Patent ID: 8114549
Filing Date: 2012-02-14
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A fuel cell comprising: a membrane electrode assembly having an anode and a cathode respectively bonded to surfaces of a polymer electrolyte membrane; a first separator and a second separator that support the membrane electrode assembly therebetween, wherein the first separator is provided on a anode side and the second separator is provided on a cathode side; an anode-side gas flow path, provided between the anode and the first separator, that supplies fuel gas containing hydrogen to the anode; and a cathode-side gas flow path, provided between the cathode and the second separator, that supplies oxidant gas containing oxygen to the cathode, wherein the cathode-side gas flow path is formed so that the oxidant gas flows in a direction substantially opposite to a direction of an external force that is exerted on water produced at the cathode by an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen contained in the fuel gas and oxygen contained in the oxidant gas during power generation, and that hydrophilicity on a downstream side of the cathode-side gas flow path in a flow direction of the oxidant gas is higher than hydrophilicity on an upstream side.