Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
427115000 | Fuel cell part | 87 |
20080220154 | METHOD OF FORMING FLUID FLOW FIELD PLATES FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICES - A method of making graphite articles for electrochemical fuel cells, such as fluid flow field plates, by partially impregnating a porous, self-supporting expanded graphite sheet with a first binder comprising a first liquid resin to form a partially impregnated graphite sheet; mechanically deforming at least one surface of the impregnated graphite sheet to form an intermediate fluid flow field plate; impregnating the mechanically deformed intermediate fluid flow field plate with a second binder comprising a second liquid resin to form an impregnated fluid flow field plate; and curing at least the second resin to form a substantially fluid impermeable fluid flow field plate. | 09-11-2008 |
20080274269 | Method of preparing metal phosphate composite catalyst - A method of preparing a substrate by depositing a thin-film electrocatalyst of a platinum phosphate composite surface, the platinum phosphate composite surface being entirely oxygen reductive, onto the substrate through cyclic voltammetry. A method of preparing substrates for fuel cells by depositing the thin-film electrocatalyst onto at least one substrate of a membrane electrode assembly of a fuel cell through cyclic voltammetry. A method of reducing oxygen by depositing the thin-film electrocatalyst on a substrate cathode, and reducing oxygen by using the entire platinum phosphate composite surface of the thin-film electrocatalyst. A method of oxidizing methanol by depositing the thin-film electrocatalyst on a substrate cathode, reducing oxygen from air by using the entire platinum phosphate composite surface of the thin-film electrocatalyst, and oxidizing methanol on a anode. | 11-06-2008 |
20080305250 | Fabrication Methods for Catalyst Coated Membranes - Fabrication methods for catalyst coated membranes are provided. The methods include exposing a micro-porous membrane to a catalyst dispersing solution to form a catalyst containing micro-porous membrane. The methods also include exposing the catalyst containing micro-porous membrane to a resin dispersing solution to form a catalyst layer and placing a proton exchange membrane between two of the catalyst layers with a laminating process to form the catalyst coated membrane. The fabrication methods provide filling process to uniformly fill the catalysts and resin throughout the pores of the micro-porous membranes in the catalyst layers. These micro-porous membranes are hydrophobic and easily discharge water when necessary. Therefore, membrane electrode assemblies with catalyst coated membranes fabricated using the provided methods are stable and perform well during fuel cell operation. | 12-11-2008 |
20080305251 | Laminate useful as a membrane-electrode assembly for fuel cells, production process therefor and a fuel cell provided with the laminate - A laminate consisting of an ion exchange membrane layer comprising a porous film reinforcement and a crosslinked ion exchange resin and a conductive layer formed on at least one side of the ion exchange membrane layer and comprising conductive inorganic particles and a crosslinked ion exchange resin, wherein | 12-11-2008 |
20080317945 | ELECTROLYTE MEMBRANES FOR USE IN FUEL CELLS - A solid polymer electrolyte membrane that has excellent methanol-crossover-suppression performance is provided, along with a fuel cell that employs the electrolyte membrane. The electrolyte membrane includes a matrix including a proton-conducting polymer such as perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid and a sheet substantially consisting of an inorganic fiber such as glass fiber. | 12-25-2008 |
20080317946 | FUEL CELL MEMBRANES, GELS, AND METHODS OF FABRICATION - The forming of fuel cell membranes via novel intermediate gels is disclosed. One disclosed embodiment provides a method of making a fuel cell polyazole membrane comprising dissolving a polyazole with a water stable polyazole solubilizing acid thereby forming a polyazole-acid solution, applying a layer of said polyazole-acid solution to a support thereby forming a polyazole-acid film, contacting said polyazole-acid film with water thereby forming a polyazole-acid gel, and contacting said polyazole-acid gel with a doping acid thereby forming said fuel cell polyazole membrane. | 12-25-2008 |
20090029039 | Method of manufacturing membrane electrode assembly - A method of manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell, in which a catalyst layer is disposed between an electrolyte membrane and a gas diffusion layer, includes producing a catalyst powder that is used to form the catalyst layer; and forming the catalyst layer by unevenly depositing the catalyst powder on at least one of the electrolyte membrane and the gas diffusion layer. | 01-29-2009 |
20090035456 | Method for fabricating a fuel cell on a porous support - To prevent the liquid electrolyte from penetrating into the porous support while at the same time preserving or increasing the power density of the fuel cell, before the liquid electrolyte is deposited, at least a part of the walls delineating the pores of said support is covered by a film formed by a material presenting a contact angle of more than 90° with a drop of said liquid electrolyte. Said film further presents a thickness enabling passage of the reactive fluid in the pores of the support. | 02-05-2009 |
20090047422 | Method for Manufacturing Tube-Type Fuel Cell - The present invention mainly intends to provide a method for manufacturing a tube-type fuel cell by which a tube-type fuel cell with good adhesion can be produced without blocking gas flow channel in its inner current collector. In order to achieve the object, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a tube-type fuel cell, comprising: a filling step of providing a columnar-shaped inner current collector having a gas flow channel on its outer peripheral face and filling the gas flow channel with a removable substance to form a removable portion; a functional layer forming step of forming a functional layer on at least the removable portion; and a removing step of removing the removable portion after the functional layer forming step. | 02-19-2009 |
20090053403 | METHOD OF PRODUCING ELECTROLYTE MEMBRANE-ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF PRODUCING ELECTROLYTE MEMBRANE - A method of producing an electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly that constitutes a fuel cell includes a step of preparing a polymer electrolyte membrane formed of a solid polymer electrolyte, a step of forming a pair of electrodes each including a catalyst, on the polymer electrolyte, a step of preparing a cerium-containing film or films containing a cerium compound, and a step of superimposing the cerium-containing film(s) on the polymer electrolyte membrane on which the electrodes are formed, such that the cerium-containing film and the corresponding electrode are in contact with each other. | 02-26-2009 |
20090074956 | INKJET PRINTING OF MATERIALS FOR USE IN FUEL CELLS - A method of using inkjet printing (IJP) to deposit catalyst materials onto substrates such as gas diffusion layers (GDLs) that in one application are made into membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEMFC). The inventive IJP method can deposit smaller volumes of water-based catalyst ink solutions with picoliter precision. By optimizing the dispersion of the ink solution, this technique can be used with catalysts supported on different specimens of carbon black. | 03-19-2009 |
20090074957 | Electrode for electrochemical cell and electrochemical cell including the electrode - An electrode for an electrochemical cell is provided. The electrode comprises an electrode active material coated on a current collector. The surface of the electrode active material has a greater porosity than the portion nearest the current collector. The electrode includes an active material with controlled porosity, where the porosity of the inner portion is equal to or less than the porosity of the surface of the electrode after the electrode is roll-pressed. As a result, the impregnating characteristics of the electrolytic solution are improved and decreases in capacity upon charging and discharging at high rates are prevented. Therefore, excellent charge and discharge characteristics are obtained. In addition, cells including the inventive electrodes exhibit excellent charge and discharge characteristics. | 03-19-2009 |
20090087549 | SELECTIVE COATING OF FUEL CELL ELECTROCATALYST - A method is provided for selectively coating a catalyst layer ( | 04-02-2009 |
20090117263 | METHOD OF PRODUCING ELECTRODE LAYER FOR FUEL CELL - A method of producing an electrode layer for a fuel cell, with which the electrode layer is produced by heating and drying an electrode paste ( | 05-07-2009 |
20090130300 | TITANIUM SUBSTRATE FOR FORMING SEPARATOR FOR FUEL CELL AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SEPARATOR - A titanium substrate, for forming a separator for a fuel cell, is made of titanium or a titanium alloy and has surface layers containing carbon having binding energy in the range of to 284 eV as measured by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy in a carbon content of 25% at. or below. | 05-21-2009 |
20090176012 | Unsupported Palladium Alloy Membranes and Methods of Making Same - The invention provides support-free palladium membranes and methods of making these membranes. Single-gas testing of the unsupported foils produced hydrogen permeabilities equivalent to thicker membranes produced by cold-rolling. Defect-free films as thin as 7.2 microns can be fabricated, with ideal H | 07-09-2009 |
20090196983 | METHOD TO ACCELERATE WETTING OF AN ION EXCHANGE MEMBRANE IN A SEMI-FUEL CELL - A new treatment method for ion exchange membranes used in semi-fuel cells that accelerates the wetting of the membranes by aqueous electrolyte solutions, thus reducing the start up time for metal/hydrogen peroxide-based semi-fuel cells. Specifically, a Nafion® membrane that is intended for dry storage in a semi-fuel cell is treated with glycerin (glycerol) to enhance its rate of absorption of electrolyte solution when the semi-fuel cell is activated. | 08-06-2009 |
20090196984 | ELECTROCATALYTIC POLYMER-BASED POWDER, METHOD OF PRODUCTION AND USE THEREOF - An electrocatalytic polymer-based powder has particles of at least one electronically conductive polymer species in which particles are dispersed of at least one catalytic redox species, in which the particles of the polymer species and of the catalytic species are of nanometric dimension. | 08-06-2009 |
20090214765 | Fuel Cell Anode Structures For Voltage Reversal Tolerance - A voltage reversal tolerant fuel cell anode structure that includes a gas diffusion layer is prepared by a method that comprises: (a) applying to the gas diffusion layer a first carbon component comprising a sacrificial carbon component having substantially no resistance to corrosion during cell reversal at fuel cell operating temperatures, and (b) applying to the gas diffusion layer a second carbon component. The first carbon material has a BET surface area of at least 350 m | 08-27-2009 |
20090291202 | ELECTRODE SUBSTRATE FOR A FUEL CELL, A METHOD FOR PREPARING THE SAME, AND A MEMBRANE-ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING THE SAME - An electrode substrate for a fuel cell including a diffusion layer, a first microporous layer that embeds into the diffusion layer, with the first microporous layer having a thickness in the range of 10 to 30 μm, and a second microporous layer that forms a boundary with the diffusion layer on the surface of the first microporous layer. The electrode substrate has improved performance such as increased diffusion properties of a fuel or an oxidant, increased properties of releasing moisture, and enhanced electron conductivity. | 11-26-2009 |
20090324812 | FUEL CELL SEPARATOR AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME - A fuel cell separator is provided with an opening that functions as a manifold. A resin coating is formed within the peripheral area of the fuel cell separator, in a state where the power generation area is masked with a masking jig. The resin coating is formed so that the separator substrate is exposed within at least a portion of the peripheral area. Subsequently, the masking jig is removed, and a conductive coating is formed within the power generation area of the fuel cell separator, the peripheral area of which has been masked by the resin coating. The conductive coating is formed by causing electricity to flow through the portion of the peripheral area where the separator substrate is exposed. | 12-31-2009 |
20100003400 | PROCESS FOR PRODUCING MEMBRANE/ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY FOR POLYMER ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELL AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING POLYMER ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELL - Provided are a process for producing a membrane/electrode assembly for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell and a process for producing a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, capable of achieving a high output voltage in a wide current density range. | 01-07-2010 |
20100021628 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING HYDROGEN SEPARATION MEMBRANE FUEL CELL - There is provided a method for manufacturing a fuel cell, such as a hydrogen separation membrane fuel cell, having in its anode a hydrogen separation membrane ( | 01-28-2010 |
20100086675 | Solid Polymer Electrolyte and Process for Making Same - A solid polymer electrolyte membrane having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, where the solid polymer electrolyte membrane has a failure force greater than about 115 grams and comprises a composite membrane consisting essentially of (a) at least one expanded PTFE membrane having a porous microstructure of polymeric fibrils, and (b) at least one ion exchange material impregnated throughout the porous microstructure of the expanded PTFE membrane so as to render an interior volume of the expanded PTFE membrane substantially occlusive; (c) at least one substantially occlusive, electronically insulating first composite layer interposed between the expanded PTFE membrane and the first surface, the first composite layer comprising a plurality of first carbon particles supporting a catalyst comprising platinum and an ion exchange material, wherein a plurality of the first carbon particles has a particle size less than about 75 nm, or less than about 50 nm, or less than about 25 nm. | 04-08-2010 |
20100112196 | Thin film MEA structures for fuel cell and method for fabrication - The current invention provides a fabrication method for large surface area, pinhole-free, ultra thin ion conducting membranes using atomic layer deposition on inexpensive sacrificial substrates to make cost effective, high performance fuel cells or electrolyzers. The resultant membrane electrode assembly (MEA) enables significant reduction in resistive losses as well as lowering of the operating temperature of the fuel cell. The invention further provides a method to deposit 3-dimensional surface conformal films that may have compositional grading for superior performance. In addition, the invention provides decoration and modification of electrode surfaces for enhanced catalytic activity and reduced polarization losses. The method of the current invention enables the MEA structure to be fabricated from the anode side up or the cathode side up, each with or without an incorporated anode current collector or cathode current collector, respectively. | 05-06-2010 |
20100129534 | FUEL CELLS WITH HYDROPHOBIC DIFFUSION MEDIUM - Diffusion media for use in PEM fuel cells are provided with silicone coatings. The media are made of a porous electroconductive substrate, a first hydrophobic fluorocarbon polymer coating adhered to the substrate, and a second coating comprising a hydrophobic silicone polymer adhered to the substrate. The substrate is preferably a carbon fiber paper, the hydrophobic fluorocarbon polymer is PTFE or similar polymer, and the silicone is moisture curable. | 05-27-2010 |
20100183804 | Methods of making membrane electrode assemblies - Method of making a membrane electrode assembly comprising: providing a membrane comprising a perfluorinated sulfonic acid; providing a first transfer substrate; applying to a surface of the first transfer substrate a first ink, said first ink comprising an ionomer and a catalyst; applying to the first ink a suitable non-aqueous swelling agent; forming an assembly comprising: the membrane; and the first transfer substrate, wherein the surface of the first transfer substrate comprising the first ink and the non-aqueous swelling agent is disposed upon one surface of the membrane; and heating the assembly at a temperature of 150° C. or less and at a pressure of from about 250 kPa to about 3000 kPa or less for a time suitable to allow substantially complete transfer of the first ink and the second ink to the membrane; and cooling the assembly to room temperature and removing the first transfer substrate and the second transfer substrate. | 07-22-2010 |
20100196594 | MEMBRANE-ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY FOR FUEL CELL AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM COMPRISING SAME - A membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell of the present invention includes an anode and a cathode facing each other, and a polymer electrolyte membrane interposed therebetween. At least one of the anode and the cathode includes a catalyst layer and an electrode substrate. The catalyst layer includes a catalyst and a porous ionomer. The polymer electrolyte membrane contacts one side of the catalyst layer and the electrode substrate contacts the other side of the catalyst layer. | 08-05-2010 |
20100247749 | METHOD OF COATING A SUBSTRATE WITH NANOPARTICLES INCLUDING A METAL OXIDE - One exemplary embodiment may include a method comprising: depositing a solution comprising an organometallic compound on a substrate, drying the solution to provide a film of the organometallic compound and at least partially oxidizing an organic component of the organometallic compound to provide nanoparticles including metal oxides on the substrate which would have multiuse industrial applications. | 09-30-2010 |
20100247750 | HYDROGEN PRODUCING FUEL FOR POWER GENERATOR - A hydrogen producing fuel comprises a chemical hydride and metal hydride. In one embodiment the chemical hydride evolves hydrogen spontaneously upon exposure to water vapor, and the metal hydride reversibly absorbs/desorbs hydrogen based on temperature and pressure. The hydrogen producing substance may be formed in the shape of a pellet and may be contained within a hydrogen and water vapor permeable, liquid water impermeable membrane. The hydrogen producing substance may further be soaked in a hydrophobic material. | 09-30-2010 |
20100260928 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING FUEL CELL SEPARATOR - A method for producing a fuel cell separator which suppresses increase in an electrical conductivity of a coolant to reduce the contact resistance. A method for producing the fuel cell separator for separating gases between adjacent cells for the fuel cell which includes forming a separator substrate having projections and recesses from a metal material such as a titanium material or a stainless steal, and forming an electrical-conductive layer with an electrical conductor of gold or the like only on the projections of the separator substrate. | 10-14-2010 |
20100297341 | Aluminization of Metal Substrate Surfaces - Methods of aluminizing the surface of a metal substrate. The methods of the present invention do not require establishment of a vacuum or a reducing atmosphere, as is typically necessary. Accordingly, aluminization can occur in the presence of oxygen, which greatly simplifies and reduces processing costs by allowing deposition of the aluminum coating to be performed, for example, in air. Embodiments of the present invention can be characterized by applying a slurry that includes a binder and powder granules containing aluminum to the metal substrate surface. Then, in a combined step, a portion of the aluminum is diffused into the substrate and a portion of the aluminum is oxidized by heating the slurry to a temperature greater than the melting point of the aluminum in an oxygen-containing atmosphere. | 11-25-2010 |
20100297342 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING MEMBRANE ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING FUEL CELL - Provided is a method of manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly including catalyst layers in both sides of a polymer electrolyte membrane, substance diffusion of the catalyst layer being improved, in which forming at least one of the catalyst layers includes at least: forming a first layer including one of a catalyst and a catalyst precursor on a surface of a sheet by vapor-phase deposition; forming a through hole in the first layer; forming a second layer including one of a catalyst and a catalyst precursor on a surface of the first layer having the through hole by vapor-phase deposition; joining a polymer electrolyte membrane to a surface of the second layer; and peeling off the sheet from the first layer. | 11-25-2010 |
20100323101 | Method for preparing surface modification coating of metal bipolar plates - A method for preparing a surface modification coating of metal bipolar plates is disclosed, which comprises the following steps: providing a metal substrate; pre-treating the metal substrate by substrate processing, depositing a Ni-based alloy layer on the metal substrate, or the combination thereof to form an activated layer on the surface of the metal substrate; packing the metal substrate in a powder mixture comprising permeated master metal, an activator, and filler powders; heat-treating the metal substrate in the powder mixture to allow the permeated master metal to diffuse into the activated layer and then to form a surface modification coating. The permeation rate of the permeated master metal can be increased due to high defect concentration of the activated layer. Hence, a corrosion-resistant surface modification coating is prepared at a low temperature, and it can decrease the interface contact resistance between the metal bipolar plates and gas diffusion layers. | 12-23-2010 |
20110052798 | CCM COMPOSITE - CCM formed of a membrane having on one of the two surfaces a first electrocatalytic layer containing a catalyst and on the other one a second electrocatalytic layer containing a catalyst, said electrocatalytic layers and said membrane containing (per)fluorinated ionomers, said CCM having the following characteristics:
| 03-03-2011 |
20110086165 | METALLIZATION OF A POROUS SILICON ZONE BY IN SITU REDUCTION AND APPLICATION TO A FUEL CELL - A porous silicon zone is metallized by performing in situ reduction of metallic ions dissolved in an aqueous solution and fixing of the metallic particles obtained on said zone in a single step. This step consists in particular in bringing the solution containing the metallic ions into contact with the zone to be metallized, the surface whereof has previously been functionalized to enable in situ reduction of the metallic ions and fixing of the metallic particles. Functionalization of the porous silicon zone is achieved by grafting two particular and distinct types of chemical functions. The first function used is a chelating chemical function for the metallic ions and/or for the metal corresponding to the metallic ions, whereas the second function is a reducing chemical function for the metallic ions. Such a metallization can be used for producing an electrically conducting porous diffusion layer of a fuel cell. | 04-14-2011 |
20110104367 | LAYER STRUCTURES AND METHOD TO THEIR PRODUCTION - A method for producing membranes and membrane electrode units by laying thin film layers on a porous carrier substrate. The layers are applied using only one of several production methods, but have different functional properties. These membranes and membrane electrode units may be used to generate energy by electrochemical or photochemical processes, particularly applicable in fuel cells. | 05-05-2011 |
20110135812 | METAL SEPARATOR FOR FUEL CELL AND METHOD FOR TREATING SURFACE OF THE SAME - The present invention provides a metal separator for a fuel cell, which is surface-treated to have high electrical conductivity and electrochemical corrosion resistance, and a method for treating the surface of the same. The metal separator may include an amorphous carbon film formed on the surface of a separator substrate, the amorphous carbon film being carbonized by heat treatment to increase the proportion of sp | 06-09-2011 |
20110135813 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING UNIT CELL OF SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL USING TRANSFER PROCESS - A method of manufacturing a unit cell of a solid oxide fuel cell using a transfer process, in which an anode, electrolyte, cathode and interconnect are deposited on a substrate using the transfer process when the unit cell of the solid oxide fuel cell having a variety of shapes, such as a planar type, a horizontal pipe type, a tubular type, a segmented type, and the like, is manufactured. In manufacture of solid oxide fuel cells having a variety of shapes according to lamination and arrangement of unit cells, the components of each unit cell, such as the anode, the cathode, the electrolyte, the interconnect, and the like, may be deposited in a desired shape using the transfer process through deposition or coating, so that the components of the unit cell having a large scale or a complicated structure can be deposited without limit in size and shape, the thickness of the components of the unit cell can be easily controlled depending on the number of stacked transfer paper sheets, and a coating film can be formed on a substrate at a lower cost. | 06-09-2011 |
20110143022 | HIGHLY CONDUCTIVE COMPOSITES FOR FUEL CELL FLOW FIELD PLATES AND BIPOLAR PLATES - This invention provides a fuel cell flow field plate or bipolar plate having flow channels on faces of the plate, comprising an electrically conductive polymer composite. The composite is composed of (A) at least 50% by weight of a conductive filler, comprising at least 5% by weight reinforcement fibers, expanded graphite platelets, graphitic nano-fibers, and/or carbon nano-tubes; (B) polymer matrix material at 1 to 49.9% by weight; and (C) a polymer binder at 0.1 to 10% by weight; wherein the sum of the conductive filler weight %, polymer matrix weight % and polymer binder weight % equals 100% and the bulk electrical conductivity of the flow field or bipolar plate is at least 100 S/cm. The invention also provides a continuous process for cost-effective mass production of the conductive composite-based flow field or bipolar plate. | 06-16-2011 |
20110159173 | CONDUCTIVE COATING FOR SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS - A method of manufacturing an electrically conductive interconnect for a solid oxide fuel cell stack, including the steps of (a) making a metal substrate having a first surface configured for electrical contact with an anode of the solid oxide fuel cell stack and a second surface configured for electrical contact with a cathode of the solid oxide fuel cell stack; (b) depositing a layer comprising metallic cobalt over at least a portion of at least one of the first and second surfaces; and (c) subjecting the metallic cobalt to reducing conditions, thereby causing at least a portion of the metallic cobalt to diffuse into the metal substrate. | 06-30-2011 |
20110262629 | METHOD FOR FABRICATING A NICKEL-CERMET ELECTRODE - The method for fabricating a nickel-cermet electrode comprises the steps of formation of a mixture comprising an organic nickel salt in solid state and at least one ceramic material in solid state at ambient temperature, followed by shaping of the mixture and heat treatment of the shaped mixture, preferably under reducing conditions, to form the nickel-cermet electrode. The organic nickel salt is chosen from a nickel acetate, a nickel carbonate and a nickel tartrate. | 10-27-2011 |
20110287174 | Novel catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction in fuel cells - A method for making a carbon-metal-nitrogen oxygen reducing cathode catalyst, the method comprising mixing a carbon source with a transition metal precursor to form a metal precursor loaded carbon substrate; adding a nitrogen precursor compound to the metal precursor loaded carbon substrate to form a carbon-metal-nitrogen precursor; and pyrolyzing the carbon-metal-nitrogen precursor in a closed vessel, thereby forming an oxygen reducing cathode catalyst. The carbon-metal-nitrogen catalyst requires no precious metal such as Pt, and also provides benefits such as controlled deposition of catalytically active nitrogenous compounds that can increase the catalytic activity of the catalyst when compared to gaseous deposition of nitrogen to the surface of the carbon support. | 11-24-2011 |
20110311720 | Electrically Conductive Metal Fluid Distribution Plate for Fuel Cells - 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. | 12-22-2011 |
20110318482 | MANUFACTURING METHOD OF ELECTRODE CATALYST LAYER FOR FUEL CELL - The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an electrode catalyst layer for a fuel cell which includes a polymer electrolyte, a catalyst material and carbon particles, wherein the electrode catalyst layer employs a non-precious metal catalyst and has a high level of power generation performance. The electrode catalyst layer is used as a pair of electrode catalyst layers in a fuel cell in which a polymer electrolyte membrane is interposed between the pair of the electrode catalyst layers which are further interposed between a pair of gas diffusion layers. The method of the present invention has such a feature that the catalyst material or the carbon particles are preliminarily embedded in the polymer electrolyte. | 12-29-2011 |
20120003382 | METHOD OF TREATING A MATERIAL TO ACHIEVE SUFFICIENT HYROPHILICITY FOR MAKING HYROPHILIC ARTICLES - An exemplary method of treating a material such as carbon or graphite to render at least some surfaces of the material hydrophilic includes coating at least a portion of the at least some surfaces with an oxygenated element and controlling a rate of a breakdown of the oxygenated element to leave a corresponding elemental oxide on the surfaces. In one example, the material is treated before being incorporated into an article comprising the material. Another example method includes treating an article comprising the material. Disclosed examples include precipitation or decomposition as the breakdown of the oxygenated element. | 01-05-2012 |
20120034372 | SOLID POLYMER TYPE FUEL CELL SEPARATOR AND METHOD OF PRODUCTION OF SAME - The present invention provides a method of production of a separator for a solid polymer type fuel cell characterized by shaping a substrate comprised of stainless steel, titanium, or a titanium alloy and then spraying the substrate surface with superhard core particles comprised of conductive compound particles of an average particle size of 0.01 to 20 μm mixed with a coating material and coated on their surfaces under conditions of a spray pressure of 0.4 MPa or less and a spray amount per cm | 02-09-2012 |
20120064232 | Method of treatment for imparting conductivity to surface of separator-use base member of solid polymer type fuel cell - The present invention provides a method of treatment for imparting conductivity to a surface of a separator-use base member resulting in little distortion and superior conductive performance for a separator-use base member of a solid polymer type fuel cell made of any of a sheet of stainless steel, titanium, or titanium alloy, comprising a step of spray coating and drying on the surface of the separator-use base member a suspension prepared by mixing conductive compound particles | 03-15-2012 |
20120128868 | COMPOSITE IONOMERIC MEMBRANE - A composite ionomeric membrane comprising a layer or film of a porous inert material on which a (per) fluorinated sulphonic ionomer is deposited wherein the sulphonic groups are at the end of short side chains (SSC), said ionomer having:
| 05-24-2012 |
20120135137 | Preparing an alloy catalyst using conductive polymer coating - Techniques herein prepare an alloy catalyst using a protective conductive polymer coating. More particularly, an alloy catalyst is prepared by: preparing a platinum catalyst supported on carbon; coating the surface of the platinum catalyst with a conductive polymer; supporting a transition metal salt on the coated catalyst; and heat treating the catalyst on which the transition metal salt is supported. Also, an alloy catalyst may be prepared by: preparing a platinum-transition metal catalyst supported on carbon; coating the surface of the platinum-transition metal catalyst with a conductive polymer; and heat treating the coated catalyst. Accordingly an alloy catalyst with superior dispersity can be prepared by increasing the degree of alloying of the catalyst through heat treatment while preventing the increase of catalyst particle size through carbonization of the conductive polymer. The prepared catalyst may be useful, for example, for a fuel cell electrode. | 05-31-2012 |
20120148732 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING GAS DIFFUSION LAYER FOR FUEL CELL, GAS DIFFUSION LAYER FOR FUEL CELL, AND FUEL CELL - The invention is to provide a gas diffusion layer for fuel cells having excellent adaptability against load change by attaining a good balance between anti-dry-out properties and anti-flooding properties. The gas diffusion layer for fuel cells containing a substrate layer and an conductive fine particle layer is formed by coating a coating liquid for forming the conductive fine particle layer on at least one surface of a substrate for forming the substrate layer using a gravure roll and by a kiss coating. In coating of the coating liquid, a speed difference is generated between a line speed of transferring the substrate and a circumferential speed of the gravure roll, and apparent viscosity [η(Pa·s)] of the coating liquid as determined by type B viscosimeter satisfies the following relations: | 06-14-2012 |
20120269961 | METHOD FOR GENERATING A CATALYST-CONTAINING ELECTRODE LAYER - A method for generating a catalyst-containing electrode layer on a substrate, particularly a catalyst layer for fuel cells or other chemical or electrochemical reactors, comprising the following steps: (A) generating an electrode layer on the substrate, wherein the electrode layer contains carrier particles for the catalyst to be deposited thereon; and simultaneously or subsequently: (B) depositing the catalyst on at least a portion of the carrier particles present in the electrode layer generated according to step (A) with decomposition of a catalyst precursor present not only superficially in the electrode layer, without external application of an electric current, an electric voltage, or an electric field, wherein no washing step takes place that could cause a discharge of the catalyst from the layer. | 10-25-2012 |
20120282394 | Composite Ceramic Material and Method for Manufacturing the Same - Provided is a composite ceramic material for a fuel cell and a method for manufacturing the same. The composite ceramic material for the fuel cell forms a cored structure where perovskite ceramic particles having a small particle diameter surround lanthanum cobaltite particles having a large particle diameter, and lanthanum cobaltite is added as a starting material in a process of synthesizing the perovskite ceramic particles to be synthesized. The composite ceramic material for the fuel cell described herein improves an electric connection characteristic between a separation plate and a polar plate of the fuel cell, and is chemically and mechanically stable. | 11-08-2012 |
20120301606 | NOBLE METAL NANOPARTICLES, A PROCESS FOR PREPARING THESE AND THEIR USE - Nanoparticles which contain noble metals alone or noble metals in combination with base metals. The nanoparticles are embedded in an aqueous solution of a temporary stabilizer based on a polysaccharide. | 11-29-2012 |
20130071556 | Solid Polymer Fuel Cell-Purpose Electrolyte Membrane, Production Method Therefor, and Membrane-Electrode Assembly - In an electrolyte membrane ( | 03-21-2013 |
20130142946 | Electrode With Reduced Mud Cracking Via Mixed Equivalent Weight Ionomers - An ink composition for forming a fuel cell electrode, and in particular, a fuel cell cathode layer is provided. The ink composition includes a first protogenic group-containing ionomer having an equivalent weight less than 800, an optional second protogenic group-containing ionomer having an equivalent weight greater than 800, and a catalyst composition. Electrode layers formed from the ink composition are also provided. | 06-06-2013 |
20130149438 | FUEL ELECTRODES FOR SOLID OXIDE ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL, PROCESSES FOR PRODUCING THE SAME, AND SOLID OXIDE ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS - A fuel electrode for a solid oxide electrochemical cell includes: an electrode layer constituted of a mixed phase including an oxide having mixed conductivity and another oxide selected from the group including an aluminum-based oxide and a magnesium-based composite oxide, said another oxide having, supported on a surface part thereof, particles of at least one member selected from nickel, cobalt, and nickel-cobalt alloys; a meshy wiring formed on a surface layer part of the electrode layer and made of a material having higher electronic conductivity than the electrode layer; and a current collector which overlies the electrode layer and is in contact with at least the wiring. | 06-13-2013 |
20130196055 | Solid Polymer Electrolyte and Process For Making Same - A solid polymer electrolyte membrane having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, where the solid polymer electrolyte membrane has a failure force greater than about 115 grams and comprises a composite membrane consisting essentially of (a) at least one expanded PTFE membrane having a porous microstructure of polymeric fibrils, and (b) at least one ion exchange material impregnated throughout the porous microstructure of the expanded PTFE membrane so as to render an interior volume of the expanded PTFE membrane substantially occlusive; (c) at least one substantially occlusive, electronically insulating first composite layer interposed between the expanded PTFE membrane and the first surface, the first composite layer comprising a plurality of first carbon particles supporting a catalyst comprising platinum and an ion exchange material, wherein a plurality of the first carbon particles has a particle size less than about 75 nm, or less than about 50 nm, or less than about 25 nm. | 08-01-2013 |
20130216700 | MANUFACTURING METHOD OF ELECTRODE CATALYST LAYER - The invention includes a manufacturing method of an electrode catalyst layer which contains a polymer electrolyte, a catalyst and carbon particles and achieves a high power generation performance even when an oxide of non-platinum is used as the catalyst. The method has a feature of including either a process of preliminarily embedding the catalyst in the polymer electrolyte or a process of preliminarily embedding the carbon particles in the polymer electrolyte. | 08-22-2013 |
20130224371 | Method of Manufacturing Electrodes using Carbon nanotube Sheets - Growing spin-capable multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) forests in a repeatable fashion will become possible through understanding the critical factors affecting the forest growth. Here we show that the spinning capability depends on the alignment of adjacent MWCNTs in the forest which in turn results from the synergistic combination of a high areal density of MWCNTs and short distance between the MWCNTs. This can be realized by starting with both the proper Fe nanoparticle size and density which strongly depend on the sheet resistance of the catalyst film. Simple measurement of the sheet resistance can allow one to reliably predict the growth of spin-capable forests. The properties of pulled MWCNTs sheets reflect that there is a relationship between their electrical resistance and optical transmittance. Overlaying either 3, 5, or 10 sheets pulled out from a single forest produces much more repeatable characteristics. | 08-29-2013 |
20130230644 | Coatings for SOFC Metallic Interconnects - Various methods of treating a chromium iron interconnect for a solid oxide fuel cell stack and coating the interconnect with a ceramic layer are provided. | 09-05-2013 |
20130243943 | POROUS SOLID BACKBONE IMPREGNATION FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEMS - An apparatus and method for impregnating a porous solid backbone. The apparatus may include a platform for holding a porous solid backbone, an ink jet nozzle configured to dispense a liquid solution onto the porous solid backbone, a positioning mechanism configured to position the ink jet nozzle proximate to a plurality of locations of the porous solid backbone, and a control unit configured to control the positioning mechanism to position the ink jet nozzle proximate to the plurality of locations and cause the ink jet nozzle to dispense the liquid solution onto the porous solid backbone. | 09-19-2013 |
20130243944 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING HYDROGEN GENERATING APPARATUS - A method of manufacturing a hydrogen generating apparatus, the method including: forming an absorbent layer, the absorbent layer configured to absorb an aqueous solution; depositing a metal membrane over either side of the absorbent layer such that the absorbent layer is interposed between the metal membranes; and forming a support layer over one side of one of the metal membranes, the support layer configured to transport hydrogen generated by a reaction between the aqueous solution and the metal membrane. | 09-19-2013 |
20130280418 | FABRICATION METHOD OF ELECTROLYTE IMPREGNANTED CATHODES - Disclosed is a method for manufacturing an electrode, that is, a large-sized cathode, used for a molten carbonate fuel cell. In the disclosed method, a substrate and a pressure plate, used for electrolyte impregnation, are surface-treated so as to control the bending and cracking of the electrode during the impregnation of an electrolyte. | 10-24-2013 |
20130280419 | Novel catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction in fuel cells - A method for making a carbon-metal-nitrogen oxygen reducing cathode catalyst, the method comprising mixing a carbon source with a transition metal precursor to form a metal precursor loaded carbon substrate; adding a nitrogen precursor compound to the metal precursor loaded carbon substrate to form a carbon-metal-nitrogen precursor; and pyrolyzing the carbon-metal-nitrogen precursor in a closed vessel, thereby forming an oxygen reducing cathode catalyst. The carbon-metal-nitrogen catalyst requires no precious metal such as Pt, and also provides benefits such as controlled deposition of catalytically active nitrogenous compounds that can increase the catalytic activity of the catalyst when compared to gaseous deposition of nitrogen to the surface of the carbon support. | 10-24-2013 |
20130302516 | ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY FOR A SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME - An electrode assembly for a solid oxide fuel cell, the electrode assembly including a porous ceramic oxide matrix and an array of fluid conduits. The porous ceramic oxide matrix includes a labyrinth of reinforcing walls interconnected to one another. Each of the fluid conduits is formed from the porous ceramic oxide matrix and has an external surface with a plurality of struts projecting outwardly therefrom and an internal surface defining a first passage for flowing a first fluid therethrough. The struts are configured to connect the fluid conduits to one another and the external surfaces and the struts define a second passage around the fluid conduits for flowing a second fluid therethrough. | 11-14-2013 |
20130316075 | CATHODE FOR FUEL CELL HAVING TWO KINDS OF WATER-REPELLENCY AND METHOD OF PREPARING THE SAME AND MEMBRANE ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY AND FUEL CELL COMPRISING SAME - A cathode for a fuel cell includes a gas diffusion layer contacting with a separator having a channel and a catalyst layer interposed between the gas diffusion layer and an electrolyte membrane. The catalyst layer of the cathode has two portions with different water-repelling properties, and a portion of the catalyst layer that does not face a channel has a higher water-repelling property than a portion that faces a channel. This cathode controls a water-repelling property of the catalyst layer differently according to locations, so it is possible to keep an amount of moisture in an electrode in a suitable way and to restrain generation of flooding, thereby improving the performance of the cell. | 11-28-2013 |
20140010953 | SINTERING ADDITIVES FOR CERAMIC DEVICES OBTAINABLE IN A LOW pO2 ATMOSPHERE - The present invention provides a method for producing a ceramic device in a low pO | 01-09-2014 |
20140072702 | INKJET PRINTING OF DENSE AND POROUS CERAMIC LAYERS ONTO POROUS SUBSTRATES FOR MANUFACTURE OF CERAMIC ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICES - The present invention relates to a segmented-in-series fuel cell and a method for making the same. The present invention uses an inkjet printer to apply layers of the fuel cell to a substrate, which allows for a controlled application of the fuel cell layers to the substrate. The present invention also discloses an ink material for use in the segmented-in-series fuel cells and a method for making the same. | 03-13-2014 |
20140093639 | Fuel Cell Component With Coating Including Nanoparticles - A product comprising a fuel cell component comprising a substrate and a coating overlying the substrate, the coating comprising nanoparticles having sizes ranging from 2 to 100 nanometers. | 04-03-2014 |
20140120247 | METHOD FOR FABRICATING A NICKEL-CERMET ELECTRODE - A method for fabricating a nickel-cermet electrode that includes steps of formation of a mixture containing an organic nickel salt in solid state and at least one ceramic material in solid state at ambient temperature, followed by shaping of the mixture and heat treatment of the shaped mixture, preferably under reducing conditions, to form the nickel-cermet electrode. The organic nickel salt is chosen from a nickel acetate, a nickel carbonate and a nickel tartrate. | 05-01-2014 |
20140178575 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING FINE CATALYST PARTICLES, METHOD FOR PRODUCING CARBON-SUPPORTED FINE CATALYST PARTICLES, METHOD FOR PRODUCING CATALYST MIX AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING ELECTRODE - An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing fine catalyst particles, a method for producing carbon-supported fine catalyst particles, a method for producing a catalyst mix, and a method for producing an electrode, all of which are configured to inhibit, when used in fuel cells, etc., performance deterioration during operation at especially high temperature. Disclosed is a method for producing fine catalyst particles each comprising a core particle and an outermost layer, the core particle containing palladium and the outermost layer containing platinum and covering the core particle, the method comprising the steps of: preparing palladium-containing particles; preparing an acid solution configured to dissolve palladium more preferentially than platinum; covering each palladium-containing particle with an outermost layer containing platinum; and bringing the palladium-containing particles each covered with the outermost layer into contact with the acid solution. | 06-26-2014 |
20140186523 | SLOT DIE COATING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING MEMBRANE ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY - Disclosed herein is a slot die coating apparatus and method for manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly. The apparatus is configured to discharge a mixture of a plurality of different types of catalytic slurries, to coat portions of an electrode with the different types of catalytic slurries. The apparatus includes a slot die coater head that is configured to receive different types of catalytic slurries and discharge a mixture of the catalytic slurries. In addition, the apparatus includes a catalytic slurry module that is configured to supply the different types of catalytic slurries to the slot die coater head. | 07-03-2014 |
20140220237 | METHODS FOR FABRICATING INORGANIC PROTON-CONDUCTING COATINGS FOR FUEL-CELL MEMBRANES - The present invention provides methods for fabricating a fuel cell membrane structure that can dramatically reduce fuel crossover, thereby improving fuel cell efficiency and power output. Preferred composite membrane structures include an inorganic layer situated between the anode layer and the proton-exchange membrane. The inorganic layer can conduct protons in unhydrated form, rather than as hydronium ions, which reduces fuel crossover. Some methods of this invention include certain coating steps to effectively deposit an inorganic layer on an organic proton-exchange membrane. | 08-07-2014 |
20140272114 | Abrasion Resistant Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Electrode Ink - A method for forming a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes co-firing the anode and cathode electrode layers, which involves placing an unfired anode onto a surface during the cathode print cycle. To avoid damage to the electrolyte and cathode production cycle by the green anode ink, an abrasion resistant ink is used to print the anode electrode layer. | 09-18-2014 |
20140302231 | METHOD FOR PREPARING A MATERIAL ON A SUBSTRATE BY SOL-GEL MEANS - The invention relates to a method for preparing a material based on metal element(s) oxide(s) on a substrate, comprising the following successive steps:
| 10-09-2014 |
20150099062 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING FILM ELECTRODE - A method for manufacturing a film electrode is disclosed, which comprises the following steps: (A) providing a polymer substrate, and forming a micro-structure array comprising a plurality of micro holes on the polymer substrate; and (B) depositing sequentially an electron-conductive layer, a catalyst layer, and a proton exchange membrane on the array comprising a plurality of micro holes to form a film electrode; wherein the aspect ratio of the plurality of micro holes is ranging from 2:1 to 5:1. | 04-09-2015 |
20150099063 | METHOD OF PRODUCING LAYERS FOR SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS - A method of forming layers of a solid oxide fuel cell. The method begins by pumping a volume of a slip form a slip reservoir to a separator reservoir. A separator and a blade are provided upon a carrier to form the separator reservoir with a gap formed between the blade and the carrier. The carrier is operated so that the carrier is transported from the separator to the blade. A layer of slip is then deposited from the separator reservoir onto the carrier. The layer of slip is then dried on the carrier. | 04-09-2015 |
20150125594 | FUEL CELL MEMBRANE ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY WITH MULTILAYER CATHODE - Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies are provided having multilayer cathodes, where a first layer of the cathode which is more proximate to the polymer electrolyte membrane is more hydrophilic than a second more distal layer of the cathode. In some embodiments, the first layer includes a polymer electrolyte having a lower equivalent weight than a polymer electrolyte included in the second layer. | 05-07-2015 |
20150140204 | FUEL CELL SEPARATOR AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME - A separator is provided that has a metal substrate and a conductive resin layer on the surface of the metal substrate. The conductive resin layer contains a resin and a conductive substance dispersed in the resin. The separator is configured such that the proportion of the conductive substance to the resin increases continuously from the metal substrate toward the surface of the separator. | 05-21-2015 |
20160064741 | ELECTRODE DESIGN WITH OPTIMAL IONOMER CONTENT FOR POLYMER ELECTROLYTE MEMBRANE FUEL CELL - A method of making a membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell, a membrane electrode assembly, a fuel cell and a fuel cell system. The method includes preferentially adsorbing an ionomer and electrocatalyst mixture onto the surface of a porous fuel cell substrate by appropriate treatment of the mixture prior to or contemporaneous with placement of the mixture onto the substrate. This promotes retention of the ionomer-coated electrocatalyst at or near the surface of the substrate where catalytic activity between it and a proton exchange membrane is designed to take place. Retention of the ionomer-coated electrocatalyst near these interfacial regions by the present invention is preferable to having the ionomer and electrocatalyst be significantly absorbed into the substrate. | 03-03-2016 |
20160087284 | CATALYST LAYER FORMING METHOD AND CATALYST LAYER FORMING APPARATUS - An electrolyte membrane for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell is sent out from an unwinding roller and wound around a winding roller to be transported continuously at a constant speed in a roll-to-roll mode. Two stages of drying processes are performed on a catalyst ink layer applied to a surface of an electrolyte membrane with a backsheet in a first drying furnace and a second drying furnace. The first drying furnace blows a hot air of a first temperature lower than a glass transition temperature of the electrolyte membrane to evaporate a solvent from the catalyst ink layer. The second drying furnace blows a hot air of a second temperature higher than the first temperature and also higher than a glass transition temperature of a to-be-formed catalyst layer to turn the catalyst ink layer into a catalyst layer. | 03-24-2016 |
20160133980 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL MANUFACTURING METHOD AND DISPENSER APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING SAME - To provide a method of manufacturing a solid oxide fuel cell, capable of obtaining a uniform film thickness. The present invention is a method of manufacturing fuel cells ( | 05-12-2016 |
20160172702 | ELECTROLYTE SUPPORTED CELL DESIGNED FOR LONGER LIFE AND HIGHER POWER | 06-16-2016 |
20160197354 | PASTE FOR DIFFUSION LAYER FORMATION AND PRODUCTION METHOD THEREOF AND PRODUCTION METHOD OF GAS DIFFUSION LAYER | 07-07-2016 |
20160254550 | MANUFACTURING METHOD AND MANUFACTURING APPARATUS OF GAS DIFFUSION LAYER FOR FUEL CELL | 09-01-2016 |
20190148738 | METHODS OF FABRICATING SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS | 05-16-2019 |