摘要:
In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides a hydrophilic electrically conductive fluid distribution plate and a method of making, and system for using, the hydrophilic electrically conductive fluid distribution plate. In at least one embodiment, the plate comprises a plate body defining a set of fluid flow channels configured to distribute flow of a fluid across at least one side of the plate, and a composite conductive coating having a water contact angle of less than 40° adhered to the plate body. In at least one embodiment, the composite coating comprises a polymeric conductive layer adhered to the plate body having an exterior surface, and a particulate carbon layer adhered to the exterior surface of the polymeric conductive layer.
摘要:
A proton exchange membrane fuel cell including a membrane electrode assembly comprising a proton transmissive membrane, a catalytic anode layer on one face of the membrane, and a catalytic cathode layer on the other face of the membrane. The fuel cell further includes a gas distribution layer on each of the cathode and anode layers defining a gas flow field extending over each of the catalytic layers. The membrane electrode assembly has a convoluted configuration whereby to increase the ratio of membrane area to planar fuel cell area and thereby increase the electrical output of the fuel cell for a given planar area size fuel cell. The convoluted configuration of the membrane electrode assembly also facilitates the division of the gas distribution layers into separate parallel channels thereby allowing the use of an inexpensive foam material for the gas distribution layers irrespective of the inherent variations in porosity of foam materials.
摘要:
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 a plate body defining a set of fluid flow channels configured to distribute flow of a fluid across at least one side of the plate, and a polymeric porous conductive layer proximate the plate body, with the porous conductive layer having a porosity sufficient to result in a water contact angle of the surface of less than 40°.
摘要:
A bipolar plate for use with a fuel cell is provided including an electrically conductive foam as a coolant layer between thin metal foil layers. The thin metal foil layers are provided with serpentine flow field patterns on a surface thereof.
摘要:
A proton exchange membrane fuel cell comprising a proton transmissive membrane, a catalytic anode layer on one face of the membrane, a catalytic cathode layer on the other face of the membrane, and a gas distribution layer on each of the cathode and anode layers defining a gas flow field extending over each of the catalytic layers. Each of the gas distribution layers comprises a layer of open cell conductive foam material which is divided into a plurality of generally parallel segments extending from one edge of the fuel cell to an opposite edge of the fuel cell whereby to define a plurality of generally parallel porous reactant paths extending across each catalytic layer. The segments may be defined by selectively varying the porosity of the foam material or selectively varying the thickness of the foam material. Reactant gases are delivered to the foam gas distribution layers via a manifold structure in which the reactant gases are moved upwardly along an edge of the fuel cell stack in parallel paths and selectively distributed within the stack at the desired cathode or anode levels by selective baffling and partitioning structures. A coolant layer may also be provided utilizing the same segmented foam construction utilized in the anode and cathode layers. The resultant fuel cell is lighter, smaller, and less expensive than prior art cells having comparable per surface area unit electrical energy output.
摘要:
A fuel cell comprising: a first layer comprising a first ionomer and an additive, the additive comprising a metal oxide comprising an oxide at least one of of Ce, Mn, V, Pt, Ru, Zr, Ni, Cr, W, Co, Mo, or Sn, and wherein the additive is present in at least 0.1 weight percent of the ionomer is disclosed as one embodiment of the invention, and performance and durability are advantaged wherein one or all of the metal oxide consists essentially nanoparticles.
摘要:
Fuel-cell membrane-subgasket assemblies may include an electrolyte membrane and a coated subgasket overlying the electrolyte membrane around a perimeter of the electrolyte membrane so as to define an active area inside the perimeter. The coated subgasket may comprise a subgasket body formed from a subgasket material. At least one side of the coated subgasket includes a subgasket coating layer containing or formed from a coating material such as metals, ceramics, polymers, polymer composites, or other hard coatings. Fuel-cell assemblies may include gas diffusion media, a bipolar plate, and a fuel-cell membrane-subgasket assembly having a coated subgasket. Fuel-cell stacks may include clamping plates, unipolar endplates, and a plurality of individual fuel-cell assemblies, at least one of which includes a fuel-cell membrane-subgasket assembly having a coated subgasket.
摘要:
A fuel cell component includes a first fluid distribution layer, a second fluid distribution layer, a cap layer, a third fluid distribution layer, and a pair of fluid diffusion medium layers. The individual layers are polymeric, mechanically integrated, and formed from a radiation-sensitive material. The first fluid distribution layer, the second fluid distribution layer, the cap layer, the third fluid distribution layer, and the pair of fluid diffusion medium layers are coated with an electrically conductive material. A pair of the fuel cell components may be arranged in a stack with a membrane electrode assembly therebetween to form a fuel cell.
摘要:
A separator plate for a fuel cell is provided, including a substrate having a radiation-cured first flow field layer disposed thereon. A method for fabricating the separator plate is also provided. The method includes the steps of providing a substrate; applying a first radiation-sensitive material to the substrate; placing a first mask between a first radiation source and the first radiation-sensitive material, the first mask having a plurality of substantially radiation-transparent apertures; and exposing the first radiation-sensitive material to a plurality of first radiation beams to form a radiation-cured first flow field layer adjacent the substrate. A fuel cell having the separator plate is also provided.
摘要:
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.