Abstract: A positive electrode mixture including a positive electrode active material represented by the following formula (1); and a solid electrolyte that comprises Li and S: aLi2MnO3bLiNi1-yM1yO2-cLiM2vM3wM4xO2??(1) wherein M1 is one or more elements selected from Co, Mn, Al, Fe, Cu, V, Zn and Cr; M2, M3 and M4 are independently one or more elements selected from Ni, Co, Mn, Al, Fe, Cu, V, Zn and Cr; M2, M3 and M4 are elements different from each other; a, b and c satisfy a+b+c=1, 0<a<1, 0<b<1 and 0<c<1; y satisfies 0?y?1; and v, w and x satisfy v+w+x=1, and satisfy 0?v?1, 0?w?1 and 0?x?1.

Abstract: Provided are hydrogen storage alloy powder capable of providing a nickel-hydrogen rechargeable battery with simultaneous excellence in initial activity, discharge capacity, and cycle characteristics, which are otherwise in a trade-off relationship, an anode for a nickel-hydrogen rechargeable battery as well as a nickel-hydrogen rechargeable battery employing the same. The hydrogen storage alloy has a particular composition represented by formula (1), R1-aMgaNibAlcMd, and has at its outermost surface a Mg-rich/Ni-poor region having a composition with a Mg molar ratio higher than that in formula (1) and a Ni molar ratio lower than that in formula (1), and has inside a Mg/Ni-containing region having a composition with a Mg molar ratio lower than and a Ni molar ratio higher than those in the Mg-rich/Ni-poor region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nonaqueous electrolyte battery that exhibits high energy density and excellent cycle characteristics, as well as a cathode for use in such a battery, and a cathode active material for use in such a cathode. The cathode active material of the present invention has a composition represented by the formula (1) and a crystallite size in the (110) plane of not smaller than 85 nm: LixCo1-y-zNbyMzO2??(1) wherein M stands for at least one element selected from Mg, Y, rare earth elements, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, B, Al, Ga, C, Si, Sn, N, S, F, and Cl; and 0.9?x?1.1, 0.0002?y?0.01, and 0?z?0.05.

Abstract: Provided are a solid electrolyte membrane useful in achieving strong electromotive force in a fuel battery, and a fuel battery cell produced with this membrane. The solid electrolyte membrane includes a substrate made of a sheet material and having a plurality of openings penetrating the substrate in its thickness direction, and a solid electrolyte layer provided on at least one of the faces of the substrate. The fuel battery cell includes a solid electrolyte membrane having the solid electrolyte layer on one of the faces of the substrate, and a catalyst layer containing a precious metal and provided on the other of the faces of the substrate, with the solid electrolyte layer and the catalyst layer being in contact with each other in the openings of the substrate.

Abstract: A safe and industrially advantageous production method is disclosed for producing a rare earth-Mg—Ni based hydrogen storage alloy which realizes production of a nickel-hydrogen rechargeable battery having excellent cycle characteristics and a large capacity. The method is for producing a rare earth-Mg—Ni based hydrogen storage alloy including element A, Mg, and element B, wherein element A is composed of at least one element R selected from rare earth elements including Sc and Y, and optionally at least one element selected from Zr, Hf, and Ca, and element B is composed of Ni and optionally at least one element selected from elements other than element A and Mg. The method includes first step of mixing an alloy consisting of elements A and B and Mg metal and/or a Mg-containing alloy having a melting point not higher than the melting point of Mg metal, and second step of heat-treating a mixture obtained from first step for 0.5 to 240 hours at a temperature 5 to 250° C.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy wherein elution of Co, Mn, Al, and the like elements into an alkaline electrolyte is inhibited, an anode for a nickel-hydrogen rechargeable battery employing the alloy, and a nickel-hydrogen rechargeable battery having the anode.

Abstract: A positive electrode catalyst, for use in a positive electrode in a device provided with the positive electrode and a negative electrode, in which a reaction represented by 4 OH??O2+2 H2O+4 e? is performed on a side of the positive electrode. The positive electrode catalyst includes a layered metal oxide, wherein the layered metal oxide is a Ruddlesden-Popper type layered perovskite represented by (La1?xAx) (Fe1?yBy)3(Sr1?zCz)3O10?a wherein, A is a rare earth element other than La, B is a transition metal other than Fe, and C is an alkaline earth metal other than Sr; and x satisfies an expression: 0?x<1, y satisfies an expression: 0?y<1, z satisfies an expression: 0?z<1, and a satisfies an expression: 0?a?3.

Abstract: A catalyst, a hydrocarbon steam reforming catalyst, and a method for producing the same are provided. A catalytic metal containing at least Ni is supported on a composite oxide containing R, Zr, and oxygen, at a composition of not less than 10 mol % and not more than 90 mol % of R, not less than 10 mol % and not more than 90 mol % of Zr, and not less than 0 mol % and not more than 20 mol % of M (M: elements other than oxygen, R, and Zr), with respect to the total of the elements other than oxygen being 100 mol %, wherein the composite oxide has a specific surface area of 11 to 90 m2/g, and the largest peak in the wavelength range of 200 to 800 cm?1 of Raman spectrum with a full width at half maximum of 20 to 72 cm?1.

Abstract: Provided are a method for producing a composite oxide and the composite oxide, which finds use as an easy-to-handle catalyst material having a high reforming rate of hydrocarbon to hydrogen even when oxidized. The method includes the steps of: (a) preparing a Ce aqueous solution not less than 80 mol % of which Ce ions are tetravalent, and a Zr aqueous solution containing Zr ions; (b1) mixing the Zr aqueous solution and a portion of the Ce aqueous solution to prepare a mixed aqueous solution (X1); (c1) hydrothermally processing solution (X1); (b2) adding the remainder of the Ce aqueous solution prepared in step (a) to a colloidal solution (Y1) of a composite salt obtained from step (c1) to prepare a colloidal solution (Y2) of a composite salt; (c2) hydrothermally processing solution (Y2) obtained from step (b2); (d) mixing a colloidal solution (Y3) of a composite salt obtained from step (c2) with an alkaline solution and a surfactant to prepare a precipitate; and (e) calcining the precipitate.

Abstract: Hydrogen storage alloy powder, an anode, and a nickel-hydrogen rechargeable battery are provided, which are excellent in low-temperature characteristics and both in initial activity and cycle life at the same time, which properties are trading-off in conventional nickel-hydrogen rechargeable batteries. The alloy powder has a composition represented by formula (1) R1-aMgaNibAlcMd (R: rare earth elements including Sc and Y, or the like; 0.005?a?0.40, 3.00?b?4.50, 0?c?0.50, 0?d?1.00, 3.00?b+c+d?4.50), and has an arithmetical mean roughness (Ra) of the powder particle outer surface of not less than 2 ?m, or a crushing strength of not higher than 35,000 gf/mm2.

Abstract: Provided are an anode active material for lithium ion rechargeable batteries and an anode, which are capable, when used in a lithium ion rechargeable battery, of providing excellent charge/discharge capacity and cycle characteristics, and also high rate performance, as well as a lithium ion rechargeable battery using the same. The anode active material contains particles having a crystal phase represented by RAx, wherein R is at least one element selected from the group consisting of rare earth elements including Sc and Y but excluding La, A is Si and/or Ge, and x satisfies 1.0?x?2.0, and a crystal phase consisting of A. The material is thus useful as an anode material for lithium ion rechargeable batteries.

Abstract: Provided is a cathode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable batteries which allows production of batteries having improved load characteristics with stable quality, and also allows production of batteries having high capacity. Also provided are a cathode for nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable batteries and a nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable battery. The cathode active material includes secondary particles each composed of a plurality of primary particles, and/or single crystal grains, and has a specific surface area of not smaller than 20 m2/g and smaller than 0.50 m2/g, wherein average number A represented by formula (1) is not less than 1 and not more than 10: A=(m+p)/(m+s) (m: the number of single crystal grains; p: the number of primary particles composing the secondary particles; s: the number of secondary particles).

Abstract: Provided is a safe and efficient method for producing lithium metal which facilitates efficient production of anhydrous lithium chloride without corrosion of the system materials by chlorine gas or molten lithium carbonate, and which allows production of lithium metal by molten salt electrolysis of the produced anhydrous lithium chloride as a raw material. The method includes the steps of (A) contacting and reacting lithium carbonate and chlorine gas in a dry process to produce anhydrous lithium chloride, and (B) subjecting the raw material for electrolysis containing the anhydrous lithium chloride to molten salt electrolysis under such conditions as to produce lithium metal, wherein the chlorine gas generated by the molten salt electrolysis in step (B) is used as the chlorine gas in step (A) to continuously perform steps (A) and (B).

Abstract: The present invention provides a nonaqueous electrolyte battery that exhibits high energy density and excellent cycle characteristics, as well as a cathode for use in such a battery, and a cathode active material for use in such a cathode. The cathode active material of the present invention has a composition represented by the formula (1) and a crystallite size in the (110) plane of not smaller than 85 nm: LixCo1-y-zNbyMzO2 ??(1) wherein M stands for at least one element selected from Mg, Y, rare earth elements, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, B, Al, Ga, C, Si, Sn, N, S, F, and Cl; and 0.9?x?1.1, 0.0002?y?0.01, and 0?z?0.05.

Abstract: Provided is a composite oxide which is suitable as a co-catalyst for an exhaust gas purifying catalyst or the like, has high heat resistance, and has an excellent oxygen absorbing and desorbing capability at low temperatures. The composite oxide contains Ce and Zr, wherein the Ce content is 30 to 80 at % and the Zr content is 20 to 70 at %, based on the total of Ce and Zr being 100 at %, or further contains particular element M, wherein the Ce content is not less than 30 at % and less than 80 at %, the Zr content is not less than 20 at % and less than 70 at %, and the content of element M is more than 0 at % and not more than 15 at %, based on the total of Ce, Zr, and element M being 100 at %; wherein the composite oxide has CaF2-type or CaF2-like structure phase, wherein the ratio of an actual lattice parameter in the (311) plane to the theoretical is 1.000, and wherein the composite oxide has a property of exhibiting a total pore volume of not less than 0.30 cc/g after calcination at 1000° C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compound having the olivine structure with which batteries having high capacity, high output, and excellent high rate performance may be produced, as well as a cathode for nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable batteries produced with this compound, and a nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable battery provided with this cathode. The present compound is LiFePO4 and the like, which contains at least lithium, a transition metal, phosphorus, and oxygen; has the olivine structure; hardly contains a crystal phase other than the olivine phase; and has a specific surface area of not smaller than 4 m2/g; and is useful as a cathode active material of nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable batteries.

Abstract: Provided is solid electrolyte utilizing a composite oxide of a RP-type structure, that is useful for achieving strong electromotive force and enhanced current-voltage characteristics of a fuel battery, has enhanced ion conductivity and sufficiently inhibited electronic conductivity, and is capable of intercalation of a large amount of water or hydrogen groups, as well as a solid electrolyte membrane, a fuel battery cell, and a fuel battery. The solid electrolyte and the solid electrolyte membrane of the present invention has been obtained by subjecting a particular composite oxide of a RP-type structure or a membrane thereof to a treatment of at least one of hydroxylation and hydration, and has a property that the mass determined by TG measurement at 400° C. is less than that at 250° C. by not less than 4.0%.

Abstract: Provided are raw material alloy flakes for a rare earth sintered magnet and a method for producing the same. The alloy flakes have a roll-cooled face, and (1) contain at least one R selected from rare earth metal elements including Y, B, and the balance M including iron, at a particular ratio; (2) as observed in a micrograph at a magnification of 100× of its roll-cooled face, have not less than 5 crystals each of which is a dendrite grown radially from a point of crystal nucleation, and crosses a line segment corresponding to 880 ?m; and (3) as observed in a micrograph at a magnification of 200× of its section taken generally perpendicularly to its roll-cooled face, have an average distance between R-rich phases of not less than 1 ?m and less than 10 ?m.

Abstract: Provided is a magnetic refrigeration material which has a Curie temperature of not lower than 250 K, and provides refrigeration performance well over that of conventional materials when subjected to a field change up to 2 Tesla, which is assumed to be achievable with a permanent magnet. The magnetic refrigeration material is of a composition represented by the formula La1 fREf (Fe1 a b c d eSiaCobXcYdZe)13 (RE: at least one of rare earth elements including Sc and Y and excluding La; X: Ga and/or Al; Y: at least one of Ge, Sn, B, and C; Z: at least one of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Zr; 0.03?a?0.17, 0.003?b?0.06, 0.02?c?0.10, 0?d?0.04, 0?e?0.04, 0?f?0.50), and has an average crystal grain size of not smaller than 0.01 ?m and not larger than 3 ?m, a Curie temperature of not lower than 250 K, and the maximum (??Smax) of magnetic entropy change (??SM) when subjected to a field change up to 2 Tesla is not less than 5 J/kgK.

Abstract: Provided is a magnetic refrigeration material which has a Curie temperature near room temperature or higher, and provides refrigeration performance well over that of conventional materials when subjected to a field change up to 2 Tesla, which is assumed to be achievable with a permanent magnet. The magnetic refrigeration material is of a composition represented by the formula La1-fREf(Fe1-a-b-c-d-eSiaCObXcYdZe)13 (RE: at least one of rare earth elements including Sc and Y and excluding La; X: Ga and/or Al; Y: at least one of Ge, Sn, B, and C; Z: at least one of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Zr; 0.03?a?0.17, 0.003?b?0.06, 0.02?c?0.10, 0?d?0.04, 0?e?0.04, 0?f?0.50), and has Tc of not lower than 220 K and not higher than 276 K, and the maximum (??Smax) of magnetic entropy change (??SM) of the material when subjected to a field change up to 2 Tesla is not less than 5 J/kgK.