Abstract: A production method for a stainless steel sheet for fuel cell separators comprises: preparing a stainless steel sheet as a material; thereafter removing an oxide layer at a surface of the stainless steel sheet; and thereafter subjecting the stainless steel sheet to electrolytic etching treatment in an active region of the stainless steel sheet.

Abstract: A conductor assembly including an electrically conductive material defining a longitudinal axis, a microporous membrane surrounding the electrically conductive material defining a series of pores, and a ceramic material within at least a first portion of the series of pores.

Abstract: A bipolar plate seal assembly for a fuel cell is provided. The bipolar plate seal assembly includes: a bipolar plate having a flow field for a reactant medium on at least one of its main sides, and a supply area arranged adjacent to the flow field, in which supply ports for feeding and discharging the reactant medium and optionally for feeding and discharging a coolant are arranged; and at least one seal assembly having an electrically insulating layer covering at least one or more sections of the supply area of the bipolar plate and having recesses that correspond to the supply ports of the bipolar plate, and for each recess, a seal circumferential thereto.

Abstract: A stainless steel sheet for fuel cell separators comprises a predetermined chemical composition, wherein the stainless steel sheet has a textured structure at a surface thereof, an average interval between projected parts of the textured structure being 20 nm or more and 200 nm or less, and a ratio [Cr]/[Fe] of an atomic concentration of Cr existing in chemical form other than metal to an atomic concentration of Fe existing in chemical form other than metal at the surface of the stainless steel sheet is 2.0 or more.

Abstract: A method of prolonging service life of an energy storage device such as a lithium-ion battery includes temporarily operating the battery at an elevated current density. Cycling of lithium-ion batteries at regular current densities results in the generation of lithium-metal dendrites at the surface of the anode, particularly in batteries where the anode is lithium metal. The lithium metal dendrites pose a threat to damage other components of the battery, such as separators, as well as causing an electrical short. Operating the battery in bursts at the elevated current density results in self-heating at the anode surface that merges adjacent lithium-metal dendrites and an overall smoothing of the anode surface. This method is also applicable to other alkali-metal-based batteries and chemistries.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cell (2) of a redox flow battery, having at least two cell frame elements (7, 8, 9, 10), having a membrane (12) and having two electrodes (11), wherein the at least two cell frame elements, the membrane and the two electrodes close off two mutually separate cell interior spaces (4), wherein, in the at least two cell frame elements, at least four separate ducts (13, 14, 15, 16) are provided in such a way that the two cell interior spaces can be flowed through by different electrolyte solutions, and wherein the cell is, aside from the at least four separate ducts, of liquid-tight form. The invention also relates to a cell stack (1) of a redox flow battery having at least one such cell. Here, the invention proposes a particular form of the cell frame of the cell stack, and an inexpensive and simple method for manufacturing the cell stack.

Abstract: A cell of the present disclosure may include a support body having a pillar shape, a first electrode layer located on the support body, a solid electrolyte layer located on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer located on the solid electrolyte layer. A gas-flow passage passing through the support body in a longitudinal direction thereof is provided in an interior of the support body. A diameter of the gas-flow passage at least at a first end portion of both end portions of the gas-flow passage in the longitudinal direction is greater than a diameter of the gas-flow passage at a central portion, and thus the cell can provide improved power generation efficiency.

Abstract: A method of making an interconnect for a solid oxide fuel cell stack includes providing a chromium alloy interconnect and providing a nickel mesh in contact with a fuel side of the interconnect. Formation of a chromium oxide layer is reduced or avoided in locations between the nickel mesh and the fuel side of the interconnect. A Cr—Ni alloy or a Cr—Fe—Ni alloy is located at least in the fuel side of the interconnect under the nickel mesh.

Abstract: An anode component for a lithium-ion cell is formed using an atmospheric plasma deposition. The anode component has an anode material layer comprising high lithium-intercalating capacity silicon particles as active anode material in pores of a bonded layer of metal particles. The atmospheric plasma deposition process deposits metal particles and smaller silicon-containing particles concurrently or sequentially on an anode current collector substrate or polymeric separator substrate for the lithium-ion cell. The anode material layer may optionally be lithiated in the atmospheric plasma deposition process. The plasma deposition process is used to form a porous electrode layer on the substrate consisting essentially of a porous metal matrix containing smaller particles of the electrode material particles supported and carried in the pores of the matrix. When the anode component is assembled into a cell, remaining pore capacity is filled with a lithium-ion containing liquid electrolyte solution.

Abstract: A first sealing member includes a first flat sealing portion facing a first electrode, a second flat sealing portion, and a first protruding sealing portion. The second flat sealing portion is opposite to the first electrode in the stacking direction. The first protruding sealing portion protrudes from the second flat sealing portion in the stacking direction and includes a crossing portion at which the first protruding sealing portion diverges. A second sealing member includes a third flat sealing portion facing a second electrode, a second protruding sealing portion, and a block-shaped seal. The second protruding sealing portion protrudes from the third flat sealing portion in the stacking direction. The block-shaped seal is disposed in a region corresponding to the crossing portion viewed in a stacking direction and protruding from the third flat sealing portion apart from the second protruding sealing portion.

Abstract: A vehicle fuel cell stack includes a stacked body, a stack case, and a cover member. The stack case accommodating the stacked body therein. The stack case includes an upper wall, a lower wall, and a vent opening. The lower wall is opposite to and below the upper wall in a height direction of a vehicle. The lower wall includes an upper surface and a lower surface opposite to and below the upper surface in the height direction. The vent opening passes through the bottom wall in the height direction. The cover member is disposed on the lower surface of the bottom wall to cover the vent opening when viewed in the height direction and to have an opening between the cover member and the lower surface of the bottom wall when viewed along the lower surface.

Abstract: An object is to readily provide an output limit of a fuel cell by using temperature of a cooling medium, while improving the startability of a fuel cell. When a cell voltage obtained from an end-portion cell of a fuel cell is equal to or lower than a first threshold value, a controller of a fuel cell system sets an output limit amount used for output limit of the fuel cell to be smaller than an output limit amount according to temperature of a cooling medium measured by a temperature measurement unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a fuel cell stack having a plurality of bipolar plates aligned in a stack between a pair of bipolar plates wherein each of the bipolar plates includes an outer bead having an interior cavity; and an inner bead having a trough wherein the inner bead extends into the interior cavity of the outer bead. The trough of the inner bead may be at least about 50% filled with an elastomeric seal.

Abstract: A unit cell injection mold for fabricating a unit cell of a fuel cell, in which an integrated frame of the unit cell formed by injecting a polymer resin onto an insert, in which a membrane electrode assembly and a gas diffusion layer are integrated, is formed, the unit cell injection mold includes an upper mold, a lower mold engaged with the upper mold to define an inner space between the lower mold and the upper mold, the inner space including an injection area into which the insert is accommodated and an insert area into which the polymer resin is injected to form the frame, and elastic protrusions formed from an elastic material, the elastic protrusions being disposed on the upper mold and the lower mold to face each other, wherein the elastic protrusions clamp the insert to divide the inner space into the insert area and the injection area to prevent the polymer resin from entering the insert area.

Abstract: A stack (10) of fuel cells (11) is manufactured with barriers (32) to prevent migration of a liquid electrolyte (such as phosphoric acid) out of the cells (11). The barrier (32) is secured within a step (34) formed within a land region (28) of a separator plate assembly (18) and extends from an edge (30) of the separator plate assembly (18) all or a portion of a distance between the edge (30) and a flow channel (24) defined within the separator plate assembly (18). The barrier (32) also extends away from the edge (30) a distance of between 0.051 and about 2.0 millimeters (about 2 and about 80 mils. The barrier (32) includes a hydrophobic, polymeric film (36), a pressure sensitive adhesive (38) as an assembly aid, and a fluoroelastomer bonding agent (40).

Abstract: A bipolar plate assembly is provided. The bipolar plate assembly may have a first seal assembly including a first high pressure seal, a second high pressure seal, and an insert plate disposed between the first high pressure seal and the second high pressure seal. The insert plate may have a plurality of ridges formed on an upper surface and a lower surface of the insert plate configured to penetrate into the first high pressure seal and the second high pressure seal when the first high pressure seal and the second high pressure seal are pressed onto the insert plate, thereby forming the seal assembly. The bipolar plate assembly may also have a frame and a base configured to be joined to form a bipolar plate and define a high pressure zone. The seal assembly when installed in the bipolar plate may be configured to seal the high pressure zone.

Abstract: Provided are a negative electrode active material including spherical artificial graphite and natural flake graphite, wherein the spherical artificial graphite and the natural flake graphite are included in a weight ratio of 80:20 to 95:5, and a negative electrode for a lithium secondary battery including the same.

Abstract: In the case in which a fuel cell has a structure in which a cathode (2) and an anode (1) are opposed with the intermediary of an electrolyte layer (3) and the cathode (2) is formed of an electrode to which an oxygen reductase and so on is immobilized and this electrode has pores inside, at least part of the surface of this electrode is rendered water repellent. For example, the surface of the electrode is rendered water repellent by forming a water-repellent agent on the surface of this electrode. Thereby, in the case in which the cathode is formed of an electrode to which an enzyme is immobilized and this electrode has pores inside, a fuel cell that can stably achieve a high current value by optimization of the amount of water contained in the cathode and a manufacturing method thereof are provided.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of a freestanding, heat resistant microporous polymer film (10) constructed for use in an energy storage device (70, 100) implements one or more of the following approaches to exhibit excellent high temperature mechanical and dimensional stability: incorporation into a porous polyolefin film of sufficiently high loading levels of inorganic or ceramic filler material (16) to maintain porosity (18) and achieve low thermal shrinkage; use of crosslinkable polyethylene to contribute to crosslinking the polymer matrix (14) in a highly inorganic material-filled polyolefin film; and heat treating or annealing of biaxially oriented, highly inorganic material-filled polyolefin film above the melting point temperature of the polymer matrix to reduce residual stress while maintaining high porosity. The freestanding, heat resistant microporous polymer film embodiments exhibit extremely low resistance, as evidenced by MacMullin numbers of less than 4.5.

Abstract: A desulfurizer material for desulfurizing fuel supplied to a fuel cell system, the desulfurizer material comprising one or more manganese oxide materials having an octahedral molecular sieve (OMS) structure, and the desulfurizer material being resistant to moisture and being capable of removing organic sulfur containing compounds and H2S. The desulfurizer material is used in a desulfurizer assembly which is used as part of a fuel cell system.

Abstract: A stack (10) of fuel cells (11) is provided with barriers (32) to prevent migration of a liquid electrolyte (such as phosphoric acid) out of the cells (11). The barrier (32) is secured within a step (34) defined within a land region (28) of a separator plate assembly (18) and extends from an edge (30) of the separator plate assembly (18) all or a portion of a distance between the edge (30) and a flow channel (24) defined within the separator plate assembly (18). The barrier (32) also extends away from the edge (30) a distance of between 0.051 and 2.0 millimeters (2 and 80 mils). The barrier (32) includes a hydrophobic, polymeric film (36), a pressure sensitive adhesive (38), as an assembly aid, and a fluoroelastomer bonding agent (40).

Abstract: A method for producing a microporous material comprising the steps of: providing an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE); providing a filler, providing a processing plasticizer, adding the filler to the UHMWPE in a mixture being in the range of from about 1:9 to about 15:1 filler to UHMWPE by weight; adding the processing plasticizer to the mixture; extruding the mixture to form a sheet from the mixture; calendering the sheet; extracting the processing plasticizer from the sheet to produce a matrix comprising UHMWPE and the filler distributed throughout the matrix; stretching the microporous material in at least one direction to a stretch ratio of at least about 1.5 to produce a stretched microporous matrix; and subsequently calendering the stretched microporous matrix to produce a microporous material which exhibits improved physical and dimensional stability properties over the stretched microporous matrix.

Abstract: A fuel cell is provided having a structure in which a cathode and an anode face each other with an electrolyte layer therebetween. The cathode includes an electrode on which an oxygen reductase and the like are immobilized, and the electrode has pores therein, water repellency is imparted to at least part of the surface of the electrode. Water repellency is imparted by forming a water-repellent agent on the surface of the electrode. The water-repellent agent includes a water-repellent material such as carbon powder and an organic solvent such as methyl isobutyl ketone that causes phase separation with water. When the electrode has pores therein, there are provided a fuel cell that stably provides a high current value and a method for manufacturing the fuel cell.

Abstract: A porous polymer structure may be formed by cooling a substrate to a temperature at or below a freezing point of a monomer, wherein the monomer is capable of free-radical polymerization; exposing the substrate to an initiator and the monomer, each in a vapor phase, wherein a concentration of the monomer in the vapor phase is above a saturation pressure of the monomer; converting the initiator to a free radical; crystalizing and depositing the monomer on the substrate; and polymerizing at least some of the monomer on the substrate, thereby forming a porous polymer structure on the substrate.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery pack includes a rechargeable battery cell, and a pair of cell holders receiving respective sides of the rechargeable battery cell in a length direction, the pair of cell holders being combinable with each other. Each of the cell holders includes a base that supports the rechargeable battery cell, a combination protrusion and a combination groove symmetrically disposed on an outer side of the base, a protrusion protruding from the base in the length direction so as to be combinable in the length direction, and a recess portion being concave in the base in the length direction such that the recess portion of one of the pair of cell holders is combinable with the protrusion of the other of the pair of cell holders.

Abstract: A semiconducting shield composition comprising a polyolefin and acetylene black having at least one of the following properties: (a) a DBP oil adsorption of 150 ml/100 g to 200 ml/100 g; (b) an iodine absorption of 85 mg/g to 105 mg/g; (c) an apparent density of 0.2 g/ml to 0.4 g/ml; (d) a crystallite size along (002) less than 30 ?; and (e) a carbon-carbon bond length along (100) less than 2.42 ?. The semiconducting shield may be incorporated into a semiconducting layer and/or a semiconductor apparatus.

Abstract: A fuel cell plate assembly (400) comprising: a bipolar plate (102) having a port (104) for receiving a fluid; a fluid diffusion layer (210); and an electrode defining an active area (105). The fluid diffusion layer is configured to communicate a fluid received at the port (104) to the active area (105).

Abstract: A water vapor transfer unit assembly is disclosed, the water vapor transfer unit assembly including a plurality of water vapor transfer units having a fluid permeable membrane and a plurality of supports disposed within a sealing frame adjacent an end plate of a fuel cell stack, wherein the sealing frame is adapted to provide support to the end plate and a fuel cell stack of the fuel cell stack system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter with a gasket applied in line shape at an edge of the filter. The invention suggests to apply the gasket with a nozzle which facilitates a gasket that is thinner and/or whose protrusion beyond the filter is lower than this would be feasible for example through injection molding.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack is provided in which a plurality of single cells each including a membrane electrode assembly are stacked in a stacking direction. The fuel cell stack includes a plurality of electrical insulation members each connected to an outer peripheral portion of a corresponding one of the membrane electrode assemblies. The fuel cell stack further includes a first displacement absorbing member disposed between each insulation member and an adjacent insulation member.

Abstract: A partly oxidized substrate is disclosed. According to one aspect, the substrate is formed by subjecting a substrate made of a porous metal or metal alloy including particles of at least one metal or metal alloy bound by sintering. The substrate includes a first main surface and a second main surface. The porosity of the substrate gradually changes from the first main surface to the second main surface. The substrate is partially oxidized by an oxidizing gas such as oxygen and/or air. A method for preparing the substrate and high temperature electrolyzer (THE) cell including the substrate are also disclosed.

Abstract: A gasket for a manifold seal for a fuel cell system includes a first layer of fibrous ceramic material having a first compressibility, a second layer of fibrous ceramic material having a second compressibility and a third layer of fibrous ceramic material having third compressibility. The third layer of fibrous ceramic material is positioned between and engaged with the first layer of fibrous ceramic material and the second layer of fibrous ceramic material. The third compressibility is less than the first compressibility and less than the second compressibility.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes a cathode electrode, an anode electrode, and a solid oxide electrolyte located between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The cathode electrode is a porous ceramic layer infiltrated with a cathode catalyst material, and the anode electrode is a porous ceramic layer infiltrated with an anode catalyst material, and the electrolyte is a ceramic layer having a lower porosity than the anode and the cathode electrodes. A ceramic reinforcing region may be located adjacent to the riser opening in the electrolyte.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack comprising a second metal separator set to have an external dimension larger than a first metal separator, wherein the second metal separator comprises, formed integrally, a first seal member in contact with the peripheral edge of a first electrolyte membrane/electrode structure, a second seal member in contact with the peripheral edge of the first metal separator, and a third seal member in contact with the peripheral edge of an adjoining fourth metal separator. Since the first seal member, the second seal member and the third seal member are integrally formed on one surface of the second separator or one surface of the first separator, a seal-forming step can be carried out at one effort, simply and economically. In addition, use of a triple seal structure containing the first through the third seal members can favorably improve the sealing feature of reaction gas and minimize reaction gas leakage.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a unit cell, a cell fixing member and a welding portion. The unit cell includes a first electrode layer, an electrolyte layer surrounding the first electrode layer, a second electrode layer surrounding the electrolyte layer while exposing an end portion of the electrolyte layer, and a coating layer formed by coating a mixture of ceramic and metal on the exposed end portion of the electrolyte layer. The cell fixing member includes a flow tube inserted into the unit cell, a fixing tube provided to an outside of the flow tube, and a connecting portion connecting the fixing tube and the flow tube to each other and to restrict an insertion depth of the electrolyte layer and the first electrode layer. The welding portion fixes and seals the coating layer and the inner circumferential surface of the fixing tube to each other.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell and a manufacturing method thereof includes a unit cell and a cell coupling member. The unit cell includes a first electrode layer, an electrolyte layer surrounding an outer peripheral surface of the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer surrounding the electrolyte layer so that one end portion of the electrolyte layer is exposed. The cell coupling member is coupled to the unit cell and includes a coupling member. A sealing member including at least two layers having different porosities is coated on at least one portion of the coupling member to seal the unit cell and the cell coupling member.

Abstract: A subgasket for a fuel cell is provided. The subgasket includes a barrier layer having an elongate primary seal formed thereon. The seal has at least one inwardly extending baffle adapted to militate against a reactant bypass flow in the fuel cell. A fuel cell and fuel cell stack having the subgasket are also provided.

Abstract: A method for creating a formed-in-place seal on a fuel cell plate is disclosed. The method includes first dispensing a flowable seal material along a first sealing area of a fuel cell plate requiring the seal material. Next, a preformed template is located adjacent to at least a portion of the fuel cell plate, the template including predetermined apertures corresponding with a second sealing area of the plate, such that the apertures are coextensive with at least a portion of the first sealing area. Flowable seal material is applied into the apertures, and is then cured to a non-flowable state.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) having an electrolyte membrane and a pair of electrodes arranged on both sides of the electrolyte membrane in the thickness direction, a pair of frames having a frame shape and holding an outer periphery portion of the electrolyte membrane, a pair of gas diffusion layers arranged inside the pair of frames and on both sides of the MEA in the thickness direction, and a gasket covering at least a part of the pair of frames. The fuel cell further includes a first cross-linking adhesive member formed of rubber which includes a membrane accommodating portion having an indented shape for accommodating the outer periphery portion of the electrolyte membrane and a first intermediate portion interposed between the pair of frames and which is subjected to cross-linking adhesion with the outer periphery portion of the electrolyte membrane and the pair of frames.

Abstract: A hydrogen fuel cell system includes devices and methods to combine reactant fuel materials and aqueous solutions to generate hydrogen. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a fuel cartridge, and a supply of pressurized aqueous solution to generate power for portable power electronics. The fuel cartridge includes a top cap with an overmolded face seal gasket that provides an offset injection point on the fuel cartridge. The aqueous solution is delivered into the fuel cartridge to generate hydrogen for the fuel cell which then produces power for the user of the electronics.

Abstract: A reduction process is performed to each fuel electrode layer by supplying a reduction gas into each fuel channel 22 in the state in which a perimetric portion of a sheet body 11 is held to be sealed by perimetric portions of an upper support member 122 and a lower support member 121. In the case of a small-sized fuel cell in which the thickness of the sheet body 11 is 20˜500 ?m, the fuel electrode layer is greater in thickness than the solid electrolyte layer and the air electrode layer, and the area of the orthogonal projection of the plane portion 12a of each support member 12 is 1˜100 cm2, a ratio of a warpage of not more than 0.05 cm?1 on the sheet body with respect to the area of the orthogonal projection can be achieved at room temperature after the reduction process.

Abstract: Fluid coupling assemblies and methods are discussed. The fluid coupling assemblies include a first coupling member, a second coupling member magnetically engageable with the first coupling member, and a seal member disposed between a portion of the first coupling member and a portion of the second coupling member. A magnetic engagement of the first coupling member and the second coupling member unseals a fluid flow path therebetween. In certain examples, the first coupling member is sealed by a valve member and the second coupling member includes an activation member. When engaged, the valve member is moved from a closed position to an open position by the activation member, thereby unsealing the fluid flow path. A magnetic force between the first coupling member and the second coupling member can be chosen such that the members disengage when a predetermined fluid flow path pressure is reached.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack is disclosed. In one aspect, the solid oxide fuel cell stack includes unit cells, an external collector, a first stack collecting member, a cap, and a suspension member. The external collector contacts an outer periphery of each of the unit cells and electrically connects the unit cells to each other. The first stack collecting member is positioned to collect current from a distal unit cell. A cap is provided in one end of the distal unit cell. The suspension member has one side thereof suspended from the cap and the other side fixed to the first stack collecting member to distribute weight of the first stack collecting member. Structural stability of a stack collector may be maintained even at oxidizing atmosphere of high temperature when driving the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A separator for a fuel cell includes a metal plate which defines a passage and a manifold, frames having gaskets which are integrated therewith using injection, and a bonding unit for bonding the frames to the metal plate. The gaskets may be differently formed. This resolves process interference problems between conductive surface treatment and gasket cross-linking, obviates deburring of the gasket, and preventes poor injection of the gaskets, which ensures stable quality of the separator, increases productivity and decreases the manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell that secures a flow path of a separator while preventing generation of a pin-hole. The membrane electrode assembly includes an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, a microporous layer that is disposed at both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane, a backing layer that is disposed on the microporous layer, and a circumferential edge protective layer that is disposed at an circumferential edge of the electrolyte membrane. An end portion of the microporous layer is positioned further inside of the membrane electrode assembly than an end portion of the backing layer. The circumferential edge protective layer is inserted between the backing layer and the electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: A manufactured fuel cell includes: a unit cell including a first electrode layer, an electrolyte layer surrounding an outer circumference of the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer surrounding the electrolyte layer while exposing an end of the electrolyte layer; a plating layer around an outer circumference of the exposed electrolyte layer; a cell coupling member including a passage pipe inserted into the unit cell and forming a continuous passage from the inside of the unit cell, a coupling pipe provided outside of the passage pipe to form a space accommodating an end of the unit cell from the passage pipe, and a connecting unit connecting the coupling pipe with the passage pipe and restricting an insertion depth of the electrolyte layer and the first electrode layer; and a welding portion fixing and sealing the plating layer and an inner circumference of the coupling pipe with each other.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly structure mainly comprises a housing in which there is an accommodating space; a plurality of unit cell stacks that are stacked in the same direction in the accommodating space of the housing and made by stacking in sequence a cathode layer, a power generation electrode, an anode layer and a connection disk; a connection disk connecting is series each unit cell stack, a sealing disk and a cover in sequence to cover the opening of the accommodating space of the housing. On the outer side of the cover there is a connection base, at least one surface of which has a plurality of conduits and the other end connects to a plurality of cell stack bypass manifolds that further connect to a plurality of side bypass manifolds.

Abstract: A sealing structure of a fuel cell has a first gasket made of an elastomer and provided integrally on a separator, and a second gasket made of an elastomer and provided integrally on other separator. A membrane-electrode assembly is sandwiched or pinched by the first and second gaskets. The first gasket has a main lip in which a top portion brought into close contact with the membrane-electrode assembly is formed flat. The second gasket has a flat seal portion and a sub lip protruding from this flat seal portion at a position opposing the main lip. The flat seal portion and the sub lip are brought into close contact with the membrane-electrode assembly. The width of the top portion of the main lip is narrower than the width of the flat seal portion, and larger than the width of the sub lip.

Abstract: A rod assembly and method for supporting rods includes opposing end plates for supporting opposing ends of a plurality of solid oxide fuel cell rods with each rod comprising a hollow gas conduit passing there through. Each rod end is supported by an annular flexure configured to provide a gas/liquid tight seal between the rod ends and the end plates. Each annular flexure includes a flexible portion surrounding the rod end such that forces imparted to either or both of the rod and the end plate act to elastically deform the annular flexure without damaging the rods. The rod assembly operates and a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) with operating temperatures of 500 to 1000° C.

Abstract: Fuel cell components provide fuel cells on a flexible sheet that defines a wall of a flexible plenum. An external support structure limits expansion of the plenum in response to forces exerted by a pressurized reactant. The external support structure may comprise a portion of a housing of a portable device. Cathodes of the fuel cells may be accessible from an outside of the flexible sheet and exposed to ambient air while anodes of the fuel cell are accessible from an inside of the flexible sheet and exposed to a fuel, such as hydrogen gas.