Ceramic electrolyte

phases

with

vapour bipolar different the

respect

to methane-

reforming

reactions,

the

plate substrate has areas of catalytic activity, such that

methane

reaction

vapour

is delayed

Patent

number:

Publication

reforming

in these areas.

US 5998056

dnte: 7 December

transport and separation of different species of materials. Some composites enable

the production

pressure

fuel

cells

Gas diffusion Applicant:

Magnet-Motor

Magnetmotorische

lightweight, porous

Applicant: Germany

PEM which

This

for

fuel cells is described, in carbonised carbon fibre

mixture

of

is coated

soot

suspensions

and

electrode

may

with

and

PTFE

sintered.

have

a catalytically

a

consume power are required. Patent

Publication

1999

USA An improved is described cells.

porous support for use in PEM

Each

hydrophobic

layer

layer fuel pores

integrated throughout the layer. The hydrophobic pores facilitate gas transfer absorption,

and restrict liquid water while the hydrophilic

pores facilitate water transport

simultaneous liquid through the layers.

Patent

US 5998058

number:

Publication

Polymer Applicant: This

date: 7 December

1999

electrolytes

Campbell

single-ion

electrolyte

USA achieves

high conductivity at room temperatures by employing repeating mer units which are functionalised fluoroalkylsulfonate groups.

by Pre-

ferred backbones for the electrolyte include polysiloxanes, polymetha-

University

Magnetic

composites

of Iowa,

USA

bring

about

edge layer are then soldered to up

to

facilitate

WO

fuel

Wall,

J.

a method

a

Tanaka

composite

electrolyte

mixture

CO

1379

least one oxide. WO

99165098

dlte: 16 December

1999

Ceramic fuel cell

Kikinzoku

ceramic

described

which

stabilised

bismuth

with

bismuth

is operational

gas in a

fuel cell,

to

it to CO,.

below

USA fuel cell is

features

zirconia,

stabilised

oxidation

(PEM)

Ceramphysics,

A honeycomb

in reformate

polymer

a

of at least one salt and at

Publication

can be used for selectively

oxidising

a ceramic comprising

99164146

high-performance

convert

cylindrical

1999

(Sweden)

features

Patent number:

tightness.

Japan

solid provides

an yttria-

oxide

ceramic

and

a

oxide

ceramic.

niobia-

at temperatures

65O”C,

ceramic body unreformed

so sooting

It

at or of the

is not a problem if organic fuels

are utilised.

Patent number: WO 99164153 Publication hate: 16 December

Patent number: WO 99165099 Publication date: 16 December 1999

1999

US 600 1500

date: 14 December

Water management

SOFC connections

In

Applicant: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corp., USA A compliant/rigid modular be made

cell

The prior

generator, for in situ connections.

for

assemblies

is

connections

can

to installation

eliminating

in a

the

completion They also

need

of the simplify

and replacement

of stack

Fuel Cells,

PEMFC

moistened back

exhaust

a

fraction

of

temperature

with

fresh

balance

operating

ambient

high

ambient

temperatures.

recycle/air

vent

ratio

to adjust

the recycle

ambient

temperature

number:

Publication

Patent

US 6001501

ddte: 14 December

1999

Current conducting endplate Applicant:

Plug Power,

This fuel cell assembly

isolating

endplate body

formed

material.

number:

Publication

The

is controlled flow

based on

and

power

Hydrogen The

has a current with

a

integrally It provides assembly and

convenient electrical connections, fluid service and support passages.

patent

Oil,

in

reformer.

The hydrogen

and purified

and/or provide

a

be

Research Trends

hydrogen

The latest research results published in the key journals

is purified

to form

may

Features Technical articles on projects and developments around the world

hydrocarbon

hydrogen. the

In Brief Breaking news Related industries

USA

describes

production

retentate increase

1999

for fuel cells Mobil

in a membrane a

99/65090

date: 16 December

Applicant: USA

WO

month

Business activities Technical developments Industry trends

air, to maintain

at

Next

Mews

air is diverted

and combined

water

system

volume

level.

sections. Patent

rhis

predetermined

connection

fuel

described.

International

USA

lighter, more compact with well-insulated/isolated

composites

plates

date: 16 December

Applicant:

with

which

cell

and increase

catalyst

C.M.

1999

conductive

1999

Bin Zhu

This

The plate edges can

number:

This

(USA)

fuel cell. Patent number:

Publication

Applicant:

Sharp,

manufacturing

conducting

Magnetic

PEM fuel cells

invention

crylates and poly(alkylene oxides). Patent number: US 5998559 date: 7 December

Applicant:

Catalyst for reformate oxidation

E.A. Bass, P.M.

Publication

to a compact

Applicant:

date: 14 December

C.A.

in

bent

Publication

US 6001498

Cylindrical

removal

SRI International,

be

Patent

includes

and hydrophilic

a reactor.

also

Kogyo,

of

Fuel Cells,

form

positioning

which

99165097

reactor

relates

reactor

Applicant:

Merritt,

layer

International

circulation agent through

1999

The Applicant:

of

and need servicing,

number:

Applicants:

date: 7 December

Porous support

a way

WO

a&e: 16 December

Ceramic electrolyte

invention

with a soldering stacked alternately,

The

active layer applied to it. Patent number: US 5998057 Publication

describes

a fuel cell so that no pumps,

and

electrode

fabric

patent

overall

dbb fuel cell engines,

catalytic

circulation

effecting gravity-driven of fuel and oxidising

inexpensive, homogeneous

nonwoven

1999

Applicant: Forschungszentrum Jiilich, Germany

Ges. fur

gas diffusion

Compact catalytic

enhance

number:

Publication

The

Technik,

Germany A particularly

Patent

Publication

ahe: 14 December

to

efficiency.

enhanced

1999

electrode

1999

of ambient with

performance and reduced weight. Patent number: US 6001248

Gravity-driven

reaction,

Patent number: US 6001502 Publication date: 14 December

retentate Part of the

recycled

hydrogen

to yield,

fed to a combustor to heat to the reforming

Patents Recently published US and WO patents

,

Fuel Cells Bulletin No. 21