Abstract: Water disposal systems, apparatuses and methods that employ same, and methods for disposing water produced during power generation are provided. A separator of a fuel cell has an air supply groove formed therein for supplying air as an oxidizer gas to a cathode. The separator is also provided with water-absorbing cloths on the midway portion of the air supply groove. More specifically, the water-absorbing cloth is provided on the separator (110), as a water absorbing member for absorbing the water, so as to cover at least a part of the surface on which the air supply grooves is formed and the water-absorbing clothes is provided along the sidewall of the air supply grooves. Water generated during power generation by the power generator of the present invention is disposed in efficient and reliable manners, under a simple configuration.

Abstract: A gas diffusing electrode, an electrochemical device, such as fuel cell, employing same and methods of manufacturing same are provided. The gas diffusing electrode at least includes layers made of at least electro-conductive carbon powder or granule and sputtered platinum layers made of platinum laid alternately to form a multilayer structure. The electrochemical device can be down-sized while maintaining a relatively high power generating capacity.

Abstract: A gas diffusive electrode, an electrochemical device employing same, and methods of manufacturing and using same are provided. The gas diffusive electrode includes platinum powder and carbon powder or grain, to which carbon powder or grain whose particles are provided with a water-repellent film is further mixed. The gas diffusive electrode maintains an enhanced gas permeability.

Abstract: Catalytic electrodes, and their production process, as well as electrochemical devices and their fabrication process are provided. The catalytic electrode includes a catalyst layer, which contains an electrolyte composed of a solid polymer such as polytetrafluoroethylene and also contains catalyst particles such as Pt. The solid polymer electrolyte has a crosslinked structure. The catalytic electrode is produced by forming the catalyst layer with the solid polymer and catalyst contained therein, and exposing the catalyst layer to radiation to crosslink the solid polymer and to bond side chains to the solid polymer, and further to introduce into the side chains ion dissociative groups.

Abstract: An electrical energy generating device which is able to supply oxygen in atmospheric air efficiently to an oxygen electrode and to vaporize water yielded off efficiently, and which has superior waterproof characteristic. The device includes a number of cells each having a hydrogen electrode plate, a proton conductor film and an oxygen electrode plate, and a sheet cover 5 which is air-permeable and waterproofed and which shrouds each cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell and method for preparation thereof, wherein the fuel cell is ready to manufacture, superior in cell performance, and includes a fuel electrode and an oxygen electrode facing each other with an electrode film positioned between the fuel electrode and the oxygen electrode, wherein at least one of the fuel electrode and the oxygen electrode contain a fibrous, or needle-like carbonaceous material and are directly formed on the electrode film.

Abstract: Water disposal systems, apparatuses and methods that employ same, and methods for disposing water produced during power generation are provided. A separator of a fuel cell has an air supply groove formed therein for supplying air as an oxidizer gas to a cathode. The separator is also provided with water-absorbing cloths on the midway portion of the air supply groove. More specifically, the water-absorbing cloth is provided on the separator (110), as a water absorbing member for absorbing the water, so as to cover at least a part of the surface on which the air supply grooves is formed and the water-absorbing clothes is provided along the sidewall of the air supply grooves. Water generated during power generation by the power generator of the present invention is disposed in efficient and reliable manners, under a simple configuration.

Abstract: A method for producing an electrochemical device which exhibits improved output performance and improved durability in thermal, chemical, and mechanical is provided. The electrochemical device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an ion exchange membrane held between the two electrodes. The method includes forming a catalyst layer containing a catalytic substance such as platinum and polyvinylidene fluoride and attaching ion exchange groups to the polyvinylidene fluoride in the catalyst layer. The resulting catalyst layer containing ion exchange groups is used for at least either of the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: An electrochemical device and a method for the preparation thereof, the electrochemical device having a high catalyst utilization efficiency including a gas diffusion electrode formed of a carbonaceous material and having a catalyst formed on at least a portion of its surface, and a proton conducting film provided in contact with one surface of the gas diffusion electrode, wherein the amount of the catalyst formed on the surface of the carbonaceous material contacting the proton conducting film is lesser in amount than on the surface of the carbonaceous material that is not contacting the proton conducting film, thereby appreciably increasing catalyst utilization efficiency and rendering it possible to elevate the energy efficiency of the electrochemical device.

Abstract: A fuel cell that includes a proton conductor film with a catalyst layer having a metal component formed thereon is provided. The metal catalyst layer can be formed directly onto the proton conductor film by one of a sputtering process, a vacuum deposition process, a chemical vapor deposition process of the like.

Abstract: A fuel cell that has a fuel electrode and an oxygen electrode facing each other with a proton conductor disposed therebetween is provided. The fuel electrode and the oxygen electrode can include current collectors containing carbon nano-tubes to facilitate the manufacture of the fuel cell and the performance thereof.

Abstract: A fuel cell in which optimum proton conductivity is maintained even in a dry atmosphere and in which the output is not lowered is provided. The fuel cell of the present invention includes a fuel electrode, an oxygen electrode and a proton conductor film disposed therebetween. The fuel electrode and the oxygen electrode are formed of powders of a carbonaceous material as an electrode material. A proton conductor composed of a carbonaceous material mainly composed of carbon and proton dissociative groups introduced into the carbonaceous material is present on the surfaces of the fuel and/or oxygen electrodes. The proton conductor can exhibit optimum proton conductivity without humidification.

Abstract: Catalytic electrodes, and their production process, as well as electrochemical devices and their fabrication process are provided. The catalytic electrode includes a catalyst layer, which contains an electrolyte composed of a solid polymer such as polytetrafluoroethylene and also contains catalyst particles such as Pt. The solid polymer electrolyte has a crosslinked structure. The catalytic electrode is produced by forming the catalyst layer with the solid polymer and catalyst contained therein, and exposing the catalyst layer to radiation to crosslink the solid polymer and to bond side chains to the solid polymer, and further to introduce into the side chains ion dissociative groups.

Abstract: A fuel cell and methods of producing same are provided. The fuel cell includes a fuel electrode, an oxygen electrode and a proton conductor material disposed there between. The fuel cell can be produced by producing an arc discharge across a pair of electrodes composed of carbon to form a carbonaceous material which can be deposited onto a proton conductor material to form at least one of the fuel and oxygen electrode thereon.

Abstract: A gas diffusing electrode body can suitably be used for an electrochemical device such as fuel cell. It comprises at least layers (22) made of at least electro-conductive carbon powder or granule (1) and sputtered platinum layers (19) made of platinum laid alternately to form a multilayer structure. The electrochemical device can be down-sized while maintaining a relatively high power generating capacity.

Abstract: A gas diffusive electrode comprises platinum powder (6) and carbon powder or grain (1), to which carbon powder or grain whose particles are provided with a water-repellent film (26) is further mixed. The gas diffusive electrode according to the invention maintains an excellent gas permeability.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte battery including a positive electrode containing a complex oxide of a transition metal, a negative electrode arranged facing the positive electrode and containing metal lithium, lithium alloy, or a carbon material capable of doping and undoping lithium, and a non-aqueous electrolyte interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The complex oxide of a transition metal is a complex oxide of lithium and manganese represented by the general formula LiMn1−yByO2, with 0<y<1.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte battery free from considerable change in the structure of a positive electrode active material thereof to enlarge the capacity thereof, incorporating a positive electrode containing a positive-electrode active material; a negative electrode containing a negative-electrode active material to which Li can be doped/dedoped; and a non-aqueous electrolyte disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and containing non-aqueous solvent and an electrolyte, wherein a material expressed by general formula LiMn1−yAlyO2 (0.06≦y<0.25) is contained as the positive-electrode active material and LiMn1−yAlyO2 has a crystalline structure expressed by spatial group C2/m.

Abstract: An electrical energy generating device is disclosed Which is able to supply oxygen in atmospheric air efficiently to an oxygen electrode and to vaporize water yielded off efficiently, and which is superior in waterproofness. The device includes a plurality of cells each having a hydrogen electrode plate, a proton conductor film and an oxygen electrode plate, and a sheet cover 5 which is air-permeable and waterproofed and which shrouds each cell.

Abstract: An electrochemical device and a method for the preparation thereof, the electrochemical device having a high catalyst utilization efficiency including a gas diffusion electrode formed of a carbonaceous material and having a catalyst formed on at least a portion of its surface, and a proton conducting film provided in contact with one surface of the gas diffusion electrode, wherein the amount of the catalyst formed on the surface of the carbonaceous material contacting the proton conducting film is lesser in amount than on the surface of the carbonaceous material that is not contacting the proton conducting film, thereby appreciably increasing catalyst utilization efficiency and rendering it possible to elevate the energy efficiency of the electrochemical device.