Various embodiments may comprise an ion exchange membrane (IEM) redox flow cell comprising a IEM, a negative electrode in contact with a reactive fluid, a liquid electrolyte comprising reactants, a positive electrode in contact with the liquid electrolyte, and a diffusion barrier layer disposed between the IEM and the positive electrode, and wherein the negative electrode is isolated from the positive electrode by the IEM.

A fuel cell assembly with at least one PEM fuel cell for generating electrical energy from reactant gases includes at least one membrane/electrode having a membrane coated with platinum electrodes and, respectively positioned on each side, a porous gas diffusion layer, or having a membrane and, respectively positioned on each side, a porous gas diffusion layer coated with a platinum electrode, and also includes bipolar plates that lie against the gas diffusion layers and through which, during operation, a coolant flows, wherein at least one of the platinum electrodes has a smaller area than the gas diffusion layer, where the gas diffusion layer protrudes beyond the platinum electrode for a part of an edge region of the membrane/electrode unit, so that the formation of an electrochemical potential in this part of the edge region of the membrane/electrode unit is prevented in order to prevent damage to the membrane.

A fuel cell assembly with at least one PEM fuel cell for generating electrical energy from reactant gases includes at least one membrane/electrode having a membrane coated with platinum electrodes and, respectively positioned on each side, a porous gas diffusion layer, or having a membrane and, respectively positioned on each side, a porous gas diffusion layer coated with a platinum electrode, and also includes bipolar plates that lie against the gas diffusion layers and through which, during operation, a coolant flows, wherein at least one of the platinum electrodes has a smaller area than the gas diffusion layer, where the gas diffusion layer protrudes beyond the platinum electrode for a part of an edge region of the membrane/electrode unit, so that the formation of an electrochemical potential in this part of the edge region of the membrane/electrode unit is prevented in order to prevent damage to the membrane.

An electrochemical cell having a positive electrode; a negative electrode and an electrolyte, wherein the electrochemical cell contains reversible ions in an amount sufficient to maintain a negative electrode potential verses reference level below a negative electrode damage threshold potential of the cell and a positive electrode potential verses reference level above a positive electrode damage threshold potential of the cell under an applied load at a near zero cell voltage state, such that the cell is capable of recharge from the near zero cell voltage state, and method for its production is disclosed.

An electrochemical cell having a positive electrode; a negative electrode and an electrolyte, wherein the electrochemical cell contains reversible ions in an amount sufficient to maintain a negative electrode potential verses reference level below a negative electrode damage threshold potential of the cell and a positive electrode potential verses reference level above a positive electrode damage threshold potential of the cell under an applied load at a near zero cell voltage state, such that the cell is capable of recharge from the near zero cell voltage state, and method for its production is disclosed.

An anion exchange membrane is made by mixing 2 trifluoroMethyl Ketone [nominal] (1.12 g, 4.53 mmol), 1 BiPhenyl (0.70 g, 4.53 mmol), methylene chloride (3.0 mL). trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TFSA) (3.0 mL) to produce a pre-polymer. The pre-polymer is then functionalized to produce an anion exchange polymer. The pre-polymer may be functionalized with trimethylamamine in solution with water. The pre-polymer may be imbibed into a porous scaffold material, such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene to produce a composite anion exchange membrane.

An anion exchange membrane is made by mixing 2 trifluoroMethyl Ketone [nominal] (1.12 g, 4.53 mmol), 1 BiPhenyl (0.70 g, 4.53 mmol), methylene chloride (3.0 mL). trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TFSA) (3.0 mL) to produce a pre-polymer. The pre-polymer is then functionalized to produce an anion exchange polymer. The pre-polymer may be functionalized with trimethylamamine in solution with water. The pre-polymer may be imbibed into a porous scaffold material, such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene to produce a composite anion exchange membrane.

Disclosed herein are batteries and methods of making batteries. The batteries disclosed herein generally comprise a cathode, an electrolyte capable of conducting protons and/or hydronium ions, and an anode comprising a material capable of absorbing protons and/or hydronium ions, wherein (i) the cathode is in contact with a cathode substance, or (ii) the electrolyte comprises a reduced cathode substance, or (iii) the cathode is in contact with a cathode substance and the electrolyte comprises a reduced cathode substance, and wherein the cathode substance is an oxide of one or more metals or an oxide of a halide.

The present invention relates to a proton ceramic fuel cell which has a hydrogen-permeable film as an anode and in which an electrolyte material is BaZr.sub.xCe.sub.1-x-zY.sub.zO.sub.3 (x=0.1 to 0.8, z=0.1 to 0.25, x+z≤1.0) (BZCY). An electron-conducting oxide thin film having a film thickness of 1-100 nm is present between a cathode and an electrolyte comprising the material. The present invention also relates to a method for producing a proton ceramic fuel cell having a hydrogen-permeable film as an anode. The method comprises forming a thin film having a thickness of 1-100 nm between a cathode and an electrolyte comprising BZCY, the thin film comprising an electron-conducting oxide. The present invention provides a novel means for improving the output of a PCFC in which BZCY is used in an electrolyte material, and provides a PCFC having an output that exceeds a benchmark of 0.5 W cm.sup.−2 at 500° C.

The present invention relates to a proton ceramic fuel cell which has a hydrogen-permeable film as an anode and in which an electrolyte material is BaZr.sub.xCe.sub.1-x-zY.sub.zO.sub.3 (x=0.1 to 0.8, z=0.1 to 0.25, x+z≤1.0) (BZCY). An electron-conducting oxide thin film having a film thickness of 1-100 nm is present between a cathode and an electrolyte comprising the material. The present invention also relates to a method for producing a proton ceramic fuel cell having a hydrogen-permeable film as an anode. The method comprises forming a thin film having a thickness of 1-100 nm between a cathode and an electrolyte comprising BZCY, the thin film comprising an electron-conducting oxide. The present invention provides a novel means for improving the output of a PCFC in which BZCY is used in an electrolyte material, and provides a PCFC having an output that exceeds a benchmark of 0.5 W cm.sup.−2 at 500° C.