3m Innovative Properties Company

Daniel M Pierpont

Steven Joseph Hamrock

Michael Andrew Yandrasits

Matthew H Frey

Eric J Iverson

Michael Tyler Hicks

Donald George Peterson

Eric Joseph Hanson

Stephan J Obradovich

Orlin Bruce Knudson

Jimmy Minh Le

Shane Shanhong Mao

James F Poch

Scott Alan Ripley

Kim B Saulsbury

David J Miller

Timothy J Hebrink

Christopher Stewart Lyons

Joseph D Rule

Eric J Hanson

Stephen P Maki

Mark D Weigel

Jay M Jennen

John Russell Mlinar

David J Rowe

Linda Mae Rivard

Ji-Hwa Lee

Mark Albert Schonewill

Kevin D Hagen

Joseph William Frisk

Brandon R Pietz

Sean M Sweetnam

Claude D Moreau

Youngdon Yi

John R Mlinar

Shane S Mao

Barrier films including a (co)polymeric substrate, at least one dyad on the substrate, each dyad made of a (co)polymer layer and an oxide layer overlaying the (co)polymer layer, and an outer (co)polymer layer overlaying the dyads. Optionally, at least one outer oxide layer overlays the outer (co)polymer layer. The barrier films transmit visible light and transmits, at an incident light angle of at least one of 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, or 75°, at most 70 percent of incident ultraviolet light at a wavelength range from at least 100 nanometers to 400 nanometers or in a wavelength range from at least 100 nm to 350 nm. The barrier films exhibit atomic oxygen degradation of less than 1×10mg/atom. The barrier films may be applied to decorative objects or electronic devices, (e.g., light receiving or emitting devices, in a satellite or aircraft. Methods of making the barrier films also are disclosed.

Ultraviolet radiation and atomic oxygen barrier films and methods of making and using the same

An automated roll to roll method of making a fuel cell roll good subassembly is described wherein an elongated first subgasket web having a plurality of apertures is moved relative to a plurality of individual electrolyte membranes, each individual electrolyte membrane having a center region. The individual electrolyte membranes are aligned with the first subgasket web so that a center region of each electrolyte membrane is aligned with an aperture of the first subgasket web and the individual electrolyte membranes are attached to the first subgasket web.

Fuel cell subassemblies incorporating subgasketed thrifted membranes

Membrane electrode assembly comprising a first gas diffusion layer having a first microporous layer on a major surface thereof, wherein the first microporous layer has a major surface, wherein the major surface of the first microporous layer has discontinuous areas therein substantially free of microporous material, and wherein at least a portion of the first discontinuous areas has adhesive therein; and methods for making the same. Membrane electrode assemblies described herein are useful, for example, in fuel cells.

Membrane electrode assembly and methods of making the same

An electrolyte membrane having a proton conducting polymer reinforced with a nanofiber mat made from a nanofiber comprising a fiber material selected from polymers and polymer blends; wherein the fiber material has a fiber material proton conductivity; wherein the proton conducting polymer has a proton conducting polymer conductivity; and wherein the fiber material proton conductivity is less than the proton conducting polymer conductivity, and methods of making. In some embodiments, the nanofiber further comprises a proton conducting polymer.

Reinforced electrolyte membrane

Apparatus for assessing the quality of membrane electrode assemblies

A fuel cell membrane electrode assembly is provided comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane comprising a first polymer electrolyte and at least one manganese compound; and one or more electrode layers comprising a catalyst and at least one cerium compound. The membrane electrode assembly demonstrates an unexpected combination of durability and performance.

Durable fuel cell membrane electrode assembly with combined additives

A method for assessing the quality of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), the method comprising:

Method for accessing the quality of membrane electrodes assemblies

A fuel cell membrane electrode assembly is provided comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane which comprises a polymer that comprises bound anionic functional groups, wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane additionally comprises cerium cations. In another aspect, a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly is provided comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane which comprises a polymer that comprises bound anionic functional groups, wherein at least a portion of the anionic functional groups are in acid form and at least a portion of the anionic functional groups are neutralized by cerium cations. In another aspect, a polymer electrolyte membrane is provided which comprises a polymer that comprises bound anionic functional groups, wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane additionally comprises cerium cations, and wherein the amount of cerium cations present is between 0.001 and 0.5 charge equivalents based on the molar amount of acid functional groups present in the polymer electrolyte, more typically between 0.005 and 0.2, more typically between 0.01 and 0.1, and more typically between 0.02 and 0.05.

High durability fuel cell components with cerium salt additives

A fuel cell roll good subassembly is described that includes a plurality of individual electrolyte membranes. One or more first subgaskets are attached to the individual electrolyte membranes. Each of the first subgaskets has at least one aperture and the first subgaskets are arranged so the center regions of the individual electrolyte membranes are exposed through the apertures of the first subgaskets. A second subgasket comprises a web having a plurality of apertures. The second subgasket web is attached to the one or more first subgaskets so the center regions of the individual electrolyte membranes are exposed through the apertures of the second subgasket web. The second subgasket web may have little or no adhesive on the subgasket surface facing the electrolyte membrane.

A first transport system moves a web comprising a subgasketed CCM layer and an application system applies a crosslinkable resin to at least a subgasketed portion of the subgasketed CCM layer. The crosslinkable resin preferably comprises a photocurable cationic crosslinkable resin. A first curing apparatus subjects an exposed surface of the crosslinkable resin to a photo curing process to initiate curing of the crosslinkable resin. A second transport system moves a GDL into adhering contact with a partially cured exposed surface of the crosslinkable resin of the CCM layer so as to form an MEA layer. A second curing apparatus subjects the GDL, partially cured crosslinkable resin, and CCM layer structure to a thermal curing process to substantially complete curing of the crosslinkable resin. A converting system is configured to receive the MEA layer and produce a plurality of discrete MEAs from the MEA layer.

Manufacturing of fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies incorporating photocurable cationic crosslinkable resin gasket

A method and apparatus for making fuel cell components via a roll to roll process are described. Spaced apart apertures are cut in first and second gasket webs that each include adhesives. The first and second gasket webs are transported to a bonding station on conveyers. A membrane web that includes at least an electrolyte membrane is also transported to the bonding station. At the bonding station, a gasketed membrane web is formed by attaching the first and second gasket webs to the membrane web. The first gasket web is attached to a first surface of the membrane web via the adhesive layer of the first gasket web. The second gasket web is attached to a second surface of the membrane web via the adhesive layer of the second gasket web.

Processing methods and systems for assembling fuel cell perimeter gaskets

Growing community of inventors

North Saint Paul, MN, United States of America

Daniel M Pierpont