformable spacers control the thickness of a sealed area and allow use of form-in-place sealing processes.

Abstract: A fuel cell electrode layer may include a catalyst, an electronic conductor, and an ionic conductor. Within the electrode layer are a plurality of electronic conductor rich networks and a plurality of ionic conductor rich networks that are interspersed with the electronic conductor rich networks. A volume ratio of the ionic conductor to the electronic conductor is greater in the ionic conductor rich networks than in the electronic conductor rich networks. During operation of a fuel cell that includes the electrode layer, conduction of electrons occurs predominantly within the electronic conductor rich networks and conduction of ions occurs predominantly within the ionic conductor rich networks.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the preparation of an anion binder for a solid alkaline fuel cell which enhances durability to electrochemical reactions and makes the production of electrode slurry easy. A method of preparing an anion binder for a solid alkaline fuel cell includes: (A) mixing an electrolytic monomer of quaternary ammonium salts having a cation group, a bisacrylicamide crosslinking agent having a tertiary amino group, and water together by stirring; (B) mixing the mixture with a photoinitiator; (C) interposing the solution between polyethylene terephthalate films and irradiating the solution with ultraviolet light for crosslinking and polymerization; and (D) pulverizing crosslinked polymerized resin to a nano size.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell includes a cathode, and an anode, and a solid electrolyte layer disposed between the cathode and the anode. The cathode includes a complex oxide having a perovskite structure expressed by the general formula ABO3. A standard deviation value for the atomic percentage of respective elements at the A site measured using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy at 10 spots in a single field on the sectional surface of the cathode is no more than 10.4.

Abstract: An ion-conducting membrane including a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer includes a perfluorosulphonic acid polymer and the second layer includes a sulphonated hydrocarbon polymer, characterised in that the ion-conducting membrane has a total thickness of from 5 ?m to 50 ?m and the second layer has a total thickness of 2 ?m or less is disclosed.

Abstract: An assembling operation of a fuel cell is effectively simplified. With the simple and economical structure, the desired sealing function is achieved. The fuel cell (10) includes a membrane electrode assembly (14) and first and second metal separators (16, 18) sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly (14). Connection channels (28a, 28b) are provided on the first metal separator (16). The connection channels (28a, 28b) connect the oxygen-containing gas supply passage (20a) and the oxygen-containing gas discharge passage (20b) to the oxygen-containing gas flow field (26). The membrane electrode assembly (14) has first overlapping portions (66a, 66b) overlapped on the connection channels (28a, 28b) for sealing the connection channels (28a, 28b). The first overlapping portions (66a, 66b) comprise, in effect, a gas diffusion layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a dispersion liquid for an electrode catalyst, the method comprising a step of supporting a precious metal on the surface of a carrier by an electrodeposition process using a raw material mixed solution in which a particulate carrier is dispersed in a solvent and a compound including the precious metal element is dissolved in the solvent, wherein the carrier has oxygen reduction capability and is free of precious metal elements.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell that can prevent a conductive nano columnar body from being embedded in an electrolyte membrane and can efficiently use a catalyst is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane-electrode assembly (100), comprising two electrodes (110, 110?) and a membrane (120), preferably a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM), which is disposed between the two electrodes (110, 110?), wherein the membrane-electrode assembly (100) comprises a first cover layer (130; 130?) and a second cover layer (140; 140?) on at least one flat side, preferably on both flat sides of the membrane (120), characterized in that the first cover layer (130; 130?) covers an edge face (125, 125?) of the membrane (120) and an electrode edge face (115, 115?) facing the membrane (120) and the second cover layer (140; 140?) partially covers the first cover layer (130; 130?), preferably in edge regions of the membrane-electrode assembly (100). The present invention further relates to a fuel cell which comprises a membrane-electrode assembly (100).

Abstract: A catalyst includes (i) a primary metal or alloy or mixture including the primary metal, and (ii) an electrically conductive carbon support material for the primary metal or alloy or mixture including the primary metal, wherein the carbon support material: (a) has a specific surface area (BET) of 100-600 m2/g, and (b) has a micropore area of 10-90 m2/g.

Abstract: A rubber composition which does not foul molds, requires low production costs and is excellent in mass productivity, and has high adhesion reliability, can be used in an adhesive layer for bonding a constituting member for a fuel cell and a rubber member for sealing and/or two rubber members together, is any one of (?) a liquid rubber composition containing (B) and (C) together with the following (A1), and (?) a solvent-based rubber composition containing a solvent together with the following (A2), (B) and (C). (A1) is a rubber component containing at least liquid rubber. (A2) is at least one selected from the group consisting of EPM, EPDM, NBR and H-NBR. (B) is a crosslinking agent composed of an organic peroxide. (C) is at least one selected from the group consisting of a resorcinol-based compound, a melamine-based compound, an aluminate-based coupling agent and a silane coupling agent.

Abstract: A high performance anode (fuel electrode) for use in a solid oxide electrochemical cell is obtained by a process comprising the steps of (a) providing a suitably doped, stabilized zirconium oxide electrolyte, such as YSZ, ScYSZ, with an anode side having a coating of electronically conductive perovskite oxides selected from the group consisting of niobium-doped strontium titanate, vanadium-doped strontium titanate, tantalum-doped strontium titanate and mixtures thereof, thereby obtaining a porous anode backbone, (b) sintering the coated electrolyte at a high temperature, such as 1200° C.

Abstract: A fuel cell electrode catalyst layer (13) of the preset invention includes: a catalyst (131b); a support (131a) that supports the catalyst; and two or more proton-conductive materials (133) different in dry mass value per mole of a proton-donating group, the proton-conductive materials being in contact with at least a part of the catalyst and at least a part of the support. Then, a proton-conductive material in which a dry mass value per mole of the proton-donating group is highest among the proton-conductive materials is in contact with at least a part of the catalyst, and has a largest contact ratio with a surface of the catalyst.

Abstract: A novel modified anode/electrolyte structure for a solid oxide electrochemical cell is an assembly comprising (a) an anode consisting of a backbone of electronically conductive perovskite oxides selected from the group of doped strontium titanates and mixtures thereof, (b) a scandia and yttria-stabilised zirconium oxide electrolyte and (c) a metallic and/or a ceramic electrocatalyst in the shape of interlayers incorporated in the interface between the anode and the electrolyte. This assembly is first sintered at a given temperature and then at a lower temperature in reducing gas mixtures. These heat treatments resulted in a distribution of the metallic and/or ceramic interlayers in the electrolyte/anode backbone junction taking place.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a fuel cell is provided comprising a positive electrode including a first gas diffusion layer and a first catalyst layer, a negative electrode including a second gas diffusion layer and a second catalyst layer, a proton exchange membrane (PEM) disposed between the positive and negative electrodes, and a microporous layer of carbon and binder disposed between at least one of the first gas diffusion layer and the first catalyst layer and the second gas diffusion layer and the second catalyst layer. The microporous layer may have defined therein a plurality of pores with a diameter of 0.05 to 2.0 ?m and a plurality of bores having a diameter of 1 to 100 ?m. The bores may be laser perforated and comprise from 0.1 to 5 percent of a total porosity of the microporous layer.

Abstract: In an AMFC, in the formation of a CCM, the anode catalyst layer is selectively cross-linked while the cathode catalyst layer is not cross-linked. This has been found to provide structural stabilization of the CCM without loss of initial power value for a CCM without cross-linking.

Abstract: Ceramic fuel cells having enhanced flatness and strength are disclosed. The fuel cell can include a half-cell having, in order, a patterned layer, an anode support layer and an electrolyte layer. Methods of making ceramic fuel cells are also provided.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a cathode flow field plate, an anode flow field plate, and a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) sandwiched between the cathode and anode flow field plate. The cathode flow field plate has a flat side and an opposed channel side that the MEA is sandwiched between the anode flow field plate and the flat side of the cathode flow field plate. The cathode flow field plate further has a plurality of flow channels formed at the channel side for enabling fluid flowing along the flow channels to promote electrochemical reaction through the MEA so as to generate electrical energy.

Abstract: A membrane-electrode assembly a solid electrolyte type-structure including a first electrode, an electrolyte membrane, and a second electrode and is formed on one single face of a porous metal support. The electrolyte membrane is obtained by firing a first electrolyte film formed on the first electrode and a second electrolyte film, which has a higher degree of fluidity than the degree of fluidity of the first electrolyte film.

Abstract: Energy is probably one of the most important issues of the current century. New sources, approaches and systems have been studied in order to find suitable and more reliable power sources and energy harvesting devices. In addition, mobile Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) devices require micro power sources as well. So far, there has been vast research and investment on solar sources, fuel cells, etc. The present application is an attempt to develop a suitable fabrication method to realize a Photosynthetic Power Cell (?PSO) to harvest the energy from photosynthesis and produce electrical energy. The proposed ?PSO is a micro power generation device made from polymer material for generating power from algal photosynthesis. In particular, the present application presents a fabrication process for realising a ?PSO from polymer material.

Abstract: A support for a fuel cell includes a substrate including highly crystalline carbon, and a crystalline carbon layer on the substrate.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) with enhanced current density or power density is fabricated using high temperature (HT) proton exchange membrane (PEM). The MEA can be utilized in high temperature PEM fuel cell applications. More specifically, the MEA is modified with the addition of one or more of selected materials to its catalyst layer to enhance the rates of the fuel cell reactions and thus attain dramatic increases of the power output of the MEA in the fuel cell. The MEA has application to other electro-chemical devices, including an electrolyzer, a compressor, or a generator, purifier, and concentrator of hydrogen and oxygen using HT PEM MEAs.

Abstract: In various aspects, provided are solid oxide fuel cells with an operational temperature of less than about 500° C. that can provide, in various embodiments, a power density of greater than about 0.1 W/cm2 and/or have an ionic conductivity of greater than about 0.00001 ohm?1 cm?1. In various embodiments, provided are solid oxide fuel cells comprising a solid oxide electrolyte layer that is both an electronic and ionic conductor. In various aspects, provided are methods of making solid oxide fuel cells. In various aspects, provided are solid oxide materials comprising a polycrystalline ceramic layer less than about 100 nm thick having a ionic conductivity of greater than about 0.00001 ohm?1 cm?1 at a temperature less than about 500° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane electrode assembly comprising at least two electrochemically active electrodes separated by at least one polymer electrolyte membrane, the aforementioned polymer electrolyte membrane having fibrous reinforcing elements which at least partly penetrate the polymer electrolyte membrane, wherein at least some of the fibrous reinforcing elements have functional groups which have a covalent chemical bond between the fibers and the polymer of the polymer electrolyte membrane. The membrane electrode assembly is suitable for applications in fuel cells, especially in high-temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cells.

Abstract: The use of fuel cells to produce electricity are known as an environmentally clean and reliable source of energy, and show promise as an automotive power source if the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell can be made less expensive, more durable, reduce or eliminate humidification of the reactive gases, and operate at temperatures encountered during automotive operating conditions. The use of an electro-catalyst formed from heteropoly acids immobilized by a conductive material, such as carbon or platinum black, and stabilizing a metallic black with the immobilized conductive material addressed these automotive fuel cell needs. Coating the fuel cell electrode, polymer electrolyte assembly with a nano-particle catalyst derived from a heteropoly acid provided anodic carbon monoxide tolerance at anodic overpotentials and an active cathodic oxygen reduction. The heteropoly acids can also function as supercapacitor electrode films.

Abstract: An adhesive suitable for solid polymer fuel cells is provided that has sufficient bond durability, so that the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and the gas diffusion layer do not separate, even with the solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell repeatedly wetting and drying, and changing in dimension. An adhesive including a base compound, a cross-linking agent, an adhesion promoting agent, and a reaction catalyst is employed using a specific base compound having alkenyl groups, and a specific cross-linking agent having Si—H groups, in which the ratio of moles of the above Si—H group relative to moles of the above alkenyl group (moles of Si—H group/moles of alkenyl group) is adjusted to the range of 1.0 to 5.0.

Abstract: A naphthoxazine benzoxazine-based monomer is represented by Formula 1 below: In Formula 1, R2 and R3 or R3 and R4 are linked to each other to form a group represented by Formula 2 below, and R5 and R6 or R6 and R7 are linked to each other to form a group represented by Formula 2 below, In Formula 2, * represents the bonding position of R2 and R3, R3 and R4, R5 and R6, or R6 and R7 of Formula 1. A polymer is formed by polymerizing the naphthoxazine benzoxazine-based monomer, an electrode for a fuel cell includes the polymer, an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell includes the polymer, and a fuel cell uses the electrode.

Abstract: This invention relates to the presence of slightly or non-porous zones in the electrode layer around gas inlets, in order to improve the leak tightness between the different individual cells making up a fuel cell with a plane geometry. The fuel cell comprises a first electrode layer having a non-porous zone forming a passage therethrough for gas flow and an electrolyte layer having a protuberance which extends into the first electrode layer for forming the non-porous zone with the non-porous zone representing a gas tight passage. Nested contact between the bipolar plate and the ceramic triple layer making up the basic cell is also described and is another possible means of avoiding mixes of gasses.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a power generation unit. A first resin frame member is provided in an outer portion of a first membrane electrode assembly of the power generation unit. The first metal separator has a heating portion subjected to spot heating from a surface of the first metal separator for allowing the first resin frame member to be melted partially. The first metal separator and the first membrane electrode assembly are welded together by a plurality of welding portions to form a first structural body.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a SSZ/SDC bi-layer electrolyte solid oxide fuel cell, comprising the steps of: fabricating an NiO-YSZ anode substrate from a mixed NiO and yttria-stabilized zirconia by tape casting; sequentially depositing a NiO-SSZ buffer layer, a thin SSZ electrolyte layer and a SDC electrolyte on the NiO-YSZ anode substrate by a particle suspension coating or spraying process, wherein the layers are co-fired at high temperature to densify the electrolyte layers to at least about 96% of their theoretical densities; and painting/spraying a SSC-SDC slurry on the SDC electrolyte to form a porous SSC-SDC cathode. A SSZ/SDC bi-layer electrolyte cell device and a method of using such device are also discussed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a proton-conductive electrochemical cell (10), comprising an electrolytic membrane (13) made of a ceramic and an electrode (11, 12) made of a cermet, said electrochemical cell (10) being obtained directly by a method of co-sintering a ceramic layer, capable of forming the electrolytic membrane (13), and a cermet layer, capable of forming the electrode (11, 12), in a sintering tool at a sintering temperature of the ceramic that makes it possible to render said ceramic layer, capable of forming the electrolyte (13), gas-tight, wherein said cell (10) is characterised in that said cermet consists of the mixture of a ceramic and an electronically conductive passivatable alloy including at least 40 mol % chromium capable of forming a passive layer, the nature and the chromium content of said passivatable alloy enabling said electrochemical cell to be co-sintered with a membrane densification of more than 90% without melting said alloy.

Abstract: An electrical connection system for cell voltage monitoring in a fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack comprises a plurality of layers and a plurality of electrically conductive connection tabs extending outwardly from at least one face of the stack. The electrically conductive connection tabs are each formed as a laterally extending free portion of a flexible sealing gasket. Other portions of the gasket are disposed to provide sealing engagement between at least two layers of the fuel cell stack. By using the gasket material to form such electrical connection tabs, rather than flow plates, the connection tabs are made flexible to make it easier to connect to standard arrays of connectors in connector assemblies.

Abstract: Solid-oxide fuel cells include an electrolyte and an anode electrically coupled to a first surface of the electrolyte. A cathode is provided, which is electrically coupled to a second surface of the electrolyte. The cathode includes a porous backbone having a porosity in a range from about 20% to about 70%. The porous backbone contains a mixed ionic-electronic conductor (MIEC) of a first material infiltrated with an oxygen-reducing catalyst of a second material different from the first material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a graded multilayer structure, comprising a support layer (1) and at least 10 layers (2, 3) forming a graded layer, wherein each of the at least 10 layers (2, 3) is at least partially in contact with the support layer (1), wherein the at least 10 layers (2, 3) differ from each other in at least one property selected from layer composition, porosity and conductivity, and wherein the at least 10 layers (2, 3) are arranged such that the layer composition, porosity and/or conductivity horizontally to the support layer (1) forms a gradient over the total layer area.

Abstract: A composition including a cross-linkable compound and at least one selected from compounds represented by Formula 1, a composite obtained from the composition, an electrode including the composition or the composite, a composite membrane including the composite, and a fuel cell including the composite membrane, wherein, in Formula 1, a and R are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel cell electrolyte membrane reinforced with a porous substrate which has excellent durability and in which the amount of cross leakage as a result of chemical deterioration of electrolyte membrane components due to the presence of peroxide and/or radicals is particularly reduced. The present invention relates to an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell comprising a polyelectrolyte, which contains a porous substrate and a radical scavenger dispersed in the polyelectrolyte.

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 stack includes a plurality of fuel cells arranged in a stack configuration extending along a z-axis, wherein each fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly interposed between a pair of bipolar plates, and each membrane electrode assembly has a total active area measured in an x-y plane that is generally perpendicular to the z-axis. Each bipolar plate includes a plurality of common passages extending generally parallel to the z-axis. The total active area of each membrane electrode assembly includes a plurality of base active areas arranged co-planar in the x-y plane along an x-axis.

Abstract: A component for constituting a fuel cell having a gasket molded integrally with an MEA in which molding of the gasket is required once, the MEA requires no through hole and requires a small fastening force when the MEA is compressed. The component comprises the MEA arranged between a pair of separators and compressed when a cell is assembled; a rubber impregnated portion formed by impregnating the outer peripheral portion of the MEA with a gasket molding material, i.e. a part of rubber; a flat gasket portion composed of the rubber molded integrally on the outer circumferential side of the rubber impregnated portion; a lip formed on the flat gasket portion; and a recess as a clearance when the lip is compressed. The portion impregnated with rubber and the flat gasket portion has a thickness (d3) set equal to the thickness (d2) of the MEA when the cell is assembled.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reinforced electrolyte membrane for fuel cell comprising a porous substrate impregnated with a polyelectrolyte liquid dispersion, wherein either the maximum tensile strength in the machine direction (for sheet processing) (MD) or the maximum tensile strength in the transverse direction (TD; vertical to the MD direction) for the electrolyte membrane is 70 N/mm2 or more at 23° C. at a relative humidity of 50% or 40 N/mm2 or more at 80° C. at a relative humidity of 90%. This reinforced electrolyte membrane for fuel cell, in which the amount of fluorine ions eluted as a result of deterioration of electrolyte membrane components in particular is reduced, has excellent durability.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes first and second flow field plates, and an anode electrode and a cathode electrode between the flow field plates. A polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) is arranged between the electrodes. At least one of the flow field plates influences, at least in part, an in-plane anisotropic physical condition of the PEM that varies in magnitude between a high value direction and a low value direction. The PEM has an in-plane physical property that varies in magnitude between a high value direction and a low value direction. The PEM is oriented with its high value direction substantially aligned with the high value direction of the flow field plate.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell, a cell stack device, a fuel cell module and a fuel cell device are disclosed. The solid oxide fuel cell includes a solid electrolyte layer, fuel electrode layer and an oxygen electrode layer. The solid electrolyte layer has gas blocking properties and includes first and second main surfaces opposite to each other. The fuel electrode layer is disposed on the first main surface while the oxygen electrode layer is disposed on the second main surface of the solid electrolyte layer. A thickness of the solid electrolyte layer is 40 ?m or less. Porosity of the solid electrolyte layer in an arbitrary cross section thereof is 3 to 15% by area. An average pore diameter of pores in the solid electrolyte layer is 2 ?m or less.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell includes a fuel cell body and an inter-connector. The inter-connector has a base portion and a plurality of projecting portions projecting from the base portion toward the fuel cell body and electrically connected to the fuel cell body, and is integrally formed from a metallic material. Each of the projecting portions has a contour composed of a pair of linear portions which are disposed parallel to each other and each of which includes a straight line, and a pair of curved portions which connect opposite ends of the linear portions.