A fuel cell stack and inspection method, the fuel cell stack including fuel cells disposed in a stack and interconnects disposed between the fuel cells. Each fuel cell includes an electrolyte, an anode disposed on a first side of the electrolyte, a cathode disposed on an opposing second side of an electrolyte, and a witness mark disposed on the first side of the electrolyte. Each interconnect includes first ribs disposed on air side of the interconnect and at least partially defining oxidant channels, and second ribs disposed on an opposing fuel side of the interconnect and at least partially defining fuel channels. The witness mark of each fuel cell is visible from outside of the stack when the cathode directly faces the air side of an adjacent interconnect.

The invention relates to a fuel cell membrane handling device comprising a first membrane storage station (A1) and a receiving station (C) as well as a first manipulator (B1) comprising means (68) for gripping a membrane (12) from a free face thereof, the first manipulator (B1) being articulated so as to be capable of moving between a position for taking a membrane (12) from the storage station (A1) and a position for placing a membrane (12) in the receiving station (C). According to the invention, the receiving station (C) comprises a tray for receiving a membrane (12) comprising at least one opening (C2) wherein the gripping means (68) and a portion of the manipulator are capable of fitting into a first position for placing a membrane (12) wherein the membrane (12) is received on the receiving tray (C1).

In this fuel cell, a cathode-side porous film that covers a cathode electrode is interposed between the cathode electrode and an air supply layer, the cathode electrode constituting electrolyte film/electrode structures. In addition, breathing holes are formed in the cathode-side porous film, and the air flowing through air supply passages passes through the breathing holes and is supplied to the cathode electrode.

Disclosed are a method of manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell and a membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell manufactured using the same. The planar membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell may include an ionomer membrane formed on both side surfaces of an electrode and between the electrode and an electrolyte membrane, thereby increasing interfacial bonding force between the electrode and the electrolyte membrane and improving the durability of a cell. In addition, the membrane electrode assembly may include planar or smooth surfaces such that formation of voids or surface steps between the electrode and a sub-gasket may be prevented, thereby improving airtightness and preventing deterioration attributable to concentration of pressure.

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.

This fuel cell is provided with a first electrolyte membrane electrode structure and a second electrolyte membrane electrode structure, respective cathode electrodes of which face each other with an oxidant gas supply layer being interposed therebetween. The oxidant gas supply layer has: a first projection part which presses an interconnect part of an electrolyte membrane that constitutes the first electrolyte membrane electrode structure; and a second projection part which presses an interconnect part of an electrolyte membrane that constitutes the second electrolyte membrane electrode structure.

This fuel cell is provided with a first electrolyte membrane electrode structure and a second electrolyte membrane electrode structure, respective cathode electrodes of which face each other with an oxidant gas supply layer being interposed therebetween. The oxidant gas supply layer has: a first projection part which presses an interconnect part of an electrolyte membrane that constitutes the first electrolyte membrane electrode structure; and a second projection part which presses an interconnect part of an electrolyte membrane that constitutes the second electrolyte membrane electrode structure.

The invention relates to a separator plate, a membrane electrode assembly and a fuel cell stack, which are designed for higher voltages. It is provided that in the active region at least one of the cell components contains at least one insulating element which permanently enables different electrical potentials in a cell plane (orthogonal to the stacking direction).

The invention relates to a separator plate, a membrane electrode assembly and a fuel cell stack, which are designed for higher voltages. It is provided that in the active region at least one of the cell components contains at least one insulating element which permanently enables different electrical potentials in a cell plane (orthogonal to the stacking direction).

The present invention relates to an improved metal supported solid oxide fuel cell unit, fuel cell stacks, fuel cell stack assemblies, and methods of manufacture.