Specified Electrode Material Patents (Class 429/484)
  • Patent number: 11302926
    Abstract: Systems, methods, fuel cells, and mixtures to inhibit ionomer permeation into porous substrates using a crosslinked ionomer are described. A method includes preparing an ionomer premix, mixing a crosslinking additive with the ionomer premix to thereby form a crosslinked-ionomer solution, and adding catalyst particles to the crosslinked-ionomer solution to produce a catalyst ink. The ionomer premix includes an ionomer dispersed within a solvent. The catalyst ink includes the catalyst particles distributed homogenously therethrough. The catalyst ink may be cast onto a porous substrate and dried to thereby form a catalyst layer for use in a fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Nagappan Ramaswamy, Roland J. Koestner, Swaminatha P. Kumaraguru
  • Patent number: 11205784
    Abstract: A fuel cell according to the present disclosure includes separators 11 and 12 made of metal and having projection-depression shapes, and gas diffusion layers 13 and 14. Conductive particles 21 are buried in a projecting part on one surface of each of the separators 11 and 12, and carbon fibers 22 are buried in a projecting part on the other surface of each of the separators 11 and 12. The projecting parts on the one surfaces of the separators 11 and 12 abut against each other so that the conductive particles 21 buried in these projecting parts come into contact with each other. Further, the projecting parts on the other surfaces of the separators 11 and 12 abut against the gas diffusion layers 13 and 14, respectively, so that the carbon fibers 22 buried in these projecting parts come into contact with the gas diffusion layers 13 and 14, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoshi Takata
  • Patent number: 10236528
    Abstract: Solid oxide electrochemical devices, methods for making the electrochemical devices, and methods of using the electrochemical devices are provided. The electrochemical devices comprise a plurality of stacked functional layers that are formed by a combination of three-dimensional (3D) extrusion printing and two-dimensional (2D) casting techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Adam E. Jakus, Ramille N. Shah, Nicholas R. Geisendorfer, Scott A. Barnett, Zhan Gao
  • Patent number: 10003080
    Abstract: A process for forming a metal supported solid oxide fuel cell is provided. The process can include the steps of: a) applying a green anode layer including nickel oxide and a rare earth-doped ceria to a metal substrate; b) prefiring the anode layer under non-reducing conditions to form a composite; c) firing the composite in a reducing atmosphere to form a sintered cermet; d) providing an electrolyte; and e) providing a cathode; wherein the reducing atmosphere comprises an oxygen source, a metal supported solid oxide fuel cell formed during this process, fuel cell stacks and the use of these fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: CERES INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert Leah, Mike Lankin, Robin Pierce, Adam Bone
  • Patent number: 9905859
    Abstract: The invention is a catalyst for solid polymer fuel cell having catalyst particles composed of platinum, cobalt and magnesium supported on a carbon powder carrier, in which a composition ratio (molar ratio) among platinum, cobalt and magnesium in the catalyst particles is Pt:Co:Mg=1:0.4 to 0.5:0.00070 to 0.00095. This catalyst is manufactured by supporting cobalt and magnesium on a platinum catalyst and then conducting a heat treatment and a treatment to be brought into contact with an oxidizing solution, the feature of the catalyst manufactured in this manner includes a peak position of a main peak appearing between 2?=40° and 42° in X-ray diffraction analysis, and the peak position is shifted to from 41.0° to 41.5°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: TANAKA KIKINZOKU KOGYO K.K.
    Inventors: Minoru Ishida, Koichi Matsutani
  • Patent number: 9673470
    Abstract: Gadolinium-doped cerium oxide slurries used to form a patchwork type surface structure with nanoporous grain boundary prepared by mixing gadolinium-doped cerium oxide and a polymer binder to form a first mixture; wet-atomizing the first mixture under a pressure of at least 100 MPa to obtain a second mixture; coating the second mixture to a substrate to form a coated substrate; and sintering the coated substrate. The patchwork type structure is a polygonal or honeycomb structure having a size of from 0.1 ?m to 3 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Md Hasan Zahir, Haitham M Bahaidarah
  • Patent number: 9660285
    Abstract: Disclosed are: a fuel cell which is provided with a membrane electrode assembly (50), an anode-side gas diffusion layer (52) and a cathode-side gas diffusion layer (54); and a method for manufacturing the cell. The degree of processing for suppressing protrusion of carbon fibers in the anode-side gas diffusion layer (52) and the degree of processing for suppressing protrusion of carbon fibers in the cathode-side gas diffusion layer (54) are set to be different from each other. Specifically, protrusion from the anode-side gas diffusion layer (52) is sufficiently suppressed, thereby being prevented from damaging the membrane electrode assembly (50). Meanwhile, the degree of suppression processing of the cathode-side gas diffusion layer (54) is set low, thereby securing drainage of generated water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Michito Norimoto
  • Patent number: 9502716
    Abstract: Highly active and stable platinum-copper (PtCu) electrocatalysts are provided. The PtCu catalysts can be in the form of discrete, spherical PtCu nanoparticles that include a particle interior comprising platinum and copper, and a surface layer comprising platinum surrounding the particle interior. The PtCu nanoparticles can exhibit enhanced oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity as compared to other Pt-based catalysts for ORR. The PtCu nanoparticles are also active as electrocatalysts for the oxidation of small molecule organic compounds, including alcohols such as methanol and ethanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Ohio State Innovation Foundation
    Inventors: Anne Co, Eric Coleman
  • Patent number: 9136551
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel sulfonate-based compound, a method for preparing the same, a polymer electrolyte membrane comprising the sulfonate-based compound, a membrane electrode assembly comprising the same and a fuel cell comprising the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Hyejin Kwon, Seong Ho Choi, Min-Jong Lee, Sergey Ulyakhin, Chong Kyu Shin
  • Patent number: 9065115
    Abstract: A method includes modifying a surface of an electrode active material including providing a solution or a suspension of a surface modification agent; providing the electrode active material; preparing a slurry of the solution or suspension of the surface modification agent, the electrode active material, a polymeric binder, and a conductive filler; casting the slurry in a metallic current collector; and drying the cast slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Zonghai Chen, Khalil Amine, Ilias Belharouak
  • Patent number: 9048480
    Abstract: Anion exchange polymer electrolytes that include guanidinium functionalized polymers may be used as membranes and binders for electrocatalysts in preparation of anodes for electrochemical cells such as solid alkaline fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
    Inventors: Yu Seung Kim, Dae Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 9040208
    Abstract: A catalyst layer for a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly includes a plurality of agglomerates, adjacent ones of the plurality of agglomerates contacting with each other with pores provided between said adjacent ones of the plurality of agglomerates, each of the plurality of agglomerates being formed by packing a plurality of catalysts each consisting of noble metal fine particles supported on a fiber-like support material, adjacent ones of the plurality of catalysts contacting with each other with pores provided between said adjacent ones of the plurality of catalysts, and each of the plurality of catalysts contacting with a plurality of catalysts other than said each catalyst at a plurality of contact points. This allows providing a catalyst layer, a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly, and a fuel cell, each of which has compact size and excellent power generation performance, and a method for producing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignees: OneD Material LLC, Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masashi Muraoka, Kohtaroh Saitoh, Hirotaka Mizuhata, Takenori Onishi, Yimin Zhu, Ionel C. Stefan, Baixin Qian, Jay Goldman
  • Patent number: 9023549
    Abstract: A method of preparing a gas diffusion electrode comprising a diffusion layer, and a reaction layer arranged to each other, wherein the diffusion layer is prepared by i) admixing a) sacrificial material, b) polymer and c) a metal-based material and d) optional further components, wherein the sacrificial material has a release temperature below about 275° C. and is added in an amount from about 1 to about 25 wt % based on the total weight of components a)-d) admixed; ii) forming a diffusion layer from the admixture of step i); iii) heating the forming diffusion layer to a temperature lower than about 275° C. so as to release at least a part of said sacrificial material from the diffusion layer. A gas diffusion electrode comprising a diffusion layer and a reaction layer arranged to one another, wherein the diffusion layer has a porosity ranging from about 60 to about 95%, and an electrolytic cell comprising the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Permascand AB
    Inventors: Takayuki Shimamune, Yohannes Kiros
  • Patent number: 9017757
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hydrogen separation membrane with a carrier is characterized by including a first step of providing, between the hydrogen separation membrane and the carrier that supports the hydrogen separation membrane, a low-hardness metal membrane having a hardness that is lower than the hardness of the hydrogen separation membrane, and a second step of joining the hydrogen separation membrane, the low-hardness metal membrane, and the carrier by a cold joining method. In this case, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the hydrogen separation membrane, the low-hardness metal membrane, and the carrier and, as a result, it is possible to prevent damaging of the hydrogen separation membrane. The adhesion of the contact between the hydrogen separation membrane and the carrier is also improved. The result is that it is not necessary to increase the severity of the cold joining conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyo Kohan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Aoyama, Yasuhiro Izawa, Kenji Kimura, Shinji Ohsawa, Kazuo Yoshida, Kouji Nanbu
  • Patent number: 9017898
    Abstract: A fuel cell (10) includes an anode (11), a solid electrolyte layer (12), a barrier layer (13), and a cathode (14). The anode (11) includes a transition metal and an oxygen ion conductive material. In the interface region (R) within 3 micrometers from the interface with the solid electrolyte layer (12) of the anode (11) after reduction, the content rate of silicon is less than or equal to 200 ppm, the content rate of phosphorous is less than or equal to 50 ppm, the content rate of chrome is less than or equal to 100 ppm, the content rate of boron is less than or equal to 100 ppm, and the content rate of sulfur is less than or equal to 100 ppm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yohei Miura, Makoto Ohmori, Ayano Kobayashi, Takafumi Terahai
  • Patent number: 9005815
    Abstract: A negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery, a method of manufacturing the same, and a rechargeable lithium battery including the negative active material. The negative active material includes carbon particles having interplanar spacing (d002) ranging from about 0.34 nm to about 0.50 nm at a 002 plane, measured by X-ray diffraction using CuK?, and nitrogen on the surface of the carbon particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyeu-Yoon Sheem, Bok-Hyun Ka, Da-Woon Han
  • Patent number: 8999600
    Abstract: A solid oxide electrochemical cell of an embodiment includes: a cathode; an anode; and an electrolyte layer interposed between the cathode and the anode, wherein a porous region exists in a layer form in a region with a depth of 50% or less of the electrolyte layer from an anode side surface toward the cathode in the electrolyte layer or between the electrolyte layer and the anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Norikazu Osada, Takayuki Fukasawa, Tsuneji Kameda, Kentaro Matsunaga, Masato Yoshino
  • Patent number: 8993199
    Abstract: Provided is a flexible carbon fiber nonwoven fabric which has resistance to bending, is flexible, and exhibits excellent processability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Nisshinbo Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Naokazu Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8956771
    Abstract: An electrode catalyst for fuel cell, a method of preparing the electrode catalyst, a membrane electrode assembly including the electrode catalyst, and a fuel cell including the membrane electrode assembly. The electrode catalyst includes a crystalline catalyst particle incorporating a precious metal having oxygen reduction activity and a Group 13 element, where the Group 13 element is present in a unit lattice of the crystalline catalyst particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kang-hee Lee, Chan-ho Pak, Dae-jong Yoo, Seon-ah Jin
  • Publication number: 20150037708
    Abstract: A polymer including a reaction product of a sulfonated polyarylene ether sulfone and at least one compound selected from a sulfonated compound having a thiol group at a terminal thereof and a sulfonated compound having a hydroxy group at a terminal thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Seong-woo CHOI, Chan-ho PAK, Ki-hyun KIM, Jong-chan LEE
  • Patent number: 8945789
    Abstract: The present invention provides a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) including a porous fuel electrode which allows reaction of a fuel gas to proceed and which is formed of Ni and YSZ, a porous air electrode which allows reaction of an oxygen-containing gas to proceed, and a dense solid electrolyte membrane which is provided between the fuel electrode and the air electrode and which has an interface with the fuel electrode. In the fuel electrode, Ni grains present in a region located within 3 ?m from the interface (i.e., a “near-interface region”) have a mean size of 0.28 to 0.80 ?m, YSZ grains present in the near-interface region have a mean size of 0.28 to 0.80 ?m, and pores present in the near-interface region have a mean size of 0.10 to 0.87 ?m. Thus, the fuel electrode of the SOFC exhibits low reaction resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ayano Kobayashi, Makoto Ohmori
  • Patent number: 8945791
    Abstract: In a fuel cell including an electrolyte layer allowing an anion component to migrate, and a fuel-side electrode and an oxygen-side electrode arranged to face each other while sandwiching the electrolyte layer, the oxygen-side electrode contains a first catalyst containing a first transition metal and polypyrrole, and a second catalyst containing a second transition metal and a porphyrin ring-containing compound so that the mixing ratio of the first catalyst relative to 100 parts by mass of the total amount of the first catalyst and the second catalyst is more than 10 parts by mass, and below 90 parts by mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignees: Daihatsu Motor Co. Ltd., STC UNM
    Inventors: Koichiro Asazawa, Koji Yamada, Hirohisa Tanaka, Kazuya Yamamoto, Tim Olson, Svitlana Pylypenko, Plamen Atanassov
  • Patent number: 8940451
    Abstract: A planar high temperature fuel cell, a use and a method of manufacture are discloses. The planar high-temperature fuel cell with includes a layer structure. The layer structure includes a cathode layer, an anode layer and a solid electrolyte layer disposed between the cathode layer and the anode layer. Each of the layers are planar. A porous metal structure is used as the support for the layer structure and is also planar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Robert Fleck, Horst Greiner, Alessandro Zampieri
  • Patent number: 8932784
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes a plate-like cell, a separator on one side of the plate-like cell, and a separator on the other side of the plate-like cell. The plate-like cell includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode, and a cathode. The anode has a stacked body composed of a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer. The cathode has a stacked body composed of a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer. The catalyst layer contains a porous carbon material formed with micro pores, which functions as an electric double layer, and an ion-exchange resin. At least part of the porous carbon material supports a catalytic metal such as platinum. The porous carbon material to be used is preferably a carbide-derived carbon. The carbide-derived carbon preferably has micro pores of 1 nm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Kouji Matsuoka, Shigeru Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 8921007
    Abstract: A bonding layer, disposed between an interconnect layer and an electrode layer of a solid oxide fuel cell article, may be formed from a yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) powder having a monomodal particle size distribution (PSD) with a d50 that is greater than about 1 ?m and a d90 that is greater than about 2 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Guangyong Lin, Yeshwanth Narendar, John D. Pietras, Qiang Zhao, Robert J. Sliwoski, Caroline Levy, Samuel S. Marlin, Aravind Mohanram
  • Patent number: 8916310
    Abstract: A conductive sheet comprises an aromatic polyamide pulp, a fluoroplastic fused to the aromatic polyamide pulp, and a carbon-based conductive material; wherein the conductive sheet has a static contact angle of water on a first surface that is greater than the static contact angle of water on a second surface that in the opposite surface to the first surface, and the difference between the static contact angle of water on the first surface and the static contact angle of water on the second surface is 20°-180°; or wherein the injection pressure of water on the first surface of the conductive sheet is less than the injection pressure of water on the second surface that is the opposite surface to the first surface, and the difference between the injection pressure of water on the first surface and the injection pressure of water on the second surface is 20-50 kPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Toho Tenax Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuma Kurokawa, Tetsuya Akamatsu
  • Patent number: 8906576
    Abstract: A method of treating an electrode for a battery to enhance its performance is disclosed. By depositing a layer of porous carbon onto the electrode, its charging and discharging characteristics, as well as chemical stability may be improved. The method includes creating a plasma that includes carbon and attracting the plasma toward the electrode, such as by biasing a platen on which the electrode is disposed. In some embodiments, an etching process is also performed on the deposited porous carbon to increase its surface area. The electrode may also be exposed to a hydrophilic treatment to improve its interaction with the electrolyte. In addition, a battery which includes at least one electrode treated according to this process is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventors: Blake L. Darby, Ludovic Godet, Xianfeng Lu, Tristan Yonghui Ma
  • Patent number: 8906560
    Abstract: Organic/inorganic complex proton conductors are provided which display high proton conductivity over a wide temperature range. Electrodes for fuel cells which include the organic/inorganic complex proton conductors are also provided. The invention also advantageously provides electrolyte membranes for fuel cells including the organic/inorganic complex proton conductors, and fuel cells including the organic/inorganic complex proton conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Myung-Jin Lee, Tae-young Kim, Pil-won Heo
  • Patent number: 8900773
    Abstract: An electrode for an electrochemical system, such as a fuel cell, is formed by an active layer including: pores; at least one catalyst; at least one ionomer; and electrically-conductive particles. The catalyst content per pore ranges between 30 and 500 mg/cm3 with respect to the pore volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Commisariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Remi Vincent, Sylvie Escribano, Alejandro Franco
  • Patent number: 8835060
    Abstract: Silicon-oxygen batteries comprising a silicon anode as chemical fuel, an air-cathode for dissociating oxygen, and an electrolyte, and applications using the same are provided. The silicon-batteries may utilize air for generating oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignees: Technion Research & Development Foundation Limited, The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Yair Ein-Eli, Digby Donald MacDonald
  • Patent number: 8828613
    Abstract: Fuel-cell assemblies containing a membrane electrode assembly, methods for preparing the membrane electrode assembly, and methods for functionalizing catalytic surfaces of catalyst particles in the membrane electrode assembly of the fuel cell assembly have been described. The fuel-cell assemblies and their membrane electrode assemblies contain cathode catalyst materials having catalytic surfaces that are functionalized with cyano groups to improve catalyst activity. The cathode catalyst materials may include a catalytic metal such as platinum or a platinum alloy. The cyano groups may be derived from a cyanide source that is electro-oxidized onto the catalytic surfaces. Nonlimiting examples of cyanide sources include amino acids such as glycine, alanine, and serine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jingxin Zhang, Rohit Makharia, Jeanette E. Owejan
  • Patent number: 8815443
    Abstract: Dry process based energy storage device structures and methods for using a dry adhesive therein are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Porter Mitchell, Xiaomei Xi, Linda Zhong, Bin Zou
  • Patent number: 8802316
    Abstract: Solid-oxide fuel cells include an electrolyte and an anode electrically coupled to a first surface of the electrolyte. A cathode is provided, which is electrically coupled to a second surface of the electrolyte. The cathode includes a porous backbone having a porosity in a range from about 20% to about 70%. The porous backbone contains a mixed ionic-electronic conductor (MIEC) of a first material infiltrated with an oxygen-reducing catalyst of a second material different from the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Meilin Liu, Ze Liu, Mingfei Liu, Lifang Nie, David Spencer Mebane, Lane Curtis Wilson, Wayne Surdoval
  • Publication number: 20140220474
    Abstract: Catalyst particles includes a catalyst material and carbon particles supporting the catalyst material. The catalyst particles has a water content of 4.8 mass % or more and 20 mass % or less. A manufacturing method of catalyst particles includes exposing catalyst particles, which are carbon particles supporting a catalyst material, to a humidified atmosphere, prior to dispersing the carbon particles and a polymer electrolyte in a solvent for a catalyst ink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Saori Okada
  • Patent number: 8758949
    Abstract: A reversible electrochemical system includes a first electrode comprising liquid silver metal and a second electrode, said first and second electrodes separated by a oxygen ion-conducting solid electrolyte; a conduit for directing a first reactive material across the second electrode; and a conduit for contacting second reactive material with the first liquid silver electrode, wherein the cell is capable of steam electrolysis when the polarity of the electrodes is selected such that the liquid silver is an anode and the cell is capable of electrical energy generation when the polarity of the electrodes is selected such that the liquid silver is a cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: The Trustees of Boston University
    Inventors: Uday B. Pal, Srikanth Gopalan
  • Patent number: 8748334
    Abstract: This invention provides a process for producing an electrode catalyst for a fuel cell, comprising a first support step of producing metallic fine particles having an average particle diameter of 0.1 to 1.5 nm provided at regulated particle intervals on an electroconductive carbon carrier, and a second support step of growing a metal identical to or dissimilar to the metal using the metallic fine particles as a nucleus. In the first support step, the metallic fine particles are supported by an immersion method. The above constitution can provide an electrode catalyst for a fuel cell, which has a high level of percentage support, has a high level of dispersibility, and has improved methanol oxidation activity per weight of the catalyst. Further, when treatment in an atmosphere containing hydrogen is carried out at a low temperature below 100° C., the methanol oxidation activity per active surface area can be improved without lowering the active area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeru Konishi
  • Patent number: 8748056
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes a cathode electrode, a solid oxide electrolyte, and an anode electrode having a first portion and a second portion, such that the first portion is located between the electrolyte and the second portion. The anode electrode comprises a cermet comprising a nickel containing phase and a ceramic phase. The first portion of the anode electrode contains a lower porosity and a lower ratio of the nickel containing phase to the ceramic phase than the second portion of the anode electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Emad El Batawi, Darren Hickey, James McElroy
  • Publication number: 20140113214
    Abstract: A method for making a fibrous layer for fuel cell applications includes a step of combining a perfuorocyclobutyl-containing resin with a water soluble carrier resin to form a resinous mixture. The resinous mixture is then shaped to form a shaped resinous mixture. The shaped resinous mixture includes perfuorocyclobutyl-containing structures within the carrier resin. The shaped resinous mixture is contacted (i.e., washed) with water to separate the perfuorocyclobutyl-containing structures from the carrier resin. Optional protogenic groups and then a catalyst are added to the perfuorocyclobutyl-containing structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: James Mitchell, Timothy J. Fuller, Lijun Zou
  • Patent number: 8685592
    Abstract: An inorganic proton conductor for an electrochemical device and an electrochemical device using the inorganic proton conductor, the inorganic proton conductor including a tetravalent metallic element and an alkali metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae-young Kim, Pil-won Heo, Sang-kyun Kang
  • Patent number: 8669012
    Abstract: A battery capable of improving cycle characteristics is provided. An anode includes: an anode active material layer including an anode active material on an anode current collector, the anode active material including silicon (Si) and having a plurality of pores, in which after electrode reaction, the volumetric capacity of a pore group with a diameter ranging from 3 nm to 200 nm both inclusive per unit weight of silicon is 0.3 cm3/g or less, and the rate of change in the amount of mercury intruded into the plurality of pores is distributed so as to have a peak in a diameter range from 200 nm to 15000 nm both inclusive, the rate of change in the amount of mercury intruded being measured by mercury porosimetry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takakazu Hirose, Kenichi Kawase, Isamu Konishiike, Nozomu Morita, Takayuki Fujii
  • Patent number: 8642496
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming a catalyst comprising catalytic nanoparticles and a catalyst support, wherein the catalytic nanoparticles are embedded in the catalyst support, comprising forming the catalytic nanoparticles on carbon particle, dispersing the carbon particle in a solution comprising precursors of the catalyst support to form a suspension, heating the suspension to form a gel, subjecting the gel to incineration to form a powder, and sintering the powder to form the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Zetao Xia, Liang Hong, Wei Wang, Zhao Lin Liu
  • Patent number: 8628892
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell supplied with a fuel gas and an oxidant gas, including a single cell 4 having a plate-like electrolyte 41, an cathode 42 formed on an upper surface of the electrolyte 41, and a anode 43 formed on a lower surface of the electrolyte 41; a conductive support substrate 2 supporting the single cell 4, and having through-holes 21 that form a supply path for the fuel gas or oxidant gas; and a gas-permeable welding layer 3 sandwiched between the single cell 4 and the support substrate 2, and welded to the single cell 4 and the support substrate 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuniaki Yoshikata
  • Patent number: 8623565
    Abstract: A current producing cell has anode flow plates 22 and cathode flow plates 20. Each of the flow plates 20, 22 defines a membrane face 26, a collector face 24, and a center axis C perpendicular to the membrane face 26 and the collector face 24. Each of the collector faces 24 define a plurality of cooling channels 74, 76, 78 and a plurality of transport channels 62, 64. The cooling channels 74, 76, 78 of the cathode flow plates 20 extend radially relative to the center axis C thereof to overlap the transport channels 62, 64 of the anode flow plates 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventors: Susanta K. Das, Jayesh Kavathe, K. Joel Berry
  • Patent number: 8617770
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a method including providing a cathode catalyst ink comprising a first catalyst, an oxygen evolution reaction catalyst, and a solvent; and depositing the cathode catalyst ink on one of a polymer electrolyte membrane, a gas diffusion medium layer, or a decal backing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Susan G. Yan, Hubert A. Gasteiger, Paul Taichiang Yu, Wenbin Gu, Jingxin Zhang
  • Patent number: 8603697
    Abstract: There is provided a dendritic catalyst layer for a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell including: a solid polymer electrolyte membrane; electrodes; and catalyst layers each provided between the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and the respective electrode, the catalyst layer for a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes a catalyst with a dendritic structure. The catalyst with a dendritic structure is formed through vacuum evaporation such as reactive sputtering, reactive electron beam evaporation, or ion plating. The catalyst layer for a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell can improve catalytic activity, catalyst utilization, and substance transport performance in the catalyst layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuya Miyazaki, Kazuhiro Yamada, Yoshinobu Okumura
  • Publication number: 20130323620
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a porous electrode substrate with greater sheet strength, lower production cost, and excellent gas permeability and conductivity as well as its manufacturing method are provided. Also provided are a precursor sheet for forming such a substrate, and a membrane electrode assembly and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell containing such a substrate. The method for manufacturing such a porous electrode substrate includes the following steps [1]˜[3]: [1] a step for manufacturing a sheet material in which short carbon fibers (A) are dispersed; [2] a step for manufacturing a precursor sheet by adding a water-soluble phenolic resin and/or water-dispersible phenolic resin to the sheet material; and [3] a step for carbonizing the precursor sheet at a temperature of 1000° C. or higher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI RAYON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroto Tatsuno, Kazuhiro Sumioka, Tadao Samejima
  • Patent number: 8597853
    Abstract: An electrode catalyst for a fuel cell including a carbon-based carrier and an active metal supported in the carrier, for example, an electrode catalyst for a fuel cell includes a carrier and an active metal supported in the carrier, wherein the electrode catalyst has an X value of 95 to 100% in Equation 1. X(%)=(XPS measurement value)/(TGA measurement value)×100??[Equation 1] wherein, the XPS measurement value represents a quantitative amount of the active metal present on a surface of the electrode catalyst, the TGA measurement value represents the XPS measurement value using a monochromated Al K?-ray, which is the quantitative amount of total active metal supported in the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Myoung-Ki Min, Geun-Seok Chai, Hee-Tak Kim, Tae-Yoon Kim, Sang-Il Han, Kah-Young Song, Sung-Yong Cho
  • Patent number: 8592100
    Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell having improved ion conductivity in the catalyst layer. The catalyst layer includes a catalytic metal, a carbon particle, and an ion exchanger. The catalytic metal is carried on the carbon particle. The ion exchanger includes a first functional group capable of being adsorbed or bound to the catalytic metal, and a second functional group providing the ion conductivity. The ion exchanger is adsorbed or bound to the catalytic metal via the first functional group. The bond between the catalytic metal and the ion exchanger includes a covalent bond, a coordinate bond or an ion bond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsura Kawata, Takashi Yasuo, Takahiro Isono, Yuko Nowatari
  • Publication number: 20130309595
    Abstract: Disclosed are metallized carbonaceous materials, processes for forming such materials, and electrodes and fuel cells comprising the disclosed materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: DREXEL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yossef A. Elabd, Yury Gogotsi, Benjamin Eirich, Daniel Shay
  • Publication number: 20130295483
    Abstract: A method for producing a fuel cell electrode catalyst including a metal element selected from aluminum, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, strontium, yttrium, tin, tungsten, and cerium and having high catalytic activity through heat treatment at comparatively low temperature. The method including: a step (1) of mixing at least a certain metal compound (1), a nitrogen-containing organic compound (2), and a solvent to obtain a catalyst precursor solution, a step (2) of removing the solvent from the catalyst precursor solution, and a step (3) of heat-treating a solid residue, obtained in the step (2), at a temperature of 500 to 1100° C. to obtain an electrode catalyst; a portion or the entirety of the metal compound (1) being a compound containing, as the metal element, a metal element M1 selected from aluminum, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, strontium, yttrium, tin, tungsten, and cerium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: SHOWA DENKO K.K.
    Inventors: Ryuji Monden, Takuya Imai, Yasuaki Wakizaka, Kunchan Lee, Takashi Sato