Various embodiments include fuel cell interconnects having a fuel distribution portion having an inlet opening, a fuel collection portion having an outlet opening, and a primary fuel flow field containing channels, wherein the fuel distribution portion comprises at least one raised feature defining a fuel distribution flow path, and the fuel distribution flow path is not continuous with the channels in the primary fuel flow field. The at least one raised feature may include, for example, a network of ribs and/or dots. Further embodiments include interconnects having a fuel distribution portion with a variable surface depth to provide variable flow restriction and/or a plenum with variable surface depth and raised a raised relief feature on the cathode side, and/or varying flow channel depths and/or rib heights adjacent a fuel hole.

A bipolar plate for a fuel cell capable of improving the cooling efficiency of a fluid passing through the bipolar plate, and a fuel cell including the same, includes a first plate, a second plate coupled to the first plate to form a channel in which a fluid flows, and a plurality of protrusions disposed apart from each other in the channel in a flow direction of the fluid.

The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for inducing a secondary flow from a first groove in a bipolar plate of a fuel cell to a second groove in the bipolar plate over a first land in the bipolar plate wherein the land is adjacent to a compressed section of a gas diffusion layer in the fuel cell, and wherein the secondary flow increases locally available oxygen and hydrogen at the membrane electrode assembly adjacent to the compressed section of the gas diffusion layer.

A fuel cell to provide a higher power density. The fuel cell can be produced by 3D printing in ceramic and has an improved power density by virtue of its spiral shape. In order to better extract the energy generated by the fuel cell, an interconnector sheet can be fastened positively to fastening knobs of the fuel cell by holding eyes. In addition, the interconnector sheet can be fixed by glass solder.

A fuel cell to provide a higher power density. The fuel cell can be produced by 3D printing in ceramic and has an improved power density by virtue of its spiral shape. In order to better extract the energy generated by the fuel cell, an interconnector sheet can be fastened positively to fastening knobs of the fuel cell by holding eyes. In addition, the interconnector sheet can be fixed by glass solder.

Disclosed is an improved fuel cell apparatus. The fuel cell apparatus comprises at least one fuel cell, the fuel cell comprising two bipolar plates (200a 200b), one providing an anode side, and the other providing a cathode side, the fuel cell being configured to have a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet, and a membrane electrode assembly (422) disposed between the fuel inlets (201) and fuel outlets (203) of the bipolar plates. The at least one fuel cell is retained by a housing, the housing comprising a first outer plate and a second outer plate, each located on an opposite face of the at least one fuel cell. The housing further comprises a cooling element support which is adapted to support one or more fans that are adapted to provide an air flow toward the at least one fuel cell.

A system (115) includes a plurality of sensors (210) to measure multiple operational parameters of each of the plurality of cells (110). The system (115) further includes a switching unit (215) and a controlling unit (235) electrically and communicably coupled to each of the plurality of cells (110). The controlling unit (235) determines an energy value (E.sub.(cell-n)) for each of the cells (110) based on the multiple operational parameters of the cells (110), determines an energy delta (D.sub.n) for the cells (110) and thereafter selectively operates the switching unit (215) for a time period (t.sub.n) to allow transfer of energy from one of the cells (110) to a storage unit (120). Thereby, each of the cells (110) is at an ideal operating state and the plurality of cells (110) are balanced.

A bipolar plate for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell includes a laminate of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) with a first outer ply. The CFRP includes a resin and carbon fibers. The first outer ply is arranged at a first lateral surface of the laminate, wherein the laminate includes a first plurality of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The first outer ply includes a first groove, wherein the first groove is configured to define a first gas diffusion channel. At least some of the first plurality of CNTs extend through the first outer ply in a direction transversely to the first lateral surface of the laminate.

A separator for a fuel cell includes protrusions that extend in parallel and are spaced apart from each other. The protrusions are configured to contact a power generation portion. The separator includes a gas passage that extends between two adjacent ones of the protrusions along the protrusions. The gas passage is configured to allow reactant gas to flow through the gas passage. The gas passage includes at least one rib that protrudes toward the power generation portion and extends in an extending direction of the gas passage. A downstream end of the rib includes a gradually-changing portion that gradually becomes farther from the power generation portion toward a downstream side.

A separator for a fuel cell includes protrusions that extend in parallel and are spaced apart from each other. The protrusions are configured to contact a power generation portion. The separator includes a gas passage that extends between two adjacent ones of the protrusions along the protrusions. The gas passage is configured to allow reactant gas to flow through the gas passage. The gas passage includes at least one rib that protrudes toward the power generation portion and extends in an extending direction of the gas passage. A downstream end of the rib includes a gradually-changing portion that gradually becomes farther from the power generation portion toward a downstream side.