3m Innovative Properties Company

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Mark Kevitt Debe

Andrew J Steinbach

Andrew J L Steinbach

Raymond J Ziegler

George D Vernstrom

James Michael Larson

Gregory M Haugen

Thomas Herdtle

William V Balsimo

Richard J Poirier

Susan M Hendricks

Krzysztof A Lewinski

Radoslav Atanasoski

John H Thomas, Iii

Edward E Parsonage

Terry Lee Smith

Martin B Wolk

Jun-Ying Zhang

William Vogel Dower

Donald J McClure

Jimmy Minh Le

Eric J Iverson

Kam K Kam

Berkan K Endres

Stephan J Obradovich

Gregory Yuschak

Lowell R Miller

Thao Ngoc Pham

Michael K Wackerfuss

Olester Benson, Jr

Kurt J Halverson

Raymond Patrick Johnston

Clyde D Calhoun

Michael Andrew Yandrasits

John Charles Clark

Robert L W Smithson

Haiyan Zhang

Jean Qiu

Patrick L Coleman

Charles J Studiner, Iv

James G Berg

Ai-Ping Wei

Robert K Schultz

Peter D Wickert

Brian Edward Spiewak

Michael G Williams

Edward M Fischer

Andrew T Haug

Shane Shanhong Mao

Amy E Hester

Gary E Krejcarek

Hamid R Mortazavi

Kim B Saulsbury

Larry Allan Schleif

Julie B Stahl

Alison K Schmoeckel

Danna L Ross

Harry E Johnson

Clayton V Hamilton, Jr

Daniel R Field

Michael J Kurkowski

Olester Benson

Charles J Iv Studiner

Methods of making catalyst electrodes comprising sputtering at least Pt and Ir onto nanostructured whiskers to provide multiple alternating layers comprising, respectively in any order, at least Pt and Ir. In some exemplary embodiments, catalyst electrodes described, or made as described, herein are anode catalyst, and in other exemplary embodiments cathode catalyst. Catalysts electrodes are useful, for example, in generating Hand Ofrom water.

Catalyst electrodes, and methods of making and using the same

Superhydrophobic films and methods of making such films are disclosed. More particularly, superhydrophobic films having durable nanostructures with high contrast ratios and various methods of producing such films are disclosed.

Superhydrophobic films

A method is provided for operation of a fuel cell with improved water management by maintaining reduced anode pressure relative to cathode pressure, relative to atmospheric pressure, or both. Typically, the fuel cell comprises a membrane electrode assembly comprising nanostructured thin film cathode catalyst.

Fuel cell water management via reduced anode reactant pressure

This disclosure provides methods of making an enhanced activity nanostructured thin film catalyst by radiation annealing, typically laser annealing, typically under inert atmosphere. Typically the inert gas has a residual oxygen level of 100 ppm. Typically the irradiation has an incident energy fluence of at least 30 mJ/mm. In some embodiments, the radiation annealing is accomplished by laser annealing. In some embodiments, the nanostructured thin film catalyst is provided on a continuous web.

Annealed nanostructured thin film catalyst

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a fuel cell catalyst having a catalyst surface bearing a non-occluding layer of iridium. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a fuel cell catalyst comprising a catalyst surface bearing a sub-monolayer of iridium. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a fuel cell catalyst comprising a catalyst surface bearing a layer of iridium having a planar equivalent thickness of between 1 and 100 Angstroms. In some embodiments, the fuel cell catalyst comprises nanostructured elements comprising microstructured support whiskers bearing a thin film of nanoscopic catalyst particles. The layer of iridium typically has a planar equivalent thickness of between 1 and 100 Angstroms and more typically between 5 and 60 Angstroms. The fuel cell catalyst typically comprises no electrically conductive carbon material and typically comprises at least a portion of the iridium in the zero oxidation state.

Fuel cell nanocatalyst with voltage reversal tolerance

A Pt&#x2014;Ni catalyst is provided which demonstrates an unusually high oxygen reduction mass activity. In some embodiments, the Pt&#x2014;Ni catalyst is a Pt&#x2014;Ni binary alloy. In some embodiments, the catalyst may be characterized as having a Pt fcc lattice parameter of less than 3.71 Angstroms or 0.371 nm. In some embodiments the catalyst has a Pt fcc lattice parameter of between 3.69 Angstroms (or 0.369 nm) and 3.73 Angstroms (or 0.373 nm). In some embodiments, the catalyst may be characterized as having a composition of close to PtNi, where x is between 0.2 and 0.4. In some embodiments the catalyst comprises nanostructured elements comprising microstructured support whiskers bearing a thin film of nanoscopic catalyst particles comprising a catalyst material described above. The catalyst may be particularly useful as a fuel cell catalyst and more specifically as a fuel cell cathode catalyst.

Platinum nickel catalyst alloy

Components that include catalyst layers used in membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), and methods of making such components are described. The catalyst layers yield more uniform current distributions across the active area of the MEA during operation. The catalyst layers may have a uniform catalyst activity profile of a less active catalyst to achieve more uniform current density over the MEA active area. The catalyst layers may have a variable activity profile, such as an activity profile with a varying slope, to compensate for the inherent nonlinearities of catalyst utilization during operation of an electrochemical fuel cell. Desired variable catalyst activity profiles may be achieved, for example, by varying the catalyst loading across the MEA from inlet to outlet ports or by varying the surface area of the catalyst loading or by varying the surface area of the catalyst support elements.

Catalyst layers to enhance uniformity of current density in membrane electrode assemblies

Fabrication methods for making a gas diffusion layer incorporating a gasket (GIG) fuel cell subassemblies via roll-to-roll processes are described. A material processable by one or both of heat and pressure having spaced apart apertures is transported to a bonding station. A first gasket layer having gas diffusion layers arranged in relation to spaced apart apertures of a first gasket layer is transported to the bonding station. The heat/pressure processable material is aligned with the first gasket layer and the gas diffusion layers. At the bonding station, the heat/pressure processable material is bonded to the first gasket layer and the gas diffusion layers. After bonding, the heat/pressure processable material forms a second gasket layer that attaches the gas diffusion layers to the first gasket layer.

Method and apparatus for fabricating roll good fuel cell subassemblies

A membrane electrode subassembly includes an ion conducting membrane and a microporous layer having microtextured surfaces. Complementary features of the microtextured surfaces may be formed as grooves, ridges, pyramids or other shapes. Features of the microtextured surface of the ion conducting membrane engage features of the microporous layer. The engagement of the features of the microtextured surfaces may involve an interlocking fit, a tongue and groove fit, or another type of engagement. A thin catalyst layer is disposed between the microtextured surfaces. The microtextured surfaces increase the surface area at the catalyst layer interfaces.

Enhanced catalyst interface for membrane electrode assembly

A flexible flow field separator includes a substrate layer formed of a flexible material and having first and second surfaces. A structured flow field pattern is defined on the first surface of the substrate layer. The structured flow field pattern defines one or more fluid channels. The separator includes a first layer formed of one or more metals and disposed on the first surface of the substrate layer. The first layer is formed of an electrically conductive material. The separator further includes a second layer disposed on the second surface of the substrate layer. The second layer is formed of a flexible electrically conductive material. The first layer contacts the second layer at one or more locations to define an electrical connection between the first and second layers.

Z-axis electrically conducting flow field separator

A fuel cell assembly includes first and second compression members. Two or more membrane electrode assembly (MEA) stacks are disposed between the compression members, each MEA stack having a positive and negative end. A first current collector is electrically coupled to a positive end of a first stack of the MEA stacks. A second current collector is electrically coupled to a negative end of a second stack of the MEA stacks. A current shunt is disposed between the compression members and electrically couples the MEA stacks.

Compact fuel cell stack with current shunt

A gas diffusion layer incorporating a gasket (GIG) is described along with assemblies incorporating the GIG subassembly. Processes for making the GIG and membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) incorporating the GIG are also described. A GIG subassembly includes a gas diffusion layer (GDL) and a gasket bonded to the GDL. The gasket includes a first gasket layer and a second gasket layer. The second gasket layer is formed of a gasket material in contact with the first gasket layer and the GDL. The gasket material of the second gasket layer bonds the GDL to the first gasket layer. An adhesive layer, and optionally a removable adhesive liner, is disposed on a surface of the first gasket layer opposite the second gasket layer. In some MEA configurations, the GDL is disposed within an aperture in the first gasket layer.

Gas diffusion layer incorporating a gasket

A simple and inexpensive method of making a flow field plate that exhibits increased durability under conditions of use is provided. In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of applying a dry carbon powder to a flow field surface of the flow field plate and buffing the carbon powder onto the flow field surface. In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of rubbing a flow field surface of the flow field plate with a dry carbon solid and optionally buffing the carbon onto the flow field surface.

Method of dry coating flow field plates for increased durability

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Stillwater, MN, United States of America

Mark Kevitt Debe