Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a first area where an exhaust gas combustor and a start-up combustor are provided, an annular second area around the first area where a heat exchanger is provided, an annular third area around the second area where a reformer is provided, an annular fourth area around the third area where an evaporator is provided. The heat exchanger includes heat exchange pipes connected to an oxygen-containing gas supply chamber and an oxygen-containing gas discharge chamber. A first circumscribed non-uniform flow suppression plate is provided along a minimum circumscribed circle which contacts outer surfaces of the heat exchange pipes.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention relate to the design of three-dimensional battery cells and their incorporation into battery modules and battery packs. The present invention may be particularly advantageous when incorporated into large battery packs, for example, those used in electric vehicles. The unique architecture of the battery cells of certain embodiments of the invention provides improved thermal performance with significant impact on cycle and calendar life when incorporated into a battery pack. Substantially higher pack energy density for a given cell energy density is provided when compared to a conventional cell. Battery cells can be strung together to form modules and packs with whatever series/parallel arrangement required for a particular application. Cooling, if needed, can be incorporated at the module level rather than the individual die level, as is the case with conventional architectures, dramatically reducing the cost of the system.

Abstract: A power generator includes a fuel container adapted to hold a hydrogen containing fuel. A sliding valve is coupled between a fuel cell and a fuel container. A pressure responsive actuator is coupled to the two stage valve and the fuel container.

Abstract: A three-dimensional electrode array for use in electrochemical cells, fuel cells, capacitors, supercapacitors, flow batteries, metal-air batteries and semi-solid batteries.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aluminum alloy foil, capable of going under thin rolling during its manufacture. The aluminum alloy foil shall also avoid cuts during the active material paste coating process and wrinkles during the press working process, and have suitable strength for the series of manufacturing processes from the manufacture of the aluminum alloy foil to the manufacture of the electrode material. Further, the present invention provides an aluminum alloy foil for electrode current collector, including 0.50 to 1.50 mass % (hereinafter mass % is referred to as %) of Mn, 0.05 to 0.50% of Cu, 0.20 to 1.00% of Fe, 0.01 to 0.60% of Si, with the rest consisting of Al and unavoidable impurities, a manufacturing method thereof, and an electrode material. Here, regarding the aluminum alloy foil, a solid solution amount of Mn is 1500 ppm or more, a solid solution amount of Cu is 40 ppm or more, and a tensile strength after a final cold rolling (T1) is 260 MPa or higher and 350 MPa or lower.

Abstract: Disclosed are certain fluorinated derivatives of Meldrum's acid as novel compounds, preparation methods for the same, their use in Li ion batteries, Li air batteries and Li sulphur batteries as well as solvent compositions, electrolyte compositions and respective batteries containing them.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems for the electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen, having redox mediator/redox catalyst pairs and an electrolyte solution in contact with an electrode. The redox mediator is included in the electrolyte solution, and the redox catalyst may be included in the electrolyte solution, or alternatively, may be in contact with the electrolyte solution. In one form a cobalt redox catalyst is used with a quinone redox mediator. In another form a nitrogen oxide redox catalyst is used with a nitroxyl type redox mediator. The systems can be used in electrochemical cells wherein neither the anode nor the cathode comprise an expensive metal such as platinum.

Abstract: Processing units and electrical power generation are integrated with a botanical environment to form a closed loop system whereby the outputs of one component serve as the inputs of another. Additionally, humans can be added to the system while maintaining the closed loop nature. Heat generated by the electrical power generation and processing units aids in the growth of botanicals and in the conversion of waste organic materials into both fertilizer and fuel for the electrical power generation. Additionally, carbon dioxide output by the electrical power generation is consumed by the botanicals, which, in turn, output oxygen consumed by the electrical power generation. Water is obtained by passing the exhaust of the electrical power generation across condenser coils, and is utilized for adiabatic cooling, as well as a heat transfer medium. Water is also consumed by the botanicals, aiding their growth.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes a cathode electrode, a solid oxide electrolyte, and an anode electrode having a first region located adjacent to a fuel inlet and a second region located adjacent to a fuel outlet. The anode electrode includes a cermet having a nickel containing phase and a ceramic phase. The first region of the anode electrode contains a lower ratio of the nickel containing phase to the ceramic phase than the second region of the anode electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus of power generation is provided. The apparatus uses a stack of dense solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). The exhaust gas generated by a burner of the apparatus enters into the SOFC stack for heating. At the same time, the SOFC stack is heated by the thermal radiation and heat transfer of the burner as well as the thermal convection of gases between the anode and the cathode. Thus, the SOFC stack is heated to reach an operating temperature for generating power without any additional electroheat device. The present invention has a simple structure, flexible operation. Moreover, it increased efficiency, reduced pollutant emission with lowered costs of equipment and operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a battery pack capable of discharging gases in a pouch type battery cell when a gas pressure inside the pouch type battery cell is increased over a reference pressure, the battery pack including: a plurality of pouch type battery cells; a case comprising partitions suppressing the pouch type battery cells from expanding in a thickness direction thereof, wherein the pouch type battery cells are respectively held in spaces defined by the partitions; and a punching unit installed on the case to pierce a portion of surfaces of the pouch type battery cells, which is not supported by the partition, and having pin members of which number is equal to that of the pouch type battery cells.

Abstract: A secondary battery capable of improving cycle characteristics, conservation characteristics, and load characteristics is provided. The secondary battery includes a cathode, an anode, and an electrolytic solution. A separator provided between the cathode and the anode is impregnated with an electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution includes one or more of a dicarbonic ester compound, a dicarboxylic compound, a disulfonic compound, a monofluoro lithium phosphate, and difluoro lithium phosphate and one or more of fluorinated lithium phosphate, fluorinated lithium borate, and imide lithium.

Abstract: A coated method for the preparation of a separator comprising multiple layers of glass or glass and ceramic particles for use in an electrochemical cell, an electrochemical cell comprising such a separator and the use of such an electrochemical cell. The method comprises the steps of providing a mixture of an organic polymeric material, glass or glass and ceramic particles and at least one solvent, and preparing a multilayer by phase inversion.

Abstract: A crystalline carbonaceous material with a controlled interlayer spacing and a method of manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, a crystalline carbonaceous material has a layered structure including a plurality of layers and where a filler is present between the layers. The layers with the filler have an interlayer spacing d002 at a (002) plane, and the interlayer spacing d002 is at or between 0.335 nm and 1 nm when its X-ray diffraction is measured using a CuK? ray.

Abstract: A battery pack including a battery cell having an anode and cathode terminal at one face having a sealed surplus portion and a protection circuit module (PCM) connected to the cell via the anode and cathode terminal, the PCM including a board having a protection circuit thereon, the board being provided with an anode and cathode terminal connection part connected to the anode and cathode terminal, respectively, and a PCM case configured to receive the board through an open face thereof so that the PCM case surrounds the board. The board is coupled to the anode and cathode terminal of the cell via the anode and cathode terminal connection part, the board is disposed in the PCM case in a state in which the board is parallel to the cell, and the PCM case, in which the board is disposed, is mounted to the sealed surplus portion of the cell.

Abstract: In order to provide a membrane electrode assembly that can further improve power generation performances of a fuel cell, the present invention allows a rib portion (22) that separates mutually adjacent gas flow passages (21) from each other to have a porosity lower than the porosity of a lower area (23) of the rib portion. Thus, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the rib portion and excessive permeation of a reaction gas, and consequently to further improve the power generation performances.

Abstract: A controller (control portion) of a fuel cell system is provided with a flow path switching control device that switches a thermostat valve (flow path switching valve) so that, after a fuel cell has stopped generating electric power, coolant is supplied to a radiator circulation path until the coolant temperature becomes a second temperature threshold value that is lower than a first temperature threshold value.

Abstract: A battery cell assembly having a battery cell and a thin profile sensor is provided. The battery cell has a housing and first and second electrical terminals extending therefrom. The thin profile sensor has a flexible plastic sheet, a microprocessor, and a sensing circuit. The microprocessor and the sensing circuit are coupled to the flexible plastic sheet. The flexible plastic sheet is coupled to an exterior surface of the housing of the battery cell. The sensing circuit generates a signal that is indicative of an operational parameter value of the battery cell. The microprocessor determines the operational parameter value based on the signal from the sensing circuit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a silicon-based anode active material, comprising a silicon phase, a SiOx (0<x<2) phase and a carbon dioxide phase. Also disclosed is a secondary battery, which comprises a cathode comprising a cathode active material, an anode active material comprising an anode active material, and a separator, wherein the anode active material comprises a silicon phase, an SiOx (0<x<2) phase and a silicon dioxide phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel cell with a gap for transport flow of an electrolyte containing charge carrying ions from either a fuel or an oxidizer between anode and a cathode.