Method Of Making A Fuel Cell, Fuel Cell Stack, Or Subcombination Thereof Patents (Class 429/535)
-
Patent number: 11969722Abstract: An ultra-thin anion exchange membrane incorporates functional additives to provide improved water management. Without the functional additives the ultra-thin membrane may have high cross-over and not be effective for many applications. A composite anion exchange membrane includes a porous scaffold support such as a porous polymer. The anion exchange polymer may be coupled to the porous scaffold, such as by being imbibed into the pores of the porous scaffold. The functional additives may contribute to increase water production, water retention, back-diffusion and reduce the gas crossover. A functional additive may include a reactive species, including a catalyst that reacts with oxygen or hydrogen, a plasticizer, a hygroscopic material and/or a radical scavenger.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2020Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: FFI Ionix IP, Inc.Inventors: Bamdad Bahar, Taoli Gu
-
Patent number: 11962050Abstract: A method for producing a resin frame equipped membrane electrode assembly includes: a first conveyance step of supporting a sheet-shaped member having a cathode and an electrolyte membrane by a resin frame member to which the sheet-shaped member is joined and linearly conveying the supported sheet-shaped member to a pressure bonding device; a second conveyance step of conveying an anode to the pressure bonding device by way of a rotary table; and a pressure bonding step of heating and pressing the cathode and the anode from above and below by the pressure bonding device to thereby integrate the cathode and the anode together.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2021Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Kohei Yoshida, Kensuke Namba, Yosuke Konno, Masami Kurimoto, Yusuke Wada
-
Patent number: 11943377Abstract: A mobile device, such as a mobile phone, including a housing and active cooling cells is described. The active cooling cells are in the housing. The cooling cells utilize vibrational motion to drive a fluid such that the mobile phone has a coefficient of thermal spreading (CTS) greater than 0.5 for a steady-state power generated by the mobile phone of at least five watts.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2022Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: Frore Systems Inc.Inventors: Prabhu Sathyamurthy, Suryaprakash Ganti, Seshagiri Rao Madhavapeddy
-
Patent number: 11936028Abstract: An electrochemical system includes: an anode; a cathode; an electrolyte; and at least one dielectrically heatable material.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Ampcera Inc.Inventors: James Emery Brown, Hui Du, Chen Chen, Sumin Zhu
-
Patent number: 11894566Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a first end region, a second end region, and a middle region. At least one of a first number of fuel cell units in the first end region is a first fuel cell unit including a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) with a first catalyst material on either or both an anode and a cathode of the first fuel cell unit. At least one of a second number of fuel cell units in the second end region is a second fuel cell unit including an MEA with a second catalyst material on either or both an anode and a cathode of the first fuel cell unit. The middle region is situated between the first and the second end region. At least one of a third number of fuel cell units in the middle region is a third fuel cell unit including an MEA with a third catalyst material on either or both an anode and a cathode of the first fuel cell unit. At least one of the first, the second, and the third catalyst material are different.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2020Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Soo Kim, Jonathan Mailoa, Ulrich Berner, Nathan Craig, Charles Tuffile
-
Patent number: 11862829Abstract: The invention relates to a method for setting an operating strategy for a fuel cell system (2) of a power generation device (1), in particular in the form of a vehicle, depending on an operating mode of the power generation device (1), having the steps of: a determination unit (3) determining at least one current operating parameter (P1) of the power generation device (1), the determination unit (3) determining at least one cumulative and/or predictive operating parameter (P2, P3, P4) of the power generation device (1), and a setting device (8) setting the operating strategy for the fuel cell system (2) on the basis of the at least one current operating parameter (P1) and the at least one cumulative and/or predictive operating parameter (P2, P3, P4) of the power generation device (1). The invention furthermore relates to a corresponding circuit arrangement (10), to a computer program (20) and to a storage means with a computer program (20) stored thereon.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2020Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Jochen Braun, Sergei Hahn
-
Patent number: 11862826Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the compressive tensile force acting on a fuel cell stack due to at least one tensioning element. Thereby, the compressive tensile force is the overall tensile force compressing the fuel cell stack. This is determined according to the invention by means of acoustic measurements on vibratable sections of the tensioning elements. The subject matter of the invention also includes a data processing program for carrying out the method according to the invention along with the use of a smartphone for carrying out the method according to the invention.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2018Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignees: Volkswagen AG, Audi AGInventors: Ian Stewart, Tegan Harrower, Matej Kusy
-
Patent number: 11855311Abstract: Disclosed are an electrolyte membrane and a method of manufacturing the same. The electrolyte membrane, in which the continuity of a channel through which protons move is improved, may include ionomer solutions having different viscosities and a porous support having pores therein.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2020Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Byoungsu Kim
-
Patent number: 11848628Abstract: A flexible clean energy power generation device with high power efficiency, which is a multi-film structure, includes an internal conductive support layer and an ion transport layer. The internal conductive support layer is formed by coating a conductive material onto a hydrophilic substrate; the ion transport layer is formed by coating a polyelectrolyte onto an outer side of the internal conductive support layer. After a solution is dropped on the device, the solution produces a capillary pressure difference by capillary action and evaporation phenomena to drive water molecules and counterions of the solution to move from a wet side to a dry side, thus producing a potential difference. Without an external pressure, the device uses a layered two-dimensional conductive material together with a polyelectrolyte, realizing a self-electrokinetic power generation with high energy output and long-life by capillary action and evaporation phenomena with using pure aqueous solution or other electrolyte solutions.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2021Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: Li-Hsien Yeh, Mengyao Gao, Jie-Yu Yang
-
Patent number: 11843122Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for preparing a fuel cell catalyst electrode, the fuel cell catalyst electrode prepared therefrom, a membrane electrode assembly including the fuel cell catalyst electrode, and a fuel cell including the membrane electrode assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2022Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.Inventor: Jung Hoon Kim
-
Patent number: 11831059Abstract: According to the present embodiment, a fuel cell stack comprises a cell stack having a plurality of unit cells stacked therein, each of the unit cells including an electrolyte membrane, a fuel-electrode porous passage plate, and an oxidant-electrode porous passage plate, wherein in the cell stack, at least a part of one main surface of a conductive fuel-electrode porous passage plate is in contact with one main surface of a conductive oxidant-electrode porous passage plate, and a capillary force of water contained in a hydrophilic micropores of the conductive fuel-electrode porous passage plate and the conductive oxidant-electrode porous passage plate prevents an oxidant gas in an oxidant-electrode passage and a fuel gas in a fuel-electrode passage from directly mixing together.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2022Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions CorporationInventors: Yuma Kato, Akira Maekawa
-
Patent number: 11825587Abstract: A viewing panel (30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80) for a domestic appliance includes a substrate (33, 43, 53, 63, 73, 83) and a conductive layer (35, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85) disposed on the substrate; the conductive layer having conductive lines (31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81) forming a pattern. The substrate contains a polymeric material; the conductive lines have a height (H) of 0.5 micrometers to 10 micrometers determined by an Olympus MX61 microscope; and the pattern has an average pore area of 0.008 square millimeters to 0.06 square millimeters determined by an Olympus MX61 microscope. The viewing panel has: a total transmission of greater than 70% of light having a wavelength in the range of 360 nanometers to 750 nanometers; and an electromagnetic shielding efficiency of greater than 30 dB at 2.45 GHz.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2019Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: SABIC GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES B.V.Inventors: Jinju Jung, Bongjun Park, Michael J. Davis
-
Patent number: 11784317Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell includes: a support layer mainly composed of a metal; an anode supported by the support; and a mixed layer interposed between the support and the anode, wherein the anode includes an electrode bone structure composed of a ceramic material containing a first oxide having electron conductivity and a second oxide having oxygen ion conductivity, and the mixed layer has a structure in which a metallic material and a ceramic material are mixed.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2020Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: TAIYO YUDEN CO., LTD.Inventors: Xinyu Li, Chie Kawamura
-
Patent number: 11710818Abstract: A method of: placing a mixture of zinc particles; water; a water-soluble thickener; and water-insoluble inorganic porogen particles into a mold; evaporating the water to form a monolith; heating the monolith to fuse the zinc particles together; and submerging the monolith in a liquid that removes the porogen particles. A method of: placing a mixture of zinc particles; an aqueous acetic acid solution; and porogen particles into a mold; evaporating water to form a monolith; and submerging the monolith in a liquid that removes the porogen particles.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2023Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Ryan H. DeBlock, Joseph F. Parker, Jeffrey W. Long, Debra R. Rolison, Christopher N. Chervin
-
Patent number: 11705564Abstract: A fuel cell device has a mounting plate on which a fuel cell unit having a predefined number of fuel cells is arranged, the mounting plate and the fuel cell unit comprising media connections for guiding media, in particular for guiding a coolant and for guiding reactants, and electrical contact points for electrically connecting the fuel cell unit to the mounting plate. Further media connections and further electrical contact points are designed or arranged on the fuel cell unit in such a way that the fuel cell unit can be connected or is connected to a second fuel cell unit with a mechanical fluid connection for further guidance of the media and electrical connection for power uptake.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2019Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Markus Baranyai, Markus Ruf
-
Patent number: 11699801Abstract: A cell for water electrolysis/fuel cell power generation which includes a flow path configured to supply or discharge water in a first direction substantially perpendicular to a stacking direction of the cell; an oxygen-containing gas flow path configured to discharge or supply an oxygen-containing gas in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the stacking direction of the cell; and a hydrogen-containing gas flow path configured to discharge or supply the hydrogen-containing gas in a third direction substantially perpendicular to the stacking direction of the cell. Each of the oxygen-side electrode layer and the hydrogen-side electrode layer is an electrode layer having water repellency.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2017Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Inventors: Yoshitsugu Sone, Hiroshige Matsumoto, Yuki Terayama, Takamasa Haji, Riichi Sasamori, Motohiko Sato
-
Patent number: 11670779Abstract: A metal support for an electrochemical element has a plate shape as a whole, and is provided with a plurality of penetration spaces that pass through the metal support from a front face to a back face. The front face is a face to be provided with an electrode layer. Each of front-side openings that are openings of the penetration spaces formed in the front face has an area of 3.0×10?4 mm2 or more and 3.0×10?3 mm2 or less.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2019Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mitsuaki Echigo, Hisao Ohnishi, Kazuyuki Minami, Yuji Tsuda, Kyohei Manabe, Osamu Yamazaki
-
Patent number: 11664517Abstract: A planar SOFC cell unit is formed from a plurality of planar elements (1100, 1200, 1300) stacked one above another. The cell unit encloses a cell chamber (1400) that includes a solid oxide fuel cell (2000) configured for electro-chemical generation, compliantly supported within the cell chamber. The plurality planar elements each comprise a thermally conductive material having a co-efficient of thermal conductivity that is a least 100 W/mK such as aluminum or copper. The planar elements are thermally conductively coupled to each other to provide a continuous thermally conductive pathway that extends from perimeter edges of the cell chamber to perimeter edges of the plurality of planar elements. An SOFC stack comprises a plurality of the planar SOFC cell units stacked one above another.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2021Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: UPSTART POWER, INC.Inventors: Nathan Palumbo, Joshua E. Persky
-
Patent number: 11646435Abstract: A load receiver member of a fuel cell separator member of a fuel cell stack includes an attachment portion disposed between an outer peripheral portion of a first metal separator and an outer peripheral portion of a second metal separator, and a tab continuous with the attachment portion and protruding from an outer peripheral portion of a joint separator. The attachment portion is joined to the outer peripheral portion of the joint separator by a joint portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2021Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Suguru Ohmori
-
Patent number: 11646428Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a photocurable resin composition having a high curing degree after irradiation with light while maintaining cured material characteristics such as high extensibility and high strength. Provided is a photocurable resin composition including the following ingredients (A) to (C): ingredient (A): a polyisobutylene resin containing one or more (meth)acryloyl groups and a —[CH2C(CH3)2]— unit; ingredient (B): ingredient (b1): an acrylate monomer having an alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 5 to 25 carbon atoms, and ingredient (b2): an acrylate monomer having a linear or branched alkyl group having 11 to 30 carbon atoms; and ingredient (C): a photo-radical polymerization initiator.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2021Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: THREEBOND CO., LTD.Inventor: Nao Suzuki
-
Patent number: 11600832Abstract: A support frame is placed on a second surface of an electrolyte membrane such that a second catalyst layer and a second gas diffusion layer are placed inside an opening of the support frame. When a fuel cell is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the electrolyte membrane, a first region and a second region are present, the first region being a region where the second gas diffusion layer is present, the second region being a region between an outer peripheral edge part of the second gas diffusion layer and an inner peripheral edge part of the opening of the support frame. A bonding power between a first catalyst layer and a first gas diffusion layer in the first region is smaller than a bonding power between the first catalyst layer and the first gas diffusion layer in the second region.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2021Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Atsushi Yamamoto
-
Patent number: 11594736Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell includes a support of which a main component is a metal, a mixed layer that is provided on the support and includes a metallic material and a ceramics material, an intermediate layer that is provided on the mixed layer and includes an electron conductive ceramics material, and an anode that is provided on the intermediate layer and includes an oxygen ion conductive ceramics material and Ni. A ratio of a metal component in the intermediate layer is smaller than a ratio of the metallic material in the mixed layer.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2021Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: TAIYO YUDEN CO., LTD.Inventor: Xinyu Li
-
Patent number: 11594739Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of materials, and in particular, to a method for preparing anti-coking Ni-YSZ anode materials for SOFC. The present disclosure provides a method for preparing a SOFC anode material, including: (1) providing the mixed powder of NiO and YSZ; (2) subjecting the mixed powder provided in step (1) to two-phase mutual solid solution treatment; (3) adjusting the particle size of the product obtained in the solid solution treatment in step (2). The SOFC anode material provided by the present disclosure could prepare the SOFC anode with good carbon deposition resistance. The anode material as a whole has the advantages of low cost, good catalytic performance, desirable electronic conductivity and well chemical compatibility with YSZ, etc. The long-term stability of cell performance is strong, and the cell preparation method is also easy to achieve industrialization.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2020Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Jingdezhen Ceramic InstituteInventors: Linghong Luo, Liang Cheng, Xu Xu, Leying Wang, Yefan Wu, Yongzhi Yu
-
Patent number: 11588167Abstract: A fuel cell includes: a membrane electrode assembly of a flat plate shape including an electrolyte membrane and an electrode catalyst layer, the membrane electrode assembly having a first side intersecting a flow pathway of a reactive gas on a surface of the fuel cell and a second side differing from the first side; a frame member of a flat plate shape including an opening part for arrangement of the membrane electrode assembly, the opening part having a first frame side corresponding to the first side and a second frame side corresponding to the second side; and an adhesive member for bonding between an outer periphery of the membrane electrode assembly and an inner periphery of the frame member. The thickness of the adhesive member in an area from an inner peripheral edge at the second frame side toward a center of the frame member may be greater than the thickness of the adhesive member in an area from an inner peripheral edge at the first frame side toward the center of the frame member.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2021Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Makoto Adachi, Makoto Ichikawa, Shogo Ohmori, Hiroshi Harada, Yu Ashitaka, Tsutomu Ochi
-
Patent number: 11575135Abstract: An electrode catalyst layer includes a catalyst material, a conductive carrier that supports the catalyst material, a polymer electrolyte containing a sulfonate group, and a fibrous material. The electrode catalyst layer includes a first surface configured to be in contact with the polymer electrolyte membrane, and a second surface facing away from the first surface. A first value is obtained by dividing a peak intensity of SO3 (m/z80) by a peak intensity of carbon (m/z12), and also dividing by a total thickness of the electrode catalyst layer, when the electrode catalyst layer is analyzed using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) at each of a plurality of positions in a thickness direction of the electrode catalyst layer from the first surface to the second surface. A rate of change of the first value with respect to a thickness of the electrode catalyst layer is ?0.0020 or less.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2020Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.Inventors: Kazuma Taniwaki, Takahiro Matsuura
-
Patent number: 11539054Abstract: Disclose is a method of manufacturing catalyst ink for a fuel cell, and particularly the method includes removing eluted transition metal from a noble-metal/transition-metal alloy catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2020Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Dae Yong Son, Dong Hwan Yoon, Yoon Hwan Cho
-
Patent number: 11539057Abstract: A tab of a load receiver forming a fuel cell separator member includes a base portion in the form of a metal plate, and a resin member covering the base portion. A hole, into which the resin member is partially inserted, is formed in the base portion. The resin member includes a thick portion, and a thin portion positioned closer to a first separator than the thick portion is. The hole is disposed so as to be overlapped with the thick portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2021Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Suguru Ohmori, Masayuki Katsuno
-
Patent number: 11515544Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a solid oxide fuel cell using a calendering process. The method includes preparing a stack including an anode support layer (ASL) and an anode functional layer (AFL), calendering the stack to obtain an anode, stacking an electrolyte layer on the anode to obtain an assembly, calendering the assembly to obtain an electrolyte substrate, sintering the electrolyte substrate, and forming a cathode on the electrolyte layer of the electrolyte substrate.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2020Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: Hae-Weon Lee, Ho Il Ji, Byung Kook Kim, Jong Ho Lee, Ji-Won Son, Kyung Joong Yoon, Hyoungchul Kim, Sungeun Yang, Sangbaek Park, Junseok Kim, Jisu Shin
-
Patent number: 11508950Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrode sheet by using an electrode sheet manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the electrode sheet includes a feeding step of feeding out a sheet body from a roll on which the sheet body is wound, the sheet body including an active layer containing a catalyst laminated on a support layer, and a cutting step of forming the electrode sheet by punching the sheet body by pressing a cutting blade from a side of the support layer against the sheet body that was fed out in the feeding step.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2019Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignees: TORAY ENGINEERING CO., LTD., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Keisuke Katayama, Takuto Hayakawa, Yusuke Wada, Masami Kurimoto
-
Patent number: 11495812Abstract: Disclosed are a method of manufacturing a membrane-electrode assembly and a membrane-electrode assembly manufactured using the same. The method includes forming a laminated structure, and treating the laminated structure, for example, by drying and heat treating. The laminated structure includes a release film, an anode layer, a porous support layer, and a cathode layer.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2019Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Yong Min Kim
-
Patent number: 11444306Abstract: A composite membrane for use in flow batteries is contemplated. The membrane comprises a hydrogel, such as poly(vinyl alcohol), applied to a polymeric microporous film substrate. This composite is interposed between two half cells of a flow battery. The resulting membrane and system, as well as corresponding methods for making the membrane and making and operating the system itself, provide unexpectedly good performance at a significant cost advantage over currently known systems.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2020Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITYInventors: Jesse S. Wainright, Gary E. Wnek, Enoch A. Nagelli, Robert Savinell
-
Patent number: 11394053Abstract: A composition for forming a lithium reduction resistant layer includes a solvent, and a lithium compound, a lanthanum compound, a zirconium compound, and a compound containing a metal M, each of which shows solubility in the solvent, and in which with respect to the stoichiometric composition of a compound represented by the general formula (I), the lithium compound is contained in an amount 1.05 times or more and 2.50 times or less, the lanthanum compound and the zirconium compound are contained in an amount 0.70 times or more and 1.00 times or less, and the compound containing a metal M is contained in an equal amount.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2019Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventors: Hitoshi Yamamoto, Tomofumi Yokoyama
-
Patent number: 11362341Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst slurry for fuel cells and a method for manufacturing the same in which two kinds of ionomers having different equivalent weights (EWs) are used such that the respective ionomers may be formed at positions suitable for maximally exhibiting the functions thereof.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2020Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATIONInventors: Ji Hoon Yang, Su Won Seol
-
Patent number: 11302935Abstract: In a fuel cell stack, a stack body includes a plurality of power generation cells stacked in a stacking direction, and a first dummy cell is provided at one end of the stack body in the stacking direction. The first dummy cell includes a dummy assembly, a dummy resin frame member, and a dummy joint separator. The dummy resin member includes a first resin sheet and a second resin sheet. An inner exposed portion is provided in an inner periphery of the first resin sheet. The inner exposed portion extends inward beyond an inner end of the second resin sheet. A first heat welding portion is provided discontinuously in a stack part where the inner exposed portion and the first electrically conductive porous sheet of the dummy assembly are stacked together. The dummy resin frame member and the dummy assembly are joined together by the first heat welding portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2019Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Yutaka Ebato, Takashi Kato
-
Patent number: 11239493Abstract: A method for bonding a solid electrolyte layer and electrodes used a fuel cell includes: laminating the solid electrolyte layer and the electrodes so that the electrodes sandwich the solid electrolyte layer therebetween; applying a first voltage of a first polarity between the electrodes sandwiching the solid electrolyte layer; and applying a second voltage of a second polarity that is the reverse of the first polarity between the electrodes sandwiching the solid electrolyte layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2017Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: Marelli CorporationInventors: Teruyoshi Mihara, Tomihito Hashimoto
-
Patent number: 10830934Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an optical element including a first polarizer and a second polarizer disposed to be perpendicular to each other, and a cell disposed between the first polarizer and the second polarizer. The cell includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, an electrode positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a dispersion disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and including at least one of peeled ?-ZrP particles and peeled ?-TiP particles. The peeled ?-ZrP particles and the peeled ?-TiP particles are in a nematic state. The orientation of at least one of the ?-ZrP particles or the ?-TiP particles is changed by an electric field applied to the electrode.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2018Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: RESEARCH & BUSINESS FOUNDATION SUNGKYUNKWAN UNIVERSITYInventors: Jang Kun Song, Tianzi Shen
-
Patent number: 10826081Abstract: Provided is a method for conveying a separator that ensures stably conveying a separator material without leaving an indentation or the like. The conveyance method conveys a separator material for use in a single cell of a fuel cell. A hydrogen gas and an air are supplied for the fuel cell to generate electricity. The separator material has a rectangular shape in a plan view of the separator material, and the separator material has both sides on which a pair of through-holes are formed at proximity of a pair of hydrogen distribution ports through which a hydrogen gas flows. The conveyance method includes, when the separator material is conveyed, inserting a conveyance pin into each of the through-holes formed on the separator material, and in a state where the conveyance pin is inserted in each of the through-holes, conveying the separator material while pulling the separator material in a direction in which the conveyance pins mutually separate.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2019Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yusuke Oba
-
Patent number: 10727497Abstract: Disclosed herein is a porous electrode substrate in which carbon fibers are dispersed in the structure thereof have a fiber diameter of 3-15 micron and a fiber length of 2-30 mm, and are bound to one another by carbonized resin such that, when a pore distribution in the porous electrode is determined with a mercury intrusion porosimeter, such that a pore distribution curve is plotted on a graph having a common logarithmic scale on the horizontal axis, and a 1-100 micron pore diameter range of the pore distribution curve includes 80 or more measurement points at equal intervals along the common logarithmic scale, the pore distribution has a skewness S of ?2.0<S<?0.8 and a kurtosis K of 3.5<K<10 in the 1-100 micron pore diameter range.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2015Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical CorporationInventors: Hiroto Tatsuno, Makoto Nakamura
-
Patent number: 10727493Abstract: In order to provide a novel oriented apatite-type oxide ion conductor which can achieve an increase in area through suppression of crack generation and preferably can be manufactured more inexpensively by an uncomplicated process, an oriented apatite-type oxide ion conductor composed of a composite oxide represented by A9.33+x[T6?yMy]O26.00+z A in the formula is one kind or two or more kinds of elements selected from the group consisting of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba. T in the formula is an element including Si, Ge, or both of them. M in the formula is one kind or two or more kinds of elements selected from the group consisting of B, Ge, Zn, Sn, W, and Mo.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2015Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shingo Ide, Yuichi Anno, Yasuhisa Izutsu, Jun Omura, Rintaro Ishii, Minoru Kahata
-
Patent number: 10651483Abstract: A method for producing an electrochemical cell is provided, the method including determining a spatial distribution (kx,yf) of a parameter of interest (k) representative of a permeability of a diffusion layer of at least one electrode of a reference electrochemical cell in operation, the determining being performed by defining a spatial distribution (Tx,yc) of a set-point temperature (Tc) within the cell in operation, by measuring a spatial distribution (Dx,yr) of a first thermal quantity (Dr) representative of local removal of heat, by estimating a spatial distribution (Qx,ye) of a second thermal quantity (Qe) representative of local production of heat (Qe), and by determining the spatial distribution (kx/yf) depending on the estimated spatial distribution (Qx,ye), and the method further including producing the electrochemical cell based on the reference electrochemical cell and in which the parameter of interest (k) has the determined spatial distribution (kx,yf).Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2016Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique et aux Energies AlternativesInventors: Christophe Robin, Remi Vincent, Mathias Gerard, Lara Jabbour
-
Patent number: 10615440Abstract: A power cell and a method for fabricating a power cell including two body portions and a proton exchange membrane (PEM) there between. The body portions each include a reaction chamber for holding an anolyte solution including a photosynthetic organism or a catholyte solution. At least one body portion has an optically transparent window to allow light into the reaction chamber enabling a photosynthetic reaction. A thin metal layer is coated directly on each of first and second surfaces of the PEM and then the two body portions are coupled together with the PEM located there between. Coating the first thin metal layer on the surfaces of the PEM involves coating a thin gold layer onto the surface, covering the gold layer with a layer of photoresist, patterning the photoresist layer through a mask, exposing the photoresist layer to ultraviolet radiation, and removing the unexposed photoresist.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2012Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: Muthukumaran PackirisamyInventors: Muthukumaran Packirisamy, Mehdi Shahparnia
-
Patent number: 10581109Abstract: A method of forming an all solid-state thin-film battery that can be scaled down and be integrated into a CMOS process is provided. The method includes a lift-off process in which battery material layers formed upon a patterned sacrificial material are removed from a bottom electrode, while battery material layers that are formed directly on a surface of the bottom electrode remain after performing the lift-off process. In some embodiments, a solid-state lithium based battery can be formed that includes a thin lithiated cathode material layer (thickness of less than 200 nm) composed of LiCoO2. Such a solid-state lithium based battery exhibits enhanced battery performance in terms of charge rate and specific charge capacity.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2017Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Joel P. de Souza, Yun Seog Lee, Kunal Mukherjee, Devendra K. Sadana
-
Patent number: 10446857Abstract: A fuel cell includes: a membrane electrode assembly; a porous member arranged on a cathode side of the membrane electrode assembly and having a first surface, a second surface, and an end surface portion, the end surface portion being between an end side portion of the first surface and the second surface; a sealing plate arranged along the end side portion of the first surface; and a separator plate arranged on the second surface. The porous member supplies oxidant gas to the membrane electrode assembly through the first surface, and discharges oxidant off-gas to a discharge portion of the fuel ceil via the end surface portion. The first surface has a first region facing the sealing plate and being between the sealing plate and the second region, the second surface has a second region. A hydrophilicity of the first region is different from that of the second region.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2015Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomoo Yoshizumi, Takashi Kondou
-
Patent number: 10361446Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for the preparation of poly-benzimidazole (PBI) based membrane electrode assembly (MEA) with improved fuel cell performance and stability. It discloses a simple strategy to overcome the leaching of phosphoric acid (PA) from the membrane during fuel cell operation by an in-situ Current-Voltage (I-V) assisted doping of membrane with PA. The invention provides an improved method for the preparation of membrane electrode assembly (MEA) wherein said MEA possess high stability and improved fuel cell performance achieved by overcoming the leaching of phosphoric acid during cell operation.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2014Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: COUNCIL OF SCIENTIFIC & INDUSTRIAL RESEARCHInventors: Sreekumar Kurungot, Rajith Illathvalappil, Siddheshwar Navanath Bhange, Sreekuttan Maraveedu Unni
-
Patent number: 10205174Abstract: An electrode catalyst ink composition which includes metal oxide-based electrode catalyst particles, an electrolyte, and a mixed liquid medium, wherein the mixed liquid medium contains 40 to 85% by mass of water; 5 to 30% by mass of an aqueous solvent (A) that has an evaporation rate of 2.0 or lower when the evaporation rate of water at 25° C. is 1, and a solubility parameter (SP value) of not less than 9; and 10 to 30% by mass of a monoalcohol (B) that has an evaporation rate of higher than 2.0 when the evaporation rate of water at 25° C. is 1, and not more than 3 carbon atoms, provided that the total amount of the mixed liquid medium is 100% by mass.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2014Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: SHOWA DENKO K.K.Inventors: Tatsuya Fukuta, Takashi Sato, Masayuki Yoshimura, Yuji Ito
-
Patent number: 10096836Abstract: Disclosed is an electrode. An electrode according to the present invention includes an active material layer; and a current collector which includes a plurality of conductive filaments, wherein at least one from among the plurality of conductive filaments is embedded in the active material layer so that a set length is exposed from the surface thereof.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2016Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation Gyeongsang National UniversityInventors: Gyu-bong Cho, Tae-hyeon Nam, Ho-suk Ryu, Hyo-jun Ahn, Ki-won Kim, Jou-hyeon Ahn, Kwon-koo Cho
-
Patent number: 9985298Abstract: An activation apparatus of fuel cell stacks, which automatically performs activation and performance evaluation processes on the fuel cell stacks when the fuel cell stacks have entered a frame, includes i) a connector connection assembly configured to connect a plurality of connector probes to cell terminals of the fuel cell stack, ii) an output cable connection assembly configured to connect positive (+) output cables to the first side of the fuel cell stack, and iii) a fluid supply pipe connection assembly configured to connect negative (?) output cables to the second side of the fuel cell stack and to connect a fluid supply pipe to the manifold of the fuel cell stack.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2015Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANYInventor: Junhong Lim
-
Patent number: 9985295Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell is disclosed. The fuel cell includes a porous anode, formed of finely-dispersed nickel/stabilized-zirconia powder particles. The particles have an average diameter of less than about 300 nanometers. They are also characterized by a tri-phase length of greater than about 50 ?m/?m3. A solid oxide fuel cell stack is also described, along with a method of forming an anode for a solid oxide fuel cell. The method includes the step of using a spray-agglomerated, nickel oxide/stabilized-zirconia powder to form the anode.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2005Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Bastiaan Arie Korevaar, Yuk-Chiu Lau, Anteneh Kebbede, Harish Radhakrishna Acharya, Badri Narayan Ramamurthi, Gregory John Parker
-
Patent number: 9923213Abstract: The present specification relates to a solid oxide fuel cell and a method for manufacturing the same.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2014Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.Inventors: Jong Woo Kim, Kwangwook Choi, Dong Oh Shin, Changseok Ryoo, Gyunjoong Kim
-
Patent number: 9876246Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a method of fabricating a fuel cell membrane-electrode-assembly (MEA) having an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a membrane disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode, includes fabricating each of the anode electrode, the cathode electrode, and the membrane separately by electrospinning; and placing the membrane between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode, and pressing then together to form the fuel cell MEA.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2015Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITYInventors: Peter N. Pintauro, Jason Ballengee, Matthew Brodt