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The present invention relates to a process for producing a fuel cell, comprising a step of forming a plurality of holes (10) in at least two substrates (9); each hole is in the seat of an individual fuel cell, the said holes having a particular geometry, such as a shape of a truncated cone or a trun

The present invention relates to a process for producing a fuel cell, comprising a step of forming a plurality of holes (10) in at least two substrates (9); each hole is in the seat of an individual fuel cell, the said holes having a particular geometry, such as a shape of a truncated cone or a truncated pyramid shape. The various individual cells are then electrically connected by networks of electrical connections (11, 12) and are supplied via a reactant distribution network, the assembly formed by a substrate (9), the cells and the networks constituting a base module (9'). Finally, at least two base modules (9') are assembled, the individual cells of each base module being positioned facing the individual cells of the adjacent base module(s).

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A process for producing a fuel cell, said fuel cell comprising a set of individual cells which are electrically connected to one another, each one of said individual cells comprising at least three layers including a membrane layer positioned between a first electrode l

The invention claimed is: 1. A process for producing a fuel cell, said fuel cell comprising a set of individual cells which are electrically connected to one another, each one of said individual cells comprising at least three layers including a membrane layer positioned between a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer, said process comprising, in succession, the steps of: providing a plurality of substrates, each one of said substrates having a first face, and a second face opposite said first face; forming a plurality of holes in each of a corresponding one of said substrates, such that each one of said holes opens out on said first face and said second face of said corresponding substrate via a first orifice section and a second orifice section, and each one of said holes having a lateral surface; forming individual cells on said lateral surface of each one of said holes; forming, on at least one of said first face and said second face of each substrate, a network of electrical connections and a reactant distribution network, wherein said networks connect said individual cells to one another, forming a base module from an assembly including said substrate, said individual cells, and said networks; a step of assembling at least two base modules adjacent to each other such that said individual cells of each one of said base modules are positioned facing said individual cells of the adjacent one or ones of said base modules, wherein, during the step of forming said plurality of holes, each one of said holes is formed such that at least one of said first and said second orifice sections has a surface area that is smaller than the surface area of at least one cross-section through said hole taken in a plane which is parallel to said opposite faces, and in that, for each hole, said first or second orifice section has a surface area which is smaller than the surface area of the other orifice section. 2. The process for producing a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein each one of said holes is substantially in the shape of a truncated cone. 3. The process for producing a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein each one of said holes is substantially in the shape of a truncated pyramid. 4. The process for producing a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein each one of said holes has a first orifice section and a second orifice section with surface areas which are smaller than the lateral surface of said one of said holes. 5. The process for producing a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein each one of said holes is produced by etching. 6. The process for producing a fuel cell according to claims 1, wherein each one of said holes is produced by laser ablation. 7. The process for producing a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein said substrate consists essentially of a material selected from a group consisting of silicon, porous silicon, graphite, ceramics, and a polymer. 8. The process for producing a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein each one of said individual cells is formed by successive deposition, on the lateral surface of each one of said holes, of at least three layers, in order to form said first electrode layer, said membrane layer and said second electrode layer. 9. The process for producing a fuel cell according to claim 8, wherein the step of forming said individual cells also comprises the step of depositing current collectors at each electrode layer. 10. The process for producing a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein said step of assembling two base modules includes the steps of providing two base modules each having one face without networks and placing said two faces without networks facing one another, applying a bonding layer to at least one of said faces without networks, and joining said two base modules at said faces facing one another. 11. The process for producing a fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein in said step of assembling at least two base modules includes the steps of placing one of said base modules having a face provided with said network of electrical connections and/or a reactant distribution network facing a face of another of said base modules, masking said face or faces provided with said network(s) by means of an impervious and insulating layer, planarizing said face or faces provided with the said network(s), applying a bonding layer to at least one of the faces facing one another, and joining said faces facing one another. 12. The process for producing a fuel cell according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the bonding layer includes a layer of identical composition to the membrane layer or a layer made from a material selected from the group consisting of silicon oxide and silicon nitride. 13. The process for producing a fuel cell according to claim 10 or 11, wherein said bonding layer includes an adhesive chosen from epoxides, polyimides, silicones, and acrylic polymers. 14. The process for producing a fuel cell according to claim 10 or 11, wherein said joining step is effected by clamping. 15. The process for producing a fuel cell according to claim 10 or 11, wherein said joining step is effected by molecular adhesion. 16. The process for producing a fuel cell according to claim 10 or 11, wherein said joining step is effected by adhesive bonding. 17. The process for producing a fuel cell according to claim 11, wherein said masking step, said planarization step, and said step of applying the bonding layer are effected simultaneously by application of a single layer. 18. The process for producing a fuel cell according to claim 17, wherein said single layer has a composition identical to said membrane layer. 19. The process for producing a fuel cell according to claim 17, wherein said single layer is made from a material selected from the group consisting of silicon oxide and silicon nitride. 20. A fuel cell comprising: at least two substrates each comprising a plurality of holes, each hole opening out on each side on two opposite faces of each substrate via a first orifice section and a second orifice section, and each hole having a lateral surface; individual cells formed on the lateral surface of each of said holes; on at least one of the said opposite faces of each substrate, a network of electrical connections and a reactant distribution network, said networks connecting said individual cells to one another, wherein a base module is comprised of an assembly of one of said substrates including the individual cells and said networks, and wherein at least two of said base modules are assembled together such that said individual cells of one of said base modules are positioned facing said individual cells of another of said base modules, wherein, for each hole, at least one of said first and second orifice section has a surface area that is smaller than the surface area of at least one cross section through said hole taken in a plane which is parallel to said opposite faces, and in that, for each hole, said first or second orifice section has a surface area that is smaller than the surface area of the other orifice section.