Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell including a reaction gas supply path which makes it difficult to cause water condensation in a region near an end plate. A fuel cell of the present invention comprises a cell stack 2 having a reaction gas passage 13a inside thereof and having on one end surface thereof a reaction gas supply inlet 17 from which a reaction gas is supplied to the reaction gas passage 13a, a joint 5 connecting the reaction gas supply inlet 17 to an external pipe P for supplying the reaction gas, plate-shaped end members 3, 4 which are disposed on one end surface of the cell stack 2 and have through-holes 21, 23 into which the joint 5 is inserted so as not to contact inner wall surfaces thereof, and a closing member 9 for substantially closing a space formed between the joint 5 and the inner wall surfaces of the through-holes 21, 23.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte fuel cell system is disclosed, comprising a fuel cell having a predetermined power generation portion configured to operate at a predetermined temperature to generate an electric power using a fuel gas and an oxidizing gas supplied to said fuel cell, and a humidifier configured to humidify the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas, wherein the humidifier is configured to humidify the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas to allow the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas to have dew points higher than the predetermined temperature, the humidified fuel gas and oxidizing gas having the dew points higher than the operating temperature being supplied to the fuel cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is an OCB mode liquid crystal panel (10a) including: an active matrix substrate which includes signal lines including scanning signal lines (16) and data signal lines (15), transistors (12) connected to the respective signal lines, and pixel electrodes (17) provided for respective pixel areas demarcated by the signal lines; a counter substrate; and a liquid crystal layer provided between the active matrix substrate and the counter substrate, the liquid crystal layer being caused to transition from a bend alignment to a splay alignment; the active matrix substrate having a surface on which a step section (7) for suppressing reverse transition from a bend alignment to a splay alignment is provided, the step section being provided so that (i) the step section, (ii) a corresponding gap between two adjacent pixel electrodes (17) and (iii) a corresponding one of the signal lines (15 and 16) overlap each other.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device which presents display by forming liquid crystal domains that take radially-inclined orientation, persisting display unevenness is prevented from occurring when the panel surface is pressed, thus realizing high-quality displaying. A liquid crystal display device according to the present invention includes a first substrate, a second substrate provided so as to oppose the first substrate, and a vertical-alignment type liquid crystal layer provided therebetween. The liquid crystal display device according to the present invention further includes wall-like structures regularly arranged on the liquid crystal layer side of the first substrate, such that, when a predetermined voltage is applied, the liquid crystal layer forms at least one liquid crystal domain that takes a radially-inclined orientation state in a region substantia y surrounded by the wall-like structures.

Abstract: There is provided a film electrode assembly for a fuel cell capable of preventing a polymer electrolyte film from being exposed. The film electrode assembly includes: a main body portion of a film electrode assembly having a polymer electrolyte film, and a pair of electrode layers having catalyst layers placed on the two surfaces of the polymer electrolyte film on the inner side from the peripheral edge portion thereof and diffusion layers each having a peripheral edge protruding from the catalyst layer, which are laminated on one another, with a gap being formed between the protruding portion of the diffusion layer and the peripheral edge portion of the polymer electrolyte film; a frame member that sandwiches the peripheral edge portion of the polymer electrolyte film between the paired electrode layers with a gap therebetween, and is formed so as to surround an outer edge of the polymer electrolyte film; and gaskets made of a thermoplastic resin, which are placed on the two surfaces of the frame member.

Abstract: In a solid polyelectrolyte fuel cell, with a frame including a frame body main part placed along a peripheral edge portion of a membrane, a plurality of first retaining portions which are arrayed so as to protrude from an inner edge of the frame body main part and which retain the front surface side of the membrane, and a plurality of second retaining portions which are arrayed so as to protrude from the inner edge of the frame body main part and which retain the back surface side of the membrane, the first retaining portions and the second retaining portions are so arrayed that retaining positions of the membrane by the first retaining portions and retaining positions of the membrane by the second retaining portions are alternately placed.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a method for manufacturing a prepreg sheet includes steps of (A) forming a resin layer 61 on a surface of a supporter 3, (B) winding a reinforcing yarn 10 around the resin layer 61, and (C) embedding at least a part of the reinforcing yarn 10 in the resin layer 61. Preferably, in step (C), the surface of the supporter 3 is relatively moved towards the reinforcing yarn 10.

Abstract: In a fuel cell composed of a pair of separators with a membrane electrode assembly sandwiched therebetween, gas passages having a plurality of generally linear passage portions, and bent passage portions each of which makes one end portion of the linear passage portions communicated with the other end portion of the linear passage portions, are formed so as to be communicative from a gas introducing port to a discharge port. In inner wall surfaces of the groove portions of the separators constituting the linear passage portions, water-retaining groove portions capable of retaining inside thereof at least part of water generated in the gas passage are formed in such a grooved configuration as to be substantially continuous along the passage portion. As a water drop generated within the gas passage makes contact with retained water within the water-retaining groove portions, growth of the water drop is suppressed to avoid any blockage of the gas passage, by which the anti-flooding property is improved.

Abstract: In a polymer electrolyte fuel cell provided with a fuel cell stack assembled by sandwiching a plurality of stacked single cell modules with a plurality of fastening members through a pair of end plates, the fuel cell including a first elastic member arranged between the fastening member and the end plate and a plurality of second elastic members arranged between the end plate and the end of the fuel cell stack, wherein each of the second elastic members is arranged on the surface of the end plate corresponding to the electrode portion of a membrane electrode assembly in each of the single cell module and each of the first elastic members is arranged on the surface of the end plate corresponding to a seal member arrangement region in which seal member is arranged between the periphery of the membrane electrode assembly and a pair of separator plates in each single cell module.

Abstract: In a manufacturing method for an electrode-membrane-frame assembly in a fuel cell, a first frame member and an electrolyte membrane member are arranged in a first mold for injection molding such that the edge of the electrolyte membrane member is arranged on the first frame member, a second mold is arranged to form a resin flow passage for forming a second frame member which is in contact with the first frame member by interposing the electrolyte membrane member, and a part of the edge of the electrolyte membrane member is pressed and fixed to the first frame member by a presser member mounted on the second mold and a molding resin material is injected into the resin flow passage to form a second frame member.

Abstract: Elastic members that are integrally joined to a frame member are placed between an outer edge of an electrode unit and an inner edge of the frame member, and in the assembled state of the single cell module, the elastic members are elastically deformed in the thickness direction of a membrane-electrode-frame assembly so that the gap between the membrane-electrode-frame assembly and the separator is sealed in a tightly contact state.

Abstract: First rubbing is performed on an entire surface of an alignment film provided on a substrate, and then a mask part for masking a first region and a region of an alignment mark is formed on the alignment film by using a resist layer. After performing second rubbing on the alignment film through the mask part, the mask part is removed. and a liquid crystal layer is formed on the alignment film. In this way, the alignment mark is formed as a region having an optical function different from an optical function of a region surrounding the alignment mark. Thus, it is possible to produce a substrate having an alignment mark formed without increasing processing steps at such a position as to contact the liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: There is provided a film electrode assembly for a fuel cell capable of preventing a polymer electrolyte film from being exposed. The film electrode assembly includes: a main body portion of a film electrode assembly having a polymer electrolyte film, and a pair of electrode layers having catalyst layers placed on the two surfaces of the polymer electrolyte film on the inner side from the peripheral edge portion thereof and diffusion layers each having a peripheral edge protruding from the catalyst layer, which are laminated on one another, with a gap being formed between the protruding portion of the diffusion layer and the peripheral edge portion of the polymer electrolyte film; a frame member that sandwiches the peripheral edge portion of the polymer electrolyte film between the paired electrode layers with a gap therebetween, and is formed so as to surround an outer edge of the polymer electrolyte film; and gaskets made of a thermoplastic resin, which are placed on the two surfaces of the frame member.

Abstract: A MEA-frame assembly is arranged in a mold for injection molding to form a first flow passage arranged so as to extend along the outer periphery of an electrode between the outer periphery of the electrode and the inner periphery of a frame, a second flow passage arranged so as to extend along an inner elastic member between the inner periphery and outer periphery of the frame and a plurality of connecting flow passages which communicate the first flow passage with the second flow passage. An elastic resin is injected into the first flow passage to fill the first flow passage with the elastic resin and to fill the second flow passage with the elastic resin through each of the communicating flow passages, thereby an elastic member which hermetically seals the space between the MEA-frame assembly and the separator is integrally formed.

Abstract: A MEA-frame assembly is arranged in a mold for injection molding to form a first flow passage arranged so as to extend along the outer periphery of an electrode between the outer periphery of the electrode and the inner periphery of a frame, a second flow passage arranged so as to extend along an inner elastic member between the inner periphery and outer periphery of the frame and a plurality of connecting flow passages which communicate the first flow passage with the second flow passage. An elastic resin is injected into the first flow passage to fill the first flow passage with the elastic resin and to fill the second flow passage with the elastic resin through each of the communicating flow passages, thereby an elastic member which hermetically seals the space between the MEA-frame assembly and the separator is integrally formed.

Abstract: Discloses are liquid crystal medium based on a mixture of polar compounds, the use thereof for electro-optical purposes, and displays containing the medium.

Abstract: This invention provides a liquid crystal display device which can contribute to the stabilization of alignment of a liquid crystal and can improve the response speed. The liquid crystal display device comprises a pair of substrates and a liquid crystal layer held between the substrates. At least one of the pair of substrates has a polymer on its surface in contact with the liquid crystal layer. The surface shape of the polymer is in a substantially saw form as viewed from the cross-sectional direction of the substrate. The inclination azimuth of the inclination surface of the polymer is substantially the same as the liquid crystal alignment upon the application of the voltage. Preferably, the surface of the polymer has an approximately wedge shape as viewed from the vertical direction of the substrate, and the azimuth of the apex is approximately opposite to the liquid crystal alignment upon the application of the voltage.

Abstract: A MEA-frame assembly is arranged in a mold for injection molding to form a first flow passage arranged so as to extend along the outer periphery of an electrode between the outer periphery of the electrode and the inner periphery of a frame, a second flow passage arranged so as to extend along an inner elastic member between the inner periphery and outer periphery of the frame and a plurality of connecting flow passages which communicate the first flow passage with the second flow passage. An elastic resin is injected into the first flow passage to fill the first flow passage with the elastic resin and to fill the second flow passage with the elastic resin through each of the communicating flow passages, thereby an elastic member which hermetically seals the space between the MEA-frame assembly and the separator is integrally formed.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte fuel cell has an MEA-gasket assembly including an MEA having a polymer electrolyte membrane, a pair of catalyst layers, and a pair of gas diffusion electrodes, and a pair of gaskets provided on peripheral portions of surfaces on both sides of the MEA with gaps between the respectively adjacent gaskets and gas diffusion electrodes. A pair of electrically conductive separators is disposed to sandwich the MEA-gasket assembly with groove-shaped cell reaction gas passages on inner surfaces of the separators, each of the cell reaction gas passages running sequentially across a first portion of a respective gasket of the pair of gaskets, a first portion of a respective gap of the gaps, a respective gas diffusion electrode of the pair of gas diffusion electrodes, a second portion of the respective gap, and a second portion of the respective gasket. Each of the gaps is at least partially closed by a closure.

Abstract: First rubbing is performed on an entire surface of an alignment film (22) provided on a substrate (21), and then a mask part (51a) for masking a first region and a region of an alignment mark is formed on the alignment film (22) by using a resist layer (51). After performing second rubbing on the alignment film (22) through the mask part (51a), the mask part (51a) is removed, and a liquid crystal layer (23) is formed on the alignment film (22). In this way, the alignment mark is formed as a region having an optical function different from an optical function of a region surrounding the alignment mark. Thus, it is possible to produce a substrate (21) having an alignment mark formed without increasing processing steps at such a position as to contact the liquid crystal layer (23).