A battery separator includes a polyolefin microporous membrane and a porous layer placed on at least one surface of the polyolefin microporous membrane. The polyolefin microporous membrane has a variation range of an F25 value in a longitudinal direction of 1 MPa or less. The F25 value indicates a value obtained by dividing a load value measured at 25% elongation of a specimen with use of a tensile tester by a cross-sectional area of the specimen. The porous layer contains a fluorine-based resin and an inorganic particle and has an average thickness T(ave) of 1 to 5 μm.

Provided is a fuel cell catalyst layer including: a fibrous carbon material; catalyst particles; a particulate carbon material; and a proton-conductive resin, wherein a region A including at least the fibrous carbon material in a state of an agglomerated body and a region B including at least the catalyst particles, the particulate carbon material, and the proton-conductive resin are formed, the region A being disposed in an island form in the region B.

Provided is a fuel cell catalyst layer including: a fibrous carbon material; catalyst particles; a particulate carbon material; and a proton-conductive resin, wherein a region A including at least the fibrous carbon material in a state of an agglomerated body and a region B including at least the catalyst particles, the particulate carbon material, and the proton-conductive resin are formed, the region A being disposed in an island form in the region B.

The present invention relates to a power supply system for underwater vehicles, in particular to a power supply system for autonomous underwater vehicles, to underwater vehicles equipped with such power supply systems and to a method of operating an underwater vehicle. The power supply system for underwater vehicles comprises a hydrogen fuel cell, which on the one hand is in fluid contact with a metal hydride storage tank, and on the other hand, with a membrane module that is capable of extracting dissolved oxygen from water. By combining the above mentioned components, the energy necessary to support the AUV operation and the operation of its sensors can be provided, replacing in an efficient and sustainable way the currently employed battery energy systems. For the operation of gliders, a weight compensating mechanism could also be implemented.

The present invention relates to a power supply system for underwater vehicles, in particular to a power supply system for autonomous underwater vehicles, to underwater vehicles equipped with such power supply systems and to a method of operating an underwater vehicle. The power supply system for underwater vehicles comprises a hydrogen fuel cell, which on the one hand is in fluid contact with a metal hydride storage tank, and on the other hand, with a membrane module that is capable of extracting dissolved oxygen from water. By combining the above mentioned components, the energy necessary to support the AUV operation and the operation of its sensors can be provided, replacing in an efficient and sustainable way the currently employed battery energy systems. For the operation of gliders, a weight compensating mechanism could also be implemented.

A gas diffusion layer for a fuel battery is used, which is configured by a porous member containing conductive particles, conductive fibers and a polymer resin as main components. An aggregate of the conductive fibers is formed inside the porous member, and an area ratio of the aggregate in any cross-section of the porous member is 0.5% or more and 8% or less. Further, a membrane electrode assembly including the gas diffusion layer for the fuel battery is used. Further, a fuel battery including the gas diffusion layer for the fuel battery is used.

A gas diffusion layer for a fuel battery is used, which is configured by a porous member containing conductive particles, conductive fibers and a polymer resin as main components. An aggregate of the conductive fibers is formed inside the porous member, and an area ratio of the aggregate in any cross-section of the porous member is 0.5% or more and 8% or less. Further, a membrane electrode assembly including the gas diffusion layer for the fuel battery is used. Further, a fuel battery including the gas diffusion layer for the fuel battery is used.

Methods and systems are provided for manufacturing a membrane separator for a redox flow battery. In one example, the membrane separator is fabricate by a calendering process. The membrane separator may be configured with a polymer network to provide selectivity for ion transport across the membrane separator. The membrane separator may be further adapted with an integrated spacer in contact with a negative electrolyte.

A method is provided for producing a green paper for producing a gas diffusion layer (GDL) for a fuel cell. A use is described of an accordingly produced gas diffusion layer (GDL) in a fuel cell. A first paper web is loaded with metal powder and/or metal fibers, and a microporous layer (MPL) is in the form of at least one coating is applied onto the paper web. The paper web is then subjected to a binder removal process, a sintering process, a coating process, atomic layer deposition (ALD) using thermal ALD methods, and optionally additional process steps in order to obtain the final GDL. After the sintering process, all of the organic components of the green paper are pyrolyzed and thus no longer contained in the GDL, and the GDL consists virtually exclusively of a metal framework.

A method is provided for producing a green paper for producing a gas diffusion layer (GDL) for a fuel cell. A use is described of an accordingly produced gas diffusion layer (GDL) in a fuel cell. A first paper web is loaded with metal powder and/or metal fibers, and a microporous layer (MPL) is in the form of at least one coating is applied onto the paper web. The paper web is then subjected to a binder removal process, a sintering process, a coating process, atomic layer deposition (ALD) using thermal ALD methods, and optionally additional process steps in order to obtain the final GDL. After the sintering process, all of the organic components of the green paper are pyrolyzed and thus no longer contained in the GDL, and the GDL consists virtually exclusively of a metal framework.