| 摘要 |
<p>A fuel cell having a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) (42) between a pair of bipolar plate assemblies (44). The MEA may have a convoluted configuration to maximize the effective surface area of the MEA for a given planar area. Each bipolar plate assembly (44) includes a gas distribution layer of open cell conductive foam material (46) which is divided into a plurality of generally parallel segments to define a plurality of generally parallel porous reactant paths. The segments are defined by selectively varying the porosity of the foam material and/or selectively varying the thickness of the foam material. The foam may be a conductive graphite foam or conductive metallic foam. Each bipolar plate assembly (44) further includes a non-porous, conductive separator plate (48). The bipolar plate assembly distributes the reactant gases delivered via a manifold structure across the face of the MEA. A coolant layer (54) may also be provided.</p> |
