Stackable fuel cell

• Main Author: Ghosh, Chuni Lal
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 08.03.2022
• Subjects: BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; ELECTRICITY; PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSIONOF CHEMICAL INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY

A lightweight electrochemical fuel cell suitable for modular stacking to achieve high output power is described. The electrochemical fuel cell is constructed of a stack of flexible polymer layers sealed at the periphery to create fuel and reactant channels. To scale up the output power, the electrochemical fuel cell is stacked on an external mechanical frame, wrapped-over on to itself in a self-supported 3-dimensional form, or wrapped over around a central mandrel to increase the active area of the fuel cell The electrochemical fuel cell has built in current collecting means and sealed electrodes to eliminate the need for bipolar plates, thereby enabling applications requiring high output power while maintaining a low weight. The thermal management is external to the fuel cell core structure to facilitate modular expansion of the stack to achieve high output power.