Three-electrode fuel cell
First Claim
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1. A fuel cell comprising;
- an anode electrode;
a cathode electrode; and
a third electrode interposed between the anode and the cathode electrodes, the third electrode inducing polarization between the anode electrode and the third electrode or between the cathode electrode and the third electrode, so as to lower activation energy of a cathode half-reaction or an anode half-reaction.
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Abstract
A fuel cell includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a third electrode interposed between the anode and the cathode electrodes. The third electrode preferably includes an electrically conductive component. The third electrode preferably includes a metallic and a polymer grid and/or a conducting polymer. The third electrode may be used to control processes of the anode and/or the cathode electrodes. The third electrode may also be used to monitor the health of any component of the fuel cell.
13 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A fuel cell comprising;
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an anode electrode;
a cathode electrode; and
a third electrode interposed between the anode and the cathode electrodes, the third electrode inducing polarization between the anode electrode and the third electrode or between the cathode electrode and the third electrode, so as to lower activation energy of a cathode half-reaction or an anode half-reaction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of manufacturing a fuel cell, comprising:
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forming an anode electrode;
forming a cathode electrode;
forming an electrolyte material;
depositing a thin film of an electrically conductive metal or conducting polymer to a reference electrode; and
sandwiching the reference electrode and electrolyte material between the anode and cathode electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A method for operating a fuel cell, comprising:
applying an interactive feedback system to control the state of hydration of the ionomer membrane utilizing a third electrode other than an anode or cathode electrode, the third electrode being insulated from direct electrical contact from either the anode or the cathode by virtue of being embedded within an electrolyte. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
Specification