Proton exchange membrane fuel cell
First Claim
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1. A proton exchange membrane fuel cell, comprising:
- a copolymer proton exchange membrane having at least one gas diffusion layer which is juxtaposed relative thereto, the at least one gas diffusion layer fabricated solely of a porous, electrically conductive, inorganic material which is selected from the group comprising metal diborides, metal disilicides, metal nitrides, metal carbides, and composites, laminates and solid solutions thereof,wherein the proton exchange membrane fuel cell is configured to operate with an intake ambient air temperature range of about 42 to about 58 degrees Celsius and generates water as a byproduct during operation, andwherein the porous, electrically conductive, inorganic material forming the at least one gas diffusion layer retains an operationally effective amount of liquid water during operation so as to render the proton exchange membrane fuel cell substantially self-humidifying.
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Abstract
A proton exchange membrane fuel cell is described and which includes a proton exchange membrane having at least one gas diffusion layer which is juxtaposed relative thereto, and which is fabricated, at least in part, of a porous, electrically conductive, inorganic material which is selected from the group comprising metal diborides, metal disilicides, metal nitrides, metal carbides, and composites, laminates and solid solutions thereof.
381 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A proton exchange membrane fuel cell, comprising:
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a copolymer proton exchange membrane having at least one gas diffusion layer which is juxtaposed relative thereto, the at least one gas diffusion layer fabricated solely of a porous, electrically conductive, inorganic material which is selected from the group comprising metal diborides, metal disilicides, metal nitrides, metal carbides, and composites, laminates and solid solutions thereof, wherein the proton exchange membrane fuel cell is configured to operate with an intake ambient air temperature range of about 42 to about 58 degrees Celsius and generates water as a byproduct during operation, and wherein the porous, electrically conductive, inorganic material forming the at least one gas diffusion layer retains an operationally effective amount of liquid water during operation so as to render the proton exchange membrane fuel cell substantially self-humidifying. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A proton exchange membrane fuel cell, comprising:
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a copolymer proton exchange membrane having at least one gas diffusion layer which is juxtaposed relative thereto, the at least one gas diffusion layer fabricated solely of a porous, electrically conductive, inorganic material which is selected from the group comprising metal diborides, metal disilicides, metal nitrides, metal carbides, and composites, laminates and solid solutions thereof, wherein the proton exchange membrane fuel cell generates water as a byproduct during operation, wherein the at least one gas diffusion layer is configured to receive an ambient air intake with a temperature range of about 42 to about 58 degrees Celsius, and wherein the porous, electrically conductive, inorganic material forming the at least one gas diffusion layer retains an operationally effective amount of liquid water during operation so as to render the proton exchange membrane fuel cell substantially self-humidifying.
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14. A system, comprising:
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a copolymer proton exchange membrane; and at least one gas diffusion layer which is fabricated solely of a porous, electrically conductive, inorganic material which is selected from the group comprising metal diborides, metal disilicides, metal nitrides, metal carbides, and composites, laminates and solid solutions thereof, wherein the at least one gas diffusion layer and the copolymer proton exchange membrane are configured to operate as a proton exchange membrane fuel cell with an intake ambient air temperature range of about 42 to about 58 degrees Celsius. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification