A separator for a fuel cell includes a contact surface. Groove passages are arranged side by side in the contact surface. The groove passages include a first groove passage and a second groove passage that are adjacent to each other in an arrangement direction of the groove passages. The contact surface includes a rib located between the first groove passage and the second groove passage. The rib includes at least one wide section. The first groove passage includes at least one first contiguous section that is adjacent to the at least one wide section. The second groove passage includes at least one second contiguous section that is adjacent to the at least one wide section. A cross-sectional flow area of the first contiguous section is less than a cross-sectional flow area of the second contiguous section.

A separator for a fuel cell includes a contact surface. Groove passages are arranged side by side in the contact surface. The groove passages include a first groove passage and a second groove passage that are adjacent to each other in an arrangement direction of the groove passages. The contact surface includes a rib located between the first groove passage and the second groove passage. The rib includes at least one wide section. The first groove passage includes at least one first contiguous section that is adjacent to the at least one wide section. The second groove passage includes at least one second contiguous section that is adjacent to the at least one wide section. A cross-sectional flow area of the first contiguous section is less than a cross-sectional flow area of the second contiguous section.

A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell, the membrane electrode assembly including an electrolyte membrane, and a first electrode and a second electrode sandwiching the electrolyte membrane, wherein the first electrode includes a first catalyst layer and a first gas diffusion layer in order from the electrolyte membrane side, the first gas diffusion layer includes a first fibrous conductive member and a first resin material, the first catalyst layer includes a second fibrous conductive member, catalyst particles, and a second resin material, when viewed from a stacking direction of the membrane electrode assembly, a first angle formed by the first fibrous conductive member and a main flow path of a gas supplied to the membrane electrode assembly is arbitrary, and a second angle formed by the second fibrous conductive member and the main flow path is 45° or less.

A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell, the membrane electrode assembly including an electrolyte membrane, and a first electrode and a second electrode sandwiching the electrolyte membrane, wherein the first electrode includes a first catalyst layer and a first gas diffusion layer in order from the electrolyte membrane side, the first gas diffusion layer includes a first fibrous conductive member and a first resin material, the first catalyst layer includes a second fibrous conductive member, catalyst particles, and a second resin material, when viewed from a stacking direction of the membrane electrode assembly, a first angle formed by the first fibrous conductive member and a main flow path of a gas supplied to the membrane electrode assembly is arbitrary, and a second angle formed by the second fibrous conductive member and the main flow path is 45° or less.

The present inventions are directed to fluid flow assemblies, and systems incorporating such assemblies, each assembly comprising a conductive element disposed within a non-conductive element; the non-conductive element being characterized as framing the conductive central element and the elements together defining a substantially planar surface when engaged with one another; each of the conductive and non-conductive elements comprising channels which, when taken together, form a flow pattern on the substantially planar surface; and wherein the channels are restricted, terminated, or both restricted and terminated in the non-conductive element.

The present inventions are directed to fluid flow assemblies, and systems incorporating such assemblies, each assembly comprising a conductive element disposed within a non-conductive element; the non-conductive element being characterized as framing the conductive central element and the elements together defining a substantially planar surface when engaged with one another; each of the conductive and non-conductive elements comprising channels which, when taken together, form a flow pattern on the substantially planar surface; and wherein the channels are restricted, terminated, or both restricted and terminated in the non-conductive element.

A bipolar plate for a fuel cell is provided. The bipolar plate is formed by pressing a base plate, wherein the base plate is formed by a soft graphite plate. The soft graphite plate has a density of 0.8-1.3 g/cm.sup.3, a carbon content more than 98% and an ash content less than 2%. Based on the thickness of the base plate before pressing, the thickness compression ratio of the bipolar plate is 40-50%.

A bipolar plate for a fuel cell is provided. The bipolar plate is formed by pressing a base plate, wherein the base plate is formed by a soft graphite plate. The soft graphite plate has a density of 0.8-1.3 g/cm.sup.3, a carbon content more than 98% and an ash content less than 2%. Based on the thickness of the base plate before pressing, the thickness compression ratio of the bipolar plate is 40-50%.

Discloses is a porous separator for a fuel cell. The porous separator includes a flow plate and a flat plate. The flow plate includes a first flow surface upwardly inclined and having a first plurality of flow apertures and a second flow surface downwardly inclined and having a second plurality of flow apertures that are repeatedly arranged along a longitudinal direction of the flow plate. The flow plate is disposed between a gas diffusion layer of a fuel cell and a flat plate to seal the flow plate and create a flow path for hydrogen or air therein.

Discloses is a porous separator for a fuel cell. The porous separator includes a flow plate and a flat plate. The flow plate includes a first flow surface upwardly inclined and having a first plurality of flow apertures and a second flow surface downwardly inclined and having a second plurality of flow apertures that are repeatedly arranged along a longitudinal direction of the flow plate. The flow plate is disposed between a gas diffusion layer of a fuel cell and a flat plate to seal the flow plate and create a flow path for hydrogen or air therein.