Abstract: A composite polymer electrolyte membrane is formed from a first polymer electrolyte comprising a sulfonated polyarytene polymer and a second polymer electrolyte comprising another hydrocarbon polymer electrolyte. In the first polymer electrolyte, 2-70 mol % constitutes an aromatic compound unit with an electron-attractive group in its principal chain, while 30-98 mol % constitutes an aromatic compound unit without an electron-attractive group in its principal chain. The second polymer electrolyte is a sulfonated polyether or sulfonated polysulfide polymer electrolyte.

Abstract: An active solid polymer electrolyte membrane provides an enhancement in power-generating performance. The active solid polymer electrolyte membrane in a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes a solid polymer electrolyte element, and a plurality of noble metal catalyst grains which are carried by an ion exchange in a surface layer located inside a surface of the solid polymer electrolyte element and which are dispersed uniformly in the entire surface layer. The surface layer has a thickness t2 equal to or smaller than 10 ?m. An amount CA of noble metal catalyst grains carried is in a range of 0.02 mg/cm2?CA<0.14 mg/cm2.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane obtained by subjecting a sulfonated polyarylene membrane having an initial water content of 80-300 weight % to a hot-water treatment. A composite polymer electrolyte membrane comprising a matrix made of a first sulfonated aromatic polymer having a high ion exchange capacity, and a reinforcing material constituted by a second sulfonated aromatic polymer having a low ion exchange capacity in the form of fibers or a porous membrane.

Abstract: A solid polymer fuel cell (1) has an electrolyte membrane (2), and an air electrode (3) and a fuel electrode (4) that closely contact to opposite sides of the electrolyte membrane (2) respectively. The electrolyte membrane (2) has a membrane core (9) comprising a polymer ion-exchange component, and a plurality of phyllosilicate particles (10) that disperse in the membrane core (9) and are subjected to ion-exchange processing between metal ions and protons, and proton conductance Pc satisfies Pc>0.05 S/cm. Owing to this, it is possible to provide the solid polymer fuel cell equipped with the electrolyte membrane (2) that has excellent high-temperature strength and can improve power-generating performance.

Abstract: An ingot I made of a light alloy is produced using a continuous casting apparatus including a cylindrical water-cooled casting mold which is disposed immediately below a spout having an upward-turned molten metal receiving port and a downward-turned molten metal outlet, and which has an inside radius r1 larger than an inside radius r2 of the molten metal outlet, and lubricating oil discharge passages provided below the spout to supply a lubricating oil to between the water-cooled casting mold 13 and a molten metal m brought into contact with the water-cooled casting mold. In this production, a lubricating oil having a vaporization rate of 30% or more at 300° is used, and an annular gas accumulation for spacing the molten metal apart from outlets of the lubricating oil discharge passages is defined below an annular protrusion of the spout by vaporization of the lubricating oil.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which is inexpensive and has an excellent efficiency of generating electric power, by using a material alternative to a perfluoroalkylene sulfonic acid polymer. The polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprises a pair of electrodes (2, 3) consisting of an oxygen electrode (2) and a fuel electrode (3) both having a catalyst layer (5) containing a catalyst and an ion conducting material; and a polymer electrolyte membrane (1) sandwiched between the two catalyst layers (5) of the both electrodes (2, 3).

Abstract: A piezoelectric driven type vibratory feeder having a working mass member that vibrates stably over an entire area of the working mass member is disclosed. The piezoelectric driven type vibratory feeder includes a base, a plurality of first plate springs, with a lower end portion of each of the plurality of first plate springs being secured to the base. A working mass member connected to an upper end portion of each of the plurality of first plate springs and supported at the base to enable the working mass member to vibrate. The piezoelectric feeder also includes a plurality of second plate springs, a piezoelectric device bonded to at least one surface of each of the plurality of second plate springs. An alternating voltage is applied to each piezoelectric device whereby each second plate spring undergoes bending vibration and causes the working mass member to vibrate so that an object is transported on the working mass member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which comprises: a pair of electrodes 2 and 3 both having a catalyst layer 5, where catalyst particles consisting of a catalyst carrier and a catalyst supported by the carrier are integrated by an ion-conductive polymer binder; and a polymer electrolyte membrane 1 sandwiched between the electrodes 2 and 3 on their sides having the catalyst layer 5. The polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprises: the polymer electrolyte membrane 1 having a coefficient of dynamic viscoelasticity at 110° C. in a range of 1×109 to 1×1011 Pa; and the catalyst layer 5 made of the ion-conductive polymer binder having a coefficient of dynamic viscoelasticity at 110° C. smaller than the polymer electrolyte membrane 1. The polymer electrolyte fuel cell further comprises a buffer layer 6, comprising an ion-conductive material having a coefficient of dynamic viscoelasticity at 110° C.

Abstract: An membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell composed of a pair of electrode catalyst layers and an electrolyte membrane sandwiched between the electrode catalyst layers is configured so that the catalyst of at least one surface of the electrode catalyst layers enters in the electrolyte membrane whereby the electrode catalyst layer and the electrolyte membrane are unified with each other. In this configuration, no exfoliation occurs at the interface between the electrode catalyst layer and the electrolyte membrane, and the durability of the membrane electrode assembly can be increased even during the course of heat cycles.

Abstract: A separator for a fuel cell comprises a plate-shaped electrode having a pair of gas diffusion electrode plates and an electrolytic layer held by the gas diffusion electrode plates. The separator being layered on both surfaces of the electrode and forming gas passages cooperating with the gas diffusion electrode plate. The separator comprising: a metallic plate; protrusions made from a material of the carbon type, the protrusion having a projected surface projecting from the metallic plate toward the gas diffusion electrode plate so as to contact therewith and to form the gas passages; and intermetallic compounds precipitated on the projected surface of the protrusion. The gas passage is formed by a surface of the metallic plate and a pair of side surfaces of adjoining protrusions.

Abstract: A solid polymer fuel cell (1) has an electrolyte membrane (2), and an air electrode (3) and a fuel electrode (4) that closely contact to opposite sides of the electrolyte membrane (2) respectively. The electrolyte membrane (2) has a membrane core (9) comprising a polymer ion-exchange component, and a plurality of phyllosilicate particles (10) that disperse in the membrane core (9) and are subjected to ion-exchange processing between metal ions and protons, and proton conductance Pc satisfies Pc>0.05 S/cm. Owing to this, it is possible to provide the solid polymer fuel cell equipped with the electrolyte membrane (2) that has excellent high-temperature strength and can improve power-generating performance.

Abstract: An active solid polymer electrolyte membrane in a solid polymer type fuel cell comprises a solid polymer electrolyte membrane and a plurality of precious metal catalyst particles supported on the surfaces of the aforementioned solid polymer electrolyte membrane by ion exchange and distributed uniformly over the surfaces thereof. In accordance with the use of this active solid polymer electrolyte membrane the ability to generate power can be enhanced.

Abstract: A piezoelectric driven type vibratory feeder having a working mass member that vibrates stably over an entire area of the working mass member is disclosed. The piezoelectric driven type vibratory feeder includes a base, a plurality of first plate springs, with a lower end portion of each of the plurality of first plate springs being secured to the base. A working mass member connected to an upper end portion of each of the plurality of first plate springs and supported at the base to enable the working mass member to vibrate. The piezoelectric feeder also includes a plurality of second plate springs, a piezoelectric device bonded to at least one surface of each of the plurality of second plate springs. An alternating voltage is applied to each piezoelectric device whereby each second plate spring undergoes bending vibration and causes the working mass member to vibrate so that an object is transported on the working mass member.

Abstract: A composite polymer electrolyte membrane is formed from a first polymer electrolyte comprising a sulfonated polyarylene polymer and a second polymer electrolyte comprising another hydrocarbon polymer electrolyte. In the first polymer electrolyte, 2-70 mol % constitutes an aromatic compound unit with an electron-attractive group in its principal chain, while 30-98 mol % constitutes an aromatic compound unit without an electron-attractive group in its principal chain. The second polymer electrolyte is a sulfonated polyether or sulfonated polysulfide polymer electrolyte. The composite polymer electrolyte membrane is formed from a matrix comprising the first polymer electrolyte selected from among sulfonated polyarylene polymers and having an ion exchange capacity in excess of 1.5 meq/g but less than 3.0 meq/g, which is supported on a reinforcement comprising the second polymer electrolyte having an ion exchange capacity in excess of 0.5 meq/g but less than 1.5 meq/g.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane obtained by subjecting a sulfonated polyarylene membrane having an initial water content of 80-300 weight % to a hot-water treatment. A composite polymer electrolyte membrane comprising a matrix made of a first sulfonated aromatic polymer having a high ion exchange capacity, and a reinforcing material constituted by a second sulfonated aromatic polymer having a low ion exchange capacity in the form of fibers or a porous membrane.

Abstract: The membrane electrode assembly comprising a pair of opposing electrodes each having a catalytic layer, and a polymer electrolyte membrane sandwiched by the electrodes, part of the catalytic layers being projecting into the polymer electrolyte membrane is produced by (1) coating a catalytic layer of one electrode with a solution of a polymer electrolyte in an organic solvent, (2) coating the resultant polymer electrolyte membrane with a catalyst slurry for the other electrode, while the amount of the organic solvent remaining in the polymer electrolyte membrane is 5-20 weight % based on the polymer electrolyte membrane, and (3) after drying, hot-pressing the polymer electrolyte membrane and the electrodes formed on both sides of the membrane.

Abstract: When a continuous casting is carried out while applying an electromagnetic agitating force to a molten metal of an aluminum alloy composition, the molten metal of the aluminum alloy composition has an Fe content in a range of 0.75% by weight ≦Fe<2% by weight. Thus, a hard Fe-based intermetallic compound can be crystallized as a primary crystallized product, and an acicular intermetallic compound can be pulverized and finely divided by cooperation of the hard Fe-based intermetallic compound with the electromagnetic agitating force.

Abstract: An active solid polymer electrolyte membrane provides an enhancement in power-generating performance. The active solid polymer electrolyte membrane in a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes a solid polymer electrolyte element, and a plurality of noble metal catalyst grains which are carried by an ion exchange in a surface layer located inside a surface of the solid polymer electrolyte element and which are dispersed uniformly in the entire surface layer. The surface layer has a thickness t2 equal to or smaller than 10 &mgr;m. An amount CA of noble metal catalyst grains carried is in a range of 0.02 mg/cm2≦CA<0.14 mg/cm2.

Abstract: An agitated continuous casting apparatus includes a spout having an upward-turned molten metal receiving port and a downward-turned molten metal outlet, a cylindrical water-cooled casting mold disposed immediately below the spout, and an agitator for applying an electromagnetic agitating force to the molten metal in the spout. The agitator has a function to form, in the spout, an upper area for moving the molten metal in a substantially radiate direction, and a lower area for rotating the molten metal in a circumferential direction. An upper area forming portion of an inner peripheral surface of the spout is formed into a tapered shape with its inside diameter gradually increased from its upper peripheral edge toward its lower peripheral edge.

Abstract: A solid polymer fuel cell includes an electrolyte membrane having a polymer ion-exchange component, and an air electrode and a fuel electrode between which the electrolyte membrane is sandwiched. Each of the air electrode and the fuel electrode can be formed of a polymer ion-exchange component and a plurality of catalyst particles including a catalyst metal carried on surfaces of carbon black particles, and includes no third component. When a moistening for maintaining the electrolyte membrane in a wet state is carried out from both of the side of the air electrode and the side of the fuel electrode, the carbon black particles have a water-repellent property such that an amount A of water adsorbed under a saturated steam pressure at 60° C. is equal to or smaller than 80 cc/g, and a ratio Wp/Wc of a weight Wp of polymer ion-exchange component incorporated to a weight Wc of carbon black particles incorporated is set in a range of 0.4≦Wp/Wc≦1.25.