Fuel cell with patterned electrolyte/electrode interface

• Main Authors: KURIYAMA NARIAKI, LEE SANG-JOON J, CHANGIEN AMY, LIU YAOCHENG, SAITO YUJI, O'HAYRE RYAN, CHA SUK WON, PRINZ FRIEDRICH B, KUBOTA TADAHIRO, SASAHARA JUN
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 31.01.2002
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: APPLYING LIQUIDS OR OTHER FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL; BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; ELECTRICITY; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PROCESSES FOR APPLYING LIQUIDS OR OTHER FLUENT MATERIALS TOSURFACES, IN GENERAL; PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSIONOF CHEMICAL INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY; SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; TRANSPORTING

A fuel cell contains an electrolyte sheet sandwiched between two electrodes. One or both electrode/electrolyte interfaces includes mesoscopic three-dimensional features in a prescribed pattern. The features increase the surface area-to-volume ratio of the device and can be used as integral channels for directing the flow of reactant gases to the reaction surface area, eliminating the need for channels in sealing plates surrounding the electrodes. The electrolyte can be made by micromachining techniques that allow very precise feature definition. Both selective removal and mold-filling techniques can be used. The fuel cell provides significantly enhanced volumetric power density when compared with conventional fuel cells.