A fuel cell including: a diaphragm/electrodes assembly including a first electrode forming an anode, and a first reinforcement attached to a surface of the diaphragm and surrounding the first electrode; two bipolar plates, having the diaphragm/electrodes assembly placed therebetween and including at least one flow collector passing therethrough, a first surface of the diaphragm including an active area and a connection area and arranged between the flow collector and the active area; a conductor track rigidly connected to the first surface of the diaphragm and extending between the connection area and one edge of the diaphragm that projects beyond the first reinforcement; and a measurement electrode, positioned on the connection area of the first surface of the diaphragm and making electrical contact with the conductor track.

There is provided a terminal plate comprising a plate stacked body including a first metal plate that is electrically conductive and has a current collecting terminal for power collection, and second metal plates that have higher corrosion resistance than the first metal plate and are placed across the first metal plate. A first gasket is mounted to the second metal plate and is provided to surround at least a gas flow hole used for supply of a gas on the second metal plate-side. A second gasket is mounted to the second metal plate and is provided to surround a cooling water flow area which communicates with a cooling water flow hole used for supply of cooling water on the second metal plate-side. The current collecting terminal is protruded from a plate outer circumferential end of the first metal plate in a direction from one flow hole of the gas flow hole and the cooling water flow hole toward the plate outer circumferential end of the first metal plate. This configuration enables the current collecting terminal to be cooled down from the second metal plate-side via the first metal plate.

There is provided a terminal plate comprising a plate stacked body including a first metal plate that is electrically conductive and has a current collecting terminal for power collection, and second metal plates that have higher corrosion resistance than the first metal plate and are placed across the first metal plate. A first gasket is mounted to the second metal plate and is provided to surround at least a gas flow hole used for supply of a gas on the second metal plate-side. A second gasket is mounted to the second metal plate and is provided to surround a cooling water flow area which communicates with a cooling water flow hole used for supply of cooling water on the second metal plate-side. The current collecting terminal is protruded from a plate outer circumferential end of the first metal plate in a direction from one flow hole of the gas flow hole and the cooling water flow hole toward the plate outer circumferential end of the first metal plate. This configuration enables the current collecting terminal to be cooled down from the second metal plate-side via the first metal plate.

The fuel cell single cell of the present invention includes: a fuel cell unit in which an anode electrode, an electrolyte layer and a cathode electrode are sequentially laminated; a separator; and a current collection assisting layer disposed between the cathode electrode of the fuel cell unit and the separator. The separator has protruded portions that are in contact with the current collection assisting layer to form gas channels between the separator and the current collection assisting layer. Further, at least a part of an end of the cathode electrode in a planar direction of the cathode electrode extends outward beyond an end of the current collection assisting layer in a planar direction of the current collection assisting layer.

Provided is a fuel cell capable of easily forming an interconnector part electrically connecting adjacent unit cells in a planar array fuel cell. In the fuel cell, an electrode layer on each of two surfaces of an electrolyte membrane is divided into a plurality of electrode regions by a dividing groove; a unit cell is constituted by a stacked structure including the electrolyte membrane, one electrode region on one surface of the electrolyte membrane, and one electrode region on the other surface thereof; and the plurality of the unit cells are connected in series by the interconnector part formed in the electrolyte membrane. The interconnector part is formed by heating and carbonizing a proton conductive resin in the electrolyte membrane. The proton conductive resin can be heated by laser beam irradiation.

In the fuel cell, an electrode layer on each of two surfaces of an electrolyte membrane is divided into a plurality of electrode regions by a dividing groove; a unit cell is constituted by a stacked structure including the electrolyte membrane, one electrode region on one surface of the electrolyte membrane, and one electrode region on the other surface thereof; and a plurality of the unit cells are connected in series by the interconnector part formed in the electrolyte membrane. At least the electrode layer on the one surface includes a catalyst layer having catalytic activity and containing proton conductive resin; and a protection layer located between the catalyst layer and the electrolyte membrane, having electric conductivity and having a higher filling density of proton conductive resin than that of the catalyst layer. The interconnector part is covered with the protection layer on the one surface.

An electrochemical device includes at least one electrochemical cell, including a membrane electrode assembly and bipolar plates through which at least one discharge manifold passes, the membrane electrode assembly including an active zone and a connection zone; at least one hydrogen sensor including an anode positioned in the connection zone and including a catalyst suitable for ensuring the oxidation of the hydrogen, and a cathode opposite the anode; a voltage source; a current sensor; and a computing unit, suitable for detecting the presence of hydrogen from the measured value of the electric current.

A separator-fitted single fuel cell having a single fuel cell, a plate-shaped metallic separator that includes a through hole, and a joint portion that joins the single fuel cell to the metallic separator and is made of a brazing material containing Ag. The joint portion includes a protruding portion that protrudes from a gap between the single fuel cell and the first main surface of the metallic separator toward the through hole. The protruding portion is lower than the second main surface as viewed from the single fuel cell. The single fuel cell includes a sealing portion that is disposed along the entire circumference of the through hole of the metallic separator, covers the protruding portion and a part of the second main surface, and is made of a sealing material containing glass.

A separator-fitted single fuel cell having a single fuel cell, a plate-shaped metallic separator that includes a through hole, and a joint portion that joins the single fuel cell to the metallic separator and is made of a brazing material containing Ag. The joint portion includes a protruding portion that protrudes from a gap between the single fuel cell and the first main surface of the metallic separator toward the through hole. The protruding portion is lower than the second main surface as viewed from the single fuel cell. The single fuel cell includes a sealing portion that is disposed along the entire circumference of the through hole of the metallic separator, covers the protruding portion and a part of the second main surface, and is made of a sealing material containing glass.

A separator for a fuel cell includes a plurality of channels; and an inlet hole and an outlet hole formed in a first side and a second side of the plurality of channels, respectively, such that a reaction gas flows into and out from the separator to be exposed to a reaction surface including a membrane electrode assembly. The inlet hole is larger in size than the outlet hole.