Abstract:
The present invention relates to fuel cell devices and fuel cell systems, methods of using fuel cell devices and systems, and methods of making fuel cell devices. According to certain embodiments, the fuel cell devices may include an elongate substrate, such as a rectangular or tubular substrate, the length of which is the greatest dimension such that the coefficient of thermal expansion has only one dominant axis that is coextensive with the length. In addition, or in accordance with other certain embodiments, a reaction zone is positioned along a first portion of the length for heating to an operating reaction temperature, and at least one cold zone is positioned along a second portion of the length for operating at a temperature below the operating reaction temperature. There are one or more fuel passages in the elongate substrate, each having an associate anode, and one or more oxidizer passages in the elongate substrate, each having an associate cathode. In some embodiments, the passages are formed by sacrificial organic materials that are melted or baked out of the structure and/or by removable structures that are pulled out after lamination. Bake-out paths may also be used to facilitate removal of the sacrificial organic materials, which paths are later sealed. Embodiments of the invention further include methods and devices in which a current collector is recessed into the electrode.
Abstract:
A mobile device having: a keyboard; a printed circuit board having at least one contact responsive to the keyboard; and a fuel cell assembly having: a fuel cell located between the keyboard and the printed circuit board, the fuel cell having a membrane and at least one aperture corresponding with the at least one contact; a tank adapted to store a fuel for the fuel cell; and piping connecting the tank with the fuel cell, where the fuel cell ventilates through the keyboard. Alternatively, the fuel cell acts as the printed circuit board and at least one contact for the keyboard is printed onto the fuel cell.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an electrochemical energy source comprising at least one fuel cell, which fuel cell comprises: a first current collector coupled to a negative electrode, a fuel source connected to said negative electrode, a second current collector coupled to a positive electrode, an oxidant source connected to said positive electrode, and an ion-conducting electrolyte located between said negative electrode and said positive electrode. The invention also relates to an electronic device incorporating such an electrochemical energy source.
Abstract:
A solid-state polyelectrolyte type fuel cell is provided in a honeycomb structure, including a plurality of honeycomb channels each having a polygonal cross section and disposed in a row with adjacent ones being isolated from each other with an isolation wall, is formed from a solid-state polyeletrolyte membrane, each of some of the honeycomb channels has a fuel electrode disposed on the inner wall thereof to provide a electrode channel while each of the other has an air electrode disposed on the inner wall thereof to provide an air electrode, and the fuel and air electrode channels are disposed to adjoin each other with the isolation wall being laid between them, thereby to provided a fuel cell which is compact, lightweight and inexpensive.
Abstract:
The module according to the invention has an increased service life because it does not contain any elastic part. The functional stack has a tubular and coaxial configuration. There are provided, alternatively interleaved, electrochemical elementary cells (15) and interconnectors made, on the one hand, of a gas separation tube (22) and, on the other hand, a plurality of balls (20) provided in the spaces between said gas separation tubes (22) and elementary cells (15). The balls (20) permit a homogenous distribution of the gases on the functional surfaces of the cells and multiply the electric contacts between the separation tubes (22) and the elementary cells (15). The invention can be used for fuel cells of the SOFC type and for electrolysers of the SOEC type.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to fuel cell devices and fuel cell systems, methods of using fuel cell devices and systems, and methods of making fuel cell devices. According to certain embodiments, the fuel cell devices may include an elongate substrate, such as a rectangular or tubular substrate, the length of which is the greatest dimension such that the coefficient of thermal expansion has only one dominant axis that is coextensive with the length. In addition, or in accordance with other certain embodiments, a reaction zone is positioned along a first portion of the length for heating to an operating reaction temperature, and at least one cold zone is positioned along a second portion of the length for operating at a temperature below the operating reaction temperature. There are one or more fuel passages in the elongate substrate, each having an associate anode, and one or more oxidizer passages in the elongate substrate, each having an associate cathode. In some embodiments, the passages are formed by sacrificial organic materials that are melted or baked out of the structure and/or by removable structures that are pulled out after lamination. Bake-out paths may also be used to facilitate removal of the sacrificial organic materials, which paths are later sealed. Embodiments of the invention further include methods and devices in which a current collector is recessed into the electrode.
Abstract:
A cell of a solid electrolyte direct-flame fuel cell generates power in a state that the cell is placed inside or in the vicinity of a flame (16). The cell is configured in such a manner that a cathode layer (14) is formed on one surface of a solid electrolyte layer (10) and an anode layer (12) is formed on the other surface. The cell is characterized by being curved so that the anode layer side has a concave shape and the cathode layer side has a convex shape.
Abstract:
A three-dimensional electrode array for use in electrochemical cells, fuel cells, capacitors, supercapacitors, flow batteries, metal-air batteries and semi-solid batteries.
Abstract:
Fuel cell devices and systems are provided. In certain embodiments, the devices include a ceramic support structure having a length, a width, and a thickness with the length direction being the dominant direction of thermal expansion. A reaction zone having at least one active layer therein is spaced from the first end and includes first and second opposing electrodes, associated active first and second gas passages, and electrolyte. The active first gas passage includes sub-passages extending in the y direction and spaced apart in the x direction. An artery flow passage extends from the first end along the length and into the reaction zone and is fluidicly coupled to the sub-passages of the active first gas passage. The thickness of the artery flow passage is greater than the thickness of the sub-passages. In other embodiments, fuel cell devices include second sub-passages for the active second gas passage and a second artery flow passage coupled thereto, and extending from either the first end or the second end into the reaction zone. In yet other embodiments, one or both electrodes of a fuel cell device are segmented.