Abstract: A preparation method of composite materials having ion exchange function is provided. The method comprises the following steps: adding a trace of strong protonic acid and/or Lewis acid as a catalyst into the material during compounding, to allow nitrile groups of at least one nitrile group-containing ion exchange resin and nitrile groups of functional monomers grafted on the porous fluoropolymer membrane to form a triazine ring crosslinked structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a polymer electrolyte molded article, which comprises forming a polymer electrolyte precursor having a protective group and an ionic group, and deprotecting at least a portion of protective groups contained in the resulting molded article to obtain a polymer electrolyte molded article. According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a polymer electrolyte material and a polymer electrolyte molded article, which are excellent in proton conductivity and are also excellent in fuel barrier properties, mechanical strength, physical durability, resistance to hot water, resistance to hot methanol, processability and chemical stability. A polymer electrolyte fuel cell using a polymer electrolyte membrane, polymer electrolyte parts or a membrane electrode assembly can achieve high output, high energy density and long-term durability.

Abstract: A health monitoring system for a fuel cell stack using current fuel cell architecture to enable the electronic control unit (ECU) to continue to monitor the health of the fuel cell stack despite a component failure. The system uses an embedded measurement module (EMM) connected to a group of fuel cells in the fuel cell stack to monitor the health of that group of fuel cells. The EMM produces a pulse width modulation signal that is sent to the ECU. A total voltage value for the group of fuel cells is embedded into the calibration signal or end of frame sequence. The ECU uses an algorithm to determine a missing voltage of at least one fuel cell in the event of the component failure of that fuel cell by adding up the cumulative value for each fuel cell reporting their voltage and subtracting that value from the total voltage value found in the end of frame sequence.

Abstract: The invention includes a method for use in creating electrochemical electrodes including removing a supporting structure in situ after the assembly of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: An electrical conductive member includes: an electrical conductive structure including: a substrate; an electrical conductive carbon layer provided on at least one surface of the substrate and containing electrical conductive carbon; and a middle layer interposed between the substrate and the electrical conductive carbon layer. An intensity ratio R (ID/IG) of a D-band peak intensity (ID) to a G-band peak intensity (IG) measured by a Raman scattering spectroscopic analysis in the electrical conductive carbon layer is between 1.4 and 1.9.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a hydrocarbon-based polymer electrolyte which is excellent in processability and proton conductivity, especially proton conductivity at low water content, and a membrane thereof. The polymer electrolyte contains, in its main chain, a repeating unit represented by the following formula (1): wherein Ar represents a benzene or naphthalene ring, or a derivative thereof in which one or more of the ring-forming carbon atoms is replaced by a hetero atom; X represents a proton or a cation; a and b are each an integer of 0 to 4, and the sum of a's and b's is 1 or greater; m represents an integer of 1 or greater; and n represents an integer of 0 or greater.

Abstract: Flexible electrical devices are provided that include a coated inner carbon nanotube electrode that has an exterior surface, an outer carbon nanotube electrode disposed on the exterior surface of the coated inner carbon nanotube electrode, and an overlap region in which the coated inner carbon nanotube electrode and the outer carbon nanotube electrode overlap one another, in which the device has a fiber-like geometry and first and second electrode ends. Methods are provided for fabricating an electrical component that includes a flexible electrical component having a fiber-like geometry and includes carbon nanotube electrodes.

Abstract: Disclosed are a polymer electrolyte membrane, a method for manufacturing the same and a membrane-electrode assembly comprising the same, the polymer electrolyte membrane includes a hydrocarbon-containing ion conductive layer; and a fluorine-containing ion conductor discontinuously dispersed on the hydrocarbon-containing ion conductive layer.

Abstract: A curable composition comprising: (i) 2.5 to 50 wt % crosslinker comprising at least two acrylamide groups; (ii) 20 to 65 wt % curable ionic compound comprising an ethylenically unsaturated group and an anionic group; (iii) 15 to 45 wt % solvent; and (iv) 0 to 10 wt % of free radical initiator; wherein the molar ratio of (i):(ii) is 0.1 to 1.5. The compositions are useful for preparing ion exchange membranes.

Abstract: A curable composition comprising: (i) 2.5 to 50 wt % crosslinker comprising at least two acrylamide groups; (ii) 12 to 65 wt % curable ionic compound comprising an ethylenically unsaturated group and a cationic group; (iii) 10 to 70 wt % solvent; (iv) 0 to 10 wt % of free radical initiator; and (v) lithium and/or calcium salt. The compositions are useful for preparing ion exchange membranes.

Abstract: A curable composition comprising: (i) 2.5 to 50 wt % crosslinker comprising at least two acrylamide groups; (ii) 12 to 65 wt % curable ionic compound comprising an ethylenically unsaturated group and a cationic group; (iii) 10 to 70 wt % solvent; and (iv) 0 to 10 wt % of free radical initiator; and (v) non-curable salt; wherein the molar ratio of (i):(ii) is >0.10. The compositions are useful for preparing ion exchange membranes.

Abstract: A process for producing proton-conducting membrane, the process comprising: mixing (i) 5% to 60% by volume of an electrically nonconductive inorganic powder having a good acid absorption capacity, the powder comprising essentially nanosize particles; (ii) 5% to 50% by volume of a polymeric binder that is chemically compatible with acid, oxygen and the fuel; and (iii) 10 to 90% by volume of an acid or aqueous acid solution, wherein the mixing is conducted at various rate steps, thereby producing a proton-conducting mixture; continuously casting the proton-conducting mixture on rolled paper, non-woven matrix or the like at ambient temperature; drying the casted proton-conducting mixture at a temperature of greater than 100° C.

Abstract: The description relates to fuel cells and fuel cell systems. One example includes at least one multi cell membrane electrode assembly (MCMEA). Individual MCMEAs can include multiple serially interconnected sub-cells.

Abstract: Shaped microporous articles are produced from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and nucleating agents using thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) processes. The shaped microporous article is oriented in at least one direction at a stretch ratio of at least approximately 1.1 to 1.0. The shaped article may also comprise a diluent, glyceryl triacetate. The shaped microporous article may also have the micropores filled with a sufficient quantity of ion conducting electrolyte to allow the membrane to function as an ion conductive membrane. The method of making a microporous article comprises the steps of melt blending polyvinylidene fluoride, nucleating agent and glyceryl triacetate; forming a shaped article of the mixture; cooling the shaped article to cause crystallization of the polyvinylidene fluoride and phase separation of the polyvinylidene fluoride and glyceryl triacetate; and stretching the shaped article in at least one direction at a stretch ratio of at least approximately 1.1 to 1.0.

Abstract: An electrolyte membrane which comprises a cation exchange membrane made of a polymer having cation exchange groups and contains cerium ions is used as an electrolyte membrane for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. In a case where the cation exchange membrane has sulfonic acid groups, the sulfonic acid groups are ion-exchanged, for example, with cerium ions so that cerium ions are contained preferably in an amount of from 0.3 to 20% of —SO3? groups contained in the cation exchange membrane. A membrane for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell capable of power generation in high energy efficiency, having high power generation performance regardless of the dew point of the feed gas and capable of stable power generation over a long period of time, can be provided.

Abstract: An ion-conducting composite electrolyte membrane with strength improved without impairing ionic conductivity, and a fuel cell using the same are provided. The proton conductive composite electrolyte membrane includes an electrolyte which includes an ion-dissociating functional group and is made of a fullerene derivative or sulfonated pitch within a range of 5 wt % to 85 wt % both inclusive, and a binder which has a weight-average molecular weight of 550000 or over and a logarithmic viscosity of 2 dL/g or over, and is made of a fluorine-based polymer such as polyvinylidene fluoride and a copolymer of polyvinylidene fluoride and hexafluoropropylene within a range of 15 wt % to 95 wt % both inclusive.

Abstract: A curable composition comprising: (i) 2.5 to 50 wt % crosslinker comprising at least two acrylamide groups; (ii) 20 to 65 wt % curable ionic compound comprising an ethylenically unsaturated group and an anionic group; (iii) 15 to 45 wt % solvent; and (iv) 0 to 10 wt % of free radical initiator; wherein the composition has a pH of 0.8 to 12. The compositions are useful for preparing ion exchange membranes.

Abstract: A curable composition comprising: (i) 2.5 to 50 wt % crosslinker comprising at least two acrylamide groups; (ii) 12 to 65 wt % curable ionic compound comprising an ethylenically unsaturated group and a cationic group; (iii) 15 to 70 wt % solvent; and (iv) 0 to 10 wt % of free radical initiator; and (v) 2 to 50 wt % of non-curable salt; wherein the composition has a pH of 1 to 12. The compositions are useful for preparing ion exchange membranes.

Abstract: A novel approach based on the increase of the intrinsic oxidative stability of uncrosslinked membranes is addressed. The co-grafting of styrene with methacrylonitrile (MAN), which possesses a protected ?-position and strong dipolar pendant nitrile group, onto 25 ?m ETFE base film is disclosed. Styrene/MAN co-grafted membranes were compared to styrene based membrane in durability tests in single H2/O2 fuel cells. The incorporation of MAN improves the chemical stability dramatically. The membrane preparation based on the copolymerization of styrene and MAN shows encouraging results and offers the opportunity of tuning the MAN and crosslinker content to enhance the oxidative stability of the resulting fuel cell membranes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of sol-gel modified alternative Nafion-Silica composite membrane useful for polymer electrolyte fuel cell. The said composite membrane is made by embedding silica particles in perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer by a process that circumvents the use of added acid while using acidic characteristics of Nafion and polymerization reaction through a sol-gel route. The composite membrane has high affinity for water with capability to exchange protons. The approach may be used to manufacture polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells operating at elevated temperatures under near-zero humidity.

Abstract: Method of preparing a proton-exchange membrane for a fuel cell including placing in solution in a solvent a polymer selected from the group consisting of polymers having at least one monomer exhibiting a fluorinated group; adding at least one superacid to the polymer solution; mixing the solution; casting the solution containing the polymer and the superacid on a substrate; evaporating the solvent; and recovering the membrane. The used solvent is chemically stable in the presence of the superacid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a production method including the steps of: graft-polymerizing a first monomer onto a polymer substrate so as to form a first graft polymer; and graft-polymerizing a second monomer onto the first graft polymer so as to form a second graft polymer. The first monomer contains a polar group. The second monomer contains at least one selected from the group consisting of an ion-conducting group and a site into which an ion-conducting group can be introduced. The second monomer has a higher polarity than the first monomer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions useful for use in separators for use in lithium ion batteries, and membranes, separators, and devices derived therefrom.

Abstract: A composite having ion exchange function, preparation method and use thereof are provided. The composite is formed by compounding ion exchange resin with fluorine-containing polymer porous membrane, wherein the nitrile groups in the ion exchange resin react with the nitrile groups grafted on the fluorine-contained polymer porous membrane to form triazine ring crosslinked structure. The composite has excellent mechanical property and gas impermeability, high ion exchange capacity and high electroconductivity.

Abstract: A line device (1) for a fuel cell (10), having at least one feed section (2) with a feed opening (4), and a removal section (3) with a removal opening (5), wherein the feed section (2) is designed for supplying a fluid to a first side (12) of an active surface (11) of the fuel cell (10) and the removal section (3) is designed for removing the fluid from a second side (13) of the active surface (11) of the fuel cell (10), and the fluid can flow along at least two flow paths (20, 21, 22) from the feed opening (4) through the active surface (11) to the removal opening (5) for the fluid, wherein the feed section (2).

Abstract: A composition for filling an ion exchange membrane including a first aromatic vinyl monomer having a halogenated alkyl group or a quaternary ammonium salt group, a method of preparing the ion exchange membrane, an ion exchange membrane prepared using the method, and a redox flow battery including the ion exchange membrane.

Abstract: Provided are: a practically excellent polymer electrolyte composition having excellent chemical stability of being resistant to strong oxidizing atmosphere during operation of fuel cell, and achieving excellent proton conductivity under low-humidification conditions, excellent mechanical strength and physical durability; a polymer electrolyte membrane, a membrane electrode assembly, and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell each using the same. The polymer electrolyte composition of the present invention comprises at least an ionic group-containing polymer (A) and a phosphorus-containing additive (B), the phosphorus-containing additive (B) being at least one of a phosphine compound and a phosphinite compound. The polymer electrolyte membrane, the membrane electrode assembly, and the polymer electrolyte fuel cell of the present invention are structured by the polymer electrolyte composition.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a redox flow secondary battery being low in the electric resistance and excellent in the current efficiency as well, and further having the durability. The present invention relates to an electrolyte membrane for a redox flow secondary battery, the electrolyte membrane containing an ion-exchange resin composition containing a fluorine-based polyelectrolyte polymer, and having an ion cluster diameter of 1.00 to 2.95 nm as measured in water at 25° C. by a small angle X-ray method, and to a redox flow secondary battery using the electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a membrane-electrode assembly for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, in which the glass transition temperature of an electrolyte membrane is reduced using a hydrophilic solvent, and a membrane-electrode assembly for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, manufactured by the method. In the method of the invention, the glass transition temperature of the electrolyte membrane to which a catalyst is transferred is reduced compared to that in a conventional method for manufacturing a membrane-electrode assembly for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell using the decal process. Thus, even to an electrolyte membrane material having a relatively high glass transition temperature, the catalyst may be transferred at a rate of 100% at a temperature of about 120° C., at which hot pressing is carried out. Thus, the problems associated with electrolyte membrane deterioration occurring in conventional methods can be solved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a monomer (6, 14) carrying an imidazole-type heterocycle (3). According to the invention, the chemical structure of said monomer (6, 14) comprises at least one unit of formula (I) wherein R1 comprises an alkenyl grouping and R2 comprises a grouping for protecting one of the nitrogen atoms of the heterocycle. The invention also relates to a monomer carrying a benzimidazole-type heterocycle, and to protected polymers obtained from said monomers, deprotected polymers produced by the protected polymers, a proton exchange membrane based on deprotected polymers, and a fuel cell provided with said membrane. Furthermore, the invention relates to methods for producing the above-mentioned monomers and polymers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a proton exchange membrane fuel cell and a method of designing the same. A method of designing a proton exchange membrane fuel cell comprising a gas diffusion layer is described. The method comprises: using a model of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell to determine performance of the fuel cell, wherein the model is based on a plurality of parameters of the fuel cell, the plurality of parameters including at least one anisotropic property of the gas diffusion layer, adjusting at least one of the plurality of parameters; determining whether or not performance of the fuel cell is improved by the adjusting step and designing the fuel cell by selecting the parameters which provide improved performance. A proton exchange membrane fuel cell is also described comprising a gas diffusion layer, the proton exchange membrane fuel cell having a plurality of parameters, wherein the parameters are selected to provide substantially uniform temperature distribution across the gas diffusion layer.

Abstract: A method of the present invention for producing an anion exchange membrane includes the steps of: (i) irradiating a first polymer film with radiation; and (ii) graft-polymerizing a monomer containing a site into which a functional group having anion conducting ability can be introduced and an unsaturated carbon-carbon bond onto the radiation-irradiated first polymer film so as to form a second polymer film containing grafted chains. This method further includes the subsequent steps of: (a) subjecting the second polymer film to a treatment including irradiation with radiation so as to introduce a crosslinked structure into the grafted chains; and (b) introducing the functional group having anion conducting ability into the site.

Abstract: Provided are a polymer electrolyte composition, an electrolyte membrane, a membrane electrolyte assembly, and a fuel cell. The polymer electrolyte composition according to an exemplary embodiment of this application includes a first solvent, a second solvent which is different from the first solvent, and a polymer which is reacted with the first solvent and the second solvent, in which the polymer includes a functional group which reacts with the first solvent by a first reaction energy and with the second solvent by a second reaction energy, and the second reaction energy is smaller than the first reaction energy.

Abstract: Organic/inorganic complex proton conductors are provided which display high proton conductivity over a wide temperature range. Electrodes for fuel cells which include the organic/inorganic complex proton conductors are also provided. The invention also advantageously provides electrolyte membranes for fuel cells including the organic/inorganic complex proton conductors, and fuel cells including the organic/inorganic complex proton conductors.

Abstract: A bio-fuel cell includes at least one bio-fuel cell element. The bio-fuel cell element includes an anode, a cathode, an anode container filled with the bio-fuel, a proton exchange membrane sandwiched between the anode and the cathode, and a guide plate. The cathode includes a catalyst layer. The catalyst layer includes a number of tube carriers having electron conductibility, a number of catalyst particles uniformly adsorbed on inner wall of each of the tube carriers, and proton conductor filled in each of the tube carriers. The tube carriers cooperatively define a number of reaction gas passages. One end of each of the tube carriers connects with the proton exchange membrane. The guide plate is disposed on a surface of the cathode away from the proton exchange membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a polymeric composition and a method for making and using the polymeric composition, more specifically to a polymeric composition and a method for making and using the polymeric composition in the form of a membrane.

Abstract: The invention provides a solid polymer fuel cell whose operational stability over time has been enhanced. A reinforced solid polymer electrolyte composite membrane for a solid polymer fuel cell according to the present invention comprises two or more polymer electrolyte membranes and one or more layers of a sheet-like porous reinforcing member, wherein the polymer electrolyte membranes provide both the upper and lower surfaces of the composite membrane, and pores in the sheet-like porous reinforcing member are substantially filled with the electrolyte from the polymer electrolyte membranes, and wherein the sheet-like porous reinforcing member contains a peroxide decomposition catalyst.

Abstract: A polymer-electrolyte membrane is presented. The polymer-electrolyte membrane comprises an acid-functional polymer, and an additive incorporated in at least a portion of the membrane. The additive comprises a fluorinated cycloaliphatic additive, a hydrophobic cycloaliphatic additive, or combinations thereof, wherein the additive has a boiling point greater than about 120° C. An electrochemical fuel cell including the polymer-electrolyte membrane, and a related method, are also presented.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell assembly that is expected to prevent or at least minimize electrode contamination includes one or more getters that trap a component or components leached from a first electrode and prevents or at least minimizes them from contaminating a second electrode.

Abstract: Provided are a stainless steel for a proton-exchange membrane fuel cell separator having high durability and a low contact resistance (i.e., high electrical conductivity) and a proton-exchange membrane fuel cell using the same. More specifically, a stainless steel for a proton-exchange membrane fuel cell separator has a composition comprising 0.03% mass % or less of C, 16-45 mass % of Cr, 0.03 mass % or less of N, 0.1-5.0 mass % of Mo, wherein a total of the C content and the N content satisfies 0.03 mass % or less; a balance portion is comprised of Fe and unavoidable impurities; an atomic ratio of Cr/Fe with respect to Al, Cr, and Fe contained in a passive film on a surface of the stainless steel is 1 or greater.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a method of fabricating a composite membrane includes: forming a first polymer solution from a first polymer and a second polymer solution from a second polymer, respectively, where the first polymer includes a charged polymer and the second polymer includes an uncharged polymer; electrospinning, separately and simultaneously, the first and second polymer solutions to form a dual fiber mat with first polymer fibers and second polymer fibers; and processing the dual fiber mat by softening and flowing one of the first or second polymer fibers to fill in the void space between the other of the first and second polymer fibers so as to form the composite membrane. In some embodiments, the composite membrane may be a proton exchange membrane (PEM) or an anion exchange membrane (AEM).

Abstract: A porous metal that comprises platinum and has a specific surface area that is greater than 5 m2/g and less than 75 m2/g. A fuel cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, and an electrolyte arranged between the first and the second electrodes. At least one of the first and second electrodes is coated with a porous metal catalyst for oxygen reduction, and the porous metal catalyst comprises platinum and has a specific surface area that is greater than 5 m2/g and less than 75 m2/g. A method of producing a porous metal according to an embodiment of the current invention includes producing an alloy consisting essentially of platinum and nickel according to the formula PtxNi1-x, where x is at least 0.01 and less than 0.3; and dealloying the alloy in a substantially pH neutral solution to reduce an amount of nickel in the alloy to produce the porous metal.

Abstract: The invention relates to composite blend membranes formed from blends of one or more polyelectrolytes, and one or more types of nanoparticles. Preferably the blend also includes one or more fluoropolymers. The addition of the nanoparticles was found to enhance the conductivity and mechanical properties of the membranes.

Abstract: Disclosed are a polymer ion exchange membrane having a self-hydration capability at a high temperature under low humidity, a method of preparing the polymer ion exchange membrane, and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell system including the polymer ion exchange membrane. The polymer electrolyte membrane includes a hydrocarbon-based proton conductive polymercoating layer, and has a nano-crack on the hydrophobic surface and thus may secure ion conductivity and self-hydration capability under low humidity and remarkably improve electrochemical performance of an electrolyte.

Abstract: [Summary] To provide a formed article of polymer electrolyte composition which exhibits excellent proton conductivity even under low-humidification conditions and under low-temperature conditions, which is excellent in chemical stability, mechanical strength, fuel shutoff properties, and which can achieve high output, high energy density, and excellent long-term durability when used in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell; and also to provide a polymer electrolyte fuel cell using thereof. The formed article of polymer electrolyte composition includes: a block copolymer having one or more of each of a hydrophilic segment (A1) containing an ionic group and a hydrophobic segment (A2) not containing an ionic group; and an additive, wherein the formed article forms co-continuous or lamellar phase separation structure, and the additive is hydrophilic.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises at least one fuel cell with a high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane. The fuel cell is supplied with liquefied petroleum gas from a supply of liquefied petroleum gas. The liquefied petroleum gas can be directly fed into an anode reaction chamber of the fuel cell without complex reforming. Water vapor is admixed to the liquefied petroleum gas before it enters the anode reaction chamber.

Abstract: Hybrid bipolar plate assemblies comprising a metal subassembly and a carbonaceous flow field insert can be used to provide for greater current densities from smaller volume fuel cell stacks. In particular, such hybrid bipolar plate assemblies allow for the combination of preferred oxidant channel structures, which can be formed in carbonaceous oxidant flow field inserts, with preferred smaller bipolar plate assembly thicknesses, which are possible with the use of metal plate subassemblies.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell is provided that includes a membrane, electrodes on both sides of the membrane, respectively, and sub-gaskets bonded to the edges of the electrodes, respectively. In particular, the sub-gasket may be bonded to the membrane at a predetermined distance from the edge of the electrode.

Abstract: To provide a polymer electrolyte membrane that has excellent proton conductivity even under low-humidification conditions, has excellent mechanical strength and chemical stability, and can achieve high output and excellent physical durability when made into a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. The polymer electrolyte membrane includes a block copolymer containing each one or more of: a segment (A1) containing anionic group; and a segment (A2) not containing an ionic group. The polymer electrolyte membrane forms a co-continuous (M1) or lamellar phase-separated (M2) structure, and gives a crystallization heat quantity of 0.1 J/g or larger determined by differential scanning calorimetry, or a degree of crystallinity of 0.5% or larger determined by wide-angle X-ray diffractometry.

Abstract: A regenerative fuel cell is provided by the present invention. In the methods and systems described herein, a source of fuel is partially oxidized to release protons and electrons, without total oxidation to carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide. The partially oxidized fuel can be regenerated, by reduction, when the fuel cell is reversed. Other variations of the invention provide a convenient system for hydrogen storage, including steps for both release and recapture of hydrogen.