The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 28, 2004
Filed:
May. 08, 2001
Jun Sasahara, Wako, JP;
Suk Won Cha, Stanford, CA (US);
Amy Chang-Chien, Stanford, CA (US);
Tadahiro Kubota, Wako, JP;
Nariaki Kuriyama, Wako, JP;
Sang-Joon J. Lee, Stanford, CA (US);
Yaocheng Liu, Stanford, CA (US);
Ryan O'Hayre, Stanford, CA (US);
Friedrich B. Prinz, Stanford, CA (US);
Yuji Saito, Wako, JP;
Other;
Abstract
A fuel cell contains an electrolyte sheet sandwiched between two electrodes. One or both electrode/electrolyte interfaces includes mesoscopic three-dimensional features in a prescribed pattern. The features increase the surface area-to-volume ratio of the device and can be used as integral channels for directing the flow of reactant gases to the reaction surface area, eliminating the need for channels in sealing plates surrounding the electrodes. The electrolyte can be made by micromachining techniques that allow very precise feature definition. Both selective removal and mold-filling techniques can be used. The fuel cell provides significantly enhanced volumetric power density when compared with conventional fuel cells.