A fuel cell plate is provided that includes a flow field having a plurality of channels each with an inlet end, and a header in fluid communication with the inlet ends. The header has at least one restricted flow region in which fluid flow is restricted to the inlet ends of a set of channels of the flow field and at least some of the plurality of channels include a pressure drop feature that is configured to increase fluid flow to the set of channels.

A fuel cell includes: a membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly in which a membrane electrode assembly is sandwiched by a pair of gas diffusion layers; an insulating member formed into a frame shape, and being in contact with an outer peripheral portion of the membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly; and first and second separators sandwiching the membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly and the insulating member.

A fuel cell includes: a membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly in which a membrane electrode assembly is sandwiched by a pair of gas diffusion layers; an insulating member formed into a frame shape, and being in contact with an outer peripheral portion of the membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly; and first and second separators sandwiching the membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly and the insulating member.

A fuel cell assembly includes a pair of corrugated bipolar plates. Each of the plates is defined by peak portions and sidewalls connecting the peak portions. The plates are fitted and nested within each other such that the sidewalls are in direct contact. Some of the sidewalls include a stepped shoulder portion such that each of the some of the sidewalls and the peak portions adjacent thereto form a stair-step profile and define a flow channel having a depth greater than a width.

A fuel cell assembly includes a pair of corrugated bipolar plates. Each of the plates is defined by peak portions and sidewalls connecting the peak portions. The plates are fitted and nested within each other such that the sidewalls are in direct contact. Some of the sidewalls include a stepped shoulder portion such that each of the some of the sidewalls and the peak portions adjacent thereto form a stair-step profile and define a flow channel having a depth greater than a width.

Certain fuel cell designs employ bipolar plate assemblies with internal coolant flow fields which comprise a coolant channel region and transition regions adjacent the coolant channel region. The temperature and/or pressure drop, and hence flow, of coolant over the coolant channel region can be non-uniform however, and this can have an adverse effect on cell performance. The coolant flow and temperature distribution can be modified and made more uniform by inserting an appropriate non-uniform porous insert in one or more of the coolant transition regions.

Redox flow battery includes cell frame 20 including frame body 21 and bipolar plate 23, frame body 21 having rectangular opening 22 divided into a plurality of small openings 22a-22c along first direction X parallel to a longitudinal direction of opening 22, bipolar plate 23 divided into a plurality of regions 23a-23c, each of regions 23a-23c disposed within each of small openings 22a-22c to form a plurality of recesses, and electrode 11 divided into a plurality of regions 11a-11c, each of regions 11a-11c received in each of the recesses, wherein each of small openings 22a-22c has a rectangular shape whose longitudinal direction is parallel to first direction X.

Redox flow battery includes cell frame 20 including frame body 21 and bipolar plate 23, frame body 21 having rectangular opening 22 divided into a plurality of small openings 22a-22c along first direction X parallel to a longitudinal direction of opening 22, bipolar plate 23 divided into a plurality of regions 23a-23c, each of regions 23a-23c disposed within each of small openings 22a-22c to form a plurality of recesses, and electrode 11 divided into a plurality of regions 11a-11c, each of regions 11a-11c received in each of the recesses, wherein each of small openings 22a-22c has a rectangular shape whose longitudinal direction is parallel to first direction X.

Provided are a metal plate configured such that sufficient strength and performance are ensured and the workability and cost of mass production are improved, and an electrochemical element and the like including the metal plate. A metal plate 1 includes a thick portion 110, and a thin portion 120 that is thinner than the thick portion 110. The thin portion 120 is provided with a penetration space 1c passing through the thin portion 120 in the thickness direction.

Provided are a metal plate configured such that sufficient strength and performance are ensured and the workability and cost of mass production are improved, and an electrochemical element and the like including the metal plate. A metal plate 1 includes a thick portion 110, and a thin portion 120 that is thinner than the thick portion 110. The thin portion 120 is provided with a penetration space 1c passing through the thin portion 120 in the thickness direction.