Abstract: A connector is connected with a connector joint structure formed in separators in a fuel cell. The connector has: a connector casing; a terminal element that is provided in the connector casing and is configured to be in contact with an edge side of the separator and to be elastically deformed in an insertion direction of the connector that is orthogonal to a stacking direction of the separators, when the connector is connected with the connector joint structure; and an engagement element that is formed in the connector casing and is configured to engage with the connector joint structure and restrict motion of the connector in the insertion direction when the connector is connected with the connector joint structure.

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: A fuel cell, a reinforced membrane electrode assembly and a method of fabricating a reinforced membrane electrode assembly. The method comprises depositing an electrode ink onto a first substrate to form a first electrode layer, applying a first porous reinforcement layer on a surface of the first electrode layer to form a first catalyst coated substrate, depositing a first ionomer solution onto the first catalyst coated substrate to form a first ionomer layer, and applying a membrane porous reinforcement layer on a surface of the first ionomer layer to form a reinforced membrane layer.

Abstract: A compound including a cage-type structure of silsesquioxane wherein a group represented by Formula 1 or a salt thereof is directly linked to at least one silicon atom of the silsesquioxane, a composition including the compound, a composite formed therefrom, electrodes and an electrolyte membrane that include the composite, a method of preparing the compound, and a fuel cell including the electrodes and the electrolyte membrane. wherein in Formula 1, n is 1 or 2.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and a separator. The separator includes a reactant gas inlet manifold, a reactant gas outlet manifold, a reactant gas channel, an inlet connection channel, an inlet buffer portion, an outlet buffer portion, and an outlet connection channel. A pressure drop through the inlet buffer portion is less than a pressure drop through the reactant gas channel when a reactant gas flows from the reactant gas inlet manifold to the reactant gas channel. A pressure drop through the outlet buffer portion is less than a pressure drop through the outlet connection channel when the reactant gas flows from the reactant gas channel to the reactant gas outlet manifold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer comprising at least one polymeric chain of a first type, the said chain comprising at least two blocks, the same or different, the said blocks comprising repeat units derived from the polymerisation of styrene monomers, the said units comprising at least one phenyl pendant group carrying at least one —SO3R group, R possibly being a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or cationic counter-ion, the said two blocks being separated by a spacer group, the spacer group is a perfluorocarbon group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method for preparing a BZCYYb material to be used in a solid oxide fuel cell. In particular, the method comprises mixing particular nano-sized and micro-sized ingredients and the size selection provides greatly improved performance characteristics of the resulting material. In particular, barium carbonate powder, zirconium oxide powder having particle diameters in the nanometer range, and cerium oxide powder having particle diameter in the micrometer range are used together with ytterbium oxide powder, and yttrium oxide powder.

Abstract: A base as a support in a fuel cell is provided with a plurality of through holes. An electrolyte membrane covers the entirety of the base facing the anode and is partly embedded in the plurality of through holes. A cathode is embedded in the through holes such that each block is in an isolated area bounded by the base and the electrolyte membrane. A current collector is provided on the blocks of the cathode and on the base partitioning the cathode. The current collector is secured to the base by a securing member.

Abstract: The invention provides part solid, part fluid and flow electrochemical cells, for example, metal-air and lithium-air batteries and three-dimensional electrode arrays for use in part solid, part fluid electrochemical and flow cells and metal-air and lithium-air batteries.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel proton-conducting polymer membrane based on polyazole polymers which, owing to their outstanding chemical and thermal properties, can be used widely and are suitable in particular as polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) for producing membrane electrode assemblies or so-called PEM fuel cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel proton-conducting polymer membrane based on polyazole polymers which, owing to their outstanding chemical and thermal properties, can be used widely and are suitable in particular as polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) for producing membrane electrode assemblies or so-called PEM fuel cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a fuel cell (A1) in which a frame body (20) provided with a membrane electrode assembly (30) is sandwiched between a pair of separators (40, 41), and multiple projections (21) are arranged at given intervals on each of two surface sides of the frame body (20). Thus, a gas flow path (S1) for a hydrogen-containing gas is defined and formed on one surface side of the frame body (20) and a gas flow path (S2) for an oxygen-containing gas is defined and formed on the other surface side of the frame body (20). The projections (21) on the one surface side of the frame body (20) and the projections (21) on the other surface side of the frame body (20) are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the frame body (20) in a stacking direction (?) of the fuel cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a nanostructured surface (NSS) on a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for a fuel cell, in which a nanostructured surface is suitably formed on a polymer electrolyte membrane by plasma treatment during plasma assisted etching in a plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition (PACVD) chamber, where catalyst particles or a catalyst layer are directly deposited on the surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane having the nanostructured surface.

Abstract: A separator for fuel cell includes a corrugated portion formed to have a corrugated cross section where a first groove that is concave to a first surface to form a flow path for a first fluid on the first surface and a second groove that is concave to a second surface opposite to the first surface to form a flow path for a second fluid on the second surface are arranged alternately and repeatedly. Each of the second grooves has at least one shallower groove section formed to have a less depth from the second surface than depth of a remaining groove section and provided to form a communication flow channel on the first surface side, which is arranged to communicate between two flow path spaces for the first fluid that are adjacent to each other across the shallower groove section.

Abstract: This invention relates in general to components of electrochemical devices, and to methods of preparing the components. The components and methods include the use of a composition comprising an ionically conductive polymer and at least one solvent, where the polymer and the solvent are selected based on the thermodynamics of the combination. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a component for an electrochemical device which is prepared from a composition comprising a true solution of an ionically conductive polymer and at least one solvent, the polymer and the at least one solvent being selected such that |? solvent?? solute|<1, where ? solvent is the Hildebrand solubility parameter of the at least one solvent and where ? solute is the Hildebrand solubility parameter of the polymer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an anode for a direct methanol fuel cell includes an anode catalyst layer containing a noble metal catalyst and a proton-conductive polyelectrolyte. A log differential pore volume distribution curve measured by a mercury intrusion porosimetry of the anode catalyst layer has a peak within a pore diameter range of 0.06 to 0.3 ?m and satisfies the following relationship: 0.5?(V1/V0)?0.9 wherein V0 is a cumulative pore volume of pores having a diameter of from 0.02 to 1 ?m, as measured by a mercury intrusion porosimetry, and V1 is a cumulative pore volume of pores having a diameter of from 0.02 to 0.2 ?m, as measured by a mercury intrusion porosimetry.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fuel cell apparatus including: a first electrode support having a tubular shape; an interconnector connected to one side of the first electrode support; an electrolyte membrane surrounding the interconnector and covering an outer surface of the first electrode support; a second electrode formed at the outer surface of the electrolyte membrane while being spaced apart from the interconnector; a first current collecting member surrounding an outer surface of the second electrode; and a second current collecting member engaged with an outer surface of the first current collecting member and having a bimetal structure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a tubular solid oxide fuel cell module including an anode layer, an electrolyte layer, a cathode layer divided into two parts or more, a conductive mesh structure and a conductive wire, and a method of manufacturing the same. The tubular solid oxide fuel cell is advantageous in that the cathode is divided into two parts or more, so that the moving distance of electric charges is decreased, with the result that resistance loss can be minimized, thereby increasing the efficiency of collecting electric charges.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel polyimide containing a diamine component having a fluorene skeleton and a novel polyimide-based polymer electrolyte membrane containing this polyimide as a main component and having properties based on this polyimide (for example, high resistance to methanol crossover). The polyimide of the present invention contains a structural unit (P) represented by the following formula (1). The polyimide-based polymer electrolyte membrane of the present invention contains the polyimide of the present invention as a main component.

Abstract: To provide a membrane/electrode assembly for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, capable of achieving high power generation performance under low or no humidity operation conditions, and a process for producing a cathode for polymer electrolyte fuel cells. A membrane/electrode assembly 10, comprising: an anode 20 having a catalyst layer 22 and a gas diffusion layer 28, a cathode 30 having a catalyst layer 32 and a gas diffusion layer 38, and a polymer electrolyte membrane 40 interposed between the catalyst layer 22 of the anode 20 and the catalyst layer 32 of the cathode, wherein the cathode 30 has, between the catalyst layer 32 and the gas diffusion layer 38, a first interlayer 36 comprising carbon fibers (C1) and a fluorinated ion exchange resin (F1), and a second interlayer 34 comprising carbon fibers (C2) and a fluorinated ion exchange resin (F2), in this order from the gas diffusion layer 38 side.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly includes an electrolyte membrane, anode catalyst layers, and cathode catalyst layers provided counter to the anode catalyst layers, respectively. An insulating layer is provided on the electrolyte membrane between adjacent anode catalyst layers. An insulating layer is provided on the electrolyte membrane between adjacent cathode catalyst layers. The resistivity of the insulating layer is preferably identical to or higher than that of the electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solid oxide fuel cell including a cylindrical fuel cell and a current collector inserted with the cylindrical fuel cell and herein, the current collector is constituted by the semicircular mesh structure inserted with the cylindrical fuel cell and at least one metal connection plate connected with both ends of an opened part of the mesh structure and having an inner surface contacting a lower part of the mesh structure. According to the present invention, serial and parallel connections between cells of the fuel cell can be arbitrarily constructed with a metal connection plate and a current collector having a mesh structure as one unit module.

Abstract: Novel proton exchange membrane fuel cells and direct methanol fuel cells with nanostructured components are configured with higher precious metal utilization rate at the electrodes, higher power density, and lower cost. To form a catalyst, platinum or platinum-ruthenium nanoparticles are deposited onto carbon-based materials, for example, single-walled, dual-walled, multi-walled and cup-stacked carbon nanotubes. The deposition process includes an ethylene glycol reduction method. Aligned arrays of these carbon nanomaterials are prepared by filtering the nanomaterials with ethanol. A membrane electrode assembly is formed by sandwiching the catalyst between a proton exchange membrane and a diffusion layer that form a first electrode. The second electrode may be formed using a conventional catalyst. The several layers of the MEA are hot pressed to form an integrated unit.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly includes a membrane, an anode catalyst layer and a cathode catalyst layer. The anode catalyst layer is on a first side of the membrane and the cathode catalyst layer is on a second side of the membrane, wherein the second side of the membrane is opposite the first side of the membrane along a first axis. The cathode catalyst layer includes agglomerates formed of a catalyst support supporting catalyst particles, an agglomerate ionomer and an inter-agglomerate ionomer. The agglomerate ionomer surrounds the agglomerates and the inter-agglomerate ionomer is in regions between the agglomerates surrounded by the agglomerate ionomer. The agglomerate ionomer is different than the inter-agglomerate. Methods to produce the catalyst layer are also provided.

Abstract: A composition including a compound represented by Formula 1, an azole-based polymer, and at least one of compounds represented by Formula 2-7 according to the specification, a composite obtained from the composition, an electrode and electrolyte for a fuel cell that include the composition or the composite, and a fuel cell including the electrode or the electrolyte membrane: M11-aM2aPxOy??Formula 1 wherein, in Formula 1, M1 is a tetravalent element; M2 is at least one selected from the group including a monovalent element, a divalent element, and a trivalent element; 0?a<1; x is a number from 1.5 to 3.5; and y is a number from 5 to 13.

Abstract: A redox flow battery in which a positive electrode electrolyte stored in a positive electrode tank and a negative electrode electrolyte stored in a negative electrode tank are supplied to a battery element to charge and discharge the battery is provided, the positive electrode electrolyte in the redox flow battery containing a Mn ion as a positive electrode active material, the negative electrode electrolyte containing at least one of a Ti ion, a V ion, and a Cr ion as a negative electrode active material, in which the redox flow battery includes a negative-electrode-side introduction duct in communication with inside of the negative electrode tank from outside thereof, for introducing oxidizing gas into the negative electrode tank, and a supply mechanism for supplying the oxidizing gas into the negative electrode tank via the negative-electrode-side introduction duct.

Abstract: A reduced gas crossover fuel cell membrane and method of making. The fuel cell member includes an electrode layer with a catalyst and an electrochemically-active first ionomer and an overcoat layer disposed on the electrode layer. The overcoat layer is made of the same or different second ionomer relative to the first ionomer of the electrode layer with at least one reduced gas crossover characteristic.

Abstract: A membrane-electrode assembly for a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes a proton-conductive composite membrane including a reinforcing sheet and an electrolyte membrane. The reinforcing sheet has through-holes extending in a thickness direction of the reinforcing sheet. The through-holes are provided in a portion other than an edge of the reinforcing sheet in an in-plane direction. An anode electrode layer is provided on one surface of the proton-conductive composite membrane. A cathode electrode layer is provided on another surface of the proton-conductive composite membrane. At least one of an edge of the anode electrode layer and an edge of the cathode electrode layer in the in-plane direction is arranged outside in the in-plane direction with respect to the portion in which the plurality of through-holes are provided.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell has anode, cathode and electrolyte layers each formed essentially of a multi-oxide ceramic material and having a far-from-equilibrium, metastable structure selected from the group consisting of nanocrystalline, nanocomposite and amorphous. The electrolyte layer has a matrix of the ceramic material, and is impervious and serves as a fast oxygen ion conductor. The electrolyte layer has a matrix of the ceramic material and a dopant dispersed therein in an amount substantially greater than its equilibrium solubility in the ceramic matrix. The anode layer includes a continuous surface area metallic phase in which electron conduction is provided by the metallic phase and the multi-oxide ceramic matrix provides ionic conduction.

Abstract: A gel battery may be fabricated from a gel anode material and a gel cathode material. The battery may further comprise a gel electrolyte material. The gel materials may be in the form of thin films. A gel battery may be formed by contacting at least a portion of a gel anode with at least a portion of a gel electrolyte, and at least a portion of a gel cathode may also be in contact with at least a portion of the gel electrolyte. A battery formed by gel films may also be coated with a material. The gel battery, its anode, cathode, and electrolyte materials may all be non-toxic for an application to an animal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochemical device. The device features an anode constructed of materials such that the device can be chemically recharged. In addition, the device is capable of switching between operating as a fuel cell or as a battery. The switch can occur without cessation of electrical output. In certain aspects of the invention, the device is capable of operating at a temperature of less than 1000° C. Other aspects feature a liquid anode which allows higher output, dispersion of fuel and minimal stresses in an interface comprising the anode. Preferably the anode is a liquid at a temperature of less than 1000° C. The invention also relates to methods for energy conversion in which a continual electrical output can be produced in both the presence of fuel without anode consumption or the absence of fuel.

Abstract: Fuel cell devices are provided having improved shrinkage properties between the active and non-active structures by modifying the material composition of the non-active structure, having a non-conductive, insulating barrier layer between the active structure and surface conductors that extend over the inactive surrounding support structure, having the width of one or both electrodes progressively change along the length, or having a porous ceramic layer between the anode and fuel passage and between the cathode and air passage. Another fuel cell device is provided having an internal multilayer active structure with electrodes alternating in polarity from top to bottom and external conductors on the top and/or bottom surface with sympathetic polarity to the respective top and bottom electrodes. A fuel cell system is provided with a fuel cell device having an enlarged attachment surface at one or both ends, which resides outside the system's heat source, insulated therefrom.

Abstract: An electrode catalyst for a fuel cell which including alloy particles including a Group 8 metal and a Group 9 metal.

Abstract: A method of making a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes forming a first sublayer of a first electrode on a first side of a planar solid oxide electrolyte and drying the first sublayer of the first electrode. The method also includes forming a second sublayer of the first electrode on the dried first sublayer of the first electrode prior to firing the first sublayer of the first electrode, firing the first and second sublayers of the first electrode during the same first firing step, and forming a second electrode on a second side of the solid oxide electrolyte.

Abstract: An electrolyte membrane for fuel cells, the electrolyte membrane including a polymer film and a polymerization product of a composition comprising i) a plurality of inorganic particles surface-treated with a surface treatment agent including the polymerizable double bonds and ii) a polymerizable acid monomer, wherein the inorganic particles and the polymerizable acid monomer are impregnated within the polymer film.

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 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: The disclosed electrode for use in a fuel cell comprises a flexible carbon-fiber nonwoven fabric and a fuel-cell catalyst, such as a metal catalyst or a carbon-alloy catalyst, supported on the surfaces of the carbon fibers constituting the flexible carbon-fiber nonwoven fabric. Said flexible carbon-fiber nonwoven fabric is formed by carbonizing a nonwoven fabric obtained by electrospinning a composition containing: an electrospinnable macromolecular substance; an organic compound that is different from said macromolecular substance; and a transition metal. This structure allows the provision of an electrode, for use in a fuel cell, which uses a flexible carbon-fiber nonwoven fabric as a substrate and combines the functions of a gas-diffusion layer and an electrocatalyst layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and articles that include a plasmon-resonating nanostructure that employ a photo-thermal mechanism to catalyze the reduction of an oxidant. As such, the plasmon-resonating nanostructure catalyzes a redox reaction at a temperature below a predetermined activation temperature. The method can be efficiently used to catalyze the reduction of an oxidant, for example in a catalytic reactor or in a fuel cell that includes a photon source.

Abstract: A method for producing a fuel cell catalyst containing a metal oxycarbonitride, the method including: a step of producing a metal oxycarbonitride by heating a metal carbonitride in an inert gas containing oxygen gas; and a step of bringing the metal oxycarbonitride into contact with an acidic solution.

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: The present invention is directed to a redox-active, conducting polymer energy storage system, said system including an electrode and a counter electrode, wherein the electrode comprises a first conducting polymer and the counter electrode comprises a second conducting polymer, wherein the first conducting polymer is doped by at least one or more first redox-active compounds and/or by a polymer and/or a co-polymer of the one or more first redox-active compounds and the second conducting polymer is doped by at least one or more second redox-active compounds and/or by a polymer and/or a co-polymer of the one or more second redox-active compounds, and wherein there is a potential difference between the dopant for the electrode and the dopant for the counter electrode. In one preferred embodiment, the first or the second redox-active compound is 2,2?-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS).

Abstract: A material for a solid oxide fuel cell, the material including a lanthanum metal oxide having a perovskite-type crystal structure; and a ceria metal oxide, wherein the ceria metal oxide includes at least one material selected from the group consisting of metal oxides represented by Formula 1 below and metal oxides represented by Formula 2: (1?a?b)Ce1-xAxO2-?+aB2O5+bBO3??Formula 1 Ce1-x-yAxByO2-???Formula 2 wherein 0?a?0.01, 0?b?0.02, 0<2a+?0.02, 0<x<0.3, 0<y?0.02, ? and ? are selected so that the metal oxides of Formulas 1 and 2, respectively, are both electrically neutral, A is a rare earth metal, and B is a 5-valent metal or a 6-valent metal.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a chromium-containing metal support, a ceramic electrode layer on the metal support and an electroconductive ceramic layer between the chromium-containing metal support and the ceramic electrode layer. The electroconductive ceramic layer includes a ceramic material selected from lanthanum-doped strontium titanate and perovskite oxides.

Abstract: A proton conducting copolymer electrolyte with competitive voltage versus current density characteristics and superior durability comprises a proton conducting hydrophilic domain comprising a sulfonated poly(phenylene) polymer, and a hydrophobic domain comprising a main chain comprising a plurality of bonded arylene groups wherein essentially all of the bonds in the main chain of the copolymer are carbon-carbon or, to a certain extent, carbon-sulfone bonds. More particularly, none of the bonds in the chains of the copolymer are ether bonds. Due to the absence of ether bonds, the copolymer electrolyte is less susceptible to degradation in solid polymer fuel cells.

Abstract: An electrolyte membrane having a proton conducting polymer reinforced with a nanofiber mat made from a nanofiber comprising a fiber material selected from polymers and polymer blends; wherein the fiber material has a fiber material proton conductivity; wherein the proton conducting polymer has a proton conducting polymer conductivity; and wherein the fiber material proton conductivity is less than the proton conducting polymer conductivity, and methods of making. In some embodiments, the nanofiber further comprises a proton conducting polymer.

Abstract: Provided are a MEA, a fuel cell, and a gas detoxification apparatus that allow at high efficiency a general electrochemical reaction causing gas decomposition or the like and are excellent in cost efficiency; and a method for producing a MEA. In this MEA 7, a porous base 3, a porous anode 2, an ion-conductive solid electrolyte 1, and a porous cathode 5 are stacked. The anode 2 or the cathode 5 is in contact with a surface of the porous base 3. The porous anode 2 includes a metal deposit body 21 having catalysis for gas decomposition.

Abstract: Provided are a catalyst, an electrode, a fuel cell, a gas detoxification apparatus, and the like that can promote a general electrochemical reaction causing gas decomposition or the like. A catalyst according to the present invention is used for promoting an electrochemical reaction and is chain particles 3 formed of an alloy particles containing nickel (Ni) and at least one selected from the group consisting of iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), tungsten (W), and copper (Cu).

Abstract: A hydrogen fuel cell comprising: an anode; a cathode; an electrolyte; means for supplying a hydrogen-containing fuel to the fuel cell; and means for supplying an oxidant to the fuel cell; wherein the anode and, optionally, the cathode includes a catalyst comprising an alloy of the formula (I): PdxBiyMz (I) wherein: M is one or more metals; x is 0.2 to 0.4; y is 0.6 to 0.8; z is not greater than 0.1; and x+y+z=1; is described. Catalysts and electrodes for hydrogen fuel cells comprising the alloy and electrochemical methods using the alloy catalysts are also described.

Abstract: A composite anode material for a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), an anode for a SOFC including a Ni-containing alloy including Ni and a transition metal other than Ni; and a perovskite metal oxide having a perovskite structure.