An ion exchange membrane (52) for a fuel cell comprises a polymer having an acid functional group normally including protons, and having alkali metal ions partially ion-exchanged with the protons of the acid functional group of the membrane. The partial ion exchange of alkali metal ions into the membrane relates either to patterning of the exchanged ion make-up of the membrane, with some being ion exchanged and some not, or to the extent or concentration of the ion exchange in any particular location, or to both.

The electrochemical apparatus of the present disclosure includes a first stack that includes an oxide ion conductor as an electrolyte and decomposes water vapor to generate hydrogen and oxygen, a second stack that includes a proton conductor as an electrolyte and separates the hydrogen generated in the first stack from a gas mixture of the hydrogen and the water vapor that has not been decomposed in the first stack, and a heat insulation material that covers the first stack and the second stack.

Systems and methods are provided integrating an annular pre-reformer as part of an anode recuperator of a fuel cell system.

In order to provide a membrane electrode assembly that can further improve power generation performances of a fuel cell, the present invention allows a rib portion (22) that separates mutually adjacent gas flow passages (21) from each other to have a porosity lower than the porosity of a lower area (23) of the rib portion. Thus, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the rib portion and excessive permeation of a reaction gas, and consequently to further improve the power generation performances.

Provided is a one-pack type adhesive which contains (A) an epoxy resin, (B) a curing agent, (C) a curing accelerator, (D) an inorganic filler and (E) a polycarbodiimide compound, and wherein: the curing agent (B) contains at least one amine-based curing agent; the curing accelerator (C) contains at least one capsule type curing accelerator; the inorganic filler (D) contains at least one flake-like inorganic filler; and the content of the inorganic filler (D) is 10-200 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the epoxy resin (A).

Provided is a one-pack type adhesive which contains (A) an epoxy resin, (B) a curing agent, (C) a curing accelerator, (D) an inorganic filler and (E) a polycarbodiimide compound, and wherein: the curing agent (B) contains at least one amine-based curing agent; the curing accelerator (C) contains at least one capsule type curing accelerator; the inorganic filler (D) contains at least one flake-like inorganic filler; and the content of the inorganic filler (D) is 10-200 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the epoxy resin (A).

A system and method for emergency starting of a fuel cell vehicle is provided. In particular, a high-voltage converter, a balance of power (BOP), and a controller are included in the system. The high-voltage converter is configured such that one side thereof is connected to a high-voltage battery via a battery switch and the other side thereof is connected in parallel to a plurality of fuel cells. The BOP is connected in parallel to the high-voltage converter and the fuel cells. The controller is configured to control the power supplied from the high-voltage battery to the BOP without conversion by connecting the battery switch upon the failure of the high-voltage converter or high-voltage battery.

A system and method for emergency starting of a fuel cell vehicle is provided. In particular, a high-voltage converter, a balance of power (BOP), and a controller are included in the system. The high-voltage converter is configured such that one side thereof is connected to a high-voltage battery via a battery switch and the other side thereof is connected in parallel to a plurality of fuel cells. The BOP is connected in parallel to the high-voltage converter and the fuel cells. The controller is configured to control the power supplied from the high-voltage battery to the BOP without conversion by connecting the battery switch upon the failure of the high-voltage converter or high-voltage battery.

The present invention relates to a fuel cell with a gap for transport flow of an electrolyte containing charge carrying ions from either a fuel or an oxidizer between anode and a cathode.

A fuel cell apparatus (10) and method (50) of operating a fuel cell are provided. The fuel cell apparatus (10) includes a fuel cell assembly (12) having a first outlet (26) and a first vessel (34) coupled to the first outlet (26) and forming a first dead end. The first vessel (34) is arranged to receive and hold a portion of a first reactant and water when a supply of the first reactant is being fed to the fuel cell assembly (12) and to return the first reactant in the first vessel (34) to the fuel cell assembly (12) via the first outlet (26) when the supply of the first reactant to the fuel cell assembly (12) is cut off.