Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including a wound electrode body in which a positive electrode and a negative electrode are wound with a separator therebetween; the positive electrode having a positive electrode current collector, a first positive electrode mixture layer formed on a first surface of the positive electrode current collector which faces the outside of the electrode body, and a second positive electrode mixture layer formed on a second surface of the positive electrode current collector which faces the inside of the electrode body; the first positive electrode mixture layer and the second positive electrode mixture layer each containing a positive electrode active material; and the dibutyl phthalate oil absorption amount of the positive electrode active material contained in the first positive electrode mixture layer being less than the dibutyl phthalate oil absorption amount of the positive electrode active material contained in the second positive electrode mixture layer.

Abstract: In a three-dimensional shaping method and a three-dimensional shaping apparatus, a shaping path of each of a plurality of layers includes an inner shaping path and outer shaping path for shaping an inner wall portion and outer wall portion that surround a space and are adjacent in an inward-outward direction. The progression directions of the inner shaping path and outer shaping path are the same direction.

Abstract: In a three dimensional shaping method and a three dimensional shaping apparatus, when a three dimensional object is obtained by laminating a resin material having thermoplasticity, the resin material is melted, and the melted resin material is laminated in a chamber to form resin layers. Next, the pressure in the chamber is adjusted to maintain the temperature of each of the resin layers within a predetermined temperature range in the chamber.

Abstract: A negative electrode comprises a negative electrode collector, a first negative electrode mixture layer, and a second negative electrode mixture layer the ratio of the void fraction (S2) among the graphite particles in the second negative electrode mixture layer to the void fraction (S1) among the graphite particles in the first negative electrode mixture layer, namely S2/S1 is from 1.1 to 2.0: and the ratio of the packing density (D2) of the second negative electrode mixture layer to the packing density (D1) of the first negative electrode mixture layer, namely D2/D1 is from 0.9 to 1.1. A separator has a first surface that is in contact with a positive electrode and a second surface that is in contact with the negative electrode; and the contact angle of the first surface with ethylene carbonate is smaller than the contact angle of the second surface with ethylene carbonate.

Abstract: A negative electrode comprises a negative electrode collector, a first negative electrode mixture layer that is provided on the surface of the negative electrode collector, and a second negative electrode mixture layer that faces the positive electrode; the first negative electrode mixture layer and the second negative electrode mixture layer contain graphite particles; the ratio of the void fraction (S2) among the graphite particles in the second negative electrode mixture layer to the void fraction (S1) among the graphite particles in the first negative electrode mixture layer, namely S2/S1 is from 1.1 to 2.0; the ratio of the packing density (D2) of the second negative electrode mixture layer to the packing density (D1) of the first negative electrode mixture layer, namely D2/D1 is from 0.9 to 1.1; and the separator has a thickness of 10 ?m or less, while having a porosity of from 25% to 45%.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to an aspect of the present disclosure is provided with a negative electrode having: a negative electrode collector: a first negative electrode mixture layer provided on the surface of the negative electrode collector; and a second negative electrode mixture layer provided on the surface of the first negative electrode mixture layer. Each of the first negative electrode mixture layer and the second negative electrode mixture layer contains graphite particles. The ratio (S2/S1) of the inter-particle porosity (S2) of the graphite particles in the second negative electrode mixture layer to the inter-particle porosity (S1) of the graphite particles in the first negative electrode mixture layer is 1.1-2.0. The ratio (D2/D1) of the filling density (D2) of the second negative electrode mixture layer to the filling density (D1) of the first negative electrode mixture layer is 0.9-1.1.

Abstract: In a three dimensional shaping method and a three dimensional shaping apparatus, when a three dimensional object is obtained by laminating a resin material having thermoplasticity, the resin material is melted, and the melted resin material is laminated in a chamber to form resin layers. Next, the pressure in the chamber is adjusted to maintain the temperature of each of the resin layers within a predetermined temperature range in the chamber.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery which has excellent charge/discharge cycle characteristics. A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery negative electrode which is an example of an embodiment of the present invention comprises, as negative electrode active materials, a carbon active material and a Si active material comprising Si particles dispersed in an oxide phase containing at least silicon (Si). The Si active material includes a first Si active material and a second Si active material. The first Si active material has a median size on a volume basis that is greater than that of the second Si active material and has an Si particle content that is higher than that of the second Si active material.

Abstract: A negative electrode active material according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a composite oxide phase that contains Li, Si, Al and B; and Si particles that are dispersed in the composite oxide phase. Relative to the total number of moles of elements (excluding O) contained in the composite, oxide phase, the content of Li is from 5% by mole to 20% by mole (inclusive), the content of Si is from 50% by mole to 70% by mole (inclusive), the content of Al is from 12% by mole to 25% by mole (inclusive), and the content of B is from 12% by mole to 25% by mole (inclusive).

Abstract: An electrolyte membrane thickness measurement apparatus includes a detecting medium supplying portion configured to emit a detecting medium, a detecting portion configured to detect a metal catalyst, and an analyzing unit. A thickness direction profile of a detection signal is generated by the detecting portion, and first and second inflection points are determined in the thickness direction profile based on the intensity of the detection signal by the analyzing unit. The distance between the first and second inflection points is evaluated as the thickness of the electrolyte membrane by the analyzing unit.

Abstract: A negative electrode for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries is provided which includes SiOx and allows the cycle characteristics of batteries to be enhanced. A negative electrode according to an example embodiment includes a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode mixture layer disposed on the current collector. The negative electrode mixture layer includes SiOx (0.5?x?1.5) particles having a carbon coating on a particle surface, carbonaceous active material particles, and a compound having at least one of a carboxyl group and a hydroxyl group and having an average number of etherifying agent moieties present per unit molecule of not more than 0.8. The carbon coating includes a first coating disposed on the surface of the SiOx and a second coating disposed on the first coating and including carbon having higher crystallinity than the carbon forming the first coating.

Abstract: An electrolyte membrane thickness measurement apparatus includes a detecting medium supplying portion configured to emit a detecting medium, a detecting portion configured to detect a metal catalyst, and an analyzing unit. A thickness direction profile of a detection signal is generated by the detecting portion, and first and second inflection points are determined in the thickness direction profile based on the intensity of the detection signal by the analyzing unit. The distance between the first and second inflection points is evaluated as the thickness of the electrolyte membrane by the analyzing unit.

Abstract: To provide a method for producing a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly that can prevent the required catalyst layer from being removed, while suppressing damage to the electrolyte membrane. A method for producing a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly MEA includes: a step of bonding a polymer electrolyte membrane PEM and a first catalyst layer-including substrate GDE1; a step of making a cut CL so that the first catalyst layer-including substrate GDE bonded with the polymer electrolyte membrane PEM becomes a predetermined shape; a step of peeling an unwanted portion GDE12 of the first catalyst layer-including substrate GDE1 from the polymer electrolyte membrane PEM; a step of irradiating a laser beam LB2 penetrating the polymer electrolyte membrane PEM without penetrating the first catalyst layer-including substrate GDE1 onto the polymer electrolyte membrane PEM, and removing residue RD of the first catalyst layer-including substrate GDE1 adhering on the polymer electrolyte membrane PEM.

Abstract: A method for producing a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly includes: a step of bonding a polymer electrolyte membrane and a first catalyst layer-including substrate; a step of making a cut by way of a laser beam so that the first catalyst layer-including substrate bonded with the polymer electrolyte membrane becomes a predetermined shape; a step of peeling an unwanted portion of the first catalyst layer-including substrate from the polymer electrolyte membrane; and a step of forming a second catalyst layer on the other face of the polymer electrolyte membrane, and punching out the polymer electrolyte membrane and second catalyst layer so that the first catalyst layer-including substrate of the predetermined shape bonded on one face is surrounded, in which the laser beam has a wavelength that penetrates the polymer electrolyte membrane without penetrating the first catalyst layer-including substrate.

Abstract: A negative electrode for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries is provided which includes SiOx and allows the cycle characteristics of batteries to be enhanced. A negative electrode according to an example embodiment includes a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode mixture layer disposed on the current collector. The negative electrode mixture layer includes SiOx (0.5?x?1.5) particles having a carbon coating on a particle surface, carbonaceous active material particles, and a compound having at least one of a carboxyl group and a hydroxyl group and having an average number of etherifying agent moieties present per unit molecule of not more than 0.8. The carbon coating includes a first coating disposed on the surface of the SiOx and a second coating disposed on the first coating and including carbon having higher crystallinity than the carbon forming the first coating.

Abstract: To provide a method for producing a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly that can prevent the required catalyst layer from being removed, while suppressing damage to the electrolyte membrane. A method for producing a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly MEA includes: a step of bonding a polymer electrolyte membrane PEM and a first catalyst layer-including substrate GDE1; a step of making a cut CL so that the first catalyst layer-including substrate GDE bonded with the polymer electrolyte membrane PEM becomes a predetermined shape; a step of peeling an unwanted portion GDE12 of the first catalyst layer-including substrate GDE1 from the polymer electrolyte membrane PEM; a step of irradiating a laser beam LB2 penetrating the polymer electrolyte membrane PEM without penetrating the first catalyst layer-including substrate GDE1 onto the polymer electrolyte membrane PEM, and removing residue RD of the first catalyst layer-including substrate GDE1 adhering on the polymer electrolyte membrane PEM.

Abstract: A method for producing a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly includes: a step of bonding a polymer electrolyte membrane and a first catalyst layer-including substrate; a step of making a cut by way of a laser beam so that the first catalyst layer-including substrate bonded with the polymer electrolyte membrane becomes a predetermined shape; a step of peeling an unwanted portion of the first catalyst layer-including substrate from the polymer electrolyte membrane; and a step of forming a second catalyst layer on the other face of the polymer electrolyte membrane, and punching out the polymer electrolyte membrane and second catalyst layer so that the first catalyst layer-including substrate of the predetermined shape bonded on one face is surrounded, in which the laser beam has a wavelength that penetrates the polymer electrolyte membrane without penetrating the first catalyst layer-including substrate.

Abstract: The high-temperature storage characteristics of nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries are improved. A negative electrode for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries includes a negative electrode collector and a negative electrode mixture layer. The negative electrode mixture layer contains silicon-containing particles, graphite particles, and carboxymethyl cellulose ammonium salt, and the amount of NH3 in the negative electrode mixture layer is 350 ?g or less per g of the negative electrode mixture layer. The silicon-containing particles preferably have a conductive carbon material layer with which at least part of the surfaces thereof is covered. The silicon-containing particles preferably include SiOX (0.5?X?1.5) particles.

Abstract: In a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery using SiOx (0<x<2) as a negative electrode active material, cycle characteristics are improved. There is provided a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery including a negative electrode active material which contains a substance represented by SiOx (0<x<2). In this nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, when the value of x in the above general formula is represented by xs at a surface of the substance and is represented by xb at a central portion thereof, xb<xs holds, and when a depth of the substance from the topmost surface thereof at which x=(xs+xb)/2 holds is represented by za (?m), and when the average particle diameter of the substance is represented by R (?m), 0.05<za and 0.025?za/R?0.4 hold.

Abstract: In nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries that use silicon or silicon oxide as a negative electrode active material, the initial charge-discharge efficiency and the cycle characteristics are improved. A negative electrode active material particle (13a) is a particulate negative electrode active material used for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, and includes a base particle (14) composed of silicon or silicon oxide and a conductive coating layer (15) that coats at least part of a surface of the base particle (14). A pore (16) is formed in the particle. The pore (16) preferably includes an interfacial pore (16z) formed between the base particle (14) and the coating layer (15).