A bipolar plate is provided that includes a metal plate, at least one channel, a first coating, and a second coating. The metal plate has a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first edge surface connecting the first surface to the second surface, and a second edge surface opposite the first edge surface and connecting the first surface to the second surface. The at least one channel is formed in at least one of the first surface and the second surface. The first coating is formed on the at least one of the first surface and the second surface such that the first coating covers each of the at least one channel. The second coating is formed on the first edge surface and the second edge surface. Each of the at least one channel has a semi-circular shape and extends along the at least one of the first surface and the second surface.

A bipolar plate is provided that includes a metal plate, at least one channel, a first coating, and a second coating. The metal plate has a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first edge surface connecting the first surface to the second surface, and a second edge surface opposite the first edge surface and connecting the first surface to the second surface. The at least one channel is formed in at least one of the first surface and the second surface. The first coating is formed on the at least one of the first surface and the second surface such that the first coating covers each of the at least one channel. The second coating is formed on the first edge surface and the second edge surface. Each of the at least one channel has a semi-circular shape and extends along the at least one of the first surface and the second surface.

A composite for a porous transport layer may include a particulate substrate including at least one selected from a group consisting of an oxide of a first metal and a second metal, and nanoparticles of a third metal formed on a surface of the particulate substrate, a sintered body thereof, and a method for preparing the same.

Provided is an LDH separator including a porous substrate and a mixture of a layered double hydroxide (LDH)-like compound and In(OH).sub.3, which fills up pores of the porous substrate. The LDH-like compound is a hydroxide and/or an oxide with a layered crystal structure containing Mg, Ti, Y, and optionally Al and/or In.

Provided is an LDH separator including a porous substrate and a mixture of a layered double hydroxide (LDH)-like compound and In(OH).sub.3, which fills up pores of the porous substrate. The LDH-like compound is a hydroxide and/or an oxide with a layered crystal structure containing Mg, Ti, Y, and optionally Al and/or In.

This electrode comprises: an electrode component containing a columnar structure; and a porous collector layer that is prepared on the electrode component. The columnar structure comprises a multiple columnar sections, the lateral surfaces of which are at least partially in contact with each other. Each columnar part section is provided with a multilayer part wherein different inorganic compound layers are stacked. In addition, the columnar structure comprises two or more adjacent columnar sections, which are different from each other in the stacking direction of the multilayer part. For example, each columnar section has a width of 10 nm to 100 nm, and each inorganic compound layer has a thickness of 1 nm to 10 nm.

The invention relates to an electricity generating electrochemical device of the solid-oxide fuel-cell stack type. The device includes a planar assembly having at least one electrochemical cell comprised between first and second gas diffusing plates made of ceramic of expansion coefficient between 8×10.sup.−6 K.sup.−1 and 14×10.sup.−6K.sup.−1 and drilled with equidistant holes. First and second current conductive metal grids each are connected to a conductive wire allowing current to flow out of the device. The grilles are placed on either side of the at least one electrochemical cell between this cell and each of the first and second gas diffusing plates. A clamping device mechanically holds the planar assembly together.

The invention relates to an electricity generating electrochemical device of the solid-oxide fuel-cell stack type. The device includes a planar assembly having at least one electrochemical cell comprised between first and second gas diffusing plates made of ceramic of expansion coefficient between 8×10.sup.−6 K.sup.−1 and 14×10.sup.−6K.sup.−1 and drilled with equidistant holes. First and second current conductive metal grids each are connected to a conductive wire allowing current to flow out of the device. The grilles are placed on either side of the at least one electrochemical cell between this cell and each of the first and second gas diffusing plates. A clamping device mechanically holds the planar assembly together.

Embodiments of the invention include fuel cells incorporating sheets and/or powders of silica fibers and methods for producing such devices. The silica fibers may be formed via electrospinning of a sol gel produced with a silicon alkoxide reagent, such as tetraethyl ortho silicate, alcohol solvent, and an acid catalyst.

The present invention includes a fuel cell system having a plurality of adjacent electrochemical cells formed of an anode layer, a cathode layer spaced apart from the anode layer, and an electrolyte layer disposed between the anode layer and the cathode layer. The fuel cell system also includes at least one interconnect, the interconnect being structured to conduct free electrons between adjacent electrochemical cells. Each interconnect includes a primary conductor embedded within the electrolyte layer and structured to conduct the free electrons.