An alkali polysulphide flow battery, components, systems and compositions for use with an alkali polysulphide flow battery and a method of manufacturing and operating a flow battery system are provided. An ion-selective separator composition for a battery having an anode and an alkali metal sulfide or polysulfide cathode is provided. The separator composition includes an alkali metal ion conducting separator film for separating the anode and the cathode, a carbon layer disposed to a cathode side of the film and an alkali metal ion conductor layer disposed to an anode side of the carbon layer.

The present invention relates to hybrid gas diffusion layers for electrochemical cells, in particular for membrane electrode units in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells and a method for manufacturing them.

The present invention relates to hybrid gas diffusion layers for electrochemical cells, in particular for membrane electrode units in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells and a method for manufacturing them.

A flow battery with a mixed-flow architecture comprising two electrodes separated by a membrane. The electrodes and membrane are sandwiched between a pair of bipolar plates. The architecture comprises a flow-field disposed between each of the electrodes and the membrane, wherein each flow-field is configured with channels for the flow of electrolyte. The flow fields can be made of any electrically non-conducting and acid resistant material such as PE, PP, PVDF and PTFE, or any other acid resistant plastic. The flow-fields are porous to enable ion conductivity. The presence of the flow-fields enables reduction in the thickness of the electrodes and bipolar plates thereby decreasing the ohmic loss and the cost.

A flow battery with a mixed-flow architecture comprising two electrodes separated by a membrane. The electrodes and membrane are sandwiched between a pair of bipolar plates. The architecture comprises a flow-field disposed between each of the electrodes and the membrane, wherein each flow-field is configured with channels for the flow of electrolyte. The flow fields can be made of any electrically non-conducting and acid resistant material such as PE, PP, PVDF and PTFE, or any other acid resistant plastic. The flow-fields are porous to enable ion conductivity. The presence of the flow-fields enables reduction in the thickness of the electrodes and bipolar plates thereby decreasing the ohmic loss and the cost.

A fuel cell including a catalyst layer configured to generate liquid water in response to a reactant being in contact therewith. The fuel cell includes a microporous layer having a first region with a first pore size and a second region disposed adjacent to the first region having a second pore size. The first pore size being greater than the second pore size. The microporous layer being configured to transfer the liquid water away from the catalyst layer, such that the liquid water from the catalyst layer enters the first region in response to a capillary pressure of the liquid water being greater than a first capillary pressure. The liquid water enters the second region in response to a capillary pressure of the liquid water being greater than a second capillary pressure. The first capillary pressure being different from the second capillary pressure.

The invention relates to a bipolar plate (40) for a fuel cell, comprising a first distributing region (50) for distributing a fuel to a first electrode (21) and a second distributing region (60) for distributing an oxidant to a second electrode (22). At least one woven fabric (80) is provided in at least one of the distributing regions (50, 60). The invention further relates to a fuel cell, comprising at least one membrane electrode assembly (10) having a first electrode (21) and a second electrode (22), which are separated from each other by a membrane (18), and comprising at least one bipolar plate (40) according to the invention.

The invention relates to a bipolar plate (40) for a fuel cell, comprising a first distributing region (50) for distributing a fuel to a first electrode (21) and a second distributing region (60) for distributing an oxidant to a second electrode (22). At least one woven fabric (80) is provided in at least one of the distributing regions (50, 60). The invention further relates to a fuel cell, comprising at least one membrane electrode assembly (10) having a first electrode (21) and a second electrode (22), which are separated from each other by a membrane (18), and comprising at least one bipolar plate (40) according to the invention.

The current invention includes an additive manufactured electrode that may be used for a flow battery system. In some embodiments, the electrode may include a composite material and/or at least one flow channel to direct, or at least influence, flow of electrolyte. The flow channel can be formed onto a surface and/or within a body of the electrode, and may be used to generate fluid pathways that cause the electrolyte to flow in a certain manner. The composite material may include a rigid core and a flexible compressible outer layer that may improve reactions zones, enhance mechanical properties, and/or provide low-pressure paths for electrolyte to flow.

The current invention includes an additive manufactured electrode that may be used for a flow battery system. In some embodiments, the electrode may include a composite material and/or at least one flow channel to direct, or at least influence, flow of electrolyte. The flow channel can be formed onto a surface and/or within a body of the electrode, and may be used to generate fluid pathways that cause the electrolyte to flow in a certain manner. The composite material may include a rigid core and a flexible compressible outer layer that may improve reactions zones, enhance mechanical properties, and/or provide low-pressure paths for electrolyte to flow.