US 2004/0170884 A1 · Fuel cell

Abstract

The invention relates to a fuel cell consisting of one or more individual cells, wherein an individual cell is comprised of electrolyte-electrodes unit, means for gas distribution of reactants to the electrodes and an electric contacting of the individual cells. The inventive fuel cell has the following characteristics: the electrodes comprise electrically conductive, regularly disposed micro or nanoscale needle-shaped or tubular-shaped electrode elements affixed on a gas-permeable carrier substrate and coated with a catalyst; the electrode elements are fully or partially surrounded on the outside by the material of the electrolytes; the catalytic reaction zones in the electrode elements are connected to the means for gas distribution by the gas-permeable carrier substrate; the electrode elements are connected to one another and to the electric contacting of the individual cells in an electrically conductive manner.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A fuel cell composed of one or more individual cells;

an individual cell including an electrolyte-electrode assembly, means for gas distribution of the reactants to the electrodes, as well as an electrical contacting of the individual cell, wherein
the electrodes include electrically conductive, regularly arranged micro- or nanoscale needle- or tube-shaped electrode elements that are anchored to a gas-permeable carrier substrate and coated with catalyst;
and
the needle- or tube-shaped electrode elements are completely or partially surrounded on the outside by the electrolyte material;
and
the catalytic reaction zones at the electrode elements are connected to the gas distribution means via the gas-permeable carrier substrate;
and
the electrode elements are connected to each other and to the electrical contacting of the individual cell in an electrically conductive manner.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fuel cell

Life of this patent

Fuel cell

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11