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.

The present invention relates to a plate device (10) for an electrochemical fuel cell stack having stacked cells and a corresponding fuel cell device. The plate device is provided per each cell (20) for distributing and collecting a fluid across planar dimensions of a cell (20). A transition section (11) of the plate device (10) forms a flat shaped flow cross-section for a fluid to be transferred in a planar direction of the plate device (10) in fluid communication between a port (30, 31, 32, 33) and the cell (20), wherein a plurality of flow features (14) is disposed within the transition section (11) and the transition section (11) is enclosed by a boundary (17). According to the invention, the plate device (10) has at least one support feature (15, 16) that is integrally formed with the boundary (17) and with at least one of outermost arranged flow features (14) out of the plurality of flow features (14) for strutting the flat flow cross-section in a thickness direction of the plate device (10).

The present invention relates to a plate device (10) for an electrochemical fuel cell stack having stacked cells and a corresponding fuel cell device. The plate device is provided per each cell (20) for distributing and collecting a fluid across planar dimensions of a cell (20). A transition section (11) of the plate device (10) forms a flat shaped flow cross-section for a fluid to be transferred in a planar direction of the plate device (10) in fluid communication between a port (30, 31, 32, 33) and the cell (20), wherein a plurality of flow features (14) is disposed within the transition section (11) and the transition section (11) is enclosed by a boundary (17). According to the invention, the plate device (10) has at least one support feature (15, 16) that is integrally formed with the boundary (17) and with at least one of outermost arranged flow features (14) out of the plurality of flow features (14) for strutting the flat flow cross-section in a thickness direction of the plate device (10).

A fuel cell includes a power-generation channel provided on a surface of a cathode-side separator which faces a MEA and a cooling channel provided on a surface of the cathode-side separator opposite to the MEA. Air flows through the power-generation channel and the cooling channel. The cooling channel is separated from the power-generation channel by a side wall. The cross-sectional area of the power-generation channel on the air outlet side is smaller than that of the power-generation channel at a position upstream of the air outlet side, and the cross-sectional area of the cooling channel on the air outlet side is larger than that of the cooling channel at a position upstream of the air outlet side. A through-hole is provided in a side wall that separates the power-generation channel from the cooling channel.

A fuel cell includes a power-generation channel provided on a surface of a cathode-side separator which faces a MEA and a cooling channel provided on a surface of the cathode-side separator opposite to the MEA. Air flows through the power-generation channel and the cooling channel. The cooling channel is separated from the power-generation channel by a side wall. The cross-sectional area of the power-generation channel on the air outlet side is smaller than that of the power-generation channel at a position upstream of the air outlet side, and the cross-sectional area of the cooling channel on the air outlet side is larger than that of the cooling channel at a position upstream of the air outlet side. A through-hole is provided in a side wall that separates the power-generation channel from the cooling channel.

To provide a conductive member and a cell stack, where a concave groove of a conductive base substrate can be covered with a cover layer, as well as an electrochemical module and an electrochemical device.

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.

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.

Methods and apparatus to form biocompatible energization elements are described. In some embodiments, the methods and apparatus to form the biocompatible energization elements involve forming cavities into a fuel cell. The active elements of a cathode, anode, membrane and fuel storage are sealed with a laminate stack of biocompatible material. In some embodiments, a field of use for the methods and apparatus may include any biocompatible device or product that requires energization elements.

Methods and apparatus to form biocompatible energization elements are described. In some embodiments, the methods and apparatus to form the biocompatible energization elements involve forming cavities into a fuel cell. The active elements of a cathode, anode, membrane and fuel storage are sealed with a laminate stack of biocompatible material. In some embodiments, a field of use for the methods and apparatus may include any biocompatible device or product that requires energization elements.