Abstract: A unit cell of a fuel cell may include: a membrane-electrode assembly including a proton exchange membrane, an anode electrode fastened to a first face of the proton exchange membrane, a first flow guide plate positioned facing the anode electrode and including at least one flow channel having a fuel inlet zone, a median flow zone and a fuel outlet zone. The anode electrode may have, at the fuel outlet zone, a tolerance to carbon monoxide pollution greater than its average tolerance to carbon monoxide pollution at the median flow zone and at the fuel inlet zone.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a lithium ion secondary battery includes an unwinder supplying a current collector to be coated to a predetermined position, a coating device coating a coating liquid on the current collector, a drying device drying the coated current collector, and a rewinder winding the coated current collector passing through the drying device at a predetermined position.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly comprises a polymer electrolyte interposed between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode, the anode electrode comprising an anode catalyst layer adjacent at least a portion of a first major surface of the polymer electrolyte, the cathode electrode comprising a cathode catalyst layer adjacent at least a portion of a second major surface of the polymer electrolyte; at least one of the anode and cathode catalyst layers comprising: a first catalyst composition comprising a noble metal; and a second composition comprising a metal oxide; wherein the second composition has been treated with a fluoro-phosphonic acid compound.

Abstract: A battery includes: a unit cell including an electrode layer, a counter electrode layer facing the electrode layer, and a solid electrolyte layer disposed between the electrode layer and the counter electrode layer; an electrode current collector in contact with the electrode layer; a counter electrode current collector in contact with the counter electrode layer; and a seal disposed between the electrode current collector and the counter electrode current collector. The unit cell is disposed between the electrode current collector and the counter electrode current collector. The seal includes at least one protrusion protruding toward the solid electrolyte layer, and at least part of the at least one protrusion is in contact with the solid electrolyte layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing an electrolyte membrane including an antioxidant. The method may include forming a first dispersion liquid including deionized water, a first ionomer dispersion solution and an antioxidant, and forming a second dispersion liquid including the first dispersion liquid and a second ionomer dispersion solution.

Abstract: Electrolysis of an aqueous electrolyte solution on a surface of an anode is suppressed when an aqueous lithium ion secondary battery is charged/discharged. In an aqueous electrolyte solution that is used for an aqueous lithium ion secondary battery, at least one metal cation selected from an aluminum ion, a titanium ion, a manganese ion, a zinc ion, a gallium ion, a yttrium ion, a zirconium ion, an indium ion, a lanthanum ion, a cerium ion, a neodymium ion, and a hafnium ion is contained so that its content is more than 0 mol and no more than 0.01 mol per kilogram of the aqueous electrolyte solution, in addition to a lithium ion and at least one imide based anion.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly is provided that includes a nanostructured thin film catalyst as the anode electrode catalyst, the membrane electrode assembly having robustness to humidity variation. Additionally, a solid polymer fuel cell including this membrane electrode assembly is provided. A membrane electrode assembly of an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an electrolyte membrane; an anode electrode catalyst layer in contact with the electrolyte membrane; an anode gas diffusion layer; and a fluorinated polymer layer in contact with the anode electrode catalyst layer between the anode electrode catalyst layer and the anode gas diffusion layer. The anode electrode catalyst layer includes a plurality of nanostructure elements including acicular microstructured support whiskers supporting nanoscopic catalyst particles; and the fluorinated polymer layer includes one of fully-fluorinated or partially-fluorinated polymer particles that have been dispersed in a network form.

Abstract: A catalyst layer for a fuel cell electrode includes a metal carrying catalyst containing a carbon carrier and a metal catalyst carried on the carbon carrier, and an ionomer, wherein a volume of micropores having a diameter of 5 nm to 40 nm in micropores of the carbon carrier is 4.5 ml/g to 9.3 ml/g, and a weight ratio of the carbon carrier to the ionomer is 1:0.50 to 1:0.85. A fuel cell includes the catalyst layer for a fuel cell electrode.

Abstract: To provide a liquid composition capable of forming a catalyst layer that is excellent in resistance to hydrogen peroxide and peroxide radicals, can further increase the output voltage of a membrane/electrode assembly, and can maintain a high output voltage for a long period of time; a method for its production; and a membrane electrode assembly for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell using said liquid composition. Provided is a liquid composition to be used for forming a catalyst layer constituting an electrode of a membrane electrode assembly for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, wherein the liquid composition comprises a liquid medium, a fluoropolymer (H) having sulfonic acid groups and ring structures, and trivalent or tetravalent cerium ions, and the content of the trivalent or tetravalent cerium ions is from 1.6 to 23.3 mol % to the sulfonic acid groups (100 mol %).

Abstract: A method of increasing secondary power source capacity includes doping a compound into an electrolyte as an additive which binding energy is higher than binding energy of combinations that are formed at a secondary power source discharge, the compound being ZnKr or CdAr. The method can be used in manufacturing secondary power sources such as batteries for electrical machines, transport vehicles, and cars, and for power sources for portable and mobile electronic devices.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing composites in which the nanosize of a carbon material and a metal compound can be maintained as the final product is realized to provide a superior electrode material. A treatment of increasing the functional groups possessed by a carbon material is performed in advance. Then, a metal compound precursor is supported on a carbon material by separately performing a treatment of adsorbing one of source materials of the metal compound to the functional groups of the carbon material having increased functional groups and a treatment of reacting the adsorbed source material of the metal compound with the rest of the source materials on the carbon material to produce a metal compound precursor on the carbon material. Finally, a lithium source is introduced and calcined.

Abstract: A method of increasing secondary power source capacity includes doping a compound into an electrolyte as an additive which binding energy is higher than binding energy of combinations that are formed at a secondary power source discharge, the compound being ZnKr or CdAr. The method can be used in manufacturing secondary power sources such as batteries for electrical machines, transport vehicles, and cars, and for power sources for portable and mobile electronic devices.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a membrane electrode assembly includes the steps of depositing a catalyst ink directly onto a membrane to form a catalyst coated membrane and hot pressing the catalyst coated membrane. The catalyst coated membrane has a catalyst layer that includes a catalyst and an ionomer.

Abstract: A planar solid oxide fuel cell stack which can expand in both the vertical and horizontal directions is disclosed. The planar solid oxide fuel cell stack comprises an interconnect which consists of an interconnect body, a first flowing area and a second flowing area, wherein the first and the second flowing area are disposed on opposite side of the interconnect body, and have one gas inlet and two gas outlets, respectively. By employing multiple hexagonal interconnects for cell stack expanding in the horizontal direction, each three stacks can share the same pipeline of the flow channel, thereby reaching the goals of reducing the space and materials required and system complexity as well.

Abstract: Embodiments of fuel cells and their membrane electrode assemblies are provided, as well as methods for preparing the membrane electrode assemblies. One embodiment of a membrane electrode assembly comprises an anode catalyst layer, a cathode catalyst layer, a polymer electrolyte membrane between the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer and a gas barrier layer between the polymer electrolyte membrane and the anode catalyst layer. The gas barrier layer comprises a proton conductive material and is configured to prevent crossover of gas through the polymer electrolyte membrane to the cathode catalyst layer.

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 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 fuel cell gas diffusion layer includes a porous member containing electrically-conductive particles and polymeric resin as major components, and a plurality of holes extending from a main surface of the fuel cell gas diffusion layer are formed.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a separator and a power generating body. The separator and power generating body are laminated each other. The power generating body is equipped at least with an electrolyte membrane. The fuel cell comprises: a sealing part that seals reaction gas supplied for electrochemical reactions at the fuel cell between the power generating body and the separator at an outer circumference part of the fuel cell, wherein a convex part and a recess are fit together in the sealing part. The convex part is formed projecting in the lamination direction on one of the power generating body and the separator, and the recess is formed recessed in the lamination direction on the other of the power generating body and the separator. At least one of the convex part and the recess is formed with a polymer material that expands with moisture absorption.

Abstract: A bipolar plate (1) in combination with a sealant (50, 70) for a PEM fuel cell, wherein the bipolar plate (1) has an anode side with first flow channels (20) for transport of a proton-donating fuel or a cathode side with second flow channels (12) for transport of proton-accepting fluid, or both, wherein a sealant (50, 70) is provided parallel with the bipolar plate (1) for sealing the bipolar plate against an adjacent electrolytic membrane (40). The sealant (50, 70) has fluid channels (54a, 54b, 74a, 74b) across the sealant (50, 70) for transport of proton-donating fuel or proton-accepting fluid, respectively, across the sealant and along the bipolar plate.

Abstract: Provided is a solid oxide fuel cell which includes a fuel electrode, a solid electrolyte, and an air electrode, each being sequentially laminated on the surface of a porous support. The porous support comprises forsterite and a nickel element. Ni and/or NiO fine particles are exposed on a surface of a sintered compact of the forsterite constituting the porous support.

Abstract: A fuel cell cogeneration system of the present invention includes: a cell (10); a fuel gas discharging manifold (122) which is formed to extend in a thickness direction of the cell (10) and through which an anode off gas unconsumed in an anode (2A) flows; an oxidizing gas discharging manifold (124) which is formed to extend in the thickness direction of the cell (10) and through which a cathode off gas unconsumed in a cathode (2B) flows; and a cooling medium discharging manifold (126) which is formed to extend in the thickness direction of the cell (10) and through which an off cooling medium having recovered heat from the cell (10) flows, and the fuel gas discharging manifold (122) and/or the oxidizing gas discharging manifold (124) are formed between the cooling medium discharging manifold (126) and a separator end closest to the cooling medium discharging manifold (126).

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a cathode side separator. An oxygen-containing gas flow field is formed on a surface of the cathode side separator. The oxygen-containing gas flow field includes an inlet channel having a plurality of flow grooves connected to the oxygen-containing gas supply passage, an outlet channel having a plurality of flow grooves connected to the oxygen-containing gas discharge passage, and an intermediate channel having flow grooves with both ends connected to the inlet channel and the outlet channel respectively. The flow grooves of the outlet channel are longer than the flow grooves of the inlet channel, and the flow grooves of the outlet channel are narrowed toward the oxygen-containing gas discharge passage.

Abstract: Fuel cell systems and methods having reduced volumetric requirements are described. The systems include, among other things, an enclosed region formed by the bonding of a fuel cell layer with a fluid manifold. The enclosed region transforms into a fluid plenum when, for example, a fluid exiting a manifold outlet pressurizes the enclosed region causing one or more portions of the fuel cell layer and/or the fluid manifold to deform away from each other.

Abstract: A substrate 10 that selectively allows hydrogen to permeate therethrough is formed with a catalyst thin layer 20 on a first side 11 thereof and is heated in a furnace tube 110, which functions as a reactor, of a heating furnace 100 while a raw material gas to the catalyst thin layer 20 is fed. Hydrogen produced on the first side 11 of the substrate 10 as a result of the formation of carbon nanotubes 5 is separated from the raw material gas and is allowed to permeate to a second side 12 thereof.

Abstract: A system and method for quantifying an anode leak location in a fuel cell system. The system and method include determining there is a leak in an anode sub-system of a fuel cell stack and estimating a first effective leak area using a first leak flow value and first operating parameters. The system and method also include increasing airflow to a cathode side of the fuel cell stack and estimating a second leak effective area using a second leak flow value and second operating parameters. The system and method further include comparing the first leak effective area to the second leak effective area and determining an anode outflow leak location based on the comparison between the first and second leak effective areas.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes an anode current collector provided between an anode and a separator for collecting electrical energy generated in the electrolyte electrode assembly, and supplying a fuel gas to an electrode surface of the anode. The separator has at least one fuel gas inlet hole for supplying the fuel gas to the anode current collector. The anode current collector has at least one fuel gas inlet channel having an opening that faces an opening of the fuel gas inlet hole at an end of the fuel gas inlet hole, for allowing the fuel gas supplied through the fuel gas inlet hole to flow into the anode current collector.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes separators sandwiching electrolyte electrode assemblies. Each of the separators includes a fuel gas supply passage, four first bridges extending radially outwardly from the fuel gas supply section, and sandwiching sections connected to the first bridges. A fuel gas supply passage extends through the fuel gas supply section. Each of the sandwiching sections has a fuel gas channel and an oxygen-containing gas channel. The four electrolyte electrode assemblies are arranged concentrically around the fuel gas supply section. A fuel cell stack includes such fuel cells.

Abstract: A power supply device is provided. The power supply device includes a fuel cell, a hydrogen generator, a check valve and an exhaust valve. The fuel cell has a hydrogen inlet and a hydrogen outlet. The hydrogen generator is connected to the hydrogen inlet and used for generating hydrogen. The check valve is disposed in the hydrogen inlet and used for preventing the hydrogen within the fuel cell from flowing to the hydrogen generator, and preventing exterior air from entering the fuel cell. The exhaust valve is disposed in the hydrogen outlet for exhausting the hydrogen within the fuel cell.

Abstract: A direct formate fuel cell (DFFC) employs at least one formate salt as the anode fuel, either air or oxygen as the oxidant, a polymer anion exchange membrane (AEM) to separate the anode and cathode, and metal catalysts at the anode and cathode. One exemplary embodiment consists of palladium nanoparticle anode catalyst and platinum nanoparticle cathode catalyst, each applied to the alkaline AEM in the form of a thin film. Operation of the DFFC at 60° C. with 1 M KOOCH+2 M KOH as the anode fuel and electrolyte and oxygen at the cathode produces 144 mW cm?2 of peak power density, 181 mA cm?2 current density at 0.6 V, and an open circuit voltage of 0.931 V. This performance is competitive with alkaline direct liquid fuel cells (DLFCs) reported in the literature and demonstrates that formate fuel is a legitimate contender with alcohol fuels for alkaline DLFCs.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having two or more diffusion bonded layers, which demonstrates a high degree of ruggedness, reliability, efficiency and attitude insensitiveness, is provided. The novel cell structure simplifies construction and operation of these cells. Also provided is a method for passive water removal from these cells. The inventive cell, as well as stacks made using these cells, is suitable for use in applications such as commercial space power systems, long endurance aircraft, undersea power systems, remote backup power systems, and regenerative fuel cells.

Abstract: High power density generators are formed with a flexible multi-layered structure. The structure includes a fuel layer with a separate fuel cell stack adjacent to each side of the fuel layer. The structure can be flexible and formed into a variety of shapes.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a separator and a power generating body. The separator and power generating body are laminated each other. The power generating body is equipped at least with an electrolyte membrane. The fuel cell comprises: a sealing part that seals reaction gas supplied for electrochemical reactions at the fuel cell between the power generating body and the separator at an outer circumference part of the fuel cell, wherein a convex part and a recess are fit together in the sealing part. The convex part is formed projecting in the lamination direction on one of the power generating body and the separator, and the recess is formed recessed in the lamination direction on the other of the power generating body and the separator. At least one of the convex part and the recess is formed with a polymer material that expands with moisture absorption.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes an anode current collector provided between an anode and a separator for collecting electrical energy generated in the electrolyte electrode assembly, and supplying a fuel gas to an electrode surface of the anode. The separator has at least one fuel gas inlet hole for supplying the fuel gas to the anode current collector. The anode current collector has at least one fuel gas inlet channel having an opening that faces an opening of the fuel gas inlet hole at an end of the fuel gas inlet hole, for allowing the fuel gas supplied through the fuel gas inlet hole to flow into the anode current collector.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell structure includes an anode, a cathode arranged oppositely relative to the anode and electrolyte located between the anode and the cathode and at least two air paths each having a distal end provided with a turn and a continuous curve closing the distal end.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and a metal separator. The metal separator is stacked with the membrane electrode assembly. A reactant gas passage is provided between the membrane electrode assembly and the metal separator to supply a reactant gas along an electrode surface. The metal separator includes a reactant gas communication hole to communicate with the reactant gas passage. The metal separator further includes a plurality of groove groups each having a plurality of grooves press-formed to allow the reactant gas communication hole to communicate with the reactant gas passage. The grooves adjacent to each other are spaced apart by a first distance. The groove groups adjacent to each other are spaced apart by a second distance larger than the first distance.

Abstract: Provided are a heat recovery apparatus recovering heat generated from a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and transmitting the heat to a fuel spreader so that a temperature difference between the MEA and the fuel spreader inside a fuel cell is reduced, and a fuel cell having the heat recovery apparatus. The fuel spreader supplies fuel having a uniform concentration to the MEA through the heat recovery apparatus, so that a fuel cell having a reduced total volume, a stable performance, and increased energy efficiency can be provided.

Abstract: Improved polymer-based materials are described, for example for use as an electrode binder in a fuel cell. A fuel cell according to an example of the present invention comprises a first electrode including a catalyst and an electrode binder, a second electrode, and an electrolyte located between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electrolyte may be a proton-exchange membrane (PEM). The electrode binder includes one or more polymers, such as a polyphosphazene.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of operating a fuel cell comprising a solid anion exchange membrane, the method comprising contacting an anode in the fuel cell with urea, ammonia or an ammonium salt and contacting the cathode with an oxidant whereby to generate electricity.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane or gas diffusion electrode includes an ion-conducting polymeric material which includes moieties of formula (A) which are substituted on average with more than 1 and 3 or fewer groups (e.g. sulphonate groups) which provide ion-exchange sites and hydrogen atoms of said moieties are optionally substituted, wherein each X in said moieties of formula A independently represent an oxygen or sulphur atom. The ion conducting polymeric material is suitably prepared by controllably sulphonating a polymeric material using about 100% sulphuric acid at 34° C. to 36° C.

Abstract: A solid polymer fuel cell includes a solid polymer electrolytic membrane 1, an anode 2 contacting one of the faces of the solid polymer electrolytic membrane 1, a cathode 3 contacting the other face of the solid polymer electrolytic membrane 1, and a gas-liquid separation membrane 4 enclosing a MEA 12 including the solid polymer electrolytic membrane 4, the anode 2, and the cathode 3, and which transmits gas but not liquid. An end face of the gas-liquid separation membrane 1 is sealed, and the MEA 12 is isolated from outside of the gas-liquid separation membrane 4. The anode 2 and the cathode 3 respectively include an electrode terminal extending from an end portion thereof, and the electrode terminal is exposed to outside of the gas-liquid separation membrane 4, through an end portion thereof.

Abstract: An electrically conductive fluid distribution element for use in a fuel cell having a conductive non-metallic porous media having a surface with an electrically conductive metal deposited along one or more metallized regions. The metallized regions are arranged to contact a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) in a fuel cell assembly, and thus improve electrical conductance at contact regions between the MEA and the fluid distribution media. Methods of making such a fluid distribution element and operating fuel cell assemblies are also provided.

Abstract: Conveying gas containing sulfur through a sulfur tolerant planar solid oxide fuel cell (PSOFC) stack for sulfur scrubbing, followed by conveying the gas through a non-sulfur tolerant PSOFC stack. The sulfur tolerant PSOFC stack utilizes anode materials, such as LSV, that selectively convert H2S present in the fuel stream to other non-poisoning sulfur compounds. The remaining balance of gases remaining in the completely or near H2S-free exhaust fuel stream is then used as the fuel for the conventional PSOFC stack that is downstream of the sulfur-tolerant PSOFC. A broad range of fuels such as gasified coal, natural gas and reformed hydrocarbons are used to produce electricity.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is provided with a first separation layer and a buffer solution layer disposed between a liquid-phase fuel storage layer and an anode of a membrane electrode assembly. A vapor-phase fuel is transferred to the buffer solution layer through the first separation layer, condensed, and diluted to produce a liquid-phase fuel with a low concentration in the buffer solution layer, and the low concentration liquid-phase fuel is supplied to the membrane electrode assembly. A second separation layer may be interposed between the first separation layer and the fuel storage layer. Fuel is supplied by a passive supplying method so that the system can be small with a high efficiency and unnecessary power consumption can be prevented. The fuel cell system can be operated regardless of orientation.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes an electrolyte electrode assembly and a first separator and a second separator sandwiching the electrolyte electrode assembly. The first and second separators have flat surfaces stacked on the electrolyte electrode assembly. The electrolyte electrode assembly includes an anode having a plurality of anode projections. The anode projections contact the first separator and form a fuel gas channel between the anode and the first separator. Further, the electrolyte electrode assembly includes a cathode having a plurality of cathode projections. The cathode projections contact the second separator and form an oxygen-containing gas channel between the cathode and the second separator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a direct oxidation fuel cell system including at least one electricity generating element including at least one membrane-electrode assembly which includes an anode and a cathode on opposite sides of a polymer electrolyte membrane, and a separator. The direct oxidation fuel cell generates electricity through an electrochemical reaction of a fuel and an oxidant. An oxidant supplier supplies the electricity generating element with the oxidant. A fuel supplier supplies the anode with a combination of fuel and hydrogen to provide improved power output.

Abstract: [Means for Solution] A solid oxide fuel cell apparatus including a fuel cell having a plate-shaped first solid electrolyte, an anode provided on one side of the first solid electrolyte and coming in contact with fuel gas, and a cathode provided on the other side of the first solid electrolyte and coming in contact with oxidizer gas. The solid oxide fuel cell apparatus further includes a cell-follow-up deformation member located on at least one of opposite sides of the fuel cell with respect to a first stacking direction along which the anode, the first solid electrolyte, and the cathode are stacked together. The cell-follow-up deformation member deforms according to a deformation of the fuel cell on the basis of at least one of physical quantities including differential thermal expansion coefficient and differential pressure.

Abstract: A fuel cell including an anode-side catalyst coated membrane and a cathode-side catalyst coated membrane. At least a portion of a reduced-permeability layer is disposed between the ionically conductive membrane and the anode-side and cathode-side gas diffusion media, wherein the reduced-permeability layer is formed of a material that has a permeability that is less than a permeability of the ionically conductive member. The reduced-permeability layer may also be formed of a material that is softer than the ionically conductive membrane.

Abstract: An electrolyte membrane for electrochemical cells, that has oxide ion permeability properties, and methods for producing the same, is made of an oxide ion conductor having a component composition expressed by a general formula: La1-XSrXGa1-YMgYO3 (where X=0.05 to 0.3, and Y=0.025 to 0.3), and having a perovskite type crystal structure, wherein the electrolyte membrane has a thickness of 1 to 10 ?m and a columnar crystal structure grown to a membrane surface in a direction perpendicular to a membrane face, and wherein the perovskite type crystal structure of the electrolyte membrane having the columnar crystal structure grown to the membrane surface, has a crystal structure with [112] direction oriented perpendicularly to the membrane face.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrolyte solution for hydrogen generating apparatus including water; at least one ionizing compound; and at least one cation exchange resin, as well as a hydrogen generating apparatus that includes the electrolyte solution. The electrolyte solution for hydrogen generating apparatus according to the invention can increase the time and amount of hydrogen generation by reducing an amount of metal hydroxide generation.