Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080199753 | Fluorine Treatment of Polyelectrolyte Membranes - A method for providing a polymer electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell that includes treating a hydrocarbon polymer membrane with fluorine to increase its acidity and acid content. Fluorine gas is mixed with an inert gas to dilute the fluorine so that it does not burn the hydrocarbon membrane. The mixed gas is introduced into a container in which the hydrocarbon membrane is mounted so that fluorine is deposited on the membrane. The gas is introduced into the container at a slow enough rate so that the fluorine does not burn the membrane. | 08-21-2008 |
20080199810 | HIGH PERFORMANCE CURABLE POLYMERS AND PROCESSES FOR THE PREPARATION THEREOF - Disclosed is a composition which comprises a polymer containing at least some monomer repeat units with photosensitivity-imparting substituents which enable crosslinking or chain extension of the polymer upon exposure to actinic radiation, said polymer being of the formula | 08-21-2008 |
20080261102 | SULFONATED-PERFLUOROCYCLOBUTANE POLYELECTROLYTE MEMBRANES FOR FUEL CELLS - A process for preparing a polymer comprising sulfonating a perfluorocyclobutane polymer with a sulfonating agent to form a sulfonated perfluorocyclobutane polymer, wherein the sulfonating agent comprises oleum, SO | 10-23-2008 |
20080318110 | THERMOPLASTIC BIPOLAR PLATE - A method of manufacturing a fuel cell bipolar plate comprising first and second thermoformed plates. The thermoformed plates comprise at least one thermoplastic polymer. The method includes providing film cast resin mixture and forming it into a substantially flat sheet having first and second opposing major surfaces. The sheet may be preheated to a predetermined temperature and thermoformed thereby creating separator plates of a desired size and shape. First and second plates are joined to form an integral bipolar plate. | 12-25-2008 |
20090181276 | METHOD OF MAKING A PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE USING A GAS DIFFUSION ELECTRODE AS A SUBSTRATE - One embodiment includes a method comprising providing a first catalyst coated gas diffusion media layer, depositing a wet first proton exchange membrane layer over the first catalyst coated gas diffusion media layer to form a first proton exchange membrane layer; providing a second catalyst coated gas diffusion media layer; contacting the second catalyst coated gas diffusion media layer, or second proton exchange membrane layer, with the first proton exchange membrane layer; and hot pressing together the catalyst coated diffusion layers and proton exchange membrane layer(s). | 07-16-2009 |
20090278083 | POLYELECTROLYTE MEMBRANES COMPRISED OF BLENDS OF PFSA AND SULFONATED PFCB POLYMERS - A polymer blend useful as an ion conductor in fuel cells includes a first polymer having a cyclobutyl moiety and a second polymer include a sulfonic acid group. | 11-12-2009 |
20090278091 | SULFONATED PERFLUOROCYCLOBUTANE BLOCK COPOLYMERS AND PROTON CONDUCTIVE POLYMER MEMBRANES - A sulfonated aromatic perfluorocyclobutane block copolymer comprises a hydrophobic perfluorocyclobutane ether chain segment and a hydrophilic sulfonated perfluorocyclobutane ether chain segment. The sulfonated perfluorocyclobutane copolymer may be used to make proton conductive membranes and membrane electrode assemblies in fuel cells. Processes of making the block copolymer through thermal coupling reactions are also disclosed. | 11-12-2009 |
20090280382 | COMPOSITE MEMBRANE - A composite membrane for fuel cell applications includes a support substrate with a predefined void volume. The void volume is at least partially filled with an ion conducting polymer composition. Characteristically, the ion conducting polymer composition includes a first polymer with a cyclobutyl moiety and a second polymer that is different than the first polymer. | 11-12-2009 |
20090280383 | BLENDED PEM'S WITH ELASTOMERS FOR IMPROVED MECHANICAL DURABILITY - A blend composition comprises a fluorine-containing polymer electrolyte and a fluoro-rubber. An electrolyte membrane may be prepared from the blend composition. The electrolyte membrane may be used in electrochemical cells such as electrolyzers, batteries and fuel cells. | 11-12-2009 |
20090281245 | NOVEL PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANES FOR FUEL CELL APPLICATIONS - A proton conductive graft polymer comprises at least a structure unit of a sulfonated polymer side chain covalently attached to a hydrophobic perfluorocyclobutane polymer main chain. The sulfonated condensation polymer side chain has a high local ion exchange capacity while the main polymer chain is substantially free of sulfonic acid group. A membrane made from the graft polymer can provide good mechanical properties and high proton conductivity at wide range of humidity and temperatures. | 11-12-2009 |
20090281262 | PROTON CONDUCTIVE POLYMER ELECTROLYTES AND FUEL CELLS - In one embodiment, a copolymer comprises a sulfonatable segment covalently linked to an un-sulfonatable segment through an organic linking group. The sulfonatable group segment may be sulfonated through direction sulfonation or sulfonation through a spacer molecule. In another embodiment, a copolymer comprises a sulfonated segment and an unsulfonated segment. A membrane electrode assembly and a fuel cell may be produced using the copolymer. | 11-12-2009 |
20090281270 | SULFONATED-POLYPERFLUORO-CYCLOBUTANE-POLYPHENLENE POLYMERS FOR PEM FUEL CELL APPLICATIONS - A polymer for ion conductor applications includes a polymer segment having a perfluorocyclobutyl moiety and a polymer segment not having such a moiety. One of these polymer segments is sulfonated to improve ionic conductivity. Fuel cells incorporating the ion conducting polymers are provided. | 11-12-2009 |
20100044616 | BLENDS OF LOW EQUIVALENT MOLECULAR WEIGHT PFSA IONOMERS WITH KYNAR 2751 - A polymer blend useful as an ion conductor in fuel cells includes a first polymer that includes a non-ionic segment and a second polymer that includes a sulfonic acid group. | 02-25-2010 |
20100047657 | GRADIENT REINFORCED PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE - An ion conducting polymeric structure suitable for fuel cell applications is provided. The polymeric structure comprises a non-homogenous polymeric layer. The non-homogeneous layer is a blend of a first polymer comprising cyclobutyl moiety; and a second polymer having a non-ionic polymer segment. The weight ratio of the first polymer to the second polymer varies as a function of position within the non-homogenous layer. The blend composition may be cast into an electrolyte membrane that can be used to prepare electrochemical cells such as batteries and fuel cells. | 02-25-2010 |
20110045381 | Hydrocarbon PEM Membranes with Perfluorosulfonic Acid Groups for Automotive Fuel Cells - A solid electrochemical cell membrane composition comprises a hydrocarbon polymeric main chain and a perfluorinated superacid side group. A method of producing the membrane composition is also disclosed. | 02-24-2011 |
20110053007 | PERFLUOROCYCLOBUTANE BASED WATER VAPOR TRANSFER MEMBRANES - A membrane humidifier assembly includes a first flow field plate adapted to facilitate flow of a first gas thereto and a second flow field plate adapted to facilitate flow of a second gas thereto. A polymeric membrane is disposed between the first and second flow fields and adapted to permit transfer of water from the first flow field plate to the second flow field plate. The polymeric membrane includes a polymer having perfluorocyclobutyl groups. | 03-03-2011 |
20110053008 | WATER VAPOR TRANSFER MEMBRANE AND PAPER INTEGRATED ASSEMBLY - A membrane humidifier assembly includes a first flow field plate adapted to facilitate flow of a first gas thereto and a second flow field plate adapted to facilitate flow of a second gas thereto. A polymeric membrane is disposed between the first and second flow fields. The polymeric membrane is adapted to permit transfer of water between the first flow field plate and the second flow field plate. The polymeric membrane includes a polymeric substrate and a polymer layer disposed on the polymeric substrate. The polymer layer characteristically includes a first polymer having fluorinated cyclobutyl groups disposed on the polymeric substrate. | 03-03-2011 |
20110053009 | CUSTOMIZED WATER VAPOR TRANSFER MEMBRANE LAYERED STRUCTURE - A membrane humidifier assembly includes a first flow field plate adapted to facilitate flow of a first gas thereto and a second flow field plate adapted to facilitate flow of a second gas thereto. A polymeric membrane is disposed between the first and second flow fields. The polymeric membrane is adapted to permit transfer of water between the first flow field plate and the second flow field plate. The polymeric membrane includes a polymeric substrate and a polymer layer disposed on the polymeric substrate. The polymer layer characteristically includes a first polymer having fluorinated cyclobutyl groups disposed on the polymeric substrate. | 03-03-2011 |
20110053010 | PERFLUOROCYCLOBUTANE BASED WATER VAPOR TRANSFER MEMBRANES WITH SIDE CHAIN PERFLUOROSULFONIC ACID MOIETIES - A membrane humidifier assembly includes a first flow field plate adapted to facilitate flow of a first gas thereto and a second flow field plate adapted to facilitate flow of a second gas thereto. A polymeric membrane is disposed between the first and second flow fields and adapted to permit transfer of water from the first flow field plate to the second flow field plate. The polymeric membrane includes a polymer having perfluorocyclobutyl groups and a pendant side chain having a protogenic group. | 03-03-2011 |
20110053035 | Sodium Stannate Additive to Improve the Durability of PEMS for H2/Air Fuel Cells - An ion conducting membrane for fuel cell applications includes an ion conducting polymer and a tin-containing compound at least partially dispersed within the ion conducting polymer. The ion conducting membranes exhibit improved performance over membranes not incorporating such tin-containing compounds. | 03-03-2011 |
20110053036 | Polyelectrolyte Membranes Made Of Poly(Perfluorocyclobutanes) With Pendant Perfluorosulfonic Acid Groups and Blends With Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride) - A polymer useful as an ion conductor in fuel cells includes a perfluorocyclobutyl moiety and pendant PFSA side groups. The polymer is made by a variation of the Ullmann reaction. Ion conducting membranes incorporating the polymer are provided. | 03-03-2011 |
20110053037 | BIFUNCTIONAL MEMBRANE FOR USE IN MEMBRANE ELECTRODE ASSEMBLIES WITH INTEGRATED WATER VAPOR TRANSFER ZONES - A fuel cell includes a first flow field plate defining at least one flow field channel. A cathode catalyst layer is disposed over at least a portion of the first flow field plate. A polymeric ion conducting membrane is disposed over cathode catalyst layer. An anode catalyst layer is disposed over the polymeric ion conducting membrane. Finally, a second flow field plate defining at least one flow field channel is disposed over the anode catalyst layer. The polymeric ion conducting membrane extends beyond the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer such that the fuel cell has at least one peripheral region with the polymeric catalyst layer interposed between first flow field plate and the second flow field plate without the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer. | 03-03-2011 |
20110053038 | CO(II)TETRAMETHOXYPHENYLPORPHYRIN ADDITIVE TO PFSA PEMS FOR IMPROVED FUEL CELL DURABILITY - An ion conducting membrane for fuel cell applications includes an ion conducting polymer and a porphyrin-containing compound at least partially dispersed within the ion conducting polymer. The ion conducting membranes exhibit improved performance over membranes not incorporating such porphyrin-containing compounds. | 03-03-2011 |
20110054050 | ION EXCHANGE MEMBRANE HAVING LAMELLAR MORPHOLOGY AND PROCESS OF MAKING THE SAME - An ion exchange membrane is prepared from a block copolymer comprising a hydrophobic polymer segment and a polar polymer segment. The ion exchange membrane is formed by placing a film layer in steam, water or an electric field at a temperature greater than about 40° C. for sufficient amount of time to develop a bicontinuous morphology. The ion exchange membrane is also formed from a film layer comprising a block copolymer and a solvent. The film layer is placed in an electric field at an elevated temperature and dried therein. The film layer is thereby converted into an ion exchange membrane with bicontinuous morphology. The ion exchange membrane prepared according to these processes exhibits improved mechanical and electrochemical properties. | 03-03-2011 |
20110117472 | POLYMER DISPERSANT ADDITION TO FUEL CELL ELECTRODE INKS FOR IMPROVED MANUFACTURABILITY - An ink composition for forming a fuel cell electrode includes a catalyst composition, a polymeric binder, a polymeric dispersant, and a solvent. The polymeric dispersant includes a perfluorocyclobutyl-containing polymer. | 05-19-2011 |
20110151333 | LITHIUM ION BATTERY - In a lithium ion battery, one or more chelating agents may be attached to a microporous polymer separator for placement between a negative electrode and a positive electrode or to a polymer binder material used to construct the negative electrode, the positive electrode, or both. The chelating agents may comprise, for example, at least one of a crown ether, a podand, a lariat ether, a calixarene, a calixcrown, or mixtures thereof. The chelating agents can help improve the useful life of the lithium ion battery by complexing with unwanted metal cations that may become present in the battery's electrolyte solution while, at the same time, not significantly interfering with the movement of lithium ions between the negative and positive electrodes. | 06-23-2011 |
20110159404 | Polyolefin Support to Prevent Dielectric Breakdown in PEMS - A fuel cell includes a first catalyst layer and a second catalyst layer. An ion conducting membrane is interposed between the first and second catalyst layers. The ion conducting layer includes a polyolefin support structure and an ion conducting polymer at least partially penetrating the polyolefin support structure. A set of electrically conducting flow field plates are in communication with the first and second catalyst layers. | 06-30-2011 |
20110159405 | Hydrophilic Polyelectrolyte Membranes Containing Poly(Vinyl Acetate) and Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) - An ion conducting membrane for fuel cell applications includes a combination of a polyvinyl polymer and an ion conducting polymer that is different than the polyvinyl polymer. The ion conducting membrane of this embodiment is able to operate in fuel cells at elevated temperatures with minimal external humidification. A fuel cell incorporating the ion conducting membrane between a first and second catalyst layer is also provided. | 06-30-2011 |
20110165459 | LITHIUM ION BATTERY - In a lithium ion battery, one or more chelating agents may be attached to a microporous polymer separator for placement between a negative electrode and a positive electrode or to a polymer binder material used to construct the negative electrode, the positive electrode, or both. The chelating agents may comprise, for example, at least one of a crown ether, a podand, a lariat ether, a calixarene, a calixcrown, or mixtures thereof. The chelating agents can help improve the useful life of the lithium ion battery by complexing with unwanted metal cations that may become present in the battery's electrolyte solution while, at the same time, not significantly interfering with the movement of lithium ions between the negative and positive electrodes. | 07-07-2011 |
20110165497 | Method for Mitigating Fuel Cell Chemical Degradation - A composite membrane for fuel cell applications includes a support substrate with a predefined void volume. The void volume is at least partially filled with an ion conducting polymer composition that includes an additive that inhibits polymer degradation. Characteristically, the ion conducting polymer composition includes a first polymer with a cyclobutyl moiety and a second polymer that is different than the first polymer. | 07-07-2011 |
20110229797 | Sulfonated-Perfluorocyclobutane Polyelectrolyte Membranes for Fuel Cells - A process for preparing a polymer comprising sulfonating a perfluorocyclobutane polymer with a sulfonating agent to form a sulfonated perfluorocyclobutane polymer, wherein the sulfonating agent comprises oleum, SO | 09-22-2011 |
20110256467 | Cobalt(II) Tetramethoxyphenylporphyrin (CoTMPP) Ionomer Stabilization to Prevent Electrode Degradation - A membrane/electrode assembly for fuel cell applications includes an ion conducting polymer and a porphyrin-containing compound at least partially dispersed within the ion conducting polymer, a first electrode and a second electrode. At least one of the first and second electrodes also includes the porphyrin-containing compound. The membrane/electrode assembly exhibits improved performance over membrane/electrode assembly not incorporating such porphyrin-containing compounds. | 10-20-2011 |
20110257278 | COMBINATION OF MAIN-CHAIN AND SIDE-CHAIN SULFONATION OF PFCB-6F HIGH-TEMPERATURE FUEL CELL MEMBRANES - A polymer useful as an ion conducting membrane for fuel cell applications includes both main chain and side chain protogenic groups. Methods for preparing the polymer include addition of the side chains both before and after addition of the protogenic groups. | 10-20-2011 |
20110281195 | FUEL CELL ADHESIVE AND PROCESS OF MAKING THE SAME - A fuel cell adhesive comprises a polyolefin adhesive having a bonding strength sufficient to adhere two fuel cell stack components together. The bonding strength of the polyolefin adhesive is less than the cohesive strength of any of the fuel cell stack components such that two adhesively bonded fuel cell stack components can be easily separated and re-joined without causing any mechanical damages to the fuel cell stack components. The polyolefin adhesive may be prepared by polymerizing at least an α-olefin monomer in the presence of a molecular weight controlling agent. | 11-17-2011 |
20120082893 | LITHIUM ION BATTERY - One embodiment may include a lithium ion battery, wherein one or more chelating agents may be attached to a battery component | 04-05-2012 |
20120102725 | Battery Separator - Resinous fibers of nanometer to micrometer width dimensions are drawn from a multi-component system by a melt extrusion process. The process includes a step of combining a fiber resin with a water-soluble carrier resin to form a resinous mixture. The resinous mixture is extruded to form an extruded resinous mixture, the extruded resinous mixture having strands of the fiber resin with the carrier resin. The extruded resinous mixture is then contacted with water to separate the strands of the fiber resin from the carrier resin. A fibrous sheet is then formed from the strands of fiber resin. The fibrous sheets are useful in filtration, as battery separators in Li ion batteries and as diffusion layers in fuel cells. | 05-03-2012 |
20120115066 | METHOD FOR STABILIZING POLYELECTROLYTE MEMBRANE FILMS USED IN FUEL CELLS - A novel method of altering extruded membrane films for PEM (polymer electrolyte membrane) fuel cells in such a manner that the membrane films swell substantially uniformly in both the in-plane x and y directions when immersed in water or ionomer solution is disclosed. The invention includes cutting a membrane film from an extruded membrane sheet in a diagonal orientation with respect to the membrane process direction of the membrane sheet. The membrane film exhibits reduced internal stress as compared to conventionally-prepared membrane films and allows a more even distribution of pressure in a fuel cell stack, thereby reducing the incidence of swollen membrane-induced failure mechanisms in the fuel cell stack. | 05-10-2012 |
20120122011 | Nano-Fibers for Electrical Power Generation - A fibrous sheet for fuel cell or battery applications is formed by electrospinning a fluorinated ion-conducting polymer solution to form an agglomeration of fibers. | 05-17-2012 |
20120135332 | FUEL CELLS HAVING IMPROVED DURABILITY - A fuel cell or a fuel cell stack component comprises an active area and a non-active area. A peroxide decomposing metal compound or metal alloy is disposed in or on the non-active area of a fuel cell or a fuel cell component. The metal compound or alloy is capable of providing a peroxide decomposing metal species that can migrate from the non-active area to an active area of a fuel cell. A fuel cell or membrane electrode assembly having a peroxide decomposing metal compound or alloy disposed in its non-active area exhibits improved durability. | 05-31-2012 |
20120141912 | FUEL CELL STACK COMPRISING AN IMPERMEABLE COATING - A fuel cell comprises a substantially contaminant free and contaminant impermeable coating disposed on at least one of a cathode, an anode, a gasket, an insulator plate, a cooler plate, a bipolar plate, a gas diffusion media layer, a polymer electrolyte membrane, an end plate, a tie-bolt, and a gas flow manifold. A process of producing a fuel cell and a fuel cell stack component are also disclosed. | 06-07-2012 |
20120189942 | ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY WITH INTEGRATED REINFORCEMENT LAYER - An electrode assembly and a method of making an electrode assembly. One embodiment of the method includes coating an ionomer solution onto a catalyst coated diffusion media to form a wet ionomer layer, and applying a porous reinforcement layer to the wet ionomer layer such that the wet ionomer layer at least partially impregnates the reinforcement layer. Drying the wet ionomer layer with the impregnated reinforcement layer and joining it to the catalyst coated diffusion media forms an assembly that includes an integrally-reinforced proton exchange membrane layer. This layer may be additionally joined to other ionomer layers and other catalyst coated diffusion media such that a membrane electrode assembly is formed. | 07-26-2012 |
20120214882 | Poly(Perfluorocyclobutane) Ionomer with Phosphonic Acid Groups for High Temperature Fuel Cells - A polymer for ion conductor applications includes a polymer segment having a perfluorocyclobutyl moiety and a phosphonated aryl group and a polymer segment a perfluorocyclobutyl moiety without phosphonated aryl group. The polymer is formed into an ion conducting membrane for fuel cell applications. | 08-23-2012 |
20120217661 | SEPARATOR ROLL MEMBRANE COATING FOR FUEL CELL HUMIDIFIER - A water vapor transfer unit with separator plates and a method of making the same. In such an assembly, an ionomer coating that facilitates moisture transfer from a moisture-rich flowpath to a moisture-deficient flowpath and an underlying separator may both be prepared from continuous, roll-based methods. The ionomer may be applied to a separator assembly as the last processing step such that the handling of the fragile membrane is kept to a minimum. | 08-30-2012 |
20130022894 | ePTFE-Supported Polyelectrolyte Membranes Made with Ionomer-Kynar Blends - A composite membrane for fuel cells includes an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene substrate having a predefined void volume, a first polymer and a second polymer each of which fill at least a portion of the void volume. The first polymer includes the following chemical moiety: | 01-24-2013 |
20130022895 | Membrane with Laminated Structure and Orientation Controlled Nanofiber Reinforcement Additives for Fuel Cells - An ion-conducting membrane for fuel cell applications a first layer including a first ion-conducting polymer and nanofibers dispersed therein. The first layer includes a first side and a second side. A second layer is disposed over the first side of the first layer and includes a second ion-conducting polymer without nanofibers. | 01-24-2013 |
20130062278 | METHOD OF PREPARING A WATER VAPOR TRANSFER MEMBRANE - A method of making a water vapor transport membrane is described. The method can include providing two sheets, each sheet comprising a support layer with an ionomer layer thereon; applying a solvent to at least one sheet; and contacting the ionomer layers of the two sheets to form a composite membrane comprising a composite ionomer layer between the two support layers. A composite membrane is also described. | 03-14-2013 |
20130071742 | LITHIUM ION BATTERIES - A lithium ion battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a microporous polymer separator soaked in an electrolyte solution. The microporous polymer separator is disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. An ion exchange polymer material is any of i) incorporated as a binder in any of the positive electrode or the negative electrode, ii) deposited onto a surface of any of the positive electrode or the negative electrode, iii) incorporated into the microporous polymer separator, or iv) deposited onto a surface of the microporous polymer separator. Examples of methods for making the ion exchange polymer material for use in the lithium ion batteries are also disclosed herein. | 03-21-2013 |
20130084516 | Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Additive to Polyelectrolyte Membrane - An ion-conducting membrane for fuel cells includes an ion-conducting polymer having protogenic groups and poly(methyl methacrylate). Characteristically, the ion-conducting layer is planar having a thickness from 1 microns to 200 microns. A membrane electrode assembly includes the ion-conducting membrane interposed between a cathode layer and an anode layer. | 04-04-2013 |
20130087936 | WATER VAPOR TRANSPORT MEMBRANE - A water vapor transport membrane for a membrane humidifier and a method for making the water vapor transport membrane are described. | 04-11-2013 |
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 |
20130171528 | Organo-Copper Reagents for Attaching Perfluorosulfonic Acid Groups to Polyolefins - An ion conducting membrane for fuel cells involves coupling a compound having a sulfonic acid group with a polymeric backbone. Each of the compounds having a sulfonic acid group and the polymeric backbone are first functionalized with a halogen. | 07-04-2013 |
20130183582 | LITHIUM ION BATTERY - A lithium ion battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a microporous polymer separator disposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, and a polymer having a chelating agent tethered thereto. The polymer is incorporated into the lithium ion battery such that the chelating agent complexes with metal cations in a manner sufficient to not affect movement of lithium ions across the microporous polymer separator during operation of the lithium ion battery. | 07-18-2013 |
20130202986 | REINFORCED ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY - A fuel cell, a reinforced membrane electrode assembly and a method of fabricating a reinforced membrane electrode assembly. The method comprises depositing an electrode ink onto a first substrate to form a first electrode layer, applying a first porous reinforcement layer on a surface of the first electrode layer to form a first catalyst coated substrate, depositing a first ionomer solution onto the first catalyst coated substrate to form a first ionomer layer, and applying a membrane porous reinforcement layer on a surface of the first ionomer layer to form a reinforced membrane layer. | 08-08-2013 |
20130202987 | Multi-Layer Polyelectrolyte Membranes - A multilayer polyelectrolyte membrane for fuel cell applications includes a first perfluorocyclobutyl-containing layer that includes a polymer having perfluorocyclobutyl moieties. The first layer is characteristically planar having a first major side and a second major side over which additional layers are disposed. The membrane also includes a first PFSA layer disposed over the first major side of the first layer and a second PFSA layer disposed over the second major side of the first layer. | 08-08-2013 |
20130260279 | Rubber Crack Mitigants in Polyelectrolyte Membranes - A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell includes an anode catalyst layer, a cathode catalyst layer, and an ion conducting membrane. The ion conducting membrane is interposed between the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer. The ion conducting membrane includes an ion conducting polymer having sulfonic acid groups and rubber particulates. Characteristically, the rubber particulates have an average spatial dimension less than about 600 nanometers. A fuel cell incorporating the membrane electrode assembly is also provided. | 10-03-2013 |
20130260287 | Partly Fluorinated Polyolefins by Ziegler-Natta Polymerization - A method of forming a polymer includes a step of polymerizing a compound having formula 1 with a Ziegler-Natta catalyst to form a polymer having formula 2: | 10-03-2013 |
20130288158 | CO(II)TETRAMETHOXYPHENYLPORPHYRIN ADDITIVE TO PFSA PEMS FOR IMPROVED FUEL CELL DURABILITY - An ion conducting membrane for fuel cell applications includes an ion conducting polymer and a porphyrin-containing compound at least partially dispersed within the ion conducting polymer. The ion conducting membranes exhibit improved performance over membranes not incorporating such porphyrin-containing compounds. | 10-31-2013 |
20130320583 | Diffusion Media and Method of Preparation - Resinous fibers of nanometer to micrometer width dimensions are drawn from a multi-component system by a melt extrusion process. The process includes a step of combining a fiber resin with a water-soluble carrier resin to form a resinous mixture. The resinous mixture is extruded to form an extruded resinous mixture, the extruded resinous mixture having strands of the fiber resin with the carrier resin. The extruded resinous mixture is then contacted with water to separate the strands of the fiber resin from the carrier resin. An electrically conductive fibrous sheet is then formed from the strands of fiber resin. The fibrous sheets are useful as diffusion layers in fuel cells. | 12-05-2013 |
20130327494 | Pt Nanotubes - A method for making hollow metal tubes includes a step combining a polyphenylene sulfide-containing resin with a water soluble carrier resin to form a resinous mixture. The resinous mixture is then extruded to form an extruded resinous mixture. The extruded resinous mixture includes polyphenylene sulfide-containing fibers within the carrier resin. The extruded resinous mixture is contacted (i.e., washed) with water to separate the polyphenylene sulfide-containing fibers from the carrier resin. The polyphenylene sulfide-containing fibers are then coated with a metal layer. The hollow metal tubes are then formed by removing the polyphenylene sulfide-containing fibers. | 12-12-2013 |
20130330653 | Novel PPS-S Membrane - A method for making hollow metal tubes includes a step combining a polyphenylene sulfide-containing resin with a water soluble carrier resin to form a resinous mixture. The resinous mixture is then extruded to form an extruded resinous mixture. The extruded resinous mixture includes polyphenylene sulfide-containing fibers within the carrier resin. The extruded resinous mixture is contacted (i.e., washed) with water to separate the polyphenylene sulfide-containing fibers from the carrier resin. The polyphenylene sulfide-containing fibers are then formed into a membrane. | 12-12-2013 |
20130330655 | Sulfonated PPS Fuel Cell Electrode - A method for making a fibrous layer for fuel cell applications includes a step of combining a polyphenylene sulfide-containing resin with a water soluble carrier resin to form a resinous mixture. The resinous mixture is then shaped to form a shaped resinous mixture. The shaped resinous mixture includes polyphenylene sulfide-containing structures within the carrier resin. The shaped resinous mixture is contacted (i.e., washed) with water to separate the polyphenylene sulfide-containing structures from the carrier resin. Optional protogenic groups and then a catalyst are added to the polyphenylene sulfide-containing structures. | 12-12-2013 |
20140045093 | Imbibing PolyPhenyleneSulfide (PPS) and Sulfonated-PPS Fibers with Ionomer - A metal electrode assembly includes a cathode catalyst layer, an anode catalyst layer, and an ion conducting membrane disposed between the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer. The ion conducting layer includes a polyphenylene sulfide mat with a first polymer imbibed therein. The polyphenylene sulfide mat includes the polyphenylene sulfide-containing structures. A method for forming the ion conducting layer is also provided. | 02-13-2014 |
20140045094 | PPS Membrane Reinforcing Material - A metal electrode assembly for a fuel cell includes a cathode catalyst layer, an anode catalyst layer, and an ion-conducting membrane disposed between the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer. The ion-conducting membrane includes a first polymer and polyphenylene sulfide-containing structures dispersed within the first polymer, the first polymer including protogenic groups. A method for making the ion-conducting membrane is also provided. | 02-13-2014 |
20140045095 | PPS Electrode Reinforcing Material/Crack Mitigant - A metal electrode assembly for fuel cell applications includes a cathode catalyst layer, an anode catalyst layer, and an ion-conducting membrane disposed between the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer. The cathode catalyst layer or the anode layer each independently including a catalyst composition and a first polymer wherein at least one of the cathode catalyst layer or the anode layer include a first polymer and polyphenylene sulfide-containing structures. A method for making a fuel cell catalyst layer is also provided. | 02-13-2014 |
20140065514 | Polyolefin-PFCB Ionomer - A method of making an ion conducting membrane includes a step of reacting a compound having formula 1 with a polymer having polymer segment 2: | 03-06-2014 |
20140068927 | Reverse Osmosis Membranes Made with PFSA Ionomer and ePTFE - A method for forming a membrane includes a step of dissolving a lithium salt in a solution including an ionomer that includes protogenic groups to form a modified solution. A membrane is formed from the solution containing the lithium salt and the ionomer that includes protogenic groups. The membrane is dried and then contacted with water to form a plurality of pores therein. | 03-13-2014 |
20140072900 | Metal Ionophores in PEM Membranes - A membrane electrode assembly for fuel cells includes a proton conducting membrane having a first side and a second side. The proton conducting membrane in turn includes a first polymer including cyclic polyether groups and a second polymer having sulfonic acid groups. The membrane electrode assembly further includes an anode disposed over the first side of the proton conducting layer and a cathode catalyst layer disposed over the second side of the proton conducting layer. | 03-13-2014 |
20140072901 | Crown Ether Containing PEM Electrode - A membrane electrode assembly for fuel cells includes a proton conducting membrane having a first side and a second side. The membrane electrode assembly further includes an anode disposed over the first side of the proton conducting layer and a cathode catalyst layer disposed over the second side of the proton conducting layer. One or both of the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer includes a first polymer which has cyclic polyether groups. An ink composition for forming a fuel cell catalyst layer is also provided. | 03-13-2014 |
20140080031 | Dual Layered ePTFE Polyelectrolyte Membranes - A supported membrane for fuel cell applications includes a first expanded polytetrafluoroethylene support and a second expanded polytetrafluoroethylene support. Both the first and second expanded polytetrafluoroethylene supports independently have pores with a diameter from about 0.1 to about 1 microns and a thickness from about 4 to 12 microns. The supported membrane also includes an ion conducting polymer adhering to the first expanded polytetrafluoroethylene support and the second expanded polytetrafluoroethylene support such that the membrane has a thickness from about 10 to 25 microns. | 03-20-2014 |
20140080080 | Annealed WVT Membranes to Impart Durability and Performance - A method for improving the chemical stability of a vapor transfer membrane includes providing a vapor transfer membrane including an ionomer layer having protogenic groups and then annealing the vapor transfer membrane at a temperature greater than about 100° C. Advantageously, the performance and durability of WVT membranes are markedly improved by thermally annealing the membranes. | 03-20-2014 |
20140113214 | PFCB Nanometer Scale Fibers - A method for making a fibrous layer for fuel cell applications includes a step of combining a perfuorocyclobutyl-containing resin with a water soluble carrier resin to form a resinous mixture. The resinous mixture is then shaped to form a shaped resinous mixture. The shaped resinous mixture includes perfuorocyclobutyl-containing structures within the carrier resin. The shaped resinous mixture is contacted (i.e., washed) with water to separate the perfuorocyclobutyl-containing structures from the carrier resin. Optional protogenic groups and then a catalyst are added to the perfuorocyclobutyl-containing structures. | 04-24-2014 |
20140242452 | LITHIUM ION BATTERY - A lithium-ion cell has a positive electrode comprising at least one active material comprising a lithium transition metal compound in a binder comprising at least one binder material with functional groups selected from alkali and alkaline earth salts of acid groups and hydroxyl groups, amine groups, isocyanate groups, urethane groups, urea groups, amide groups, and combinations of these; a negative electrode comprising metallic lithium or a lithium host material with appropriately low operation voltage vs. metallic lithium; a nonaqueous solution of a lithium salt; and an electrically nonconductive, ion-pervious separator positioned between the electrodes. | 08-28-2014 |
20140329143 | LITHIUM ION BATTERY - In a lithium ion battery, one or more chelating agents may be attached to a microporous polymer separator for placement between a negative electrode and a positive electrode or to a polymer binder material used to construct the negative electrode, the positive electrode, or both. The chelating agents may comprise, for example, at least one of a crown ether, a crown ether, a podand, a lariat ether, a calixarene, a calixcrown, or mixtures thereof. The chelating agents can help improve the useful life of the lithium ion battery by complexing with unwanted metal cations that may become present in the battery's electrolyte solution while, at the same time, not significantly interfering with the movement of lithium ions between the negative and positive electrodes. | 11-06-2014 |