Abstract: A flow field plate for a fuel cell that has one or more outer layers that makes the plate more conductive and hydrophilic. In one embodiment, the coating is co-deposited as combination of a conductive material and a metal oxide coating. A suitable conductive material is gold and suitable metal oxides include SiO2, HfO2, ZrO2, Al2O3, SnO2, Ta2O5, Nb2O5, MoO2, IrO2, RuO2 and mixtures thereof. The conductive material and metal oxide can also be deposited as two separate layers, where the metal oxide is the outer layer. According to another embodiment, a metal layer is deposited on the plate with nanopores that provide the hydrophilicity. Also, doping ions can be added to the metal oxide to provide low fluoride solubility of the coating to control the rate that hydrofluoric acid etches away the oxide layer.

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane fuel cell comprises a membrane formed from a fluorocarbon ionic polymer material capable of being bonded to an acrylic, preferably a polymethylmethacrylate polymer, and at least one desirably electrically conductive plate bonded to an area of a face of the membrane via an acrylic plastic material. The bond may be accomplished by positioning a layer of the acrylic plastic material between a surface of the plate and an area of a face of the membrane. Alternatively, the plate may be constructed of the acrylic plastic material and a surface thereof may be bonded directly to an area of a face of the membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bipolar plate, for fuel cells, characterized in comprising a layer of a hydrophobic material which is soluble in a solvent, on the surfaces thereof. Water forms small droplets on the surfaces of the bipolar plate due to said layer, which are loosely held on the surface of the bipolar plate and which can be reliably removed from the fuel cell even with low flow speeds for the operating gases. The thickness of the layer and thus the hydrophobicity thereof and the electrical contact resistance between the bipolar plate and a contacting electrode may be adjusted in a simple manner, by varying the concentration of the hydrophobic material in the solvent.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides an electrically conductive fluid distribution plate and a method of making, and system for using, the electrically conductive fluid distribution plate. In at least one embodiment, the plate comprises an electrically conductive fluid distribution plate comprising a metallic plate body defining a set of fluid flow channels configured to distribute flow of a fluid across at least one side of the plate, a metal-containing adhesion promoting layer having a thickness less than 100 nm disposed on the plate body, and a composite polymeric conductive layer disposed on the metal-containing adhesion promoting layer.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell is formed by arranging a fuel electrode layer and an air electrode layer on both surfaces of a solid electrolyte, respectively, a fuel electrode current collector and an air electrode current collector outside the fuel electrode layer and the air electrode layer, respectively, and separators outside the fuel electrode current collector and the air electrode current collector. A fuel gas and an oxidant gas are supplied from the separators to the fuel electrode layers and the oxidant electrode layers, respectively, through the fuel electrode current collectors and the air electrode current collectors, respectively. Alternatively, indents are provided on the surface of each of the separators, which surface is in contact with one of the current collectors, to increase the dwell volume and hence the retaining time of the gas in the interior of the current collectors.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes an electricity generating element, which generates electrical energy through a reaction of a fuel and oxygen. The electricity generating element includes a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA), a first separator positioned at a first side of the MEA and having a heat sink element positioned therein for dissipating heat generated through the reaction of the fuel and oxygen, and a second separator positioned at a second, opposite side of the MEA.

Abstract: Disclosed is a separator for a fuel cell made of a metal plate comprising both a cooling water flow field and a gas flow field formed on each surface thereof, wherein the separator consists of the joined metal plates for the cooling water flow fields to face each other, the surfaces of the joined metal plates are coated with TiN, a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell comprising the separator and a method for manufacturing the separator.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack includes a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells, wherein each solid oxide fuel cell comprises an electrolyte located between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode, a plurality of gas separators, and at least one compliant cathode contact material. The contact material may be a metallic felt, foam or mesh, an electrically conductive glass or an electrically conductive ceramic felt located between at least one of the plurality of gas separators and a cathode electrode of an adjacent solid oxide fuel cell.

Abstract: A separator for a fuel cell includes a first layer that includes stainless steel and tungsten and a second layer that includes stainless steel and tungsten. The first layer contains more tungsten than the second layer so that the separator has anticorrosion properties specifically tailored to the environment of the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: The collecting plate of the present invention is used in a stacked fuel cell, and comprises a collecting section and an output terminal that is electrically connected to the collecting section and has a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the collecting section. For example, the output terminal is formed by bending at least part of an output terminal forming portion that is extended from the collecting section, at least one time.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a separator for fuel cells which is of improved strength and corrosion resistance and facilitates the assembling of unit cells. The separator comprises an electrically conductive resin layer formed by electrodeposition in such a way as to cover a metal substrate and a gasket component. The resin layer contains an electrically conductive material. The separator of the invention has thus an enhanced corrosion resistance, makes some considerable improvements in the assembling work efficiency of unit cells, and makes sure higher strength because of the use of the metal substrate.

Abstract: Carbonate fuel cathode side hardware having a thin coating of a conductive ceramic formed from one of Perovskite AMeO3, wherein A is at least one of lanthanum and a combination of lanthanum and strontium and Me is one or more of transition metals, lithiated NiO (LixNiO, where x is 0.1 to 1) and X-doped LiMeO2, wherein X is one of Mg, Ca, and Co.

Abstract: Carbonate fuel cathode side hardware having a thin coating of a conductive ceramic formed from one of LSC (La0.8Sr0.2CoO3) and lithiated NiO (LixNiO, where x is 0.1 to 1).

Abstract: Disclosed is a high-temperature fuel cell system including individual SOFC fuel cells which are in contact with each other to be electrically connected in parallel or in series. Contacting elements are provided, in at least one embodiment, that are suitable for the fuel cell system with a certain flexibility in addition to electrical conductivity for continuous operation. The contacting elements are provided, in at least one embodiment, between two fuel cells with an outer, metallically conductive jacket and a ceramic core. For example, ceramic felts can be enveloped by a nickel net by adequately shaping the same.

Abstract: A multilayer contact approach for use in a planar solid oxide fuel cell stack includes at least 3 layers of an electrically conductive perovskite which has a coefficient of thermal expansion closely matching the fuel cell material. The perovskite material may comprise La1-x Ex Co0.6Ni0.4O3 where E is a alkaline earth metal and x is greater than or equal to zero. The middle layer is a stress relief layer which may fracture during thermal cycling to relieve stress, but remains conductive and prevents mechanical damage of more critical interfaces.

Abstract: A flexible flow field separator includes a substrate layer formed of a flexible material and having first and second surfaces. A structured flow field pattern is defined on the first surface of the substrate layer. The structured flow field pattern defines one or more fluid channels. The separator includes a first layer formed of one or more metals and disposed on the first surface of the substrate layer. The first layer is formed of an electrically conductive material. The separator further includes a second layer disposed on the second surface of the substrate layer. The second layer is formed of a flexible electrically conductive material. The first layer contacts the second layer at one or more locations to define an electrical connection between the first and second layers.

Abstract: Collector plates made of bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys, the bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys providing ruggedness, lightweight structure, excellent resistance to chemical and environmental effects, and low-cost manufacturing, and methods of making such collector plates from such bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys are provided.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a membrane electrode composite module including a membrane electrode composite formed by sandwiching both surfaces of an electrolyte membrane between gas diffusion electrodes, an anode current collecting plate having fuel flow holes through which fuel flows, and a cathode current collecting plate having oxygen flow holes through which oxygen flows, wherein both surfaces of the membrane electrode composite are sandwiched between the anode current collecting plate and the cathode current collecting plate, the membrane electrode composite module further including films made of a synthetic resin (a first film and a second film) which are a base of the anode current collecting plate and a base of the cathode current collecting plate.

Abstract: Adjacent individual cells of a fuel cell are connected in series by intermediate connecting parts. Each connecting part is formed by a branch made from an electrically conducting material and extending the first current collector of a cell perpendicularly and connected to the second current collector of the adjacent cell. Each first current collector is moreover formed by an electrically insulating porous matrix incorporating said electrically conducting material, and the first current collectors of two adjacent cells are separated by an area of electrically insulating porous material, said electrically insulating porous material being identical to that forming the porous matrix of said first current collectors. Series connection between the individual cells of such a fuel cell is thereby easy and quick to implement.

Abstract: A fuel cell module includes an anode flow board, a cathode board, an intermediate adhesive layer, a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) including a membrane edge, and a leak-proof adhesive layer mounted on the membrane edge, thereby preventing contact between the intermediate adhesive layer and the membrane edge. The adhesive ability of the leak-proof adhesive layer to the membrane edge is higher than that of the intermediate adhesive layer to the membrane edge. Therefore, the methanol leakage from the membrane can be avoided.

Abstract: Anode-supported fuel cell, in particular SOFC, where stresses in the anode substrate are compensated for by a stress compensation layer. According to the invention said stress compensation layer is made porous by making a large number of vary small openings. These openings are preferably made hexagonal and the thickness of the walls between the openings is minor. An electron-conducting porous layer is applied to the stress compensation layer.

Abstract: A low-cost fuel cell separator having a metallic substrate which is able to stably maintain low electric resistance (high electrical conductivity) and high corrosion resistance for a long period is provided. The separator has a metallic substrate having an oxide film forming a surface thereof and made from an oxidization of a metal of the substrate, and an electrically conductive thin film formed on a surface of the oxide film of the substrate. Due to this construction, low electric resistance (high electrical conductivity) is achieved by the electrically conductive thin film. Furthermore, even if the electrically conductive thin film has pinholes, the oxide film substantially prevents or reduces elution from the separator substrate, thereby achieving high corrosion resistance. Still further, since the oxide film is formed by oxidation of the substrate, the oxide film can be formed at a lower cost than an oxide film formed from a different metal.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to interconnects for solid oxide fuel cells (“SOFCs”) comprising ferritic stainless steel and having at least one via that when subjected to an oxidizing atmosphere at an elevated temperature develops a scale comprising a manganese-chromate spinel on at least a portion of a surface thereof, and at least one gas flow channel that when subjected to an oxidizing atmosphere at an elevated temperature develops an aluminum-rich oxide scale on at least a portion of a surface thereof. Other embodiments relate to interconnects comprising a ferritic stainless steel and having a fuel side comprising metallic material that resists oxidation during operation of the SOFCs, and optionally include a nickel-base superalloy on the oxidant side thereof. Still other embodiments relate to ferritic stainless steels adapted for use as interconnects comprising ?0.1 weight percent aluminum and/or silicon, and >1 up to 2 weight percent manganese. Methods of making interconnects are also disclosed.

Abstract: Separator-electrode assemblies (SEAs) comprising a porous electrode useful as a positive or negative electrode in a lithium battery and a separator layer applied to this electrode, the separator layer being an inorganic separator layer comprising at least two fractions of metal oxide particles different from each other in their average particle size and/or in the metal, and the electrode having active mass particles that are bonded together and to a current collector by an inorganic adhesive; and a process for their production.

Abstract: A fuel cell structure mainly comprises a frame and a membrane electrode assembly. The frame has an inside wall, and the membrane electrode assembly comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electrolyte membrane disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electrolyte membrane having an electrode joint portion and an adhesive portion. The first electrode and the second electrode are laid on two opposite sides of the electrode joint portion separately. The adhesive portion is attached onto the inside wall.

Abstract: A flexible current collecting fiber bunch comprises a plurality of current collecting fiber conductors and at least one electrical wire. There is an interval between each two adjacent current collecting fiber conductors. The electrical wire used to cascades the current collecting fiber conductors. The flexible current collecting fiber bunch may replace the graphite or metal bipolar commonly plate used in the fuel cell at lowers the pressure needed for a good contact and adds flexibility in the stack design.

Abstract: A method for making a super-hydrophobic composite bipolar plate including providing a substrate comprising a composite material including carbon, and a surface layer on the substrate, and wherein the surface layer includes silicon and oxygen, and heating the substrate and surface layer to cause moieties including carbon from the substrate to diffuse outwardly through the surface layer so that the moiety is attached to one of the silicon or oxygen.