The present invention relates to a bio electrochemical system for the treatment of organic liquid wastes. The bio electrochemical system comprises a container; at least one tube shaped separator vertically disposed such that it penetrates the container; at least one anode disposed in the external space of the tube shaped separator; at least one cathode disposed in the interior space of the tube shaped separator; and at least one partition plate horizontally disposed such that it forms multistage horizontal flow channels for organic liquid wastes in the container.

Separator systems for electrochemical systems providing electronic, mechanical and chemical properties useful for applications including electrochemical storage and conversion. Separator systems include structural, physical and electrostatic attributes useful for managing and controlling dendrite formation and for improving the cycle life and rate capability of electrochemical cells including silicon anode based batteries, air cathode based batteries, redox flow batteries, solid electrolyte based systems, fuel cells, flow batteries and semisolid batteries. Separators include multilayer, porous geometries supporting excellent ion transport properties, providing a barrier to prevent dendrite initiated mechanical failure, shorting or thermal runaway, or providing improved electrode conductivity and improved electric field uniformity, as well as composite solid electrolytes with supporting mesh or fiber systems providing solid electrolyte hardness and safety with supporting mesh or fiber toughness and long life required for thin solid electrolytes without fabrication pinholes or operationally created cracks.

Separator systems for electrochemical systems providing electronic, mechanical and chemical properties useful for applications including electrochemical storage and conversion. Separator systems include structural, physical and electrostatic attributes useful for managing and controlling dendrite formation and for improving the cycle life and rate capability of electrochemical cells including silicon anode based batteries, air cathode based batteries, redox flow batteries, solid electrolyte based systems, fuel cells, flow batteries and semisolid batteries. Separators include multilayer, porous geometries supporting excellent ion transport properties, providing a barrier to prevent dendrite initiated mechanical failure, shorting or thermal runaway, or providing improved electrode conductivity and improved electric field uniformity, as well as composite solid electrolytes with supporting mesh or fiber systems providing solid electrolyte hardness and safety with supporting mesh or fiber toughness and long life required for thin solid electrolytes without fabrication pinholes or operationally created cracks.

A gas diffusion layer for a fuel cell includes: a) a flat, electrically conductive fiber material; and b) a microporous layer on one surface of the fiber material. The gas diffusion layer has, with respect to a base area thereof (in an xy plane), at least one property gradient relating to at least one chemical and/or physical property.

Method of preparing a proton exchange membrane (PEM) include mixing a precursor of a perfluorosulfonic acid polymer with a second material to form a precursor material in a reduced humidity zone; extruding the precursor material under reduced humidity to form a filament; 3D printing the PEM with the filament; converting the precursor of the perfluorosulfonic acid polymer to the perfluorosulfonic acid polymer within the PEM; and coating the PEM.

Method of preparing a proton exchange membrane (PEM) include mixing a precursor of a perfluorosulfonic acid polymer with a second material to form a precursor material in a reduced humidity zone; extruding the precursor material under reduced humidity to form a filament; 3D printing the PEM with the filament; converting the precursor of the perfluorosulfonic acid polymer to the perfluorosulfonic acid polymer within the PEM; and coating the PEM.

A manufacturing method of a gas diffusion layer with a microporous layer includes coating a gas diffusion layer containing titanium with a precursor containing an electroconductive material, a water-repellent resin, and a polyethylene oxide, and heating the gas diffusion layer coated with the precursor to form a microporous layer containing the electroconductive material and the water-repellent resin on a surface of the gas diffusion layer. The heating atmosphere is a non-oxidation atmosphere where an oxygen concentration is no more than 0.3% by volume.

A fuel cell stack includes: a first fuel cell and a second fuel cell, each of which has a structure in which a solid oxide electrolyte layer having oxygen ion conductivity is provided between two electrode layers; and an interconnector that is provided between the first fuel cell and the second fuel cell and has a separator made of a metal material, wherein the interconnector has a first metal porous part and a first gas passage on a first face of the separator on a side of the first fuel cell, wherein the interconnector has a second metal porous part and a second gas passage on a second face of the separator on a side of the second fuel cell.

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 fuel cell stack is provided that includes a top end plate, a bottom end plate, a plurality of fuel cells provided between the top end plate and the bottom end plate, at least one bipolar plate, a plurality of hollow fasteners, and a plurality of sleeves. Each of the at least one bipolar plate is formed between two of the plurality of fuel cells. The plurality of hollow fasteners and the plurality of sleeves extend through holes in each of the top end plate, the bottom end plate, the plurality of fuel cells and the at least one bipolar plate. Each of the plurality of sleeves surrounds one of the plurality of hollow fasteners. Each of the plurality of hollow fasteners comprises a top surface, a hole in the top surface, a side surface, and a plurality of holes formed in the side surface.