The present disclosure provides fuel cell units formed from a plurality of flow plate assemblies disposed in a stack configuration, with adjacent flow plate assemblies in the stack configuration disposed at an offset angle relative to each other. Fuel cell stacks can be formed from a plurality of the fuel cell units placed into a stack aligned with each other with no offset. The present disclosure also provides for methods of forming the fuel cell units, fuel cell stacks, and fuel cell systems containing the former.

The present disclosure provides fuel cell units formed from a plurality of flow plate assemblies disposed in a stack configuration, with adjacent flow plate assemblies in the stack configuration disposed at an offset angle relative to each other. Fuel cell stacks can be formed from a plurality of the fuel cell units placed into a stack aligned with each other with no offset. The present disclosure also provides for methods of forming the fuel cell units, fuel cell stacks, and fuel cell systems containing the former.

A fuel cell is provided with: a membrane electrode assembly (MEA); and a cathode-side separator assembled to the MEA, the cathode-side separator including first passages on a first surface of the cathode-side separator on a side closer to the MEA, and second passages on a second surface of the cathode-side separator on an opposite side, the first and second passages allowing oxidant gas to flow through the first and second passages, respectively. The first passages include first recessed portions on the first surface so as to extend from one end of the cathode-side separator to the other end, the second passages include second recessed portions on the second surface so as to extend from the one end to the other end and to be arranged alternately with the first recessed portions, and a penetration hole on a bottom face of the second recessed portion penetrating through the cathode-side separator

A fuel cell is provided with: a membrane electrode assembly (MEA); and a cathode-side separator assembled to the MEA, the cathode-side separator including first passages on a first surface of the cathode-side separator on a side closer to the MEA, and second passages on a second surface of the cathode-side separator on an opposite side, the first and second passages allowing oxidant gas to flow through the first and second passages, respectively. The first passages include first recessed portions on the first surface so as to extend from one end of the cathode-side separator to the other end, the second passages include second recessed portions on the second surface so as to extend from the one end to the other end and to be arranged alternately with the first recessed portions, and a penetration hole on a bottom face of the second recessed portion penetrating through the cathode-side separator

Electrolyte membrane electrode structures that constitute a fuel cell according to the present invention have a staggered arrangement wherein a part of an anode electrode faces a part of one of two adjacent cathode electrodes, with an electrolyte membrane being interposed therebetween, and another part of the anode electrode faces a part of the other cathode electrode, with an interconnect part being interposed therebetween, said interconnect part being formed in the electrolyte membrane. The electrolyte membrane electrode structures are sealed in a laminate layer which is obtained by bonding an anode-side porous film that covers the anode electrode and a cathode-side porous film that covers the cathode electrodes with each other.

Electrolyte membrane electrode structures that constitute a fuel cell according to the present invention have a staggered arrangement wherein a part of an anode electrode faces a part of one of two adjacent cathode electrodes, with an electrolyte membrane being interposed therebetween, and another part of the anode electrode faces a part of the other cathode electrode, with an interconnect part being interposed therebetween, said interconnect part being formed in the electrolyte membrane. The electrolyte membrane electrode structures are sealed in a laminate layer which is obtained by bonding an anode-side porous film that covers the anode electrode and a cathode-side porous film that covers the cathode electrodes with each other.

A separator for a fuel cell includes a metal separator base, crest sections, and a trough sections. Regions surrounded by the respective trough sections and a corresponding electrode layer each constitute a passage that supplies oxidation gas or fuel gas to the electrode layer. A first thin film is placed over the entire surfaces of the crest sections and the trough sections that face the corresponding electrode layer. The first thin film has conductivity and a corrosion resistance higher than that of the separator base. A second thin film having conductivity is placed at least on each of the parts of the first thin film that are placed on top surfaces of the crest sections. The second thin film on the top surface of each crest section has a groove. At least one end of the groove is connected to the passage.

A separator for a fuel cell includes a metal separator base, crest sections, and a trough sections. Regions surrounded by the respective trough sections and a corresponding electrode layer each constitute a passage that supplies oxidation gas or fuel gas to the electrode layer. A first thin film is placed over the entire surfaces of the crest sections and the trough sections that face the corresponding electrode layer. The first thin film has conductivity and a corrosion resistance higher than that of the separator base. A second thin film having conductivity is placed at least on each of the parts of the first thin film that are placed on top surfaces of the crest sections. The second thin film on the top surface of each crest section has a groove. At least one end of the groove is connected to the passage.

An electrochemical reaction cell comprising an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a membrane electrode assembly (MEA). The MEA is positioned between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The anode electrode, the cathode electrode, and the MEA each have a corrugated shape and are contained within a recess of a housing.

An electrochemical reaction cell comprising an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a membrane electrode assembly (MEA). The MEA is positioned between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The anode electrode, the cathode electrode, and the MEA each have a corrugated shape and are contained within a recess of a housing.