Specified Electrode/electrolyte Combination Patents (Class 429/482)
  • Publication number: 20140017594
    Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell anode catalyst in which a platinum-ruthenium alloy is supported on a carbon material, and a manufacturing method therefor. The molar ratio (Pt:Ru) of the alloy is in the range of 1:1-5. When the coordination numbers of the Pt atom and the Ru atom of an atom site in the alloy, as measured by x-ray absorption fine structure, are expressed as N(Pt) and N(Ru) respectively, then N(Ru)/(N(Pt)+N(Ru)) in the platinum site is in the range of 0.8-1.1 times the theoretical value, and N(Pt)/(N(Ru)+N(Pt)) in the Ru site is in the range of 0.8-1.1 times the theoretical value. The average particle diameter of the alloy is in the range of 1-5 nm, and the standard deviation for the particle diameter is in the range of 2 nm or lower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Tatsuya Takeguchi, Kiyotaka Asakura
  • Publication number: 20140017591
    Abstract: An electrode catalyst for a fuel cell, the electrode catalyst including a catalyst particle including palladium, gallium, and cerium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicants: KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chan-ho PAK, Seon-ah JIN, Sung-hyeon PARK, Seong-ihi WOO, Chang-hyuck CHOI
  • Publication number: 20140017595
    Abstract: PBI-based MEAs for high temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) were prepared by direct hot pressing of catalyst layer on Teflon sheets on to both sides of phosphoric acid doped PBI membrane (decal transfer). These MEAs show two times higher performance compared to the MEAs prepared by normal brush coating method on GDL at an operating temperature of 160° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research
    Inventors: Vijayamohanan Kunju Krishna Pillai, Ulhas Kanhaiyalal Kharul, Sreekumar Kurungot, Harshal Dilip Chaudhari, Sreekuttan Maraveedu Unni, Bipinlal Unni, Husain Noman Kagalwala
  • Patent number: 8628894
    Abstract: To effectively prevent deformation of an MEA and shift of GDLs, first GDLs, second GDLs, and separators are layered in order at both sides of the MEA in the thickness direction thereof, the gaskets which sandwich an end portion of the MEA outside the first GDLs and the second GDLs are made from rubber or a synthetic resin material having rubber-like elasticity and integrally provided on the separators respectively, the first GDLs have end portions which are formed so as to protrude beyond outer peripheries of the second GDLs, and the gaskets have support step portions which can position and support the end portions of the first GDLs at the same height as the support height by the second GDLs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: NOK Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiro Shimazoe, Yoshihiro Kurano, Shigeru Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20140011112
    Abstract: A membrane electrode includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a proton exchange membrane sandwiched between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode includes a first gas diffusion layer and a first catalyst layer. The second electrode includes a second gas diffusion layer and a second catalyst layer. The first catalyst layer or the second catalyst layer includes a carbon nanotube-metal particle composite including carbon nanotubes, polymer layer, and metal particles. The polymer layer is coated on a surface of the carbon nanotubes and defines a plurality of pores uniformly distributed; the metal particles are located in the pores. A fuel cell including the membrane electrode is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: JIAN-WEI GUO, XIAO-LIN XIE, CHENG WANG, XIANG-MING HE, WEN-JUAN WEI, CHEN-CHEN ZHAO
  • Publication number: 20140011113
    Abstract: The fuel cell includes a porous body including Ni particles, ceramic particles and pores; a power-generating section having an anode active layer formed on the porous body; and a dense interconnector formed on the porous body, and electrically connected with the anode active layer. When the porous body is exposed to a reducing atmosphere, the ceramic particles and the pores is greater than or equal to 14 volume % and less than or equal to 55 volume % in the contacting region, a volume ratio of the Ni particles to the total volume is greater than or equal to 15 volume % and less than or equal to 50 volume % in the contacting region, and a volume ratio of the Ni particles to a sum volume of a volume of the ceramic particles and a volume of the Ni particles is less than or equal to 82.5 volume % in the contacting region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto OHMORI, Takashi RYU, Taku OKAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20140011110
    Abstract: A fuel battery cell C includes a membrane electrode assembly 2 having a frame 1 in a periphery thereof; two separators 3A, 3B holding them therebetween; and gas seal members 11, 12 provided to peripheral portions of diffuser areas D1, D2 each formed between the frame 1 and one of the separators 3A, 3B. A diffuser-area-D1-side edge position of the gas seal member 11 in the diffuser area D1 on the cathode side and a diffuser-area-D2-side edge position of the gas seal member 12 in the diffuser area D2 on the anode side are offset from each other in an inside-outside direction of the diffuser areas D1, D2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takanori Oku, Kazuhiro Kageyama, Mitsutaka Abe
  • Publication number: 20140011115
    Abstract: A fuel-cell stack includes a proton-exchange membrane, a first electrode, a second electrode, a first current-collecting metal plate, a first gas diffusion layer, and first and second layers that contact each other. The first electrode and second electrodes are fixed on corresponding sides of the membrane. The first gas diffusion layer is interposed between the first current-collecting plate and the second electrode. The first layer is fixed on the first current-collecting plate, while the second layer is fixed to the first gas diffusion layer. Both layers include a polyurethane matrix containing conductive fillers. The second layer makes contact with the first layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Remi Vincent, Julien Tard
  • Publication number: 20140011114
    Abstract: An example fuel cell seal assembly includes a seal configured to restrict flow of a fuel cell fluid through at least one of an outer lateral edge of a first gas diffusion layer, an outer lateral edge of a membrane electrode assembly, and an outer lateral edge of a second gas diffusion layer. The outer lateral edge of the first gas diffusion layer is laterally spaced from the outer lateral edge of the second gas diffusion layer. An example method of sealing a fuel cell interface includes limiting flow of a fuel cell fluid using a seal configured to restrict flow through an outwardly facing edge of at least one of a first gas diffusion layer and an outwardly facing edge of a second gas diffusion layer. The outwardly facing edge of the first gas diffusion layer is spaced from the outwardly facing edge of the second gas diffusion layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: Jason B. Parsons
  • Publication number: 20140004443
    Abstract: Disclosed is a membrane electrode assembly with enhanced hydrophobicity and a method for manufacturing the same. In particular, a nano pattern with a high aspect ratio is formed in a catalyst support on the surface of a catalyst layer constituting the membrane electrode assembly using plasma etching. A hydrophobic thin film is then formed on the nano pattern formed in the catalyst support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Bo Ki Hong, Sae Hoon Kim, Myoung Woon Moon, Kwang Ryeol Lee, Kyu Hwan Oh, Eun Kyu Her
  • Publication number: 20140004440
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of ultralow loading catalyst. Also disclosed are membrane electrode assemblies and fuel cells utilizing the ultralow loading catalyst. One embodiment of an ultralow loading catalyst includes support particles comprised of a non-precious metal catalyst material and precious metal particles supported on the support particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: TAEHEE HAN, ELLAZAR V. NIANGAR, NILESH DALE
  • Patent number: 8617763
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes a cathode electrode, a solid oxide electrolyte, and an anode electrode having a first portion and a second portion, such that the first portion is located between the electrolyte and the second portion. The anode electrode comprises a cermet comprising a nickel containing phase and a ceramic phase. The first portion of the anode electrode contains a lower porosity and a lower ratio of the nickel containing phase to the ceramic phase than the second portion of the anode electrode. The nickel containing phase in the second portion of the anode electrode comprises nickel and at least one other metal which has a lower electrocatalytic activity than nickel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Tad Armstrong, Emad El Batawi, Eric Petersen
  • Patent number: 8617762
    Abstract: A method of processing a ceramic electrolyte suitable for use in a fuel cell is provided. The method comprises situating a ceramic electrolyte layer over an anode layer; and subjecting the ceramic electrolyte layer to a stress prior to operation of the fuel cell, by: exposing the top surface of the electrolyte layer to an oxidizing atmosphere and the bottom surface of the electrolyte layer to a reducing atmosphere; and heating the electrolyte layer. The stress causes a substantial increase in the number of microcracks, or in the average size of the microcracks, or in both the number of the microcracks and their average size. A solid oxide fuel cell comprising a ceramic electrolyte layer processed by the disclosed method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Shu Ching Quek, Chandra Sekher Yerramalli, Todd-Michael Striker, Badri Narayan Ramamurthi, Sylvia Marie DeCarr, Venkat Subramaniam Venkataramani
  • Publication number: 20130344415
    Abstract: A method of forming a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) article includes providing a green electrode layer formed by a freeze-casting process and forming a green SOFC unit cell. The green SOFC unit cell includes a green electrolyte layer, a green cathode layer overlying the electrolyte layer, a green interconnect layer, and a green anode layer disposed between the green electrolyte layer and the interconnect layer. The method includes sintering the green SOFC unit cell in a single sintering process to form a sintered SOFC unit cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: Aravind Mohanram
  • Publication number: 20130344414
    Abstract: Disclosed are a supporter for a fuel cell, and an electrode for a fuel cell, a membrane-electrode assembly, and a fuel cell system including the same. The supporter includes a transition metal oxide coating layer formed on a surface of a carbonaceous material, the surface of the carbonaceous material covalently bonded with the transition metal oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
  • Publication number: 20130337359
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly, a first separator, and a second separator. The second separator has a fuel gas flow field connected to a fuel gas supply passage and a fuel gas discharge passage. The fuel gas flow field includes a plurality of corrugated flow grooves and a flat flow field. The corrugated flow grooves extend in the horizontal direction, respectively, and are arranged in the direction of the gravity. The flat flow field is provided within a power generation area, at the lowermost position in the direction of the gravity, and extends in the horizontal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Seiji SUGIURA, Shuhei GOTO, Kenichi MURAKAMI, Kentaro ISHIDA, Keisuke SUDA
  • Publication number: 20130337365
    Abstract: A composite support including: an ordered mesoporous carbon including mesopores having an average diameter of about 2 nanometers to about 8 nanometers; and silicon carbide dispersed in the ordered mesoporous carbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Samsung Electornics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chan-ho PAK, Dae-jong YOO, Ji-man KIM, Jin-hoe KIM
  • Publication number: 20130337367
    Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst carrier having excellent durability and capable of attaining high catalytic ability without increasing the specific surface area thereof, and a catalyst obtainable by using the catalyst carrier. The catalyst carrier of the present invention comprises a metal oxycarbonitride, preferably the metal contained in the metal oxycarbonitride comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of niobium, tin, indium, platinum, tantalum, zirconium, copper, iron, tungsten, chromium, molybdenum, hafnium, titanium, vanadium, cobalt, manganese, cerium, mercury, plutonium, gold, silver, iridium, palladium, yttrium, ruthenium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, and nickel. Moreover, the catalyst of the present invention comprises the catalyst carrier and a catalyst metal supported on the catalyst carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: SHOWA DENKO K.K.
    Inventors: Ryuji MONDEN, Tadatoshi KUROZUMI, Toshikazu SHISHIKURA
  • Publication number: 20130337366
    Abstract: The design and method of fabrication of a three-dimensional, porous flow structure for use in a high differential pressure electrochemical cell is described. The flow structure is formed by compacting a highly porous metallic substrate and laminating at least one micro-porous material layer onto the compacted substrate. The flow structure provides void volume greater than about 55% and yield strength greater than about 12,000 psi. In one embodiment, the flow structure comprises a porosity gradient towards the electrolyte membrane, which helps in redistributing mechanical load from the electrolyte membrane throughout the structural elements of the open, porous flow structure, while simultaneously maintaining sufficient fluid permeability and electrical conductivity through the flow structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Scott Blanchet, Roger Van Boeyen
  • Publication number: 20130337360
    Abstract: An SOFC component includes a first electrode, an electrolyte overlying the first electrode, and a second electrode overlying the electrolyte. The second electrode includes a bulk layer portion and a functional layer portion, the functional layer portion being an interfacial layer extending between the electrolyte and the bulk layer portion of the second electrode, wherein the bulk layer portion has a bimodal pore size distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: F. Michael Mahoney, John D. Pietras
  • Publication number: 20130330651
    Abstract: A catalyst layer including an electrocatalyst and an oxygen evolution catalyst, wherein the oxygen evolution catalyst includes a crystalline metal oxide including: (i) one of more first metals selected from the group consisting of yttrium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, sodium, potassium, indium, thallium, tin, lead, antimony and bismuth; (ii) one or more second metals selected from the group consisting of Ru, Ir, Os and Rh; and (iii) oxygen characterised in that: (a) the atomic ratio of first metal(s):second metal(s) is from 1:1.5 to 1.5:1 (b) the atomic ratio of (first metal(s)+second metal(s)):oxygen is from 1:1 to 1:2 is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Johnson Matthey Fuel Cells Limited
    Inventors: David Thompsett, Edward Anthony Wright, Janet Mary Fisher, Enrico Petrucco
  • Publication number: 20130330650
    Abstract: A catalyst layer including: (i) a first catalytic material, wherein the first catalytic material facilitates a hydrogen oxidation reaction suitably selected from platinum group metals, gold, silver, base metals or an oxide thereof; and (ii) a second catalytic material, wherein the second catalytic material facilitates an oxygen evolution reaction, wherein the second catalytic material includes iridium or iridium oxide and one or more metals M or an oxide thereof, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of transition metals and Sn, wherein the transition metal is preferably selected from the group IVB, VB and VIB; and the first catalytic material is supported on the second catalytic material. The catalyst can be used in fuel cells, supported on electrodes or polymeric membranes for increasing tolerance to cell voltage reversal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Jonathan David Brereton Sharman, Brian Ronald Charles Theobald, Edward Anthony Wright
  • Publication number: 20130330652
    Abstract: The invention relates to Membrane Electrode Assemblies (“MEAs”) for solid-polymer-electrolyte proton-conducting membrane fuel cells (“PEM-FCs”) having better performance and improved durability, in particular when operated under severe electrochemical conditions such as fuel starvation and start-up/shut-down cycling. The MEAs are characterized in that at least one of its two electrode layers (EL1 and/or EL2) contains a first electrocatalyst (EC1) comprising an iridium oxide component in combination with at least one other inorganic oxide component and a second electrocatalyst (EC2/EC2?), which is free from iridium. Preferably, an iridium oxide/titania catalyst is employed as EC1. The MEAs reveal better performance, in particular when operated under severe operating conditions such as fuel starvation and start-up/shut-down cycling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: SolviCare GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jens-Peter Suchsland, Matthias Binder, Nicola Zandona
  • Publication number: 20130330649
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a fuel cell having improved long-term durability. The patent provides a fuel cell comprising a peroxide decomposition catalyst immobilized on a support, wherein the fuel cell is constituted of a membrane electrode assembly comprising a polyelectrolyte membrane, electrode layers placed on both the sides of the electrolyte membrane, and gas diffusion layers placed on the side opposite to the electrolyte membrane of the electrode layers, a gas sealing material placed surrounding the membrane electrode assembly, and separators sandwiching the foregoing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: W.L. Gore & Associates, Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Takane, Naoko Matsuura
  • Patent number: 8603697
    Abstract: There is provided a dendritic catalyst layer for a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell including: a solid polymer electrolyte membrane; electrodes; and catalyst layers each provided between the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and the respective electrode, the catalyst layer for a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes a catalyst with a dendritic structure. The catalyst with a dendritic structure is formed through vacuum evaporation such as reactive sputtering, reactive electron beam evaporation, or ion plating. The catalyst layer for a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell can improve catalytic activity, catalyst utilization, and substance transport performance in the catalyst layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuya Miyazaki, Kazuhiro Yamada, Yoshinobu Okumura
  • Patent number: 8603934
    Abstract: A carbon nanosphere has at least one opening. The carbon nanosphere is obtained by preparing a carbon nanosphere and treating it with an acid to form the opening. The carbon nanosphere with at least one opening has higher utilization of a surface area and electrical conductivity and lower mass transfer resistance than a conventional carbon nanotube, thus allowing for higher current density and cell voltage with a smaller amount of metal catalyst per unit area of a fuel cell electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyuk Chang, Chan-Ho Pak, Jian Nong Wang
  • Publication number: 20130323621
    Abstract: This material suitable for constituting an electrolyte for a fuel cell has a hydrophobic matrix comprising carbon, fluorine, oxygen and hydrogen, and silicon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique
    Inventor: Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique
  • Publication number: 20130323620
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a porous electrode substrate with greater sheet strength, lower production cost, and excellent gas permeability and conductivity as well as its manufacturing method are provided. Also provided are a precursor sheet for forming such a substrate, and a membrane electrode assembly and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell containing such a substrate. The method for manufacturing such a porous electrode substrate includes the following steps [1]˜[3]: [1] a step for manufacturing a sheet material in which short carbon fibers (A) are dispersed; [2] a step for manufacturing a precursor sheet by adding a water-soluble phenolic resin and/or water-dispersible phenolic resin to the sheet material; and [3] a step for carbonizing the precursor sheet at a temperature of 1000° C. or higher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI RAYON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroto Tatsuno, Kazuhiro Sumioka, Tadao Samejima
  • Patent number: 8597854
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell in which a membrane electrode assembly less undergoes increase in ion conduction resistance, and a polymer electrolyte membrane less undergoes deterioration. Specifically, the polymer electrolyte membrane includes a first membrane and a second membrane being two different membranes composed of polymer electrolytes having different ion-exchange capacities, in which the first membrane has an area of one surface thereof equal to or larger than an area of one surface of an anode or a cathode, and the second membrane has an area of one surface thereof smaller than that of the first membrane and is arranged in a gas inflow region on a side being in contact with the cathode. The second membrane has an ion-exchange capacity smaller than that of the first membrane or has a number-average molecular weight larger than that of the first membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsuhiko Onuma, Jun Kawaji, Shuichi Suzuki, Yoshiyuki Takamori
  • Publication number: 20130316266
    Abstract: Provided is a solid electrolyte material provided which, while maintaining a high oxygen ion conductivity, minimizes the extraction of scandia caused by impurities such as silicon in the fuel gas, and has improved intergranular strength in order to eliminate intergranular fracture caused by crystalline modification. The solid electrolyte material is a zirconia solid electrolyte material having yttria dissolved therein, has cubic crystals as the main ingredient, and is further characterized by having a lanthanoid oxide dissolved therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Megumi Shimazu, Akira Ueno, Toshiya Abe, Motoyasu Miyao, Kenichi Hiwatashi
  • Publication number: 20130316264
    Abstract: A process of spraying a first electrolyte mixture onto an anode substrate followed by spraying a second electrolyte mixture onto the first electrolyte. The first electrolyte mixture comprises a first solvent and a first electrolyte and the second electrolyte mixture comprises a second solvent and a second electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventors: Ying Liu, Ting He
  • Publication number: 20130316267
    Abstract: Provided is a solid electrolyte material which, while maintaining high oxygen ion conductivity, minimizes the decomposition of scandia caused by impurities such as silicon in the fuel gas, and improves intergranular strength in order to eliminate intergranular fracture caused by crystalline modification. The solid electrolyte material is a zirconia solid electrolyte material having scandia and a lanthanoid oxide and/or yttria dissolved therein, and has alumina further added thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Megumi Shimazu, Akira Ueno, Toshiya Abe, Motoyasu Miyao, Kenichi Hiwatashi
  • Publication number: 20130316265
    Abstract: A UEA for a fuel cell having an active region and a feed region is provided. The UEA includes an electrolyte membrane disposed between a pair of electrodes. The electrolyte membrane and the pair of electrodes is further disposed between a pair of DM. The electrolyte membrane, the pair of electrodes, and the DM are configured to be disposed at the active region of the fuel cell. A barrier film coupled to the electrolyte membrane is configured to be disposed at the feed region of the fuel cell. The dimensions of the electrolyte membrane are thereby optimized. A fuel cell having the UEA, and a fuel cell stack formed from a plurality of the fuel cells, is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Matthew J. Beutel, Saurabh Vyas, Ronald L. James, Steven G. Goebel
  • Publication number: 20130309594
    Abstract: Methods of making an integrated subgasket assembly, a unitized electrode assembly, an integrated fuel cell assembly, and products thereof. The methods include forming the subgasket by providing a base sheet having an initial thickness, stretching a first region of the base sheet a first distance, and forming an active area window in the base sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Rock, Steven G. Goebel, Glenn W. Skala
  • Patent number: 8586265
    Abstract: A method of forming a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) includes first bonding a first electrode layer to a first side of an ion-exchange membrane. The method may further include protecting a second side of the membrane with a release sheet. The method may further include removing the release sheet and bonding the second side of the membrane to a first side of a second electrode layer. The method may further include positioning venting members on a second side of the second electrode layer to remove at least one of a liquid and a vapor that may be generated during the bonding process. In another embodiment an electrocatalyst can first bond to at least one side of the membrane, and subsequently, to a gas diffusion layer. An opposing side of the membrane can bond to an electrode layer in aqueous state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: David S. De Haan, Ben Tham, Liviu Catoiu
  • Patent number: 8586260
    Abstract: A fuel cell with multiple independent reaction regions comprises multiple fuel cell units. Each fuel cell unit comprises bipolar plates and a membrane electrode assembly located between the bipolar plates. The membrane electrode assembly comprises a proton exchange membrane and catalyst layers located at both sides of the proton exchange membrane, and the catalyst layers at least at one side of the proton exchange membrane are formed with multiple mutually independent catalyst sublayers. Different from the prior design concepts of striving to distribute reactants as uniformly as possible in the whole reaction area, the whole cell in this invention is divided into multiple independent reaction regions, and relevance of the reaction regions is eliminated. Therefore, by partitioning and reducing the amplitude of possible voltage difference, this invention is able to reduce electrochemical corrosion and maximize performance of each independent region and the whole fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventor: Yong Gao
  • Patent number: 8580453
    Abstract: A solid oxide electrochemical device having a laminar composite electrode with improved electrochemical and mechanical performance, the laminar composite electrode comprising a porous support electrode layer, a thin and patterned structure layer, and a thin and dense electrolyte layer and methods for making.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jie Guan, Gregory R. Lear, Matthew Walker
  • Patent number: 8580456
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes a cathode electrode, a solid oxide electrolyte, and an anode electrode. The electrolyte and/or electrode composition includes zirconia stabilized with (i) scandia, (ii) ceria, and (iii) at least one of yttria and ytterbia. The composition does not experience a degradation of ionic conductivity of greater than 15% after 4000 hrs at a temperature of 850° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Tad Armstrong, Emad El Batawi, Martin Janousek, Manoj Pillai
  • Publication number: 20130295486
    Abstract: A unitized electrode assembly for a fuel cell includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, an electrolyte and palladium catalytic nanoparticles. The electrolyte is positioned between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode. The palladium catalytic nanoparticles are positioned between the electrolyte and one of the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The palladium catalytic nanoparticles have a {100} enriched structure. A majority of the surface area of the palladium catalytic nanoparticles is exposed to the UEA environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventor: Minhua Shao
  • Publication number: 20130295484
    Abstract: A material for a solid oxide fuel cell, the material including: a first metal oxide represented by Formula 1 and having a perovskite crystal structure; a second metal oxide having an electronic conductivity which is greater than an electrical conductivity of the first metal oxide, a thermal expansion coefficient which is less than a thermal expansion coefficient of the first metal oxide, and having a perovskite crystal structure; and a third metal oxide having a fluorite crystal structure: BaaSrbCoxFeyZ1-x-yO3-?,??Formula 1 wherein Z is at least one element selected from an element of Groups 3 to 12 and a lanthanide element, a and b satisfy 0.4?a?0.6, 0.4?b?0.6, and a+b?1, x and y satisfy 0.6?x?0.9, 0.1?y?0.4, and x+y<1, and ? is selected such that the first metal oxide is electrostatically neutral.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soo-yeon SEO, Hee-jung PARK, Kyoung-seok MOON, Chan KWAK
  • Publication number: 20130295485
    Abstract: An anode catalyst for an alkaline membrane fuel cell (AMFC) includes a catalytically active component and a catalytically inactive component, wherein the catalytically active component is selected from one or more of the group of ruthenium (Ru), rhodium (Rh), silver (Ag), osmium (Os), iridium (Ir), platinum (Pt), silver (Ag) and gold (Au)) and wherein the catalytically inactive component is selected from the group of iron (Fe), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co) and zinc (Zn).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Shimshon Gottesfeld, Dario Dekel
  • Patent number: 8574784
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell having a fuel electrode, a solid electrolyte film, an air electrode, and a conductive current-collecting mesh bonded to an upper surface, opposite to a lower bonding surface with the solid electrolyte film, of the air electrode. Plural bonding portions that are bonded to the current-collecting mesh and plural non-bonding portions that are not bonded to the current-collecting mesh are present on the upper surface of the air electrode. In the air electrode, regions having a porosity smaller than a porosity of the other region are respectively formed on the position in the middle of the thickness of the air electrode from each bonding portion. The average of the porosity of the dense portion is 20% or more and less than 35%, while the average of the porosity of the porous portion is 35% or more and less than 55%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ayano Kobayashi, Makoto Ohmori
  • Patent number: 8574789
    Abstract: Embodiment of the present invention relate to dendrimers useful for application as catalysts, in particular as improved electrocatalysts for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEM-FCs). Methods of preparing such catalysts are described. Examples include dendritic nanostructured metal catalysts, such as platinum and platinum-alloy catalysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Shelnutt, Wen Li, Yujiang Song, Michael A. Hickner
  • Publication number: 20130288152
    Abstract: The present invention relates a method for manufacturing a fuel cell. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly capable of solving an electrical connection problem caused by uneven tube lengths and improving an output, and a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell. The method for manufacturing the membrane electrode assembly of the present invention includes a seed catalyst layer forming process (1), a CNT growing process (2), a CNT entanglement promoting process (3), a catalyst carrying process (4), an ionomer arranging process (5), and a transferring (MEA conversion) process (6). According to the present invention, entanglement of adjacent CNTs can be promoted by the CNT entanglement promoting process (3) and therefore the electrical connection of the CNTs can be ensured. Thus, the output of the cell can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shigeki Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20130288154
    Abstract: A method for producing a fuel cell electrode catalyst, including: a step (1) of mixing at least a metal compound (1), a nitrogen-containing organic compound (2), a compound (3) containing fluorine and at least one element A selected from the group consisting of boron, phosphorus, and sulfur, and a solvent to obtain a catalyst precursor solution, a step (2) of removing the solvent from the catalyst precursor solution, and a step (3) of heat-treating a solid residue, obtained in the step (2), at a temperature of 500 to 1100° C. to obtain an electrode catalyst; a portion or the entirety of the metal compound (1) being a compound containing, as a metal element, at least one transition metal element M1 selected from the elements of group 4 and group 5 of the periodic table; and at least one of the compounds (1), (2), and (3) having an oxygen atom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: SHOWA DENKO K.K.
    Inventors: Ryuji Monden, Takuya Imai, Yasuaki Wakizaka, Kunchan Lee, Takashi Sato
  • Publication number: 20130288153
    Abstract: A sodium sulfur secondary battery is a battery that operates at a comparatively lower temperature, while maintaining a high operating cell potential comparable to existing sodium sulfur battery configurations. The apparatus accomplishes this through the arrangement of component materials selected based on experimentation results demonstrating favorable performance in a secondary battery configuration. The sodium sulfur battery comprises a housing, containing an anode solution, a cathode solution, and a sodium ion conductive electrolyte membrane. The anode solution contains metallic sodium and anode solvent. The cathode solution contains elemental sulfur and a cathode solvent. The sodium ion conductive electrolyte membrane is a Sodium Titanate Nano-membrane formed from long TiO2-nanowires. The electrolyte membrane is positioned between the anode solution and the cathode solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Moris Technology Center LLC
    Inventor: Fangxiao YANG
  • Publication number: 20130280637
    Abstract: Provided are a fuel cell electrode and a membrane electrode assembly in which catalyst particles are prevented from dissolving and the function of added catalyst can be sufficiently exerted when the fuel cell is operating at high current density. The fuel cell electrode includes an electrode material containing: an electrocatalyst having catalyst particles supported on a conductive support; a first ion conductor having anion conductivity; and a second ion conductor having a cation conductivity, the first and second ion conductors covering the electrocatalyst. The first ion conductor is provided to cover the catalyst particles, and the second ion conductor is provided to cover the first ion conductor and exposed part of the conductive support. The membrane electrode assembly includes the fuel cell electrode as at least one of the anode and cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: Norifumi Horibe
  • Publication number: 20130280638
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a powder of molten grains of yttria-stabilised zirconia, said grains having the following chemical analysis, in weight percent on the basis of the oxides: ZrO2+HfO2: remainder up to 100%; 11.8%?Y2O3?18.6%; 0.07%?Al2O3?1.8%; TiO2?0.6%, provided that 0.5<Al2O3 0.3%?TiO2 if 0.6%<Al2O3; and other oxides: ?2.0%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN CENTRE DE RECHERCHES ET D'ETUDES EUROPEEN
    Inventors: Caroline Levy, Samuel Marlin
  • Publication number: 20130280636
    Abstract: Disclosed are an electrode for a fuel cell, a method of preparing the fuel cell electrode, a membrane-electrode assembly including the fuel cell electrode, and a fuel cell system including the fuel cell electrode. The electrode includes an electrode substrate having a conductive substrate and a layer-by-layer assembled multi-layer disposed on a side of the conductive substrate and a bilayer including a polymer electrolyte or a conductive nanoparticle, and a catalyst layer disposed on the electrode substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun-Young KIM, Myoung-Ki MIN, Kah-Young SONG, Hee-Tak KIM
  • Publication number: 20130280639
    Abstract: A production process for an electrode catalyst for a fuel cell, which includes a step (I) of mixing a nitrogen-containing organic substance, a transition metal compound and conductive particles with a solvent and a step (II) of calcining a mixture obtained in the step (I).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: SHOWA DENKO K.K.
    Inventors: Takuya Imai, Kazunori Ichioka, Chunfu Yu, Yasuaki Wakizaka, Takashi Sato