Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a first heating structure that increases an internal temperature of the stack by passing exhaust gas of the process burner through the stack; and a second heating structure that increases the internal temperature of the stack by passing heated cooling water through the stack after the cooling water is heated by heat exchange with the exhaust gas of the process burner. Accordingly, when rapid heating of a stack is necessary like during a start up operation, a time required for the fuel cell system to reach a normal operation can be greatly reduced since the stack can be simultaneously heated using high temperature exhaust gas and heated cooling water.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to take fundamental measures against the phenomenon that the positive current collector of a lead-acid battery elongates due to corrosion, in consideration of a mechanism, and to inhibit corrosion elongation. A current collector is prepared by the steps of: mixing a lead oxide of pinning compounds for inhibiting recrystallization with the atomized powder of lead or a lead alloy; and then powder-rolling the mixture. A lead-acid battery is composed with the use of the current collector.

Abstract: A fuel cell component having a coating thereon including binary and ternary nitrides and oxynitrides of elements of IVb and Vb groups of the periodic table of elements.

Abstract: An energy utilization apparatus includes: an endothermic reaction device for performing dehydrogenation endothermic reaction of an organic compound; a compression device for pressurizing a first gas containing hydrogen and a dehydrogenated organic compound, and a non-reacted organic compound which are produced in the endothermic reaction device; a distillation device for distilling under pressure the first gas which is pressurized by the compression device, so as to separate the hydrogen and the dehydrogenated organic compound from the liquefied non-reacted organic compound; a vaporization device for vaporizing the liquefied non-reacted organic compound by pressure-relieving; and an expansion energy recovery device for obtaining power of the compression device by using expansion force generated by the vaporization.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte having an aromatic ring in a main chain, wherein a sulfuric acid group bonds to the aromatic ring via a linking group containing a sulfur atom. The solid electrolyte exhibits a high ion conductivity.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell, comprising: an encasement including a case having a bottom and a sidewall terminating at an open top and a cover disposed over the case open top and hermetically sealed to the case, the encasement defining an interior space for containing cell components; and an access port defining at least one lumen extending through any of the case bottom, the case sidewall or the cover for receiving a liquid electrolyte, the access port being sealed closed after receiving the liquid electrolyte using a fusion welding method in the presence of the electrolyte.

Abstract: An electric system has a fuel cell for generating electric power by being supplied with a reactive gas, an electric storage device having a voltage lower than a voltage output from the fuel cell, a first power supply line connected to the fuel cell, a second power supply line connected to the electric storage device, and a first DC-to-DC converter for performing bidirectional voltage conversion between the first power supply line and the second power supply line. An inverter, a propulsive electric motor, and an air compressor are supplied with electric power from the first power supply line. An electrically operated air conditioner motor, windshield wiper motors, and power window motors, etc., which serve as a second electric accessory, are supplied with electric power from the second power supply line.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nonaqueous electrolyte for a lithium-ion secondary battery that contains an addictive for preventing destruction of a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer and hence decomposition of the electrolyte that may cause generation of a gas, thereby preventing swelling of the battery caused by the gas generated from the inside of the battery at a high temperature. More specifically, the present invention provides an electrolyte that includes, as an additive, 2-sulfobenzoic acid cyclic anhydride represented by the formula 1: The electrolyte contains the additive in an amount of 0.1 to 10.0 wt. %.