Fuel cell having corrugated membrane electrode assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021050612-A1
Application number	US-202016993397-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 14, 2020
Priority date	Aug 14, 2019
Publication date	Feb 18, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

An electrochemical reaction cell comprising an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a membrane electrode assembly (MEA). The MEA is positioned between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The anode electrode, the cathode electrode, and the MEA each have a corrugated shape and are contained within a recess of a housing.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) comprising:
an anode electrode; a cathode electrode; and a membrane positioned between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode and configured to form an interface therebetween, wherein the anode electrode and the cathode electrode each have a corrugated shape.

2 . The MEA of claim 1 , wherein the corrugated shape comprises alternating peaks and valleys, wherein the anode electrode, membrane, and the cathode electrode are configured to engage with each other in a mating relationship in which peaks and valleys of the anode electrode match with corresponding peaks and valleys of the cathode electrode.

3 . The MEA of claim 1 , wherein the alternating peaks and valleys of the corrugated shape correspond to two or more sine waves per inch.

4 . The MEA of claim 1 , wherein the anode electrode, the membrane, and the cathode electrode are configured to be received within a recess formed in an inner surface of a housing.

5 . The MEA of claim 1 , further comprising a pair of gas diffusion layers, wherein the anode electrode, the cathode electrode, and the membrane are positioned between the gas diffusion layers.

6 . The MEA of claim 1 , wherein the membrane comprises electro-spun nanofibers.

7 . The MEA of claim 6 , wherein the electro-spun nanofibers of the membrane have a catalyst loaded thereon.

8 . The MEA of claim 1 , wherein the anode electrode comprises a flow channel plate having a flow channel distributed throughout in a serpentine configuration.

9 . The MEA of claim 1 , wherein the anode electrode and the cathode electrode each comprises a corresponding a current collector configured for providing electrical current to an electrical load.

10 . An electrochemical reaction cell comprising:
an anode electrode and a cathode electrode each having a corrugated shape and configured to supply electric current to an external circuit during operation of the fuel cell; a housing having a recess formed in an inner surface thereof, the recess receiving the anode electrode and the cathode electrode therein; and an electrolyte fluid contained within the housing and in contact with the anode electrode and the cathode electrode.

11 . The electrochemical reaction cell of claim 10 , wherein the corrugated shape comprises alternating peaks and valleys, and wherein the peaks and valleys of the anode electrode match with corresponding peaks and valleys of the cathode electrode in a mating relationship.

12 . The electrochemical reaction cell of claim 11 , wherein the alternating peaks and valleys of the corrugated shape correspond to two or more sine waves per inch.

13 . The electrochemical reaction cell of claim 10 , wherein the housing comprises two mating endplates assembled together.

14 . The electrochemical reaction cell of claim 13 , wherein each of the endplates has a recess therein and includes a plurality of recess walls defining an area of the recess, the recess walls configured to contain the electrolyte fluid.

15 . The electrochemical reaction cell of claim 10 , further comprising a membrane positioned between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode and configured to form an interface therebetween.

16 . The electrochemical reaction cell of claim 15 , further comprising a pair of gas diffusion layers, wherein the anode electrode, the cathode electrode, and the membrane are positioned between the gas diffusion layers.

17 . The electrochemical reaction cell of claim 15 , wherein the membrane comprises electro-spun nanofibers.

18 . The electrochemical reaction cell of claim 17 , wherein the electro-spun nanofibers of the membrane have a catalyst loaded thereon.

19 . The electrochemical reaction cell of claim 10 , wherein the anode electrode comprises a flow channel plate having a flow channel distributed throughout in a serpentine configuration.

20 . The electrochemical reaction cell of claim 10 , wherein the anode electrode and the cathode electrode each comprises a corresponding a current collector configured for providing electrical current generated in the reaction cell to an electrical load.

Assignees

• Park Jonghyun
• Univ Missouri

Inventors

• Park Jonghyun

Classifications

• H01M8/1011

  Direct alcohol fuel cells [DAFC], e.g. direct methanol fuel cells [DMFC] · CPC title

• H01M8/1006 Primary

  Corrugated, curved or wave-shaped MEA · CPC title

• H01M8/0293

  Matrices for immobilising electrolyte solutions · CPC title

• H01M8/1013

  Other direct alcohol fuel cells [DAFC] · CPC title

• D01D5/0007 Primary

  Electro-spinning (non-woven fabrics produced by electro-spinning D04H1/728) · CPC title