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Title: Method for improving fuel cell performance

Abstract

A method is provided for operating a fuel cell at high voltage for sustained periods of time. The cathode is switched to an output load effective to reduce the cell voltage at a pulse width effective to reverse performance degradation from OH adsorption onto cathode catalyst surfaces. The voltage is stepped to a value of less than about 0.6 V to obtain the improved and sustained performance.

Inventors:
;
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1174540
Patent Number(s):
6635369
Application Number:
09/862,933
Assignee:
The Regents of the University of California (Los Alamos, NM)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01M - PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
DOE Contract Number:  
W-7405-ENG-36
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION

Citation Formats

Uribe, Francisco A., and Zawodzinski, Thomas. Method for improving fuel cell performance. United States: N. p., 2003. Web.
Uribe, Francisco A., & Zawodzinski, Thomas. Method for improving fuel cell performance. United States.
Uribe, Francisco A., and Zawodzinski, Thomas. Tue . "Method for improving fuel cell performance". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1174540.
@article{osti_1174540,
title = {Method for improving fuel cell performance},
author = {Uribe, Francisco A. and Zawodzinski, Thomas},
abstractNote = {A method is provided for operating a fuel cell at high voltage for sustained periods of time. The cathode is switched to an output load effective to reduce the cell voltage at a pulse width effective to reverse performance degradation from OH adsorption onto cathode catalyst surfaces. The voltage is stepped to a value of less than about 0.6 V to obtain the improved and sustained performance.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Oct 21 00:00:00 EDT 2003},
month = {Tue Oct 21 00:00:00 EDT 2003}
}