The invention relates to an energy supply device with at least one fuel cell and to a method for operating at least one energy supply device with at least one fuel cell, which has at least one anode that can be supplied with a fuel and at least one cathode that can be supplied with ambient air for generating electrical energy. The proposed energy supply device has a converter device.

At least one embodiment relates to a method for transforming at least part of a valve metal layer into a template that includes a plurality of spaced channels aligned longitudinally along a first direction. The method includes a first anodization step that includes anodizing the valve metal layer in a thickness direction to form a porous layer that includes a plurality of channels. Each channel has channel walls and a channel bottom. The channel bottom is coated with a first insulating metal oxide barrier layer as a result of the first anodization step. The method also includes a protective treatment. Further, the method includes a second anodization step after the protective treatment. The second anodization step substantially removes the first insulating metal oxide barrier layer, induces anodization, and creates a second insulating metal oxide barrier layer. In addition, the method includes an etching step.

At least one embodiment relates to a method for transforming at least part of a valve metal layer into a template that includes a plurality of spaced channels aligned longitudinally along a first direction. The method includes a first anodization step that includes anodizing the valve metal layer in a thickness direction to form a porous layer that includes a plurality of channels. Each channel has channel walls and a channel bottom. The channel bottom is coated with a first insulating metal oxide barrier layer as a result of the first anodization step. The method also includes a protective treatment. Further, the method includes a second anodization step after the protective treatment. The second anodization step substantially removes the first insulating metal oxide barrier layer, induces anodization, and creates a second insulating metal oxide barrier layer. In addition, the method includes an etching step.

A fuel electrode incorporates a first and second corrugated portion that are attached to each other at offset angles respect to their corrugation axis and therefore reinforce each other. A first corrugated portion may extend orthogonally with respect to a second corrugated portion. The first and second corrugated portions may be formed from metal wire and may therefore have a very high volumetric void fraction and a high surface area to volume ratio (sa/vol). In addition, the strands of the wire may be selected to enable high conductivity to the current collectors while maximizing the sa/vol. In addition, the shape of the corrugation, including the period distance, amplitude and geometry may be selected with respect to the stiffness requirements and electrochemical cell application factors. The first and second corrugated portions may be calendared or crushed to reduce thickness of the fuel electrode.

A fuel electrode incorporates a first and second corrugated portion that are attached to each other at offset angles respect to their corrugation axis and therefore reinforce each other. A first corrugated portion may extend orthogonally with respect to a second corrugated portion. The first and second corrugated portions may be formed from metal wire and may therefore have a very high volumetric void fraction and a high surface area to volume ratio (sa/vol). In addition, the strands of the wire may be selected to enable high conductivity to the current collectors while maximizing the sa/vol. In addition, the shape of the corrugation, including the period distance, amplitude and geometry may be selected with respect to the stiffness requirements and electrochemical cell application factors. The first and second corrugated portions may be calendared or crushed to reduce thickness of the fuel electrode.

The present invention relates to a separator, and a fuel cell stack comprising the same, and according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a separator formed of a metallic material and having a plurality of pores, wherein some regions have a hydrophilic surface and some other regions have a hydrophobic surface.

The present invention relates to a separator, and a fuel cell stack comprising the same, and according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a separator formed of a metallic material and having a plurality of pores, wherein some regions have a hydrophilic surface and some other regions have a hydrophobic surface.

The invention relates to a fuel cell (2) comprising at least one membrane/electrode unit (10) comprising a first electrode (21) and a second electrode (22), which electrodes are separated from one another by a membrane (18), and comprising at least one bipolar plate (40) which comprises a first distribution region (50) for distributing a fuel to the first electrode (21) and a second distribution region (60) for distributing an oxidation agent to the second electrode (22). A distribution unit (30) is provided in at least one of the distribution regions (50, 60) and has at least one flat woven fabric (80), wherein the flat woven fabric (80) is deformed in such a way that raised portions (32) of the woven fabric (80) touch one of the electrodes (21, 22).

A cross-flow interconnect and a fuel cell stack including the same, the interconnect including fuel inlets and outlets that extend through the interconnect adjacent to opposing first and second peripheral edges of the interconnect; an air side; and an opposing fuel side. The air side includes an air flow field including air channels that extend in a first direction, from a third peripheral edge of the interconnect to an opposing fourth peripheral edge of the interconnect; and riser seal surfaces disposed on two opposing sides of the air flow field and in which the fuel inlets and outlets are formed. The fuel side includes a fuel flow field including fuel channels that extend in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, between the fuel inlets and outlets; and a perimeter seal surface surrounding the fuel flow field and the fuel inlets and outlets.

A metal-supported, SOEC or SOFC fuel cell unit (10) comprising a separator plate (12) and metal support plate (14) with chemistry layers (50) overlie one another to form a repeat unit, at least one plate having flanged perimeter features (18) formed by pressing the plate, the plates being directly adjoined at the flanged perimeter features to form a fluid volume (20) between them and each having at least one fluid port (22), wherein the ports are aligned and communicate with the fluid volume, and at least one of the plates has pressed shaped port features (24) formed around its port extending towards the other plate and including elements spaced from one another to define fluid pathways to enable passage of fluid from the port to the fluid volume. Raised members (120) may receive a gasket (34), act as a hard stop or act as a seal bearing surface.