Creare, Incorporated

Christopher J Crowley

Nabil A Elkouh

Patrick Magari

Michael Gary Izenson

Wayde H Affleck

A lightweight direct methanol fuel cell unit () comprising a fuel cell stack () enclosed within a housing (). In one embodiment the fuel cell stack includes a plurality of polymer electrolyte membrane electrode assemblies () stacked alternatingly with a plurality of bipolar plates (). Each bipolar plate includes a cathode flow field () defined by a porous cathode flow field structure () and an anode flow field () defined by an upper plate () and a lower plate () separated from one another by a plurality of spacers (). The anode flow fields are manifolded with one another via manifold embossments () that are hermetically sealed with one another with a gasket (). The fuel cell stack and housing are shaped so as to form four manifold regions () in the spaces between the fuel cell stack and housing. The fuel cell stack is compressed within the housing by compression members () located between the fuel cell stack and housing so as to place the sidewall () of the housing into tension. Supporting systems for the fuel cell unit include a fuel handling system (), an oxidant handling system (), and a liquid inventory control system ().

Lightweight direct methanol fuel cell

A freeze tolerant condenser ( ) for a two-phase heat transfer system is disclosed. The condenser includes an enclosure ( ) and a porous artery ( ) located within and extending along the length of the enclosure. A vapor space ( ) is defined between the enclosure and the artery, and a liquid space ( ) is defined by a central passageway within the artery. The artery includes a plurality of laser-micromachined capillaries ( ) extending from the outer surface of the artery to its inner surface such that the vapor space is in fluid communication with the liquid space. In one embodiment of the invention, the capillaries ( ) are cylindrical holes having a diameter of no greater than 50 microns. In another embodiment, the capillaries ( &prime;) are slots having widths of no greater than 50 microns. A method of making an artery in accordance with the present invention is also disclosed. The method includes providing a solid-walled tube and laser-micromachining a plurality of capillaries into the tube along a longitudinal axis, wherein each capillary has at least one cross-sectional dimension transverse to the longitudinal axis of less than 50 microns.

Freeze-tolerant condenser for a closed-loop heat-transfer system

A composite emitter ( ) for a thermophotovoltaic cell and other applications, and a method of forming the composite emitter. The composite emitter includes a substrate ( ) and a selective emitter layer ( ) composed of at least one substantially pure ceramic oxide selective emitter material applied to the substrate using a thermal spraying method. The substrate is preferably made of a durable material such as a silicon-based material or a refractory metal oxide. In one embodiment, the selective emitter layer may be composed of two or more selective emitter materials. In another embodiment, the composite emitter may further include a reflective metal layer ( ). The method includes providing a substrate and plasma spraying one or more selective emitter materials onto the substrate to a thickness of between about 10 microns and about 400 microns to form the selective emitter layer. Preferably, the selective emitter layer has an in situ density of between 80% and 95% of the bulk density of the selective emitter material used.

Growing community of inventors

Orford, NH, United States of America

Christopher J Crowley