Other

Jeremy Hergesheimer

Karen Fleckner

H Sho Fuji

David S Lim

Jeff M Pedersen

Yao Huang

Cynthia Buenviaje

Feng Zheng

Michael Treiber

A novel design and process for: a) a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) with aligned carbon nanotubes as a nano-scale gas distributor which yield better gas conversion efficiencies in PEM fuel cells, and (b) doped silicon flow field plates (FFP) which increase electrode conductivity of the membrane-catalyst-gas diffusion layer (GDL)-FFP interfaces of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). Also, part of the invention are a stacking configuration and a gas distribution design that also enhance conductivity of carbon/metal catalyst/electrode, GDL, and FFP interfaces surfaces without crushing the FFPs. Aligned carbon nanoscale gas distributors are employed at the interfaces, thereby increasing the overall performance of the PEMFC. The FFPs are easy to manufacture and mass-producible, yet mechanically sturdy and significantly lighter in weigh than their conventional counterparts. Another novel feature of the invention is an integrated monitoring and communication/Internet system located directly or connected to the FFP.

Fuel cells incorporating nanotubes in fuel feed

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Seattle, WA, United States of America

Jeremy Hergesheimer