Patent ID: 7816040
Filing Date: 2010-10-19
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A fuel cell comprising: a proton-conducting solid electrolyte; a fuel electrode provided on one side of the proton-conducting solid electrolyte; an oxidant electrode provided on the other side of the proton-conducting solid electrolyte; the proton-conducting solid electrolyte including at least one internal electrode therein; and a polarizing means which forms an electrochemically closed circuit between the at least one internal electrode, and either the fuel electrode or the oxidant electrode, for electrochemically polarizing the at least one internal electrode in order to prevent a fuel or an oxidant from reaching the oxidant electrode or the fuel electrode, respectively, by oxidizing the fuel or reducing the oxidant with the proton-conducting solid electrolyte, wherein the polarizing means includes an electron conducting solid electrolyte portion including proton conductivity and arranged in laminate between the internal electrode and at least one of the fuel electrode and the oxidant electrode so as to electrically connect the internal electrode with the at least one of the fuel electrode and the oxidant electrode through the electron conducting solid electrolyte portion itself, wherein the electron conducting solid electrolyte portion has a first surface that contacts the internal electrode and a second surface that contacts at least one of the fuel electrode and the oxidant electrode and wherein the electron conducting solid electrolyte portion is formed continuously from the first surface to the second surface, and wherein the electron conducting solid electrolyte portion is different from the proton-conducting solid electrolyte and the proton-conducting solid electrolyte does not conduct electrons.