Abstract: A busbar module connects a first cell and a second cell adjacent to the first cell, arranged in a first direction and each having first and second electrode terminals spaced apart in a second direction normal to the first direction. The busbar module includes a busbar that electrically connects a first electrode terminal of the first cell and a second electrode terminal of the second cell to each other, and an insulating portion that accommodates the busbar. The busbar includes a first recessed mounting portion, the first recessed mounting portion and a protruding shape of the first electrode terminal having interfitting shapes and a second recessed mounting portion, the second recessed mounting portion and a protruding shape of the second electrode terminal having interfitting shapes, the first and second mounting portions, being slideably coupleable with the first and second electrode terminals.

Abstract: An air compressor as a fluid compressor includes: a suction port and a delivery port provided at upper and lower portions, respectively, of a pump chamber; a suction passage in communication with the inside of the pump chamber via the suction port; a delivery passage in communication with the inside of the pump chamber via the delivery port; and a driving rotor and a driven rotor provided in the pump chamber. At least a part of the suction passage is located below the suction port.

Abstract: A method for improving the lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) film (such as films in thin film batteries) morphology includes using oxygen (O2) and argon (Ar) gases during sputtering deposition of the LiCoO2 film. This may allow for the manufacturing of thicker LiCoO2 films. Such a method may also significantly reduce or eliminate cracking and obvious columnar structures within the resulting LiCoO2 film layer. Sputtering using a mixture of O2 and Ar also may produce a LiCoO2 film layer that requires lower annealing temperatures to reach good utilization and has higher lithium diffusion rates.

Abstract: Nitride stabilized metal nanoparticles and methods for their manufacture are disclosed. In one embodiment the metal nanoparticles have a continuous and nonporous noble metal shell with a nitride-stabilized non-noble metal core. The nitride-stabilized core provides a stabilizing effect under high oxidizing conditions suppressing the noble metal dissolution during potential cycling. The nitride stabilized nanoparticles may be fabricated by a process in which a core is coated with a shell layer that encapsulates the entire core. Introduction of nitrogen into the core by annealing produces metal nitride(s) that are less susceptible to dissolution during potential cycling under high oxidizing conditions.

Abstract: A secondary battery according to embodiments of the present invention can reduce or prevent an uncoated portion and the rest of an electrode assembly from being damaged when the uncoated portion and a collector plate are coupled to each other using laser welding. The secondary battery includes a case having an internal space, an electrode assembly accommodated in the case, the electrode assembly having a coated portion coated with an active material and an uncoated portion without the active material, and a collector plate including a first collector plate and a second collector plate coupled to the uncoated portion, wherein first protrusions of the first collector plate and second protrusions of the second collector plate are engaged with each other with the uncoated portion interposed therebetween, and a boundary surface between the first protrusions and the second protrusions is configured to deviate with respect to a direction in which the collector plate is coupled to the uncoated portion.

Abstract: To provide an electric-connector attachment structure of a battery pack for an electric vehicle, which can attach an electric connector to a battery pack even when the height of the battery pack for an electric-vehicle is set low, the electric-connector attachment structure includes: a battery pack 3 for an electric vehicle including a tray 4 of a box-like shape which accommodates a battery and has an opening on an upper side, and a cover 5 of a box-like shape having an opening on a lower side, the tray 4 and the cover 5 being joined at a horizontal plane; and an electric connector 6 to which an electrical cable 61 is connected.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for this secondary battery has a pair of end surfaces in a layering direction. Each of said end surfaces has a facing section onto which facing regions where positive-electrode active-material layers and negative-electrode active-material layers face each other are projected. Securing tapes for securing the electrode assembly from one end face thereof to the other are laid out on top of the aforementioned facing sections. Each securing tape has a section in which, viewed in the layering direction of the electrode assembly, the tip of the securing tape attached to one end face of the electrode assembly and the tip of the securing tape attached to the other end face of the electrode assembly do not overlap.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a secondary battery, in which scattering of an electrolyte is prevented while a degassing process is performed to prevent a product from being contaminated due to the scattering of the electrolyte. The method of manufacturing the secondary battery includes performing a formation process on a battery cell including a dead space to generate a gas within the battery cell, closing a piercing tool of a gas removing device to form a through hole in the dead space, thereby discharging the gas within the battery cell through the piercing tool, closing a sealing tool of the gas removing device after the gas is discharged to thermally bond an inner portion of the dead space that is adjacent to an electrode assembly within the battery cell, opening the piercing tool in the state where the sealing tool is closed, and opening the sealing tool after the piercing tool is opened.

Abstract: A lithium-ion secondary battery 100 includes a positive electrode current collector 221 and a porous positive electrode active material layer 223 retained by the positive electrode current collector 221. The positive electrode active material layer 223 contains, for example, positive electrode active material particles 610, an electrically conductive material 620, and a binder 630. In this lithium-ion secondary battery 100, the positive electrode active material particles 610 have a shell portion 612 constituted by a lithium transition metal oxide, a hollow portion 614 formed inside the shell portion 612, and a through hole 616 penetrating the shell portion 612. In the lithium-ion secondary battery 100, in the positive electrode active material layer 223 on average, the hollow portion 614 accounts for 23% or higher of an apparent sectional area of the positive electrode active material particles 610.

Abstract: A hydrogen gas supply device supplies hydrogen gas to a fuel cell stack and includes an electromagnetic pressure regulating valve that regulates the pressure of the hydrogen gas to low pressure. The electromagnetic pressure regulating valve includes a housing, and a valve passage connecting a primary port and a secondary port is formed in the housing. A valve body controls an opening degree of the valve passage and is provided in the housing. A high-pressure sealing member and low-pressure sealing member are provided on an outer periphery of the valve body. The high-pressure sealing member and the low-pressure sealing member are provided in this order from one end side of the valve body to the other end side thereof. The electromagnetic pressure regulating valve further includes a housing pressure equalizing passage connecting the secondary port and a buffer chamber formed between the high-pressure sealing member and the low-pressure sealing member.

Abstract: A fuel cell is formed by sandwiching a membrane electrode assembly between a first separator and a second separator. The membrane electrode assembly includes a cathode, an anode, and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between the cathode and the anode. In the membrane electrode assembly, a catalyst area of an electrode catalyst layer of the cathode and an electrode catalyst layer of the anode terminates at a position spaced upwardly from lower ends of an oxygen-containing gas flow field and a fuel gas flow field.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for capturing CO2 from a combustion source using molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs). At least a portion of the anode exhaust can be recycled for use as part of anode input stream. This can allow for a reduction in the amount of fuel cell area required for separating CO2 from the combustion source exhaust and/or modifications in how the fuel cells can be operated.

Abstract: A fuel cell has an electrolyte membrane of 5 to 10 ?m in thickness. A control device for this fuel cell comprises: a controller configured to control an amount of power generation by the fuel cell according to a required amount of electric power; and a power generation reducer configured to reduce the amount of power generation by the fuel cell at a humidity of an electrolyte membrane of 95 to 98% RH to be lower than the amount of power generation at the humidity of the electrolyte membrane of lower than 95% RH.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus relating to three-dimensional battery structures and methods of manufacturing them are disclosed and claimed. In certain embodiments, a three-dimensional battery comprises a battery enclosure, and a first structural layer within the battery enclosure, where the first structural layer has a first surface, and a first plurality of conductive protrusions extend from the first surface. A first plurality of electrodes is located within the battery enclosure, where the first plurality of electrodes includes a plurality of cathodes and a plurality of anodes, and wherein the first plurality of electrodes includes a second plurality of electrodes selected from the first plurality of electrodes, each of the second plurality of electrodes being in contact with the outer surface of one of said first plurality of conductive protrusions. Some embodiments relate to processes of manufacturing energy storage devices with or without the use of a backbone structure or layer.

Abstract: In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for integration of molten carbonate fuel cells with a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process. The molten carbonate fuel cells can be integrated with a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process in various manners, including providing synthesis gas for use in producing hydrocarbonaceous carbons. Additionally, integration of molten carbonate fuel cells with a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process can facilitate further processing of vent streams or secondary product streams generated during the synthesis process.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid electrolyte for batteries, which has excellent ion conductivity, a method for producing the liquid electrolyte and a battery including the liquid electrolyte. Disclosed is a liquid electrolyte for batteries, comprising a mesoionic compound represented by the following general formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 are each independently an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Provided is a method of starting a fuel cell system including a hydrogen concentration acquisition process of acquiring a concentration of hydrogen in the anode, a threshold value determination process of determining whether or not the concentration of hydrogen which is acquired by the hydrogen concentration acquisition process is greater than or equal to a predetermined second threshold value, and a starting pressure setting process of setting a pressure of hydrogen supplied to an anode from a hydrogen tank when supplying hydrogen to the anode from the hydrogen tank in a state in which a contactor is shut off.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane which comprises a polymer electrolyte having sulfonic acid groups, and contains any one of the following (a) to (c): (a) cerium ions and an organic compound (X) capable of forming an inclusion compound with cerium ions; (b) an inclusion compound (Y) comprising the organic compound (X) including cerium ions; and (c) at least one of cerium ions and the organic compound (X), and the inclusion compound (Y).

Abstract: A high-performance rechargeable battery using ultra-fast ion conductors. In one embodiment the rechargeable battery apparatus includes an enclosure, a first electrode operatively connected to the enclosure, a second electrode operatively connected to the enclosure, a nanomaterial in the enclosure, and a heat transfer unit.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes an external electrode terminal, a current collecting tab, a lead, and first and second insulating members. The lead has a hollow portion, electrically connecting the external electrode terminal and the diaphragm. The diaphragm is placed to cover the hollow portion and allow the diaphragm to deform toward the hollow portion. The first insulating member is interposed between the sealing plate and the lead. The second insulating member is interposed between the diaphragm and the current collecting tab. Side walls of the first insulating member and side walls of the second insulating member are coupled to each other. The battery is configured such that the diaphragm deforms toward the outside of the battery when a gas pressure increases in the battery, thereby breaking an electric connection between the external electrode terminal and an electrode assembly of the battery.