Abstract: A solid polymer fuel cell stack has a layered product comprised of a plurality of cells stacked, and is so structured that the layered product is fastened by end plates on both sides thereof via a current collector and an insulating plate on each side. Each cell is structured such that an MEA is sandwiched between an anode-side plate, which is provided with a fuel path disposed counter to an anode of the MEA, and a cathode-side plate, which is provided with an oxidizing agent path disposed counter to a cathode of the MEA. An MEA is comprised of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode and a cathode. The solid polymer electrolyte membrane is composed of powder of basic polymer such as polybenzimidazole, strong acid such as phosphoric acid impregnated with the basic polymer, and binder such as fluorocarbon resin.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is structured such that an anode is joined, via a carbon layer, to one surface of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane containing PBI and phosphoric acid and a cathode is joined to the other surface. The carbon layer is constituted by carbon powder and a first binder. Carbon black, carbon nanotube and the like may be used as carbon powder. The thickness of the carbon layer is preferably greater than that of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: An electrode includes a current collector comprising a grid, said grid comprising a plurality of planar, parallel rows disposed between interleaved rows having raised and lowered segments, and a tab portion extending from a side of the current collector. Raised and lowered segments are disposed horizontally relative to the tab portion, thereby providing substantially uninterrupted conductive ribbons extending from the bottom of the current collector to the tab portion.

Abstract: An interconnect element for electrically connecting an anode and a cathode in adjacent fuel cells in a fuel cell stack, wherein said interconnect element has at least one featured surface including dimples, bosses, and/or pins arranged in a two-dimensional pattern. Preferably, both surfaces are featured, as by mechanical dimpling, embossing, or chemical etching, so that protrusions of the interconnect surface extend into either or both of the adjacent gas flow spaces to make electrical contact with the surfaces of the anode and cathode. This permits conduction of heat from the anode. The protrusions create turbulence in gas flowing through the flow spaces, which increases hydrogen consumption at the anode and hence electric output of the cell.

Abstract: An article bearing a flow field such as a distribution plate for use in a fuel cell is provided. The active portion of the article, i.e., the portion of the article bearing the flow field, comprises at least two subsections; a first central subsection and a second peripheral subsection; wherein channels within the first subsection have a cross-sectional profile that differs from that of channels within the second subsection. Typically, channels of the first subsection have lesser depth, greater draft or greater ratio of draft to depth. In addition, an article bearing a flow field is provided where the flow field comprises at least two channel segments which differ in draft. In addition, an article bearing a flow field is provided where the flow field comprises at least one channel segment comprising first and second channel walls which differ in draft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the technical field of electrochemistry and describes a method and an apparatus for producing fuel cell components, in particular membrane electrode units (“MEUs”) for membrane fuel cells. In the case of the method according to the invention, anode and cathode electrodes are applied to two neighboring heated rollers that are subjected to a vacuum. The applied vacuum has the effect that they are introduced exactly in position into a roller nip and then laminated with an ion-conducting membrane. Due to the extended heat influencing zone, high production rates are achieved with the method according to the invention. The apparatus according to the invention comprises a rolling mill with heatable vacuum rollers. It has advantages due to the simple construction and the absence of transfer locations.

Abstract: A frame structure for collecting a plurality of batteries comprises a cover covers one end surface of the batteries with positive and negative terminals, and the positive and negative terminals of the batteries are protruded out of the cover. A base is provided for collecting the batteries. A plurality of jointing structures is inserted through both sides of the cover and the base. Such arrangements not only is portable and easy to disassemble, but also is environmental protection.

Abstract: A compound comprising a composition Ax(M?1-aM?a)y(XD4)z, Ax(M?1-aM?a)y(DXD4)z, or Ax(M?1-aM?a)y(X2D7)z, and have values such that x, plus y(1?a) times a formal valence or valences of M?, plus ya times a formal valence or valence of M?, is equal to z times a formal valence of the XD4, X2D7, or DXD4 group; or a compound comprising a composition (A1-aM?a)xM?y(XD4)z, (A1-aM?a)xM?y(DXD4)z (A1-aM?a)xM?y(X2D7)z and have values such that (1?a)x plus the quantity ax times the formal valence or valences of M? plus y times the formal valence or valences of M? is equal to z times the formal valence of the XD4, X2D7 or DXD4 group. In the compound, A is at least one of an alkali metal and hydrogen, M? is a first-row transition metal, X is at least one of phosphorus, sulfur, arsenic, molybdenum, and tungsten, M? any of a Group IIA, IIIA, IVA, VA, VIA, VIIA, VIIIA, IB, IIB, IIIB, IVB, VB, and VIB metal, D is at least one of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, or a halogen, 0.0001<a?0.1, and x, y, and z are greater than zero.

Abstract: A secondary battery prevents shorts between electrodes by discharging an electrode assembly downward through a can provided with notches at a lower part thereof when the battery is vertically compressed. The secondary battery includes: an electrode assembly; a can having an upper opening to receive the electrode assembly and a notched part at a lower part thereof; and a cap assembly to seal the can.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing a positive active material for a lithium secondary battery includes adding a metal source to a doping element-containing coating liquid to surface-treat the metal source, wherein the metal source is selected from the group consisting of cobalt, manganese, nickel, and combination thereof; drying the surface-treated metal source material to prepare a positive active material precursor; mixing the positive active material precursor with a lithium source; and subjecting the mixture to heat-treatment. Alternatively, the above drying step during preparation of the positive active material precursor is substituted by preheat-treatment or drying followed by preheat-treatment.

Abstract: A gasket 20; 40; 80 for use in a starved electrolyte bipolar battery comprises a structural part 27; 44; 82 in the shape of a frame having an upper surface 1 and a lower surface 2, and at least one channel 23, 24; 83, 84 to permit gas passage through the gasket. The structural part is made from a first material having hydrophobic properties. The gasket 20; 40; 80 further comprises at least a first sealing surface 30; 47; 91 arranged in a closed loop projecting from the upper surface 1, and at least a second sealing surface 30; 47; 92 arranged in a closed loop projecting from the lower surface 2. The first and the second sealing surfaces are provided on at least one sealing part 26; 41, 41; 81, are made from a second material, and the first material of the structural part 27; 44; 82 has a higher elastic modulus than an elastic modulus of the second material of the sealing parts 26; 41, 42; 81. A starved electrolyte bipolar battery and a method for manufacturing a gasket are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a bipolar plate assembly for use in a fuel cell stack. The bipolar plate assembly includes: (a) at least one flow field layer defining a flow field portion and a perimeter portion; (b) at least one core assembly including at least one porous carbon layer and at least one impermeable layer; and (c) a cathode side reactant and an anode side reactant. The at least a first flow field layer is made from a porous carbon material and the perimeter portion is impregnated with a polymer material. The porous carbon layer is joined to: (i) the at least one impermeable layer on a first side by an adhesive material; and (ii) the flow field layer perimeter on a second side by a second adhesive material. The at least a first flow field layer defines reactant inlet and outlet ports and reactant flow passageways for each of the cathode side reactant and the anode side reactant.

Abstract: In a solid polymer electrolyte membrane type fuel cell of the invention, where a pair of electrodes are provided on opposite sides of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and the outside thereof is clamped by a pair of separators, and nonconductive picture frame-shaped members 61 are arranged at the outer edge portions of the separators, for allowing increase and decrease of a space between separators, while sealing a gap between the separators.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved, low-cost fuel cells having reduced fuel crossover, reduced sensitivity to metal ion impurities and ability to operate under a broad range of temperatures. The invention further provides improved methods for catalyst preparation and a new integrated flow field system for use in H2/O2 fuel cells.

Abstract: An electrochemical device includes a first electrode in electrical communication with a first current collector, a second electrode in electrical communication with a second current collector and a crosslinked solid polymer in contact with the first and second electrodes. At least one of the first and second electrodes includes a network of electrically connected particles comprising an electroactive material, and the particles of one electrode exert a repelling force on the other electrode when the first and second electrodes are combined with an uncrosslinked precursor to the solid polymer.

Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery has a shape memory safety vent adapted to discharge internal compressed gas by temporarily being opened when the temperature reaches a predetermined level to avoid a swelling phenomenon of the battery and improve safety. The lithium ion secondary battery includes an electrode assembly having first and second electrode plates wound a number of times with a separator interposed between them; a can having an opening formed on a side thereof to contain the electrode assembly; and a cap plate adapted to cover the can and provided with a vent hole on a side thereof, to which a safety vent adapted to deform at a predetermined temperature and discharge gas from inside the can to the exterior is coupled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a paste-like mass that can be used in electrochemical structural elements, including a heterogeneous mixture of (1.) a matrix (A) containing at least one organic polymer, precursors thereof, or prepolymers thereof, and a plasticizer, and (2.) an electrochemically activatable inorganic material in the form of a solid substance (B), the material not being soluble in the matrix and in water, with the proviso that a conductor that is soluble in the plasticizer and that is different from (B) is not present in the mixture, wherein the plasticizer is present in a quantity of up to about 5% by weight, relative to the quantity of the electrochemically activatable material. Self-supporting layers or layers that are placed on a substrate can be prepared from the paste-like mass.

Abstract: An organic electrolytic solution comprising a nonaqueous solvent and a lithium salt, wherein the organic electrolytic solution comprises a compound of Formula 1 and at least one selected from compounds of Formulas 2 through 5: wherein R1 a C1˜C10 alkoxy group, wherein R2 and R3 are independently unsubstituted C1˜C5 alkyl group or C1˜C5 alkyl group substituted with halogen atom, wherein n is an integer between 1 and 6.

Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte material made of a copolymer comprising a repeating unit based on a fluoromonomer A which gives a polymer having an alicyclic structure in its main chain by radical polymerization, and a repeating unit based on a fluoromonomer B of the following formula (1): CF2?CF(Rf)jSO2X??(1) wherein j is 0 or 1, X is a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom or OM {wherein M is a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal atom or a group of NR1R2R3R4 (wherein each of R1, R2, R3 and R4 which may be the same or different, is a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group)}, and Rf is a C1-20 polyfluoroalkylene group having a straight chain or branched structure which may contain ether oxygen atoms.

Abstract: A storage battery is provided in which an expand grid is improved with respect to the widths of grid wires 1b, the sectional areas of nodes 1e, and the shapes of meshes 1c, whereby the productivity of the expand grid can be enhanced and the life performance can be improved. As means for attaining the object, a storage battery in which an expand grid is used as a battery plate, the expand grid being a grid member which is formed by expanding a side portion of a collector frame portion 1a of a metal sheet 1 to connect a large number of grid wires 1b to one another in a net-like shape, is configured so that widths of grid wires 1b of a row which is directly connected to the collector frame portion 1a of the expand grid, and a lateral end row are larger than widths of grid wires 1b of at least one of intermediate rows.