Apparatus and methods for connecting fuel cells to an external circuit

摘要

Various embodiments of the present invention provide a fuel cell connection component, including an interconnect or a current collector. The fuel cell connection component includes conductive fibers oriented at an angle of less than about 90° to at least one electrode in the fuel cell. The fuel cell connection component provides an electrically conductive pathway from the at least one electrode of the fuel cell to an external circuit or to an electrode of a different fuel cell. Embodiments of the present invention also provide fuel cells that include the fuel cell connection component, including fuel cell layers, and methods of making the same.

主权项

1. A fuel cell connection component, comprising:
an electrically non-conductive interface region having a first surface and a second surface, the first and second surface of the interface region being parallel to an x-z plane, the x-z plane having an x-y plane perpendicular thereto; an electron conducting component having two surfaces parallel to the x-z plane and a length that is parallel to the x-z plane, wherein one of the surfaces of the electron conducting component is disposed adjacent to the second surface of the interface region, the electron conducting component comprising conductive fibers oriented parallel to the x-z plane and configured to be oriented at an angle of greater than 0° and less than 90° to a first or second surface of at least one electrode in a fuel cell, wherein the first and second surface of the electrode are parallel to the x-y plane, the first and second surfaces of the electrode being the largest two surfaces of the electrode; and a binder, wherein the binder holds the interface region and the electron conducting component together; wherein the fuel cell connection component is configured for use in the fuel cell such that it provides an electrically conductive pathway between the at least one electrode of the fuel cell and an external circuit or between the at least one electrode of the fuel cell and at least one electrode of a different fuel cell, said path extending along the length of the electron conducting component.