Abstract: A circuit substrate module and a battery module using the circuit substrate module are disclosed. The battery module includes: a plurality of battery units, wherein each battery unit comprises a plurality of battery cells, a case for accommodating the plurality of battery cells, a plurality of electrode terminals, and a plurality of communication connectors coupled to the battery cells and protruding out of the case; a circuit substrate module mounted on the plurality of battery units and comprising a circuit substrate, wherein a plurality of circuit substrate connectors are coupled to the plurality of communication connectors, wherein the plurality of circuit substrate connectors are coupled to a single external connector that is configured to be coupled to an external device.

Abstract: A method and system for preventing gas pressure in a pressure vessel from dropping below a minimum allowable pressure. Pressure readings from a pressure sensor downstream of a pressure regulator are monitored by a processor as they vary within a steady fluctuation band under normal regulated pressure conditions. When the pressure regulator reaches a fully open position in low vessel pressure conditions, the processor detects a drop in the pressure reading to a value below the recent fluctuation band, and recognizes that the pressure is dropping below the regulation pressure value. The processor can use this information to shut off flow of gas from the vessel, thus preventing the vessel from dropping below its minimum allowable pressure, regardless of the actual magnitude of the pressure reading from the sensor—which can vary through a wide range due to tolerances.

Abstract: A CO2 separator for a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) includes a single-layered membrane or a multi-layered membrane. In addition, (i) the membrane has a plurality of diffusion channels extending from an inside of the membrane to an outside of the membrane facing the inside, and mean diameters of the diffusion channels on the outside of the membrane are at least three-times greater than mean diameters of the diffusion channels on the inside of the membrane; and (ii) the inside and the outside of the membrane, and inner surfaces of the diffusion channels are hydrophobic.

Abstract: A repeating frame assembly for a battery pack includes a first cooling frame member having a first electrically conductive connection terminal adjacent a first end of the first cooling frame member. The connection terminal includes a top leg forming at least a portion of the first surface of the first cooling frame member and a bottom leg forming at least a portion of the second surface of the first cooling frame member. A first electrically conductive tab of a first battery cell is attached to the top leg of the first electrically conductive connection terminal. A second battery cell may be contained within a second cooling frame member or a first spacer frame member having a second electrically conductive connection terminal adjacent a first end thereof for providing a compression joint having a low resistance electrical connection to the second tab of the first battery cell.

Abstract: An electrochemical battery system in one embodiment includes a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, a separator positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode, an active material within the second electrode, a pressure sensor in fluid connection with the second electrode, a memory in which command instructions are stored, and a processor configured to execute the command instructions to obtain a pressure signal from the pressure sensor associated with the pressure within the second electrode, and to identify a state of charge of the electrochemical battery system based upon the pressure signal.

Abstract: The electrode collector 40 for a battery provided by the present invention is an electrode collector 40 having a base 10 that mainly composed of a conductive metal such as aluminum, and a DLC film 20 covering the surface 12 of the base 10. The DLC film 20 is not thicker than 10 nm, and preferably has a hydrophilic surface on which hydrophilic functional groups are present.

Abstract: The invention generally encompasses phosphonium ionic liquids and compositions and their use in many applications, including but not limited to: as electrolytes in electronic devices such as memory devices including static, permanent and dynamic random access memory, as battery electrolytes, as a heat transfer medium, fuel cells and electrochromatic devices, among other applications. In particular, the invention generally relates to phosphonium ionic liquids, compositions and molecules possessing structural features, wherein the molecules exhibit superior combination of thermodynamic stability, low volatility, wide liquidus range and ionic conductivity. The invention further encompasses methods of making such phosphonium ionic liquids, compositions and molecules, and operational devices and systems comprising the same.

Abstract: A battery pack for a vehicle has battery cells with foil cell tabs that are welded to an interconnect. Nickel plated copper is bonded to aluminum for either a first set of the battery cells, a second set of the battery cells or for the interconnect. Similar materials are then adjacent to each other at the weld locations between the foil cell tabs and the interconnect to avoid welding of dissimilar metals.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery according to the present invention includes an electrode assembly repeating charge and discharge with the movement of ions, a case containing the electrode assembly, and a supporting member surrounding the case and having a plurality of ribs on the outer surface thereof. Further, a battery module according to the present invention includes a plurality of rechargeable batteries, and a frame into which the rechargeable batteries are inserted. The rechargeable batteries include a case and a supporting member in contact with the case, and the supporting member includes a body surrounding the rechargeable battery and a rib protruding outwardly from the body.

Abstract: A battery cell assembly includes a plurality of sub-assemblies. Each sub-assembly includes a heat sink and a first frame and a second frame disposed on opposite sides of the heat sink. The sub-assemblies are stacked to form a plurality of cell pockets that receive a battery cell. The battery cell assembly further includes a plurality of tie rods for fixing the plurality of sub-assemblies together. The first frame is formed with a plurality of through holes, and the second frame is formed with a plurality of protrusions with a hole extending therethrough. The frames are brought together such that each protrusion is at least partially received in a respective through hole. The interior surfaces of corresponding protrusions and through holes of the stack of frames form a passage for one of the tie rods to extend through.

Abstract: A battery pack that electrically connects a terminal cover, which is attached to a terminal base, and a battery pack case even if the terminal cover and case are not in direct contact with each other. The case is formed from a conductive material and accommodates a battery. The terminal base is formed from a non-conductive material and attached to the case. The terminal cover is formed from a conductive material and attached to the terminal base. A conductor formed from a conductive material comes in contact with both of the terminal cover and the case.

Abstract: A fuel cell system and method that enables warm-up power generation corresponding to the residual water volume in the fuel cell stack without using auxiliary devices for measuring the residual water volume in the fuel cell stack. A controller computes total generated electrical energy Q by integrating of the generated current detected by current sensor during the period from start-up to shutting down of the fuel cell system, and stores the result in total generated electrical energy storage part. Also, controller measures fuel cell temperature Ts at the last shutting down cycle with temperature sensor, and stores it in power generation shutting down temperature storage part.

Abstract: A sulfide-based lithium-ion-conducting solid electrolyte glass is formed from sulfide-based lithium-ion-conducting solid electrolyte, and ?-alumina.

Abstract: An IR resistance of each of unit cells is measured, and a highest unit cell voltage as a threshold voltage is set based on the IR resistance and load current. The setting of the highest unit cell voltage uses map data that approximates current-voltage characteristics of a unit cell when the fuel gas is insufficiently supplied. In that case, the highest unit cell voltage is determined based on the voltage with respect to the load current obtained from the map data, and the IR loss calculated from the IR resistance and the load current. This highest unit cell voltage is compared with the measured unit cell voltage. If the unit cell voltage is below the highest unit cell voltage, the power generation of the fuel cell is stopped or restrained.

Abstract: Information-processing equipment includes a chassis having a housing section, the housing section including an opening portion for insertion of a battery pack, a back wall opposing a mounting end surface of the battery pack, a pair of side walls opposing a pair of side surfaces of the battery pack, and a ceiling wall opposing a mounting flat surface of the battery pack. The side walls having guide rails to engage slot portions on the side surfaces and to guide insertion of the battery pack. The guide rails engaging the slot portions, such that, until the amount of insertion of the battery pack reaches a predetermined value, a predetermined gap is ensured between the mounting flat surface and the ceiling wall, and when the amount of insertion of the battery pack has reached the predetermined value, the mounting flat surface is closer to the ceiling wall to eliminate the gap.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack formed by stacking two or more fuel cell layers each constituted of one or more unit cell and a fuel cell system including the same are provided. Any two fuel cell layers adjacent to each other each have one or more gap region. At least a part of the gap region in one fuel cell layer of any two fuel cell layers adjacent to each other is in contact with a unit cell constituting the other fuel cell layer. The gap region in one fuel cell layer and the gap region in the other fuel cell layer communicate with each other. The fuel cell stack is excellent in fuel or oxidizing agent supply performance and it realizes high power density.

Abstract: The present invention is a battery comprising: a power section containing a sulfur-based material; a distinguishing section which discolors by chemical reaction with hydrogen sulfide; and an exterior body incorporating the power section and the distinguishing section, the distinguishing section being observable from outside the exterior body. By checking discoloration of the distinguishing section or the distinguishing means, it is possible to easily detect the presence or absence of hydrogen sulfide in the battery and then judge deterioration of the battery with non-destructive inspection.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an active material for batteries includes monoclinic ?-type titanium composite oxide having a crystallite, wherein the monoclinic ?-type titanium composite oxide has a first diameter of the crystallite calculated from a peak present at an angle 2? of 48 to 49° and a second diameter of the crystallite calculated from a peak present at an angle 2? of 24 to 26°, by the wide-angle X-ray diffraction method using an X-ray source CuK? ray, the first diameter of the crystallite is defined as X and the second diameter of the crystallite is defined as Y, X is larger than Y.

Abstract: A protection module capable of being utilized by a secondary battery regardless of the external mounting structure of the secondary battery for mounting the secondary battery to an external device. Accordingly, it is unnecessary to separately manufacture a protective circuit module according to the external mounting structure of the battery. The secondary battery includes: a plurality of bare cells each of which includes a can, an electrode assembly, and a cap assembly; a first protective circuit module located on the upper surface of the bare cells that is formed by the cap assemblies; and a secondary protective circuit module located on a side surface of the bare cells that is formed by curved surfaces of the cans. The first protective circuit module and the second protective circuit module are electrically connected to each other.

Abstract: A water transfer assembly for use in a fuel cell system having an anode and a cathode, the anode being adapted to receive fuel and to output anode exhaust and the cathode being adapted to receive oxidant gas and to output cathode exhaust, the water transfer assembly comprising a first cooling assembly adapted to receive the cathode exhaust and to quench cool the cathode exhaust to recover a first portion of water including non-volatile contaminants from the cathode exhaust and to output cleansed cathode exhaust and the first water portion, and a second cooling assembly adapted to receive the cleansed cathode exhaust and to recover a second water portion from the cleansed cathode exhaust, the second water portion being suitable for humidifying the fuel supplied to the anode.