(DE19701174-A1)      Measuring the specific surface area (SSA) available for reaction of a noble metal catalyst of an electrode material powder for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) comprises: (a) reducing a first electrode material powder comprising a noble metal catalyst on a powdered carbon carrier; (b) reducing a second electrode material powder comprising a noble metal catalyst covered with polymer electrolyte (PE) on a powdered carbon carrier; (c) exposing the first electrode powder to carbon monoxide and measuring the total SSA of the noble metal catalyst from the amount of carbon monoxide adsorbed; (d) exposing the second electrode powder to carbon monoxide and measuring the SSA of the catalyst from carbon monoxide adsorption as above; and (e) obtaining the available SSA by subtracting the value obtained in step (d) from the value obtained in step (c).    Also claimed is an electrode for a PEMFC having an electrode material comprising: (i) a noble metal catalyst powder; and (ii) a polymer electrolyte; such that the utilisation ratio of the catalyst is at least 40% of the saturation utilisation value.    USE -   Used for determining the utilisation ratio of a noble metal catalyst in a polymer electrolyte. PEMFCs are used as the power supply aboard spacecraft and also for consumer uses, e.g. as the driving power source for electric vehicles and boats, and as portable power supplies.    ADVANTAGE -   The SSA of catalyst available for reaction is measured accurately to allow control of the catalyst utilisation ratio. This control provides an electrode material with excellent polarisation characteristics.    (JP9257687-A)      The method involves using a fuel cell which includes a mixture of noble metal catalyst carrying carbon powder (1) and polyelectrolyte (2) as construction material. A hydrogen reduction is performed to the noble metal catalyst carrying carbon powder, in the state where polyelectrolyte is not included, at a temperature of 150-250 C. The total specific area of catalyst is obtained by making it to absorb carbon monoxide. The hydrogen reduction to catalyst carrying carbon powder along with polyelectrolyte is subsequently performed at a temperature of 150-250 C. The specific area of catalyst not coated with polyelectrolyte is obtained by making it to absorb carbon monoxide. The specific surface area of the catalyst coated with polyelectrolyte is obtained by subtracting specific surface area of catalyst not coated with polyelectrolyte from total specific surface area of catalyst.    ADVANTAGE -   Ensures accurate computation. Obtains utilisation factor of catalyst in fuel battery. Produces electrode catalyst layer of fuel battery with high characteristics.    (US5866423-A)      Measuring the specific surface area (SSA) available for reaction of a noble metal catalyst of an electrode material powder for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) comprises: (a) reducing a first electrode material powder comprising a noble metal catalyst on a powdered carbon carrier; (b) reducing a second electrode material powder comprising a noble metal catalyst covered with polymer electrolyte (PE) on a powdered carbon carrier; (c) exposing the first electrode powder to carbon monoxide and measuring the total SSA of the noble metal catalyst from the amount of carbon monoxide adsorbed; (d) exposing the second electrode powder to carbon monoxide and measuring the SSA of the catalyst from carbon monoxide adsorption as above; and (e) obtaining the available SSA by subtracting the value obtained in step (d) from the value obtained in step (c).    Also claimed is an electrode for a PEMFC having an electrode material comprising: (i) a noble metal catalyst powder; and (ii) a polymer electrolyte; such that the utilisation ratio of the catalyst is at least 40% of the saturation utilisation value.    USE -   Used for determining the utilisation ratio of a noble metal catalyst in a polymer electrolyte. PEMFCs are used as the power supply aboard spacecraft and also for consumer uses, e.g. as the driving power source for electric vehicles and boats, and as portable power supplies.    ADVANTAGE -   The SSA of catalyst available for reaction is measured accurately to allow control of the catalyst utilisation ratio. This control provides an electrode material with excellent polarisation characteristics.    (US6242260-B1)      Measuring the specific surface area (SSA) available for reaction of a noble metal catalyst of an electrode material powder for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) comprises: (a) reducing a first electrode material powder comprising a noble metal catalyst on a powdered carbon carrier; (b) reducing a second electrode material powder comprising a noble metal catalyst covered with polymer electrolyte (PE) on a powdered carbon carrier; (c) exposing the first electrode powder to carbon monoxide and measuring the total SSA of the noble metal catalyst from the amount of carbon monoxide adsorbed; (d) exposing the second electrode powder to carbon monoxide and measuring the SSA of the catalyst from carbon monoxide adsorption as above; and (e) obtaining the available SSA by subtracting the value obtained in step (d) from the value obtained in step (c).    Also claimed is an electrode for a PEMFC having an electrode material comprising: (i) a noble metal catalyst powder; and (ii) a polymer electrolyte; such that the utilisation ratio of the catalyst is at least 40% of the saturation utilisation value.    USE -   Used for determining the utilisation ratio of a noble metal catalyst in a polymer electrolyte. PEMFCs are used as the power supply aboard spacecraft and also for consumer uses, e.g. as the driving power source for electric vehicles and boats, and as portable power supplies.    ADVANTAGE -   The SSA of catalyst available for reaction is measured accurately to allow control of the catalyst utilisation ratio. This control provides an electrode material with excellent polarisation characteristics.