An electrode for electrochemical cells including an electrically conductive cohesive membrane having a thickness defined by a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; ohmic impedance independent of membrane thickness; simultaneous uniform charge/discharge throughout membrane thickness; the membrane comprising open cell pores and surfaces; a current collector electrically strongly coupled to the entire membrane thickness; and pins extending through the membrane from the first surface to the second surface; the pins electrically coupled to the current collector having eliminated prior art problematical interfacial layers.

Some embodiments of the present invention provide solid oxide cells and components thereof having a metal oxide electrolyte that exhibits enhanced ionic conductivity. Certain of those embodiments have two materials, at least one of which is a metal oxide, disposed so that at least some interfaces between the domains of the materials orient in a direction substantially parallel to the desired ionic conductivity.

A waste reduction system that utilizes organic solids suspended in a waste stream to produce carboxylic acids, which can then be employed as an input to a microbial fuel cell or other biological processes to further enhance biogas production, is provided. The organic waste stream influent undergoes a multistage fermentation process in which fermentative microorganism metabolize the organic waste materials and produce one or more carboxylic acids, especially short chain fatty acids. The carboxylic acids serve as a food source for bacteria within an anode compartment of an MFC that generates useable electricity therefrom.

Tubular ceramic structures, e.g., anode components of tubular fuel cells, are manufactured by applying ceramic-forming composition to the external surface of the heat shrinkable polymeric tubular mandrel component of a rotating mandrel-spindle assembly, removing the spindle from the assembly after a predetermined thickness of tubular ceramic structure has been built up on the mandrel and thereafter heat shrinking the mandrel to cause the mandrel to separate from the tubular ceramic structure.

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

Integrated liquid fuel catalytic partial oxidation (CPOX) reformer and fuel cell systems can include a plurality or an array of spaced-apart CPOX reactor units, each reactor unit including an elongated tube having a gas-permeable wall with internal and external surfaces. The wall encloses an unobstructed gaseous flow passageway. At least a portion of the wall has CPOX catalyst disposed therein and/or comprising its structure. The catalyst-containing wall structure and open gaseous flow passageway enclosed thereby define a gaseous phase CPOX reaction zone, the catalyst-containing wall section being gas-permeable to allow gaseous CPOX reaction mixture to diffuse therein and hydrogen rich product reformate to diffuse therefrom. The liquid fuel CPOX reformer also can include a vaporizer, one or more igniters, and a source of liquid reformable fuel. The hydrogen-rich reformate can be converted to electricity within a fuel cell unit integrated with the CPOX reactor unit.

A fuel cell to provide a higher power density. The fuel cell can be produced by 3D printing in ceramic and has an improved power density by virtue of its spiral shape. In order to better extract the energy generated by the fuel cell, an interconnector sheet can be fastened positively to fastening knobs of the fuel cell by holding eyes. In addition, the interconnector sheet can be fixed by glass solder.

A fuel cell system has a cell (1) that is capable of generating electric power. The cell (1) has a fuel electrode (1a), an air electrode (1b) and an electrolyte (1c). The fuel electrode (1a) is supplied with hydrogen obtained by reforming fuel gas. The air electrode (1b) is supplied with oxygen in the air. The electrolyte (1c) is interposed between the fuel electrode (1a) and the air electrode (1b) to enable oxygen ions to pass through to the fuel electrode (1a). A water vapor retaining mechanism (6) is disposed in a flow path of the fuel gas supplied to the fuel electrode (1a). The mechanism (6) retains water vapor generated in the fuel electrode (1a) during electric power generation by the cell (1). The mechanism (6) enables the water vapor to be mixed with the fuel gas.

A drive system (1) having a unipolar machine (2) and a fuel cell (3) for supplying the unipolar machine (2) with electrical energy. The fuel cell (3) can be arranged in a ring shape around a rotor shaft (5) of a rotor (4) of the unipolar machine (2). The unipolar machine (2) can be provided in a motor vehicle (600) to supply a traction torque.

An electrochemical cell stack comprises a plurality of electrochemical cell units, each comprising a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte, and also comprises a plurality of interconnects. An interconnect is disposed between adjacent electrochemical cell units and defines a longitudinal channel having circumferential corrugations defined therearound. A fuel channel is defined between each anode and a respective adjacent interconnect, the fuel channel having fuel inlet and outlet. An oxidant channel is defined between each cathode and a respective adjacent interconnect, the oxidant channel having an oxidant inlet and outlet. The plurality of electrochemical cell units and interconnects include a first electrochemical cell unit, a first interconnect adjacent the first electrochemical cell unit, a second electrochemical cell unit adjacent the first interconnect, and a second interconnect adjacent the second electrochemical cell unit. The second interconnect is rotationally offset from the first interconnect about a longitudinal axis of the fuel cell stack.