Brennstoffzelle und Verfahren zu deren Herstellung

DE 102008009414 A1 UPAB: 20090902 NOVELTY - The cell has a membrane electrode unit comprising a membrane arranged between an anode-sided electrode and a cathode-sided electrode, anode-sided and cathode-sided arranged current drain structures and anode-sided and cathode-sided arranged distribution structures for fuel and oxidant. The electrode unit and the drain and distribution structures are integrated into a monolithically constructed carrier structure. The structure consists of polymers such as high performance polymers and/or ceramic material. The structure has two parts connected together by ultrasonic welding and/or sintering. DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are also included for the following: (1) a stack comprising two fuel cells (2) a method for manufacturing a fuel cell. USE - Fuel cell for use in a planar fuel cell system. ADVANTAGE - The carrier structure consists of polymers such as high performance polymers, thus improving the mechanical stability, purity and heat resistance of the cell for a long period of time. The current drain structures and the distribution structures are integrated into the carrier structure using dead mold casting procedure, so that the fuel cell can be directly outward sealed without further processing step. The material of the carrier structure exhibits pre-stressing during fixation of the electrodes, so that durable preset compression of the active components is achieved. The fuel cell can be manufactured in an inexpensive manner with high accuracy. The carrier structure has two parts that are connected together by ultrasonic welding and/or sintering, so that the assembling can be performed in a very quick manner without using additional materials. The integration of structures in the dead mold casting process improves the water supply and discharge of product water in a passive manner, thus increasing the efficiency of planar fuel cell system