Abstract: A hydrogen generator that can be operated in a broad temperature range is disclosed, which comprises a first ammonia conversion part having a hydrogen-generating material which reacts with ammonia in a first temperature range so as to generate hydrogen; a second ammonia conversion part having an ammonia-decomposing catalyst which decomposes ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen in a second temperature range; an ammonia supply part which supplies ammonia; and an ammonia supply passage which supplies ammonia from said ammonia supply part to the first and second ammonia conversion parts. The first temperature range includes temperatures lower than the second temperature range, and hydrogen is generated from ammonia by selectively using the first and second ammonia conversion parts. An ammonia-burning internal combustion engine and a fuel cell having the hydrogen generator are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator that can be operated in a broad temperature range is disclosed, which comprises a first ammonia conversion part having a hydrogen-generating material which reacts with ammonia in a first temperature range so as to generate hydrogen; a second ammonia conversion part having an ammonia-decomposing catalyst which decomposes ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen in a second temperature range; an ammonia supply part which supplies ammonia; and an ammonia supply passage which supplies ammonia from said ammonia supply part to the first and second ammonia conversion parts. The first temperature range includes temperatures lower than the second temperature range, and hydrogen is generated from ammonia by selectively using the first and second ammonia conversion parts. An ammonia-burning internal combustion engine and a fuel cell having the hydrogen generator are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydrogen production method includes: a first process in which nitrogen compounds of metal and water are reacted to produce ammonia and hydroxide of the metal; a second process in which hydrogen compounds of a metal and the ammonia produced in the first process are reacted; and a third process in which hydrogen compounds of a metal and the hydroxide of the metal produced in the first process are reacted.

Abstract: There is provided a method of stably producing nanoparticles of a metal alone, in particular a transition metal alone, the method comprises heating a chelate complex (M-DMG) comprised of two dimethyl glyoxime (DMG) molecules and one transition metal (M) ion at 300 to 400° C. so as to generate transition metal (M) nanoparticles carried on carbon particles. The method preferably comprises heating a mixture of said chelate complex (M-DMG) and alumina so as to generate transition metal (M) nanoparticles carried on alumina. Preferably, the transition metal (M) is one of Ni, Cu, Pd, and Pt. Typically, the generated transition metal (M) nanoparticles have a size of a diameter of 5 to 15 nm.

Abstract: There is provided a process for producing single-walled carbon nanotubes with an increased diameter, characterized in that it comprises a diameter-increasing treatment step of heating carbon nanotubes of a raw material at a degree of vacuum of 1.3×10?2 Pa or below and at a temperature ranging from 1500 to 2000° C., preferably 1700 to 2000° C.

Abstract: A lithium hydride activation method includes: a nitrification treatment process of reacting lithium hydride with a nitride and therefore forming a chemical compound layer stable to the nitride, on a surface of the lithium hydride; and a particle size reduction process of reducing a particle size of the lithium hydride provided with the chemical compound layer by a mechanical pulverization treatment after the nitrification treatment process is performed. A hydrogen generation method includes generating hydrogen by reacting ammonia with the lithium hydride activated by the activation method.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator that can be operated in a broad temperature range is disclosed, which comprises a first ammonia conversion part having a hydrogen-generating material which reacts with ammonia in a first temperature range so as to generate hydrogen; a second ammonia conversion part having an ammonia-decomposing catalyst which decomposes ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen in a second temperature range; an ammonia supply part which supplies ammonia; and an ammonia supply passage which supplies ammonia from said ammonia supply part to the first and second ammonia conversion parts. The first temperature range includes temperatures lower than the second temperature range, and hydrogen is generated from ammonia by selectively using the first and second ammonia conversion parts. An ammonia-burning internal combustion engine and a fuel cell having the hydrogen generator are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydrogen production method includes: a first process in which nitrogen compounds of metal and water are reacted to produce ammonia and hydroxide of the metal; a second process in which hydrogen compounds of a metal and the ammonia produced in the first process are reacted; and a third process in which hydrogen compounds of a metal and the hydroxide of the metal produced in the first process are reacted.

Abstract: There is provided a method of stably producing nanoparticles of a metal alone, in particular a transition metal alone, the method comprises heating a chelate complex (M-DMG) comprised of two dimethyl glyoxime (PM) molecules and one transition metal (M) ion at 300 to 400° C. so as to generate transition metal (M) nanonarticles carried on carbon particles. The method preferably comprises heating a mixture of said chelate complex (M-DMG) and alumina so as to generate transition metal (M) nanoparticles carried on alumina. Preferably, the transition metal (M) is one of Ni, Cu, Pd, and Pt. Typically, the generated transition metal (M) nanoparticles have a size of a diameter of 5 to 15 nm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a metal hydride, which enables to obtain a metal hydride from a metal imide or a metal amide. Specifically, in an air current containing a hydrogen gas having a hydrogen partial pressure of 0.1 MPa or greater, hydrogen is reacted with one or both of a metal imide and a metal amide, thereby producing a metal hydride. The metal constituting the metal amide and the metal imide is preferably lithium, sodium or potassium.

Abstract: There is provided a process for producing single-walled carbon nanotubes with an increased diameter, characterized in that it comprises a diameter-increasing treatment step of heating carbon nanotubes of a raw material at a degree of vacuum of 1.3×10?2 Pa or below and at a temperature ranging from 1500 to 2000° C., preferably 1700 to 2000° C.

Abstract: A lithium hydride activation method includes: a nitrification treatment process of reacting lithium hydride with a nitride and therefore forming a chemical compound layer stable to the nitride, on a surface of the lithium hydride; and a particle size reduction process of reducing a particle size of the lithium hydride provided with the chemical compound layer by a mechanical pulverization treatment after the nitrification treatment process is performed. A hydrogen generation method includes generating hydrogen by reacting ammonia with the lithium hydride activated by the activation method.

Abstract: A method for storing natural gas by adsorption which comprises separating an available natural gas in an infrastructure side (10) into a low carbon number component mainly containing methane and ethane and a high carbon number component mainly containing propane, butane and the like, and storing the low carbon number component by adsorption in a first adsorption tank (16) and storing the high carbon number component by adsorption in a second adsorption tank (18). The method can solve the problem that the high carbon number component condenses within a pore of an adsorbing agent and hence the adsorption of the carbon number component, the main component of natural gas, is inhibited, and thus improves the storage density. Accordingly, the method can be used for ensuring a high storage density also for an available natural gas. An adsorbing agent for use in the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel cells stack of the present invention includes a plurality of unit cells, which are laid one upon another. Each unit cell has a hydrogen electrode and an oxygen electrode, which are disposed across an electrolyte membrane. The electrolyte membrane is a hydrogen ion exchange membrane, which is mainly composed of a sulfonic acid group-containing perfluorocarbon polymer. The electrolyte membrane is designed to have a varying concentration of sulfonic acid group in such a manner that the concentration of sulfonic acid group in a contact area, where the electrolyte membrane is in contact with the hydrogen electrode, is approximately one tenth of the concentration of sulfonic acid group in a residual area. The electromotive force of the unit cell varies according to a difference in hydrogen ion concentration between the hydrogen electrode and the oxygen electrode.

Abstract: A method for storing natural gas by adsorption which comprises separating an available natural gas in an infrastructure side (10) into a low carbon number component mainly containing methane and ethane and a high carbon number component mainly containing propane, butane and the like, and storing the low carbon number component by adsorption in a first adsorption tank (16) and storing the high carbon number component by adsorption in a second adsorption tank (18). The method can solve the problem that the high carbon number component condenses within a pore of an adsorbing agent and hence the adsorption of the carbon number component, the main component of natural gas, is inhibited, and thus improves the storage density. Accordingly, the method can be used for ensuring a high storage density also for an available natural gas. An adsorbing agent for use in the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: In order to provide a converging solar module which achieves effective electricity generation, as well as significant reduction of costs and driving energy required to track the sun, a cell stage 20 carrying solar cells 16 is provided opposite to converging lenses 10. Some elastic members are provided between a pair of adjacent side edges of the cell stage 20 and corresponding side walls of a vessel 18. Along the other pair of side edges, stage driving bars 24 are provided. The stage driving bars 24 are moved horizontally by opening/closing operations of feeder valves X1, X2, Y1, Y2 and drain valves X3, X4, Y3, Y4 thereby moving the cell stage 20 horizontally in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the stage driving bars 24 have moved. With an action of the elastic members 22 and the stage driving bars 24, the position of the cell stage 20 is adjusted such that the solar cells 16 thereon are brought into a position where converged spots 14 are formed.

Abstract: To provide a tracking-type solar module capable of high-performance sunlight-tracking with a simple configuration while simultaneously performing highly effective cooling of a solar cell, a solar cell is movably installed within a transparent cooling tube and is connected to a motor with a crank. A position detecting sensor is also installed inside the transparent cooling tube. Sunlight is refracted by a cooling medium filled inside the transparent cooling tube and is converged on the inner surface of the transparent cooling tube. The position detecting sensor detects the position at which sunlight is converged and the sunlight is tracked by the motor moving the solar cell to that position. Simultaneously, the cooling medium inside the transparent cooling tube directly cools the solar cell.

Abstract: A coolant sealing structure for a solar cell of which the sealing property is maintained with high reliability in use for a long period. A solar cell has its light receiving surface and a reinforced portion formed around the fringe portion of the light receiving surface. The plate member is joined with the top of the reinforced portion by means of an anode joint process. A transparent member is joined with the plate member to form a coolant passage. This structure allows the solar cell to be directly cooled with the coolant flowing through the coolant passage. Since the solar cell is joined with the plate member, separation does not occur at the joined portion under repeated temperature changes. The coolant sealing structure can be used with high reliability for a long period.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a converging type solar cell element able to restrain recombination of carriers and inflow of carriers into an embankment section and improve photoelectric conversion efficiency. A p.sup.+ diffusion layer 16 is formed on the surface of a sunlight receiving section 10 which is formed on a silicon substrate 12 comprising a p-type silicon. An energy gradient arises between the p.sup.+ diffusion layer 16 and the silicon substrate 12. Therefore, free electrons, which are minority carriers among the carriers generated in the silicon substrate 12 resulting from irradiation of sunlight to the sunlight receiving section 10, can be prevented from migrating to the surface side of the silicon substrate 12. Further, recombination of free electrons which may arise due to lattice defects of the surface can also be prevented. Still further, the p.sup.+ diffusion layer 16 may also be formed on a back surface side of the embankment section 14 which surrounds the sunlight receiving section 10.

Abstract: For a converging solar cell element capable of preventing excessive concentration of converged sunlight to one point without lowering the degree of light convergence, a p+ layer 14 and an n+ layer 12 are formed on the rear surface of a silicon substrate; a positive pole 16 and a negative pole 18 are formed in response to the respective layers; and, on the front surface side, a light receiving surface 24 is formed with a bank portion 28 which enhances intensity in the surrounding area. In the central portion of the light receiving surface 24, a projected portion 26 is formed, which scatters converged sunlight and prevents the concentration of converged sunlight to one point.