A fuel cell is provided to include a cell stack in which unit cells are stacked in a first direction, an end plate disposed at the end of the cell stack, and a current-collecting plate disposed between the end plate and the end of the cell stack. The current-collecting plate includes a conductive area having a conductive surface, which is in electrically conductive surface contact with a reaction surface of the end of the cell stack, and configured to collect power generated by the cell stack, and an airtight area having an airtight surface, which is in airtight surface contact with a non-reaction surface of the end of the cell stack, and surrounding the conductive area. The degree to which the conductive surface protrudes toward the end of the cell stack is different from the degree to which the airtight surface protrudes toward the end of the cell stack.

The invention relates to a fuel cell system and associated method of manufacture. The fuel cell system has at least a first surface region and a second surface region, wherein the first surface region is more hydrophilic than the second surface region, wherein the first and second surface regions are arranged in accordance with a parameter distribution of the fuel cell system.

A method of producing a flow field plate for a fuel cell comprises over-profiling relief features in a die set to more accurately reproduce the intended flow channel features in the pressed plate. The process includes determining a target relief profile of features extending across the plate along at least a first dimension of the plate, modulating the relief profile with an over-profiling parameter, as a function of the first dimension; forming a die with the modulated relief profile; and pressing a flow field plate using the die with modulated relief profile to thereby produce the unmodulated, target relief profile in the flow field plate.

A method of producing a flow field plate for a fuel cell comprises over-profiling relief features in a die set to more accurately reproduce the intended flow channel features in the pressed plate. The process includes determining a target relief profile of features extending across the plate along at least a first dimension of the plate, modulating the relief profile with an over-profiling parameter, as a function of the first dimension; forming a die with the modulated relief profile; and pressing a flow field plate using the die with modulated relief profile to thereby produce the unmodulated, target relief profile in the flow field plate.

Methods and systems are provided for manufacturing a bipolar plate for a redox flow battery. In one example, the bipolar plate is fabricated by a roll-to-roll process. The bipolar plate includes a non-conductive substrate that is coupled to a negative electrode on a first surface and coupled to a positive electrode on a second surface, the first surface opposite of the second surface.

Methods and systems are provided for manufacturing a bipolar plate for a redox flow battery. In one example, the bipolar plate is fabricated by a roll-to-roll process. The bipolar plate includes a non-conductive substrate that is coupled to a negative electrode on a first surface and coupled to a positive electrode on a second surface, the first surface opposite of the second surface.

A fuel cell energy circulative utilization system includes an input energy, a first electric cell having an electricity output terminal and an energy output terminal, a second electric cell having an electricity input terminal, an energy input terminal, and an energy output terminal, and an energy circulation control device connected among the first and second electric cells and the input energy. The input energy includes an energy source containing hydrocarbons or hydrogen and connected to an energy input port of the first electric cell in order to make the first electric cell outputs electricity through the electricity output terminal and energy products of thermal energy and water through the energy output terminal. The electricity output terminal and the energy output terminal for thermal energy and water of the first electric cell are respectively connected to the electricity input terminal and the energy input terminal of the second electric cell, in order to make the second electric cell to at least output a hydrogen source through the energy output terminal thereof to the energy circulation control device, so that the energy circulation control device controls circulation of hydrogen for feeding to the energy input terminal of the first electric cell for reuse. The energy circulation control device is also operable to switch operations of the first and second electric cells between working modes of solid oxide electrolysis cell and solid oxide fuel cell.

There are provided a separator for a fuel cell and a fuel cell including the same able to enhance the horizontal distribution of fuel or an oxidizing agent and secure an effective flow area, the separator including: a separator body; a first intake manifold provided at one end portion of the separator body; a second intake manifold provided at the other end portion of the separator body to be partitioned from the first intake manifold; a first exhaust manifold provided outwardly of the second intake manifold at the other end portion of the separator body; and a second exhaust manifold provided outwardly of the first intake manifold at one end portion of the separator body to be partitioned from the first exhaust manifold.

There are provided a separator for a fuel cell and a fuel cell including the same able to enhance the horizontal distribution of fuel or an oxidizing agent and secure an effective flow area, the separator including: a separator body; a first intake manifold provided at one end portion of the separator body; a second intake manifold provided at the other end portion of the separator body to be partitioned from the first intake manifold; a first exhaust manifold provided outwardly of the second intake manifold at the other end portion of the separator body; and a second exhaust manifold provided outwardly of the first intake manifold at one end portion of the separator body to be partitioned from the first exhaust manifold.

The present invention relates to an energy storage system (10) comprising a plurality of electrical module packs (12) connected in series, each electrical module pack (12) having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, the voltage at the terminals of each electrical module pack (12) being equal to the potential difference between the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the pack (12), the voltage at the terminals of the system (10) being equal to the sum of the voltages of the connected electrical module packs (12), each electrical module pack (12) being supported by a frame (20), each frame (20) being set at a reference potential, characterized in that the reference potential of each frame (20) is broadly between the positive terminal potential and the negative terminal potential of the electrical module pack (12) supported by the frame.