Abstract: Described is a functional layer for high-temperature fuel cells and to a method for the production of functional layers. The functional layer is in particular a low-sintering, electrically conductive, ceramic layer which is formed between an interconnector and a cathode of a fuel cell. The functional layer is formed from a material which has at least two phases. A first phase is a perovskite ceramic material containing bismuth-cobalt and a second phase is a bismuth manganite and/or bismuth cobaltite (Bi—Mn—Co—O).

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: 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 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: An electrically conductive fluid distribution element for use in a fuel cell having a conductive metal substrate and a layer of conductive non-metallic porous media. The conductive non-metallic porous media has an electrically conductive material deposited along a surface in one or more metallized regions and having an average thickness equal to about the diameter of one atom of the material. The metallized regions improve electrical conductance at contact regions between the metal substrate and the fluid distribution media.

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.

Abstract: A separator material suitable for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell and a method of producing the same. The separator material exhibiting gas impermeability, strength, dimensional stability during long-term use, and only a small degree of dissolution of organic substances which hinder the cell reaction. The separator material includes a graphite/cured resin molded product produced by binding a graphite powder using a mixed resin prepared by mixing an epoxy resin with a specific epoxy equivalent and a phenolic resin with a specific hydroxyl equivalent at a specific equivalent ratio and adding an imidazole compound without an amino group as a curing accelerator. The graphite/cured resin molded product has, when immersed in hot water at 90° C., a water absorption elongation percentage after 500 hours of immersion of a specific value or less and an amount of ammonium ions dissolved and an amount of TOC dissolved after 50 hours of immersion of specific values or less.