Fuel cell and power chip technology
AssigneeIntegrated Fuel Cell Technologies, Inc.
InventorStephen A. Marsh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fuel cell is disclosed which is formed on a semiconductor wafer by etching channel in the wafer and forming a proton exchange membrane PEM barrier in the etched channel. The barrier divides the channel into two. A hydrogen fuel is admitted into one of the divided channels and an oxidant into the other. The hydrogen reacts with a catalyst formed on an anode electrode at the hydrogen side of the channel to release hydrogen ions (protons) which are absorbed into the PEM. The protons migrate through the PEM and recombine with return hydrogen electrons on a cathode electrode on the oxygen side of the PEM and the oxygen to form water.
Claims45
A fuel cell comprising:
- (a) a substrate;
- (b) first and second flow paths in the substrate for admitting fuel into the first flow path and oxidant into the second flow path;
- (c) a membrane enclosing an area and having a first and second side separating the first flow path from the second flow path;
- (d) a first electrode on the first side of the membrane and a second electrode on the second side of the membrane;
- (e) a catalyst in electrical communication with the membrane sides and the electrodes;
- and
- (f) a cover made from a gas impermeable material which forms a seal with the membrane.
A power chip comprising:
- (a) a monolithic substrate;
- (b) an array of fuel cells comprising:
- (i) a plurality of first and second flow paths for admitting fuel into the first flow path and oxidant into the second flow path;
- (ii) a plurality of membranes having first and second sides separating the first flow path from the second flow path;
- (iii) a first electrode on the first side of each of the membranes and a second electrode on the second side of each of the membranes;
- (iv) a catalyst in electrical communication with the first and second membrane sides and the electrodes;
- (v) a cover made from a gas impermeable material which forms a seal with the membranes of said array;
- (c) fuel cells of said array being electrically interconnected to form a power chip;
- (d) a plurality of manifolds enclosing said array to distribute fuel and oxidant to the power cells;
- and
- (e) a plurality of power terminals.
A power disk comprising:
- (a) a planar substrate;
- (b) at least one power chip comprising:
- (i) a plurality of flow paths in the substrate for admitting fuel and oxidant;
- (ii) an array of fuel cells;
- and
- (iii) a plurality of power terminals coupled to the fuel cells;
- (c) at least one manifold enclosing said array to distribute fuel and oxidant to the power chips;
- and
- (d) at least one power bus terminal coupled to the at least one power chip.
A power stack comprising:
- (a) a plurality of power disks arranged adjacent with respect to each other;
- (b) electrical interconnect between said power disks;
- and
- (c) a manifold to supply fuel and oxidant to the power disks.
A fuel cell comprising:
- a monolithic substrate having:
- (i) at least one membrane positioned substantially perpendicular to the substrate physically separating a source of oxidant from a source of fuel while enabling a reaction to occur between the oxidant and the fuel;
- (ii) a first electrode on a first side of the membrane and a second electrode on a second side of the membrane;
- and
- (iii) an outlet path for removing water formed as a product of said reaction between the oxidant and the fuel.
A fuel cell comprising:
- (a) three flow channels, an inner channel and two outer channels, in a substrate wherein each outer channel is separated from the inner channel by a wall having a plurality of vertical slits;
- (b) an electrode on a base of an outer side of each wall;
- (c) a catalyst deposited on a plurality of tines formed between the slits, and wherein said catalyst contacts said electrodes;
- and
- (d) a lid made from a gas impermeable material which forms a seal with the substrate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.