Electrochemical cells can include flow channels designed to provide an electrolyte solution more efficiently to an electrode or ionically conductive separator. Such electrochemical cells can include an ionically conductive separator disposed between a first half-cell and a second half-cell, a first bipolar plate in the first half-cell, and a second bipolar plate in the second half-cell. At least one of the first bipolar plate and the second bipolar plate are a composite containing a conductive material and a blocking material. The blocking material defines a plurality of flow channels that are spaced apart from one another and extend laterally through the composite with respect to the ionically conductive separator. The plurality of flow channels are also in fluid communication with one another in the composite. Such electrochemical cells can be incorporated in electrochemical stacks and/or be fluidly connected to a fluid inlet manifold and a fluid outlet manifold.

The catalytic electrode of the present invention does not cause electron transfer resistance, unlike conventional catalytic electrodes coated with Nafion or the like, and thus can achieve significantly high electron transfer efficiency. Accordingly, the catalytic electrode can have high power density, and thus has excellent physical properties.

The catalytic electrode of the present invention does not cause electron transfer resistance, unlike conventional catalytic electrodes coated with Nafion or the like, and thus can achieve significantly high electron transfer efficiency. Accordingly, the catalytic electrode can have high power density, and thus has excellent physical properties.

The present invention relates to a mesh-shaped, porous electric current density distributor for use with an electrode, the current density distributor being adapted for providing electric current to an active layer of the electrode, which active layer is provided to contact a face of the current density distributor, wherein the current density distributor comprises a porous mesh having a plurality of electrically conductive paths, wherein at least part of the electrically conductive paths extend along a direction of major current flow over the current density distributor. The porous mesh comprises in a direction crosswise to the direction of major electric current flow, a plurality of first paths of an electric insulator. The current carrying capacity of the current density distributor in crosswise direction to the major current flow over the current density distributor is smaller than the current carrying capacity in the direction along the major current flow over the current density distributor.

An electrochemical cell includes a gas permeable member, a metal member, and an electrically conductive member. The gas permeable member through which a reducing gas is permeable has electrical conductivity. The metal member contains chromium and is connected to the gas permeable member. The electrically conductive member is porous and is located between the gas permeable member and the metal member. The electrically conductive member contains metal particles, and a first element whose first ionization energy and free energy of formation of an oxide per mole of oxygen are smaller than those of chromium.

A fuel cell includes a MEA that includes a cathode, an anode, and a solid electrolyte layer disposed between the cathode and the anode, the solid electrolyte layer containing an ion-conducting solid oxide; at least one first porous metal body arranged to oppose at least one of the cathode and the anode; and an interconnector arranged to oppose the first porous metal body and having a gas supply port and a gas discharge port formed therein. The first porous metal body includes a porous metal body S that opposes the gas supply port and has a three-dimensional mesh-like skeleton, and a porous metal body H that has a three-dimensional mesh-like skeleton and is other than the porous metal body S. A porosity Ps of the porous metal body S and a porosity Ph of the porous metal body H satisfy a relationship: Ps<Ph.

A metal-ion accumulator, including a metal element of flat surface forming a current collector of an electrode of one polarity; an insulating layer, deposited on the metal element while defining an interlocking pattern; a layer forming a current collector of an electrode of opposite polarity to the one having the current collector formed by the metal element, the collector layer being deposited on the interlocking pattern of the insulating layer; an electrode layer, deposited on the metal element according to a pattern at least partly interlocked in the interlocking pattern; an electrode layer of opposite polarity to the one deposited on the metal element, the layer of opposite polarity being deposited on the collector layer according to the interlocking pattern; a layer of electrolyte deposited at least in the spaces between the two layers of active materials of opposite polarity.

A metal-ion accumulator, including a metal element of flat surface forming a current collector of an electrode of one polarity; an insulating layer, deposited on the metal element while defining an interlocking pattern; a layer forming a current collector of an electrode of opposite polarity to the one having the current collector formed by the metal element, the collector layer being deposited on the interlocking pattern of the insulating layer; an electrode layer, deposited on the metal element according to a pattern at least partly interlocked in the interlocking pattern; an electrode layer of opposite polarity to the one deposited on the metal element, the layer of opposite polarity being deposited on the collector layer according to the interlocking pattern; a layer of electrolyte deposited at least in the spaces between the two layers of active materials of opposite polarity.

The present invention relates to SiC nanostructures, including SiC nanopowder, SiC nanowires, and composites of SiC nanopowder and nanowires, which can be used as catalyst supports in membrane electrode assemblies and in fuel cells. The present invention also relates to composite catalyst supports comprising nanopowder and one or more inorganic nanowires for a membrane electrode assembly.

A porous body for a fuel cell is interposed between a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) and a bipolar plate to form a gas channel through which a reactant gas flows in a predetermined direction, the porous body including: a main body disposed to contact the bipolar plate; and a plurality of ribs each including a land portion disposed to contact the MEA and a connecting portion connecting the land portion to the main body, in which an area of the land portion is gradually narrowed from an upstream part to a downstream part of the gas channel.