Abstract: A seal between two spaces able to be occupied by two mutually reactive gases, typically oxygen and hydrogen. A buffer chamber is produced between the two spaces of mutually reactive gases, wherein leaks of reactive gases to the buffer chamber are determined to produce a flow which is mainly of diffusive type, for example by molecular or Knudsen diffusion. Such a seal may, for example, find application to production of a seal in an EHT electrolyser or a fuel cell of SOFC type.

Abstract: Provided are separator systems for electrochemical systems providing electronic, mechanical and chemical properties useful for a variety of applications including electrochemical storage and conversion. Embodiments provide structural, physical and electrostatic attributes useful for managing and controlling dendrite formation and for improving the cycle life and rate capability of electrochemical cells including silicon anode based batteries, air cathode based batteries, redox flow batteries, solid electrolyte based systems, fuel cells, flow batteries and semisolid batteries. Disclosed separators include multilayer, porous geometries supporting excellent ion transport properties, providing a barrier to prevent dendrite initiated mechanical failure, shorting or thermal runaway, or providing improved electrode conductivity and improved electric field uniformity.

Abstract: A solid-state hydrogen storage material and process for making the material more thoroughly rechargeable. The process entails forming a porous matrix material to contain atoms of a first element and hydrogen atoms, in which the atoms of the first element are capable of bonding with more than one hydrogen atom per atom of the first element, and the atoms of the first element are molecularly arranged within the porous matrix material so that different atoms of the first element are bonded to different numbers of hydrogen atoms at correspondingly different levels of bonding energy. At least some of the hydrogen atoms bonded to the atoms of the first element at the lowest bond energies are then removed without removing hydrogen atoms bonded at higher bond energies, after which atoms of a second element are bonded to those atoms of the first element from which hydrogen atoms were removed.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a stack body of at least a porous layer and a dense layer comprises the first step of measuring the length of the stack body before the stack body is fired, the second step of measuring the length of the stack body after the stack body is fired, the third step of calculating a shrinkage rate of the stack body based on a first measured value from the first step and a second measured value from the second step, the fourth step of determining whether the calculated shrinkage rate of the stack body is acceptable or not based on the calculated shrinkage rate, the fifth step of calculating an S/N ratio of the stack body based on the first measured value and the second measured value, and the sixth step of determining whether the current-voltage characteristics of the stack body are acceptable or not based on the calculated S/N ratio.

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

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device for producing a membrane module used in a membrane humidifier for humidifying air in a polymer fuel cell, in which a small amount of hollow fiber membranes are disposed in the center of the membrane module and a larger amount of hollow fiber membranes are disposed toward the edge based on the design of a potting cap. Dry air introduced from an air blower into the membrane can be distributed to the edge where the larger amount of hollow fiber membranes are disposed, thereby maintaining uniform humidification performance over the entire hollow fiber membranes.

Abstract: A transition metal nitride is obtained by a nitriding treatment of a surface of a base material including a transition metal or an alloy of the transition metal, and the transition metal nitride has a crystal structure of an M4N type and a crystal structure of an ?-M2˜3N type, and is formed over a whole area of the surface of the base material and continuously in a depth direction from the surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a titanium fuel cell separator having excellent conductivity and durability. In the disclosed titanium fuel cell separator (10), a carbon layer (2) is formed on the surface of a substrate (1) formed from pure titanium or a titanium alloy. The carbon layer (2) comprises graphite which is orientated so as to be parallel to the (002) plane of the carbon layer (2). The deposition amount of the carbon layer (2) is at least 2 ?g/cm2.

Abstract: An electrolyte membrane on the inside of annular frames with an anode-side electrode catalyst layer, a first gas diffusion layer and a first gas flow channel-forming body stacked on top of the membrane. An electrode catalyst layer, a second gas diffusion layer and a second gas flow channel-forming body are stacked on the underside. Frames have a supply channel supplying fuel gas to the gas flow channel in the first gas flow channel-forming body, a discharge channel discharges the fuel gas. An overhang part that extends outward is on the outer peripheral edge of the first channel-forming body to overlap a flange part of the frame beyond the outer peripheral edge of the anode-side electrode catalyst layer. Penetration of seeping water can be prevented by retaining the seeping water in the overhang part.

Abstract: The membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell includes an anode and a cathode facing each other and a polymer electrolyte membrane interposed therebetween. The cathode includes an electrode substrate and a catalyst layer disposed on the electrode substrate, and the catalyst layer has a mesopore volume ranging from 0.013 to 0.04 cm3/g. The membrane-electrode assembly has low mass resistance and contributes to the overall increased performance of the fuel cell by having optimal pore volumes (e.g., mesopore volume) in a cathode catalyst layer to provide ease of transfer and release of materials within the membrane-electrode assembly of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A method of replacing a gas in a fuel cell system is provided, which comprises the steps of detecting that a fuel cartridge is connected to the fuel cell system having a fuel cell and supplying a fuel from the fuel cartridge on the basis of the detection to start replacement of gas in the fuel cell system. Thereby, a simple gas replacement method is provided for replacing the gas other than the fuel, which has entered the fuel cell system that is supplied with the fuel from the fuel cartridge, with the fuel. Especially, a user does not have to perform the gas replacement operation manually. The gas replacement can be automatically performed.

Abstract: Provided is a gasket which can improve a handling property of the gasket by enhancing a rigidity of a carrier, can secure a space saving without increasing a thickness of the gasket, and can improve a yield ratio of a resin material, in the gasket of a type that a gasket body is integrated with the resin carrier. A planar gasket used by being pinched between two members superposed with each other has a gasket body achieving a seal action, and a carrier retaining the gasket body, the carrier is formed as a predetermined planar shape by a metal mold with a resin material, and is formed as a stepped shape by setting a partial portion which is superposed with the gasket body on a plane to a thin portion, and setting the other portion which is not superposed with the gasket body on the plane to a thick portion.

Abstract: An exemplary method of applying a seal to a fuel cell component includes providing a release layer on one side of a seal. The release layer has reinforcing fibers. Another side of the seal is placed against a selected portion of the fuel cell component. The seal, release layer and fuel cell component are heated. The release layer is then removed after the seal is secured to the fuel cell component.

Abstract: One embodiment includes three-dimensional hydrophilic porous structures for fuel cell collector plates.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a subgasket for a fuel cell stack having a pair of plates disposed in a stack includes the step of positioning a membrane between the plates. The membrane includes an inboard portion and a tortuous form portion. The inboard portion abuts a proton exchange membrane of the fuel cell, and the tortuous form portion abuts each of the plates. The tortuous form portion defines at least one cavity between one of the plates and the membrane. A viscous sealant is injected into the cavity. The sealant is cured to form a compliant bead seal on the membrane.

Abstract: A brazing alloy for bonding in air, in which the melting point is reduced so as to perform brazing at a low temperature without using flux even in air, is provided. In addition, a bonded article and a current collecting material, each of which is bonded with the brazing alloy and has preferable gas sealing characteristics and superior bonding strength, are provided. The brazing alloy for bonding in air includes Ag and B as essential components. The amount of Ag is not less than 50 vol. % and less than 92 vol. %, and the amount of B is greater than 8 vol. % and not more than 50% vol. %. The amounts of Ag and B are adjusted so that the total of the amounts of Ag and B is 100% including inevitable impurities.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a composite hydrogen storage material comprising active material particles and a binder, wherein the binder immobilizes the active material particles sufficient to maintain relative spatial relationships between the active material particles.

Abstract: An example fuel cell device includes an electrode assembly having two gas diffusion layers (GDLs). One GDL is adjacent to the anode electrode and the other GDL is adjacent to the cathode electrode. Seals on the periphery of the GDLs are configured to block reactant gases from direct mixing within the GDLs. Sealing the perimeter of the GDLs blocks liquid-water flow from exiting the gas diffusion layer. The disclosed example provides an opening in the seal near a fluid exit area of the fuel cell that provides a path for communicating water from the active area through a perimeter portion of the GDL. An example method of managing fluid in a fuel cell includes providing an opening in a perimeter seal of a GDL of the fuel cell. The method communicates a fluid through a channel in the plate and moves water through the opening using the fluid.

Abstract: A water vapor transfer separator plate assembly and a method of making the same. In such an assembly made up of a stack of alternating wet side plates and dry side plates with a membrane disposed between them, a humid fluid such as that found in a fuel cell cathode exhaust flows against one side of each membrane such that at least some of its moisture content travels across the membrane to a lower humidity fluid on the opposite side of the membrane. The lower humidity fluid, such as that found in a fuel cell cathode entrance, experiences an increase in its humidity by the operation of the moisture flow across the membrane. At least a portion of the assembly may be made thinner by removing diffusion media and reinforcing structure of the dry side plates such that the overall assembly is simplified.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane stack and device for a membrane based process and method therefore. The membrane stack comprises: a number of membranes (78) forming compartments; and fluid supply and discharge means (80) for supplying and discharging a fluid to the compartments such that the fluid is supplied and discharged substantially in the plane of the membrane of the membrane stack. Preferably, the fluid supply and discharge means are provided on opposite sides of the membrane stack. Further, the invention relates to a method of forming the membranes (78).

Abstract: In one example, a specimen is immersed in an electrolyte, and a plurality of potentials of the specimen are experimentally related to a plurality of currents by applying the potentials to the specimen while measuring the currents, or, by drawing the currents through the specimen while measuring the potentials. The potentials are referenced to a hydrogen reference electrode. Hydrogen is supplied to the hydrogen reference electrode via an electrolysis cathode distinct from the hydrogen reference electrode. In another example, an electrochemical cell confines a head gas disposed over the electrolyte. A partial pressure of water vapor in the head gas is adjusted so that the concentration of water in the electrolyte, when equilibrated with the head gas, falls within a predetermined concentration range. The head gas and electrolyte are then equilibrated, thereby controlling the concentration of water in the electrolyte, and an electrochemical property of the specimen is measured.

Abstract: Disclosed is a separator to seal a fuel chamber and a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) having the same. The separator for the SOFC includes a through hole to accommodate a unit cell and a groove formed in an inside surface of the through hole. According to the present invention, a groove where a sealing material is disposed is formed in a portion to be welded to stably form a filler metal. Further, a slanting part formed on the groove presses the sealing material in a direction to the unit cell to improve sealing efficiency.

Abstract: An interlockable bead seal for a bipolar plate is provided. The interlockable bead seal includes a first elongate bead formed on a first plate and a second elongate bead formed on a second plate. The first elongate bead has a sealing surface and the second elongate bead has a trough. An interlockable bipolar plate having the interlockable bead seals, and a fuel cell stack formed from a plurality of the interlockable bipolar plates, are also provided. A lateral slippage between components of the fuel cell stack is militated against by the interlockable bipolar plates.

Abstract: A power generator comprising a hydrogen generator and a fuel cell stack having an anode exposed to hydrogen from the hydrogen generator and a cathode exposed to an ambient environment. Hydrophobic and hydrophilic layers are used to promote flow of water away from the cathode. A diffusion path thus separates the fuel cell cathode from the hydrogen generator. In one embodiment, water vapor generated from the fuel cell substantially matches water used by the hydrogen generator to generate hydrogen.

Abstract: [Summary] [Object] To provide a hydrophilic porous layer for a fuel cell that improves a sub-zero temperature starting ability of the fuel cell. [Solving means] A hydrophilic porous layer comprising electrically conductive material—hydrophilic material aggregates each including hydrophilic materials and electrically conductive materials that intimately contact to one another, the hydrophilic materials being mutually connected to one another to form in the hydrophilic materials a continuous transport path for water, the electrically conductive material—hydrophilic material aggregates forming therebetween a transport path for water vapor, which is characterized in that when it is above ?40° C., a water transport resistance Rwater of the water transport path is larger than a water vapor transport resistance Rgas of the water vapor transport path.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a gas diffusion electrode capable of a high current density operation of a fuel cell. [Solving means] A gas diffusion electrode including a hydrophilic porous layer having an electrically conductive material and an ion conductive material; and a catalyst layer adjacent to the hydrophilic porous layer, wherein a water transport resistance of the hydrophilic porous layer is smaller than a water transport resistance of the catalyst layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a titanium-based material includes: rolling a titanium base material via rolling oil that includes carbon to form a rolling-altered layer that includes titanium carbide on a surface of the base material; and depositing a carbon film on the surface on which the rolling-altered layer has been formed.

Abstract: Provided is a microporous organic/ inorganic composite coated layer comprising a heat resistant resin and inorganic particles, formed on at least one side of microporous polyethylene. The microporous polyethylene composite film is characterized by sufficient permeability and heat resistance at the same time, of which the permeability (Gurley) of overall composite film including a coated layer is not more than 300 sec; shrinkage after 150° C. for 1 hour is 0-3% in both MD/TD directions; maximum shrinkage in TMA is not more than 3%, and TMA meldown temperature is 145-200° C. The microporous polyethylene composite film formed by means of the coated layer possesses stability at high temperature as well as excellent permeability, thereby ensuring reliability and efficiency of a battery at the same time. A separator which conforms to high power/high capacity can be provided thereby.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a porous frit based composite proton exchange membrane. The pores of the porous frit are filled with a proton-conducting material.

Abstract: A fuel cell module including a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), a pressing plate, an anode collector, an anode flow channel plate, a cathode collector, and a cathode flow channel plate is provided. The MEA has a protrusion, and the pressing plate presses an edge of a cathode of the MEA. The pressing plate has a first opening to expose the protrusion. The anode collector is disposed on an anode of the MEA. The anode flow channel plate is disposed on anode collector. The anode collector is disposed between the anode and the anode flow channel plate. The cathode flow channel plate faces the cathode collector disposed on the cathode and the pressing plate to form a flow channel between an inner surface of the cathode flow channel plate and the cathode collector. The cathode flow channel plate has a concave portion corresponding to the protrusion.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, a porous separator, between the first and second electrodes, a first channel, having an inlet and an outlet, and a second channel, having an inlet and an outlet. The first channel is contiguous with the first electrode and the porous separator, and the second channel is contiguous with the second electrode and the porous separator.

Abstract: A waterless power generator, particularly a waterless electrical power generator and a passively controlled process for producing electricity with a fuel cell using stoichiometric amounts of a solid hydrogen fuel and byproduct water vapor produced by the fuel cell to generate hydrogen gas. A fuel cell reaction of hydrogen and oxygen produces electrical energy as well as by-product water which diffuses back into the power generator as water vapor to react with the hydrogen fuel, producing more hydrogen gas. This generated hydrogen gas is then used as a fuel which allows the fuel cell to generate additional electrical power and additional water. The process runs without any attached water source or water supply other than the water which is produced by the fuel cells themselves.

Abstract: A fuel cell separator and a fuel cell system including the same. The separator includes a main body including a plurality of cell barriers and a flow channel disposed between the cell bathers, and a hydrophilic surface-treatment layer disposed on the bottom surface of the flow channel of the main body. The hydrophilic surface-treatment layer disposed on the bottom surface of the flow channel has a contact angle less than a contact angle of a side surface of at least one of the cell barriers by approximately 10° to approximately 60°.

Abstract: A composite gasket to provide sealing and to control a swelling of at least a plurality of gas diffusion layers in a fuel cell includes a first incompressible layer provided near an anode flow field, a second incompressible layer provided near a cathode flow field. Further, the composite gasket includes a first elastomeric layer provided in between the first incompressible layer and the anode flow field and a second elastomeric layer provided between the second incompressible layer and the cathode flow field.

Abstract: A fuel cell separator material, comprising an alloy layer 6 containing Au and a first component containing Al, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo, Sn or Bi, or an Au single layer 8 formed on a stainless steel base 2, and an intermediate layer 2a containing 20 mass % or more of the first component, and from 20 mass % or more to less than 50 mass % of arranged between the alloy layer and the base, wherein the alloy layer has a region having a thickness of 1 nm or more from the uppermost surface toward the lower layer and containing 40 mass % or more of Au, or a region having a thickness of 3 nm or more from the uppermost surface toward the lower layer and containing 10 mass % or more to less than 40 mass % of Au.

Abstract: A separator for flat-type polymer electrolyte fuel cells comprises a fuel-feed-side separator and an oxygen-feed-side separator, each comprising a collector portion in which n unit conductive substrates (n is an integer of 2 or more), each having a plurality of through-holes, are arrayed in flat configuration via gaps, and a pair of insulating frames which have n openings in alignment with an array position of the unit conductive substrates and are integrated in such a way as to hold the collector portion between them. The back-to-back (n?1) unit conductive substrates of the n unit conductive substrates in one of both separators, as counted from the end of its array direction, and the 2nd to nth unit conductive substrates of the n unit conductive substrates in another separator, as counted from the end of its array direction are successively joined together by means of (n?1) connecting hinges.

Abstract: A method of making a composite includes providing a particle suspension comprising colloidal particles (430) and a soluble matrix precursor (440); and co-depositing the particles and the matrix precursor on a surface in a process that provides a composite of an ordered colloidal crystal comprised of colloidal particles (430) with interstitial matrix (440). Optionally the templated colloidal particles can be removed to provide a defect-free inverse opal structure.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprising at least one fuel cell unit (1) to generate electrical power and at least one component, upstream and/or downstream of said fuel cell unit in the anode flow path, said component preventing, as a reoxidation barrier, reoxidation of parts of the anode sections or of the anode sections as a whole in the case that an oxidizing gas is entering.

Abstract: A fuel cell which can utilize the fuel in its fuel reservoir to the fullest possible extent. The fuel cell includes: an electrolyte layer; a first electrode which is provided on one surface of the electrolyte layer and to which a liquid fuel is supplied; and a second electrode which is provided on the other surface of the electrolyte layer and to which an oxidant is supplied. The fuel cell further includes: a fuel chamber which is provided next to the first electrode and stores the liquid fuel; a fuel reservoir which is provided next to the fuel chamber and stores the liquid fuel to be refilled into the fuel chamber; a selectively permeable unit which is provided between the fuel chamber and the fuel reservoir and is permeable to the liquid fuel; and an osmotic pressure generating source which dissolves in a liquid stored in the fuel chamber and does not permeate the selectively permeable unit.

Abstract: There are provided a ferrite stainless steel for a polymer fuel cell separator having excellent corrosion resistance and interfacial contact resistance under an operating environment of a polymer fuel cell, and a preparation method of the stainless steel. A stainless steel includes C: 0.02 wt % or less, N: 0.02 wt % or less, Si: 0.4 wt % or less, Mn: 0.2 wt % or less, P: 0.04 wt % or less, S: 0.02 wt % or less, Cr: 25.0 to 32.0 wt %, Cu: 0 to 2.0 wt %, Ni: 0.8 wt % or less, Ti: 0.5 wt % or less, Nb: 0.5 wt % or less, waste Fe and inevitably contained elements. A preparation method of the stainless steel having a second passive film formed on a surface thereof includes forming a first passive film on the surface of the stainless steel by bright-annealing or annealing-pickling the stainless steel; removing the first passive film by pickling the stainless steel in a 10 to 20 wt % sulfuric acid solution at a temperature of 50 to 75° C.

Abstract: Fuel cells and methods of operating fuel cells are disclosed. In one aspect, the invention features a fuel source for a fuel cell including a housing having an outlet, a structure having a portion in the housing, the structure defining a cavity and having a surface defining an opening in fluid communication with the cavity, and a fuel in the housing. The fuel is in fluid communication with the outlet through the opening and the cavity of the structure.

Abstract: A curable composition comprising: (A) a hydrocarbon compound having a plurality of carbon-carbon double bonds, and (B) a carbonaceous material. The hydrocarbon compound may preferably be 1,2-polybutadiene. The curable composition may be used for a fuel cell separator.

Abstract: A fuel cell separator material, comprising an alloy layer 6 containing Au and a first component containing Al, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo, Sn or Bi, or an Au single layer 8 formed on a Ti base 2; an intermediate layer 2a containing Ti, O, the first component, and less than 20 mass % of Au arranged between the alloy layer or the Au single layer and the Ti base; wherein the alloy layer or the Au single layer has a region having a thickness of 1 nm or more from the uppermost to the lower layer and containing 50 mass % or more of Au, or a region having a thickness of 3 nm or more from the uppermost to the lower layer and containing Au in the range from 10-50 mass %, or the thickness of the Au single layer is 1 nm or more.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include a product and a method of a bipolar plate assembly for a fuel cell stack. The bipolar plate assembly includes a first plate with a first border, and a second plate with a second border. A thermoplastic sealant is melted between the first and second borders.

Abstract: A stainless steel member for a separator of a solid polymer fuel cell which has excellent cell properties with little deterioration in performance over long periods of operation without worsening of the corrosion resistance of a stainless steel separator is provided. A stainless steel member has a stainless steel base metal, and a passive film and electrically conductive precipitates both provided on a surface of the stainless steel base metal. The electrically conductive precipitate penetrates the passive film and includes a substance originating from the stainless steel base metal. An electrically conductive layer comprising a nonmetallic electrically conductive substance is preferably provided on the surface of the passive film, and the electrically conductive layer is preferably electrically connected to the stainless steel base member through the electrically conductive precipitates.

Abstract: An insulating mount structure for a fuel cell, which includes insulating mounts (2) for mounting the fuel cell stack (1) on a grounded structure (7), and a water barrier (3) extending in a space between the fuel cell a stack (1) and the grounded structure (7), being electrically isolated from both of the fuel cell (1) and the grounded structure (7). The water barrier (3) is formed in a container shape having an opening (3a) on upper side thereof.

Abstract: A fluid handling device with an anisotropic wetting surface including a substrate with a multiplicity of asymmetric substantially uniformly shaped asperities thereon. Each asperity has a first asperity rise angle and a second asperity rise angle relative to the substrate. The asperities are structured to present a desired retentive force ratio (f1/f2) greater or less than unity caused by asymmetry between the first asperity rise angle and the second asperity rise angle according to the formula: f3/f2=sin(?3+½??0)/sin(?2+½??0).

Abstract: Disclosed are a metal separator for fuel cells, which exhibits excellent properties in terms of corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity and durability, and a method of manufacturing the same. The metal separator for fuel cells includes a separator-shaped metal matrix and a coating layer formed on the metal matrix. The coating layer has a concentration gradient of a carbon element C and a metal element Me according to a thickness thereof such that the carbon element C becomes gradually concentrated in the coating layer with increasing distance from the metal matrix, and the metal element Me becomes gradually concentrated in the coating layer with decreasing distance from the metal matrix.

Abstract: Shaped articles with the inherent capability to evolve in response to at least one of external and internal stimuli are described. These articles comprise at least one solid electrolyte with at least one dissolved salt, and at least one interface which involves a solid electrolytes and a conductive solid. Electric potential gradients, generated within the solid electrolyte by at least one of external and internal stimuli, guide and drive the self-healing and adaptation phenomena.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrode for a fuel cell which includes an electrode substrate composed of nano-carbon fiber, with a catalyst layer formed on the electrode substrate. The electrode substrate has a better strength than an electrode substrate composed of a conventional carbonaceous material, and a pore size which can be controlled even though the composition for forming the catalyst layer may be coated in the form of a slurry.