A bipolar plate-gas diffusion layer (GDL) assembly for a polymer-electrolyte-membrane fuel cell includes a flat metallic bipolar plate and a porous metal GDL adjacent to and in direct contact with the flat metallic bipolar plate. The porous metal GDL includes flow channels defined by flow channels walls with flow channel surfaces. The flow channel walls and flow channel surfaces have an average porosity generally equal to an average porosity of an interior of the porous metal GDL.

The invention relates to a composite multilayer carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) reduction catalyst, comprising a catalyst layer comprising at least one metal compound, the catalyst layer having opposed first and second sides; a hydrophobic gas-diffusion layer provided on the first side of the catalyst layer; a current collection structure provided on the second side of the catalyst layer. The metal is preferably copper. The invention also relates to a method for electrochemical production of a hydrocarbon product, such as ethylene, using said catalyst.

A method for the combined production of electricity and nitric oxide,: comprising the steps of: providing an SOFC comprising an anodic side comprising a solid gas-permeable anode, a gas inlet and a gas outlet, a cathodic side comprising a solid gas-permeable cathode and a gas inlet and a gas outlet, and a fully dense solid electrolyte, separating the cathodic side from the anodic side; introducing an oxygen-containing gas in the inlet of the cathodic side of the SOFC; introducing an ammonia-containing gas stream in the inlet of the anodic side of the SOFC; collecting nitric oxide at the outlet of the anodic side and collecting a current flowing between the anodic side and the cathodic side.

The present disclosure provides a fuel cell, comprising: an anode; a cathode; and a membrane electrode assembly disposed between the anode and the cathode. The anode may comprise a gas diffusion layer with one or more channels for directing a source material through the gas diffusion layer of the anode to facilitate processing of the source material to generate an electrical current. The one or more channels may comprise one or more features configured to enhance a diffusion of the source material through the gas diffusion layer of the anode. The source material may comprise hydrogen and nitrogen.

The present disclosure provides a fuel cell comprising: an electrochemical circuit comprising an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte between the anode and the cathode; a first channel comprising a first inlet and a first outlet, wherein the first channel is in fluid communication with the anode, wherein the first channel comprises one or more features, wherein the one or more features comprise (i) one or more cuts, (ii) one or more cutouts, (iii) one or more grooves, or (iv) any combination thereof; and a second channel comprising a second inlet and a second outlet, wherein the second channel is in fluid communication with the cathode.

The present disclosure provides a fuel cell comprising: an electrochemical circuit comprising an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte between the anode and the cathode; a first channel comprising a first inlet and a first outlet, wherein the first channel is in fluid communication with the anode, wherein the first channel comprises one or more features, wherein the one or more features comprise (i) one or more cuts, (ii) one or more cutouts, (iii) one or more grooves, or (iv) any combination thereof; and a second channel comprising a second inlet and a second outlet, wherein the second channel is in fluid communication with the cathode.

A membrane electrode assembly includes: a polymer electrolyte membrane; a first electrocatalyst layer and a second electrocatalyst layer sandwiching the polymer electrolyte membrane while being in contact therewith; a fuel electrode diffusion layer which is a gas diffusion layer laminated on the first electrocatalyst layer to form a fuel electrode; and an air electrode diffusion layer which is a gas diffusion layer laminated on the second electrocatalyst layer to form an air electrode. The air electrode diffusion layer has a Gurley value of 80 seconds or less in a thickness direction thereof, which is smaller than a Gurley value of the fuel electrode diffusion layer in a thickness direction thereof, the Gurley value indicating air permeability.

A method of manufacturing an Electricity-Generating Assembly (EGA) includes: preparing an electrolyte membrane including a central portion and a peripheral portion; providing a contact member to the peripheral portion of the electrolyte membrane; providing at least one of a first Gas Diffusion Electrode (GDE) including a reaction portion of a first Gas Diffusion Layer (GDL) and a first electrode layer or a second GDE including a reaction portion of a second GDL and a second electrode layer, on at least one central portion of the first surface of the electrolyte membrane or the second surface of the electrolyte membrane; and providing a gas diffusion portion of a respective GDL among the first and second GDLs on the contact member.

A membrane electrode assembly comprises an anode electrode comprising an anode catalyst layer; a cathode electrode comprising a cathode catalyst layer; and a polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode; wherein at least one of the anode and cathode catalyst layers comprises a block co-polymer comprising poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(propylene oxide).

Various embodiments include a method for producing a gas diffusion electrode, the method comprising: providing a raw electrode layer comprising an electrically non-conducting web; adapting a thickness of the raw electrode layer; and applying a non-solvent to the raw electrode layer.