Polymeric Material (e.g., Proton Exchange Membrane (pem), Etc.) Patents (Class 429/492)
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Publication number: 20140134519Abstract: An electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell includes: an inorganic ionic conductor including a trivalent metal element, a pentavalent metal element, phosphorous, and oxygen; and a polymer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2013Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicants: National University Corporation Nagoya University, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., National University Corporation Nagoya University
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Publication number: 20140134518Abstract: Shaped microporous articles are produced from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and nucleating agents using thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) processes. The shaped microporous article is oriented in at least one direction at a stretch ratio of at least approximately 1.1 to 1.0. The shaped article may also comprise a diluent, glyceryl triacetate. The shaped microporous article may also have the micropores filled with a sufficient quantity of ion conducting electrolyte to allow the membrane to function as an ion conductive membrane. The method of making a microporous article comprises the steps of melt blending polyvinylidene fluoride, nucleating agent and glyceryl triacetate; forming a shaped article of the mixture; cooling the shaped article to cause crystallization of the polyvinylidene fluoride and phase separation of the polyvinylidene fluoride and glyceryl triacetate; and stretching the shaped article in at least one direction at a stretch ratio of at least approximately 1.1 to 1.0.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2014Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Samantha D. Smith, Gene H. Shipman, Robert M. Floyd, Harold Todd Freemyer, Steven J. Hamrock, Michael A. Yandrasits, David G. S. Walton
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Patent number: 8722279Abstract: Composition in the form of a solution and/or dispersion, comprising: at least one polyazole with an intrinsic viscosity, measured in at least 96% by weight sulfuric acid, in the range from 3.0 to 8.0 g/dl, and orthophosphoric acid (H3PO4) and/or polyphosphoric acid, wherein the polyazole content, based on the total weight of the composition, is in the range from 0.5% by weight to 30.0% by weight, the H3PO4 and/or polyphosphoric acid content, based on the total weight of the composition, is in the range from 30.0% by weight to 99.5% by weight, the H3PO4 and/or polyphosphoric acid concentration, calculated as P2O5 (by acidimetric means), based on the total amount of H3PO4 and/or polyphosphoric acid and/or water, is in the range from 70.5% to 75.45%. Additionally protected are particularly advantageous processes for preparation and for use of the inventive composition.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2010Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: BASF SEInventors: Jörg Belack, Klaus Leitner, Thomas Justus Schmidt, Gunter Christ, Bernd-Steffen von Bernstorff
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Patent number: 8715881Abstract: A benzoxazine-based monomer, a polymer thereof, an electrode for a fuel cell including the same, an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell including the same, and a fuel cell using the same. The aromatic ring may contain up to 2 nitrogens within the ring. Single ring and fused ring substituents are attached to the pendent nitrogen. The ring substituents may be heterocyclic.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2012Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seongwoo Choi, Jungock Park, Wonmok Lee
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Publication number: 20140120431Abstract: Disclosed are composite polymeric ion exchange membranes and processes for their production and use in electrochemical cells, wherein ion exchange polymers are impregnated into non-consolidated nanowebs.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2012Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANYInventors: Mark Gerrit Roelofs, Biswajit Choudhury, Junaid Ahmed Siddiqui, Shoibal Banerjee
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Patent number: 8709677Abstract: A proton conducting polymer electrolyte comprising a proton conducting ionomer cross-linked with an amount of a copolymer additive comprising cross-linking functional groups and other functional groups (e.g. proton carriers, chelating agents, radical scavengers) shows improved durability over the ionomer alone and provides for more stable inclusion of these other functional groups. The copolymer additive comprises at least two types of metal oxide monomers, one having cross-linking functional groups and the other having the other functional groups.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2011Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignees: Daimler AG, Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Keping Wang, Jing Li, Yunsong Yang
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Patent number: 8710108Abstract: A proton conducting polymer electrolyte comprising a proton conducting ionomer cross-linked with an amount of a copolymer additive comprising cross-linking functional groups and other functional groups (e.g. proton carriers, chelating agents, radical scavengers) shows improved durability over the ionomer alone and provides for more stable inclusion of these other functional groups. The copolymer additive comprises at least two types of metal oxide monomers, one having cross-linking functional groups and the other having the other functional groups.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2011Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignees: Daimler AG, Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Keping Wang, Jing Li, Yunsong Yang
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Publication number: 20140113215Abstract: The invention relates to copolymers comprising a chain of siloxane repeat units of at least two different types, a first type of siloxane repeat unit comprising at least one —OH group on the silicon atom of the siloxane repeat unit and a second type of repeat unit comprising at least one pendant chain on the silicon atom of said repeat unit, this pendant chain consisting of a polymer chain comprising a chain of repeat units carrying at least one group of formula —PO3R1R2 wherein R1 and R2 independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or a cation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2012Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicants: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE, COMMISSARIAT À L'ÉNERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ÉNERGIES ALTERNATIVESInventors: Pierrick Buvat, Thomas Boucheteau, Ghislain David, François Ganachaud, Sergei Victorovich Kostjuk
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Patent number: 8697302Abstract: To provide a fuel cell system capable of performing a purge operation necessary for realizing a stable output and being miniaturized without using a controller or a sensor, there is provided a fuel cell system having a main power generation part and a sub-power generation part positioned on a downstream side of a fuel flow path of the main power generation part, including: a purge valve provided on a downstream side of the fuel flow path of the sub-power generation part; and an actuator for opening/closing the purge valve with an electromotive force of the sub-power generation part.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2007Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Satoshi Mogi
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Patent number: 8691469Abstract: A proton exchange membrane for a fuel cell, comprising a graft (co)polymer comprising a main chain and grafts comprising at least one proton acceptor group and at least one proton donor group.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2008Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie AtomiqueInventors: Thomas Berthelot, Marie-Claude Clochard
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Publication number: 20140093792Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte membrane is provided that is inexpensive, and is excellent in the ionic conductivity characteristics, the methanol crossover characteristics and the mechanical characteristics. The solid polymer electrolyte membrane contains a block copolymer A containing a hydrophilic segment having an ion exchange group and a hydrophobic segment, and a block copolymer B containing a hydrophilic segment having an ion exchange group and a hydrophobic segment and having a smaller ion exchange capacity than the block copolymer A, and has a structure where a region A having the block copolymer A agglomerated therein is dispersed in a matrix constituted by a region B having the block copolymer B agglomerated therein, with a microscopic phase-separated structure having a period of from 10 to 100 nm being formed in the region A and the region B.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2013Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiyuki TAKAMORI, Atsuhiko ONUMA
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Publication number: 20140093808Abstract: A fuel cell membrane electrode assembly is provided comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane which comprises a polymer that comprises bound anionic functional groups, wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane additionally comprises cerium cations. In another aspect, a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly is provided comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane which comprises a polymer that comprises bound anionic functional groups, wherein at least a portion of the anionic functional groups are in acid form and at least a portion of the anionic functional groups are neutralized by cerium cations. In another aspect, a polymer electrolyte membrane is provided which comprises a polymer that comprises bound anionic functional groups, wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane additionally comprises cerium cations, and wherein the amount of cerium cations present is between 0.001 and 0.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2013Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Matthew H. Frey, Daniel M. Pierpont, Steven J. Hamrock
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Patent number: 8685591Abstract: A dispersion composition including a fluorine-containing ion exchange resin having a repeating unit represented by the formulae (1) and a repeating unit represented by the formulae (2), and having an equivalent weight of 400 to 1000 g/eq; and a solvent comprising water, wherein Z represents H, Cl, F, or a perfluoroalkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; m represents an integer of 0 to 12; and n represents an integer of 0 to 2, and wherein an abundance ratio of a resin having a particle size of 10 ?m or more in the fluorine-containing ion exchange resin is 0.1% to 80% by volume.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2009Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Asahi Kasei E-materials CorporationInventors: Takahiko Murai, Kohei Kita, Naoki Sakamoto
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Patent number: 8679699Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell and a fuel cell employing the same. The membrane electrode assembly includes: a cathode; an anode; and a polymer electrolyte membrane that is interposed between the cathode and the anode, and comprises a proton conductive polymer that is doped with acid to a doping level of less than 200 mole %. The membrane electrode assembly for the fuel cell exhibits an improved efficiency of performance when acid is doped in the polymer electrolyte membrane at a doping level of less than 200 mole. In addition, the performance of the fuel cell can be optimized by separately adjusting the amount of acid doped in the cathode and anode. The fuel cell employing the membrane electrode assembly can be operated at a high temperature in a dry environment and exhibits an improved power generating performance.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2007Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., LtdInventors: Kyung-jung Kwon, Duck-young Yoo, Tae-young Kim, Suk-gi Hong
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Publication number: 20140080031Abstract: A supported membrane for fuel cell applications includes a first expanded polytetrafluoroethylene support and a second expanded polytetrafluoroethylene support. Both the first and second expanded polytetrafluoroethylene supports independently have pores with a diameter from about 0.1 to about 1 microns and a thickness from about 4 to 12 microns. The supported membrane also includes an ion conducting polymer adhering to the first expanded polytetrafluoroethylene support and the second expanded polytetrafluoroethylene support such that the membrane has a thickness from about 10 to 25 microns.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Lijun Zou, Timothy J. Fuller, Michael R. Schoeneweiss
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Patent number: 8673517Abstract: To provide a polymer electrolyte membrane for polymer electrolyte fuel cells having high mechanical strength and excellent dimensional stability when it contains water even when it is made thin and the concentration of ionic groups is increased so as to reduce the electrical resistance, and a membrane/electrode assembly providing high output and having excellent durability.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2009Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, LimitedInventors: Seigo Kotera, Tetsuji Shimohira, Satoru Hommura, Susumu Saito
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Publication number: 20140065513Abstract: An ion-conducting composite electrolyte is provided comprising path-engineered ion-conducting ceramic electrolyte particles and a solid polymeric matrix. The path-engineered particles are characterized by an anisotropic crystalline structure and the ionic conductivity of the crystalline structure in a preferred conductivity direction H associated with one of the crystal planes of the path-engineered particle is larger than the ionic conductivity of the crystalline structure in a reduced conductivity direction L associated with another of the crystal planes of the path-engineered particle. The path-engineered particles are sized and positioned in the polymeric matrix such that a majority of the path-engineered particles breach both of the opposite major faces of the matrix body and are oriented in the polymeric matrix such that the preferred conductivity direction H is more closely aligned with a minimum path length spanning a thickness of the matrix body than is the reduced conductivity direction L.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2012Publication date: March 6, 2014Inventors: Michael Edward Badding, Jacqueline Leslie Brown, Katherine A. Fink, Atanas Valentinov Gagov, Cameron Wayne Tanner
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Patent number: 8663872Abstract: A membrane-membrane reinforcing member assembly (1) of the present invention includes: a polymer electrolyte membrane (10) having a pair of first main surface (F1) and second main surface (F2) which face each other and each has a substantially rectangular shape; a pair of first membrane reinforcing members 22 and 24 which are disposed on portions, respectively, extending along a pair of opposed sides of four sides of the first main surface (F1), each has a main surface smaller than the first main surface (F1) and each has a film shape; and a pair of second membrane reinforcing members (26) and (28) which are disposed on portions, respectively, extending along a pair of opposed sides of four sides of the second main surface (F2), each has a main surface smaller than the second main surface (F2) and each has a film shape, wherein the pair of first membrane reinforcing members (22) and (24) and the pair of second membrane reinforcing members (26) and (28) are disposed so as to extend along four sides as a whole,Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2006Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Takeou Okanishi, Yoshihiro Hori, Kazuhito Hatoh
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Patent number: 8663868Abstract: Shaped microporous articles are produced from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and nucleating agents using thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) processes. The shaped microporous article is oriented in at least one direction at a stretch ratio of at least approximately 1.1 to 1.0. The shaped article may also comprise a diluent, glyceryl triacetate. The shaped microporous article may also have the micropores filled with a sufficient quantity of ion conducting electrolyte to allow the membrane to function as an ion conductive membrane. The method of making a microporous article comprises the steps of melt blending polyvinylidene fluoride, nucleating agent and glyceryl triacetate; forming a shaped article of the mixture; cooling the shaped article to cause crystallization of the polyvinylidene fluoride and phase separation of the polyvinylidene fluoride and glyceryl triacetate; and stretching the shaped article in at least one direction at a stretch ratio of at least approximately 1.1 to 1.0.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2008Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Samantha D. Smith, Gene H. Shipman, Robert M. Floyd, Harold Todd Freemyer, Steven J. Hamrock, Michael A. Yandrasits, David G. S. Walton
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Patent number: 8652705Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte membrane having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, where the solid polymer electrolyte membrane has a failure force greater than about 115 grams and comprises a composite membrane consisting essentially of (a) at least one expanded PTFE membrane having a porous microstructure of polymeric fibrils, and (b) at least one ion exchange material impregnated throughout the porous microstructure of the expanded PTFE membrane so as to render an interior volume of the expanded PTFE membrane substantially occlusive; (c) at least one substantially occlusive, electronically insulating first composite layer interposed between the expanded PTFE membrane and the first surface, the first composite layer comprising a plurality of first carbon particles supporting a catalyst comprising platinum and an ion exchange material.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2005Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Berta, William Shamrock, Wen Liu
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Patent number: 8652704Abstract: The direct alcohol fuel cell of the present invention is a direct alcohol fuel cell comprising an anode 20 having an anode catalyst layer 2, a cathode 30 having a cathode catalyst layer 3, and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 1 arranged between the anode 20 and cathode 30, the direct alcohol fuel cell generating electricity by supplying the anode 20 with alcohol and water; wherein the cathode catalyst layer 3 contains a metal complex and/or a metal complex fired product formed by firing the metal complex as a catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2005Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: TDK CorporationInventors: Atsushi Sano, Satoshi Maruyama
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Patent number: 8652706Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell includes a polymer matrix comprising a cross-linked curable oligomer with nano-sized proton conductive polymer particles in the polymer matrix. The curable oligomer may include unsaturated functional groups at each end of a chain, and may further include 3 to 14 ethylene oxides. The proton conductive polymer nano particles may include fluorine-based proton conductive polymer nano particles, non-fluorine-based proton conductive polymer nano particles, hydrocarbon-based proton conductive polymer nano particles, and combinations.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2006Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Min-Kyu Song
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Patent number: 8647793Abstract: A solid proton conductor for a fuel cell and a fuel cell employing the solid proton conductor, the solid proton conductor including a sulfonated polymer, and a hydrophilic polymer having an acid group, constituting a polymer solvent, providing a proton mobile path.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2009Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Myung-jin Lee, Suk-gi Hong
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Patent number: 8647781Abstract: This invention provides a redox fuel cell comprising an anode and a cathode separated by an ion selective polymer electrolyte membrane; means for supplying a fuel to the anode region of the cell; means for supplying an oxidant to the cathode region of the cell; means for providing an electrical circuit between the anode and the cathode; a non-volatile catholyte solution flowing in fluid communication with the cathode, the catholyte solution comprising a redox mediator which is at least partially reduced at the cathode in operation of the cell, and at least partially regenerated by, optionally indirect, reaction with the oxidant after such reduction at the cathode, and a transition metal complex of a multidentate macrocyclic N-donor ligand as a redox catalyst catalysing the regeneration of the mediator.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2009Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Acal Energy LimitedInventors: Kathryn Knuckey, David Rochester, Andrew Martin Creeth
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Patent number: 8642228Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane, a method of preparing the polymer electrolyte membrane, and a fuel cell including the polymer electrolyte membrane are disclosed in which the polymer electrolyte membrane includes a porous polymer matrix, and an ionic conductive polymer layer coated on the external surfaces of single fibers and inside pores of the porous polymer matrix.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2006Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Myung-dong Cho, Hee-Young Sun, Myung-jin Lee
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Publication number: 20140023953Abstract: Disclosed is a proton conducting polymer membrane formed by laminating a plurality of solid electrolyte membranes. This proton conducting polymer membrane is one prepared by laminating at least one layer of a solid electrolyte membrane formed by using a resin having a bis(perfluoroalkanesulfonyl)methide group in the chemical structure. This solid electrolyte membrane has a superior proton conductivity without transmitting the fuel (methanol or hydrogen).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2012Publication date: January 23, 2014Applicant: Central Glass Company, LimitedInventors: Toru Tanaka, Katsutoshi Suzuki, Haruhiko Komoriya, Arata Takahashi, Saori Itabashi
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Patent number: 8632925Abstract: An electrolyte-free, oxygen-free, high power, and energy dense single fuel cell device is provided, along with methods for making and use. The fuel cell device is based on an electron-relay function using a nanostructured membrane prepared by cross-linking polymers, and having embedded within the membrane, a reactant. Use of the fuel cell device does not produce water, or CO2, and no oxygen is needed. The rechargeability of the fuel cell device revealed it can function as a portable battery.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2012Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Inventor: Ellen Tuanying Chen
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Patent number: 8632926Abstract: Provided are a solid proton conductor and a fuel cell including the solid proton conductor. The solid proton conductor includes a polymer providing a proton source, and a polymer solvent providing a proton path.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2008Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Myung-jin Lee, Moon-sung Kang
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Patent number: 8628893Abstract: Binder composites for membrane electrode assemblies and membrane electrode assemblies employing the same are provided. The binder composition includes a solvent, a hyper-branched polymer and a polymer with high ion conductivity, wherein the hyper-branched polymer and the polymer with high conductivity of hydronium are distributed uniformly over the solvent, and the hyper-branched polymer has a DB (degree of branching) of more than 0.5.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2009Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Tsung-Hsiung Wang, Jing-Pin Pan, Ssu-Tai Lin
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Patent number: 8628889Abstract: A stable, high output is obtained with an anion exchange membrane-type fuel cell that generates electricity when air is supplied. An operating method for an anion exchange membrane-type fuel cell includes an anion exchange membrane electrode assembly for which an anode is joined to one surface of a anion exchange membrane and a cathode is joined to the other surface, and air is supplied to the cathode, wherein air with a reduced carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere is supplied to the cathode by a low carbon dioxide air supply system that supplies air with the reduced carbon dioxide concentration to the cathode.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2009Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Tokuyama CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Inoue, Shin Watanabe, Kenji Fukuta, Hiroyuki Yanagi
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Publication number: 20140011103Abstract: A proton conductor includes a metal ion, an oxoanion, and a molecule capable of undergoing protonation or deprotonation, in which the oxoanion and/or the molecule capable of undergoing protonation or deprotonation coordinates to the metal ion to form a coordination polymer. The oxoanion is preferably a monomer. The oxoanion is exemplified by at least one selected from the group consisting of phosphate ion, hydrogenphosphate ion, and dihydrogenphosphate ion. The molecule capable of undergoing protonation or deprotonation is exemplified by at least one selected from the group consisting of imidazole, triazole, benzimidazole, benzotriazole, and derivatives of them.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2013Publication date: January 9, 2014Applicants: Kyoto University, DENSON CORPORATIONInventors: DENSON CORPORATION, Kyoto University
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Publication number: 20140011116Abstract: Coating of catalyst ink is applied to a surface of a transfer roll to form a catalyst layer. The catalyst layer formed on the transfer roll is pressed on an excess coating-solution removing roll having a recessed portion while the catalyst layer is in semi-dry state to transfer and remove an excess catalyst layer from the transfer roll to a protruded portion of the excess coating-solution removing roll. The recessed portion has a same shape or a substantially same shape as a target pattern. A semi-dry catalyst layer having a target shape and remaining on the transfer roll is pressed on a polymer electrolyte membrane to bring the semi-dry catalyst layer into intimate contact with a surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane. The polymer electrolyte membrane having each side on which the semi-dry catalyst layer has been formed is dried.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2013Publication date: January 9, 2014Applicant: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.Inventor: Madoka OZAWA
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Patent number: 8623573Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides an electrically conductive fluid distribution plate and a method of making, and system for using, the electrically conductive fluid distribution plate. In at least one embodiment, the plate comprises a plate body defining a set of fluid flow channels configured to distribute flow of a fluid across at least one side of the plate, and a polymeric porous conductive layer proximate the plate body, with the porous conductive layer having a porosity sufficient to result in a water contact angle of the surface of less than 40°.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2005Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Feng Zhong, Richard H. Blunk, Youssef M. Mikhail, Gayatri Vyas, Daniel J. Lisi, Michael K. Budinski, Gerald W. Fly, Timothy J. Fuller, Brian K. Brady, Keith E. Newman
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Patent number: 8623565Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 19, 2010Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Inventors: Susanta K. Das, Jayesh Kavathe, K. Joel Berry
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Publication number: 20140004432Abstract: The present invention relates to improved membrane electrode assemblies and fuel cells with long lifetime, comprising two electrochemically active electrodes separated by a polymer electrolyte membrane based on polybenzoxazole-polybenzimidazole block polymers.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2013Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: BASF SEInventor: BASF SE
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Patent number: 8617764Abstract: Provided are an ion conductive resin fiber, an ion conductive hybrid membrane, a membrane electrode assembly and a fuel cell. The ion conductive resin fiber comprises an inner layer including an ion conductive resin; and an outer layer including an ion conductive resin having larger EW than the ion conductive resin of the inner layer, and surrounding the inner layer. The ion conductive resin fiber and the ion conductive hybrid membrane are excellent in ion conductivity, polar solvent stability and dimensional stability under low humidity conditions. The fuel cell manufactured using the same has advantages of stable operation and management of a system at ease, removal or reduction of components related to water management, and even in case of low relative humidity, operation at high temperature of 80° C. or higher.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2009Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.Inventors: Go-Young Moon, Won-Ho Lee, Sang-Hyun Lee, Young-Il Choi, Hyuk Kim
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Patent number: 8609297Abstract: A connecting structure of a flat fuel cell assembly. The assembly includes a plurality of fuel cells, each of which has a membrane electrode assembly with an anode, a proton exchange membrane and a cathode combined. Two conductive nets are attached to the surfaces of the anode and the cathode of each membrane electrode assembly by thermosetting adhesive and heat pressing to collect and transmit electrons.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2004Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Yeu-Shih Yen, Chiou-Chu Lai, Ju-Pei Chen, Shu-Chen Huang, Ku-Yin Ka
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Publication number: 20130330653Abstract: A method for making hollow metal tubes includes a step combining a polyphenylene sulfide-containing resin with a water soluble carrier resin to form a resinous mixture. The resinous mixture is then extruded to form an extruded resinous mixture. The extruded resinous mixture includes polyphenylene sulfide-containing fibers within the carrier resin. The extruded resinous mixture is contacted (i.e., washed) with water to separate the polyphenylene sulfide-containing fibers from the carrier resin. The polyphenylene sulfide-containing fibers are then formed into a membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2012Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: James Mitchell, Lijun Zou, Timothy J. Fuller, Gerald W. Fly
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Patent number: 8604133Abstract: A graft copolymer having a side chain graft-polymerized by atom transfer living radical polymerization (ATRP) on a main chain polymerized by organotellurium-mediated living radical polymerization (TERP), wherein the molecular weight distribution is such that Mw/Mn is 1.5 or less. The graft copolymer is also such that a main chain moiety mainly consisting of the main chain and a side chain moiety mainly consisting of the side chain have microphase-separated structures. The graft copolymer has a narrow molecular weight distribution and forms microphase-separated structures through self organization of hydrophobic and hydrophilic moieties.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2006Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Yamaguchi UniversityInventors: Shigeharu Takagi, Mitsuru Higa
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Publication number: 20130323621Abstract: This material suitable for constituting an electrolyte for a fuel cell has a hydrophobic matrix comprising carbon, fluorine, oxygen and hydrogen, and silicon.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2013Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: Commissariat A L'Energie AtomiqueInventor: Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique
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Patent number: 8597855Abstract: An electrolyte material, which comprises a polymer (H) having ion exchange groups converted from precursor groups in a polymer (F) having repeating units (A) having a precursor group represented by the formula (g1) and repeating units (B) based on a perfluoromonomer having a 5-membered ring, and having a density of at most 2.03 g/cm3, the polymer (H) having an ion exchange capacity of from 1.3 to 2.3 meq/g dry resin: wherein Q1 and Q2 are a perfluoroalkylene group having an etheric oxygen atom, or the like, and Y is F or the like; the electrolyte material being suitable for a catalyst layer of the membrane/electrode assembly; the membrane/electrode assembly being excellent in power generation characteristics under low or no humidity conditions and under high humidity conditions.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2010Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, LimitedInventors: Satoru Hommura, Susumu Saito, Tetsuji Shimohira, Atsushi Watakabe
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Patent number: 8597854Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell in which a membrane electrode assembly less undergoes increase in ion conduction resistance, and a polymer electrolyte membrane less undergoes deterioration. Specifically, the polymer electrolyte membrane includes a first membrane and a second membrane being two different membranes composed of polymer electrolytes having different ion-exchange capacities, in which the first membrane has an area of one surface thereof equal to or larger than an area of one surface of an anode or a cathode, and the second membrane has an area of one surface thereof smaller than that of the first membrane and is arranged in a gas inflow region on a side being in contact with the cathode. The second membrane has an ion-exchange capacity smaller than that of the first membrane or has a number-average molecular weight larger than that of the first membrane.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2011Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Atsuhiko Onuma, Jun Kawaji, Shuichi Suzuki, Yoshiyuki Takamori
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Publication number: 20130316268Abstract: A composition for filling an ion exchange membrane including a first aromatic vinyl monomer having a halogenated alkyl group or a quaternary ammonium salt group, a method of preparing the ion exchange membrane, an ion exchange membrane prepared using the method, and a redox flow battery including the ion exchange membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2012Publication date: November 28, 2013Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Myung-jin LEE, Joung-won PARK, Duk-jin OH, Doo-yeon LEE, Moon-sung KANG, Ji-su KIM, Hyeon-jung CHA
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Patent number: 8586260Abstract: A fuel cell with multiple independent reaction regions comprises multiple fuel cell units. Each fuel cell unit comprises bipolar plates and a membrane electrode assembly located between the bipolar plates. The membrane electrode assembly comprises a proton exchange membrane and catalyst layers located at both sides of the proton exchange membrane, and the catalyst layers at least at one side of the proton exchange membrane are formed with multiple mutually independent catalyst sublayers. Different from the prior design concepts of striving to distribute reactants as uniformly as possible in the whole reaction area, the whole cell in this invention is divided into multiple independent reaction regions, and relevance of the reaction regions is eliminated. Therefore, by partitioning and reducing the amplitude of possible voltage difference, this invention is able to reduce electrochemical corrosion and maximize performance of each independent region and the whole fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2011Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Inventor: Yong Gao
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Patent number: 8586266Abstract: First, second and third dopes each of which contains a solid electrolyte and an organic solvent are cast from a casting die provided with a feed block to a moving belt. A three-layer casting membrane is peeled off from the belt as a three-layer membrane containing the organic solvent. After being dried in a tenter device, the membrane still containing the organic solvent is contacted with a liquid which is a poor solvent of the solid electrolyte and having lower boiling point than the organic solvent. Thereafter, the membrane is transported to a drying chamber and dried while being supported by the plural rollers.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2006Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Miyachi, Ryo Takeda
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Patent number: 8580454Abstract: A combined subgasket and membrane support for a fuel cell is provided. The combined subgasket and membrane support includes a substantially fluid impermeable feed region circumscribing a porous membrane support region. The membrane support region is integrally formed with the feed region. At least one of the membrane support region and the feed region is at least partially formed by a radiation-cured structure. A method for fabricating the subgasket and membrane support for the fuel cell is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2013Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Gerald W. Fly, Yeh-Hung Lai, Jeffrey A. Rock, Keith E. Newman, Ping Liu, Alan J. Jacobsen, William B. Carter, Peter D. Brewer
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Patent number: 8580455Abstract: Crosslinked polybenzoxazines obtained by crosslinking a monofunctional first benzoxazine monomer and a multifunctional second benzoxazine monomer with a crosslinkable compound, an electrolyte membrane including the same, a method of preparing the electrolyte membrane, a fuel cell including the electrolyte membrane having the crosslinked polybenzoxazines using the method. The crosslinked polybenzoxazines have strong acid trapping capability, improved mechanical properties, and excellent chemical stability as it does not melt in polyphosphoric acid. Even as the amount of impregnated proton carrier and the temperature are increased, mechanical and chemical stability is highly maintained, and thus the electrolyte membrane can be effectively used for fuel cells at a high temperature.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2012Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seong-woo Choi, Hee-young Sun, Woo-sung Jeon
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Publication number: 20130295488Abstract: Provided are a polymer electrolyte membrane exhibiting a relatively high ion conductivity, and a method for producing the polymer electrolyte membrane. The polymer electrolyte membrane of the present invention is an ion-conducting polymer electrolyte membrane including a polymer. The polymer includes a hydrophobic main chain and side chains bonded to the main chain. Each of the side chains includes a hydrophobic main chain portion and a plurality of side chain portions bonded to the main chain portion. Each of the side chain portions includes a hydrophobic first portion bonded to the main chain portion, and a second portion bonded to the first portion. The second portion includes an ion-conducting group.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Applicants: JAPAN ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, NITTO DENKO CORPORATIONInventors: Yutaka KISHII, Hideyuki EMORI, Hiroyuki NISHII, Shin HASEGAWA, Shin-ichi SAWADA, Yasunari MAEKAWA
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Publication number: 20130295487Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer blend proton exchange membrane comprising a soluble polymer and a sulfonated polymer, wherein the soluble polymer is at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polysulfone, polyethersulfone and polyvinylidene fluoride, the sulfonated polymer is at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of sulfonated poly(ether-ether-ketone), sulfonated poly(ether-ketone-ether-ketone-ketone), sulfonated poly(phthalazinone ether keton), sulfonated phenolphthalein poly(ether sulfone), sulfonated polyimides, sulfonated polyphosphazene and sulfonated polybenzimidazole, and wherein the degree of sulfonation of the sulfonated polymer is in the range of 96% to 118%. The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing the polymer blend proton exchange membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Applicant: Prudent Energy Inc.Inventors: Mianyan HUANG, Yanling ZHAO, Linlin LI
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Patent number: 8574785Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell and a fuel cell system comprising the same. The membrane-electrode assembly includes an anode and a cathode facing each other and a polymer electrolyte membrane positioned therebetween. The polymer electrolyte membrane adheres to the anode through a binder disposed between the polymer electrolyte membrane and the anode, and adheres to the cathode through a binder disposed between the polymer electrolyte membrane and the cathode. The binder and the polymer electrolyte membrane can include a cation exchange resin and an inorganic additive.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2006Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: You-Mee Kim, Min-Kyu Song, Young-Mi Park, Sung-Guk An, Ho-Jin Kweon