Abstract: Active metal fuel cells are provided. An active metal fuel cell has a renewable active metal (e.g., lithium) anode and a cathode structure that includes an electronically conductive component (e.g., a porous metal or alloy), an ionically conductive component (e.g., an electrolyte), and a fluid oxidant (e.g., air, water or a peroxide or other aqueous solution). The pairing of an active metal anode with a cathode oxidant in a fuel cell is enabled by an ionically conductive protective membrane on the surface of the anode facing the cathode.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrode for oxygen reduction comprising a porous organic material and at least one inherently conducting polymer such as a charge transfer complex or a conductive polymer, optionally combined with a non-conducting polymer. A current conductor may be located intermediate the porous organic material and the inherently conductive polymer. The electrode is suitable for use with an ion-conducting membrane and fuel such as hydrogen, an alcohol or borohydride to form a fuel-cell. The electrode is also suitable for use with an anode, such as a reactive metal and an electrolyte to form a battery.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a fuel electrode configured to operate as an anode to oxidize a fuel when connected to a load. An electrode holder includes a cavity for holding the fuel electrode, at least one inlet connected to the cavity on one side of the cavity and configured to supply an ionically conductive medium to the cavity, and at least one outlet connected to the cavity on an opposite side of the cavity and configured to allow the ionically conductive medium to flow out of the cavity. A plurality of spacers extend across the fuel electrode and the cavity in a spaced relation from each other to define a plurality of flow lanes in the cavity.

Abstract: A fluid regulating microvalve assembly for use to control fluid flow to a fluid consuming electrode, such as an oxygen reduction electrode, in an electrochemical cell. The microvalve assembly includes a stationary valve body having an aperture and a microactuator movable from a first position where the microvalve body aperture is closed to fluid flow to at least a second position where fluid is able to pass through the microvalve body aperture. The fluid regulating microvalve assembly can utilize cell potential or a separate source to open and close the microvalve. The fluid regulating microvalve assembly can be located outside the cell housing or inside the cell housing, for example between one or more fluid inlet apertures and the fluid consuming electrode. The invention includes a method of making a multilayer microvalve assembly, particularly one for use in a fluid depolarized battery, using a printing process to deposit at least one of the layers.

Abstract: In an F-type electrochemical cell 20, in a casing 21, a positive electrode 23 in which carbon dioxide gas is used as a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode 25 are placed so as to face each other with a separator 27 therebetween, and an electrolyte solution 28 is injected between the positive electrode 23 and the negative electrode 25. A tank 30 storing carbon dioxide gas is connected to the positive electrode 23, and carbon dioxide gas is supplied to the positive electrode 23 through a holding member 29. By supplying carbon dioxide gas to the positive electrode in such a manner, the cell can be operated as a battery. Furthermore, when used a primary battery, carbon dioxide can be immobilized in the battery, which is desirable.

Abstract: A power supply system for powering an electric motor (16) in an electric vehicle includes a metal-air converter (12) connected to the motor (16) for driving the motor (16) and a generator (10) connected to the metal-air converter (12) for recharging the metal-air converter (12). The generator (10) may also directly provide electricity to the motor (16) simultaneously with the metal-air converter (12). The system further includes a structure for providing a supply of fuel to the generator (10) that in turn converts the fuel to electricity.

Abstract: A multi-unit fuel cell system that includes a common-use reforming unit configured to supply hydrogen to multiple fuel cell units that are installed in multiple units, such as apartments within an apartment building. In one example embodiment, a fuel cell system including a common-use reforming unit and multiple fuel cell units is disclosed. The common-use reforming unit is configured to supply hydrogen to the plurality of fuel cell units. Each fuel cell unit includes a stack unit, an air supplying unit, an integral heat exchange unit, a hot-water supplying unit, an auxiliary heat supplying unit, and an electric output unit.

Abstract: A non-aqueous air battery of the present invention includes a negative electrode for which a material which absorbs and releases lithium ions is used as a negative electrode active material, a positive electrode for which oxygen is used as a positive electrode active material, and a non-aqueous electrolyte disposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode. The positive electrode contains a donor-acceptor molecule in which an electron-donating donor (D) having a porphyrin ring is connected to an electron-accepting acceptor (A) composed of a fullerene derivative, with a conductive spacer therebetween. An example of the donor-acceptor molecule is triphenylporphyrinyl bithienyl N-methylpyrrolidino[60]fullerene.

Abstract: A metal-air battery includes an air electrode and a siloxane material proximate to or incorporated within the air electrode. A method is also disclosed that includes providing a siloxane material, providing a transfer layer, and co-extruding the siloxane material with the transfer layer to form a siloxane membrane. The siloxane membrane may be used in a metal-air battery.

Abstract: An electrochemical energy storage device comprising a primary positive electrode, a negative electrode, and one or more ionic conductors. The ionic conductors ionically connect the primary positive electrode with the negative electrode. The primary positive electrode comprises carbon dioxide (CO2) and a means for electrochemically reducing the CO2. This means for electrochemically reducing the CO2 comprises a conductive primary current collector, contacting the CO2, whereby the CO2 is reduced upon the primary current collector during discharge. The primary current collector comprises a material to which CO2 and the ionic conductors are essentially non-corrosive. The electrochemical energy storage device uses CO2 as an electroactive species in that the CO2 is electrochemically reduced during discharge to enable the release of electrical energy from the device.

Abstract: Active metal fuel cells are provided. An active metal fuel cell has a renewable active metal (e.g., lithium) anode and a cathode structure that includes an electronically conductive component (e.g., a porous metal or alloy), an ionically conductive component (e.g., an electrolyte), and a fluid oxidant (e.g., air, water or a peroxide or other aqueous solution). The pairing of an active metal anode with a cathode oxidant in a fuel cell is enabled by an ionically conductive protective membrane on the surface of the anode facing the cathode.

Abstract: An apparatus having a first substrate having (1) a cavity, (2) one or more resistive heaters, and (3) one or more coatings forming a diffusion barrier to hydrogen; a second substrate having (1) an outlet valve comprising a pressure relief structure and (2) one or more coatings forming a diffusion barrier to hydrogen, wherein said second substrate is coupled to said first substrate forming a sealed volume in said cavity; a metal hydride material contained within said cavity; and a gas distribution system formed by coupling a microfluidic interconnect to said pressure relief structure. Additional apparatuses and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A joint connector includes first and second unitary connector assemblies respectively including an insulator plate and a joint terminal fixed thereto. The joint terminal includes unit terminals, each of which includes: a stem portion with first and second faces and side rim portions; a first cramping connector extending from a side rim portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first face of the stem portion; and a second cramping connector extending from a third side rim portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the second face of the stem portion. When the first unitary connector assembly is superposed to the second unitary connector assembly, the second cramping connector of the first unitary connector assembly cramps the second electrical cable, whereby the first electrical cable carried on the first unitary connector assembly can be connected to the second electrical cable carried on the second unitary connector assembly.