Fuel cell with interdigitated porous flow-field

Patent · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:871014

Wilson, Mahlon S ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos, NM

A polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell is formed with an improved system for distributing gaseous reactants to the membrane surface. A PEM fuel cell has an ionic transport membrane with opposed catalytic surfaces formed thereon and separates gaseous reactants that undergo reactions at the catalytic surfaces of the membrane. The fuel cell may also include a thin gas diffusion layer having first and second sides with a first side contacting at least one of the catalytic surfaces. A macroporous flow-field with interdigitated inlet and outlet reactant channels contacts the second side of the thin gas diffusion layer for distributing one of the gaseous reactants over the thin gas diffusion layer for transport to an adjacent one of the catalytic surfaces of the membrane. The porous flow field may be formed from a hydrophilic material and provides uniform support across the backside of the electrode assembly to facilitate the use of thin backing layers.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• Assignee: Regents of University of California Office of Technology Transfer (Alameda, CA)
• Patent Number(s): US 5641586
• OSTI ID: 871014
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

fuel
cell
interdigitated
porous
flow-field
polymer
electrolyte
membrane
pem
formed
improved
distributing
gaseous
reactants
surface
ionic
transport
opposed
catalytic
surfaces
thereon
separates
undergo
reactions
gas
diffusion
layer
contacting
macroporous
inlet
outlet
reactant
channels
contacts
adjacent
flow
field
hydrophilic
material
provides
uniform
support
backside
electrode
assembly
facilitate
layers
provides uniform
membrane surface
fuel cell
gas diffusion
gaseous reactants
electrolyte membrane
gaseous reactant
electrode assembly
flow field
polymer electrolyte
pem fuel
diffusion layer
formed thereon
transport membrane
form support
reactant channel
catalytic surface
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