Microcell Corporation

Yongchao Si

Ray R Eshraghi

Martin E Ketterer

The present invention relates to a substrate-supported process for continuous and automated manufacturing of microfibrous fuel cells and other electrochemical cells. Specifically, a removable substrate layer is formed around an inner current collector, followed by sequentially coating multiple structure layers, such as the inner catalyst layer, the membrane separator, and the outer catalyst layer, over such removable substrate layer, and subsequent removing such removable substrate layer, so as to form a lumen around the inner current collector, to allow passage of fluid therethrough. The removable substrate layer preferably comprises a water-soluble polymer, such as polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), or polyethylene glycol (PEG).

Substrate-supported process for manufacturing microfibrous fuel cells

Fuel cells having microfibrous hollow membrane separators with fiber-reinforced ion exchange polymeric membrane walls. The reinforcing fibers are continuous and extend along directions which are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the microfibrous fuel cell.

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Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America

Yongchao Si