A fuel flow groove formed in a fuel electrode current collector of a fuel electrode of a fuel cell includes a plurality of flow groove portions disposed in parallel, and a plurality of return groove portions connecting an end portion of one side edge portion or an end portion of the other side edge portion of the flow groove portions of two adjacent groups. Each of the return groove portions has an inner wall surface portion facing the end portion of the flow groove portions in the return groove portions. The inner wall surface portion has a curved surface shape in which a distance facing each other from the inner wall surface portion to the end portion of the flow groove portions, gradually decreases toward both end portions of the inner side wall surface portion in a direction orthogonal to an extending direction of the flow groove portions.

This electrode catalyst of the present invention contains an electrically conductive material that supports a metal or a metal oxide, wherein electrical conductivity at 30° C. is 1×10.sup.−13 Scm.sup.−1 or greater.

A method is proposed by means of which a composite layer is producible in as simple and controlled a manner as possible, and by means of which composite layers with different predetermined properties can be produced with as little expenditure as possible, and thus economically. The method includes: providing a nanofiber material, comminuting the nanofiber material while forming nanorods, providing a liquid medium, which comprises an ionomer component and a dispersant, dispersing the nanorods in the liquid medium while forming a nanorod ionomer dispersion, and applying the nanorod ionomer dispersion to a surface region of a substrate while forming a composite layer. An electrochemical unit including the composite layer is provided. The composite layer is useful in a fuel cell (hydrogen fuel cell or direct alcohol fuel cell), in a redox flow cell, in an electrolytic cell, or in an ion exchanger, and useful for anion or proton conduction.

A method is proposed by means of which a composite layer is producible in as simple and controlled a manner as possible, and by means of which composite layers with different predetermined properties can be produced with as little expenditure as possible, and thus economically. The method includes: providing a nanofiber material, comminuting the nanofiber material while forming nanorods, providing a liquid medium, which comprises an ionomer component and a dispersant, dispersing the nanorods in the liquid medium while forming a nanorod ionomer dispersion, and applying the nanorod ionomer dispersion to a surface region of a substrate while forming a composite layer. An electrochemical unit including the composite layer is provided. The composite layer is useful in a fuel cell (hydrogen fuel cell or direct alcohol fuel cell), in a redox flow cell, in an electrolytic cell, or in an ion exchanger, and useful for anion or proton conduction.

The present invention relates to a direct alcohol fuel cell comprising a housing containing a proton exchange membrane (PEM) separating an anode section from a cathode section, which anode section and which cathode section are contained in the housing, the cathode section comprising a cathode collection element electrically connected to a cathode catalyst, which cathode catalyst is in diffusive communication with a gaseous oxidant, and the anode section comprising an anode collection element electrically connected to an anode catalyst, and a pervaporation membrane located at a spacing distance from the PEM, which pervaporation membrane provides diffusive communication between the anode catalyst and a fuel supply, wherein the housing comprises one or more venting holes providing fluid communication between the anode section and the ambient environment, which venting hole has or which venting holes have a largest dimension in the range of 25 μm to 300 μm, the venting hole being located within the spacing distance. The fuel cell is suited for a microelectronic device.

The present invention relates to a direct alcohol fuel cell comprising a housing containing a proton exchange membrane (PEM) separating an anode section from a cathode section, which anode section and which cathode section are contained in the housing, the cathode section comprising a cathode collection element electrically connected to a cathode catalyst, which cathode catalyst is in diffusive communication with a gaseous oxidant, and the anode section comprising an anode collection element electrically connected to an anode catalyst, and a pervaporation membrane located at a spacing distance from the PEM, which pervaporation membrane provides diffusive communication between the anode catalyst and a fuel supply, wherein the housing comprises one or more venting holes providing fluid communication between the anode section and the ambient environment, which venting hole has or which venting holes have a largest dimension in the range of 25 μm to 300 μm, the venting hole being located within the spacing distance. The fuel cell is suited for a microelectronic device.

A method for operating a solid oxide fuel cell device is provided, which includes: using waste heat arising during the operation of the solid oxide fuel cell to produce cold by means of a refrigeration machine integrated in a refrigeration circuit for cooling of the exhaust gas at the anode side, condensing the water in the exhaust gas arising at the anode side with the aid of the refrigeration machine by a first water condenser, separating the water by a water separator, compressing the CO.sub.2 exhaust gas flow at the anode side, wherein the cooling power produced by the refrigeration machine is used for cooling of the CO.sub.2 exhaust gas flow, and storing the compressed CO.sub.2 in a CO.sub.2 storage.

A solid oxide fuel cell device and a motor vehicle having a solid oxide fuel cell device are also provided.

A direct alcohol fuel cell having a proton exchange membrane (PEM) separating an anode section from a cathode section, which cathode section contains a cathode collection element electrically connected to a cathode catalyst, the cathode catalyst being in diffusive communication with a gaseous oxidant, and which anode section comprises an anode collection element electrically connected to an anode catalyst. The anode catalyst is in diffusive communication with a fuel supply. The PEM is structured to have a bottom and walls extending from the bottom to a containment distance into the cathode section, and the cathode catalyst is located within the containment distance from the bottom. The fuel cell is suited for a microelectronic device.

A direct alcohol fuel cell having a proton exchange membrane (PEM) separating an anode section from a cathode section, which cathode section contains a cathode collection element electrically connected to a cathode catalyst, the cathode catalyst being in diffusive communication with a gaseous oxidant, and which anode section comprises an anode collection element electrically connected to an anode catalyst. The anode catalyst is in diffusive communication with a fuel supply. The PEM is structured to have a bottom and walls extending from the bottom to a containment distance into the cathode section, and the cathode catalyst is located within the containment distance from the bottom. The fuel cell is suited for a microelectronic device.

A system is disclosed for providing inerting gas to a protected space, and also providing electrical power. The system includes an electrochemical cell comprising a cathode and an anode separated by a separator comprising a proton transfer medium. Inerting gas is produced at the cathode. A fuel source comprising methanol or formaldehyde or ethanol and a water source are each in controllable operative fluid communication with the anode. A controller is configured to alternatively operate the system in a first mode of operation where water is directed to the anode fluid flow path inlet and electric power is directed from a power source to the electrochemical cell, and in a second mode of operation in which the fuel is directed from the fuel source to the anode fluid flow path inlet and electric power is directed from the electrochemical cell to the power sink.