Princeton University Office of Technology Licensing and Intellectual Property

Fourth Floor, New South Building

                                                Post Office Box 36

                                                Princeton, New Jersey 08544-0036

                                                Phone: (609) 258-6762

                                                FAX: (609) 258-1159

CHANNELESS, SELF-DRAINING PEM FUEL CELL

POWER REGULATION IN PEM FUEL CELLS BY FUEL FEED CONTROL

            Researchers at Princeton University have developed improvements in Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell technology.  Princeton is currently seeking industrial collaborators to commercialize this technology.

            Current PEM fuel cell technology relies on hydration to function effectively.  However, adding a water feed source increases size, weight, componentry, cost and complexity.  Flooding of the channels degrade performance.  This new technology is a new design for fuel flow channels and drainage systems that overcomes these issues by reducing or removing the need to add water to the system.  A modular design format negates the impact of individual cell failure.   The system can use dry feeds and can achieve 100% fuel utilization.          

            It is anticipated that this new technology will be particularly useful for smaller fuel cells where fuel consumption is important and fuel recycling is economically prohibitive. 

            Patent protection is pending.

            For more information please contact:

                        William H. Gowen

                        Office of Technology Licensing and Intellectual Property

                        Princeton University

                        4 New South Building

                        Princeton, NJ 08544-0036

                        (609) 258-6762

                        (609) 258-1159 fax

                        wgowen@princeton.edu