Abstract: A pattern forming method contains: (i) a step of forming a first film on a substrate by using a first resin composition (I), (ii) a step of forming a second film on the first film by using a second resin composition (II) different from the resin composition (I), (iii) a step of exposing a multi-layered film having the first film and the second film, and (iv) a step of developing the first film and the second film in the exposed multi-layered film by using an organic solvent-containing developer to form a negative pattern.

Abstract: Provided are a graphene powder, a production method thereof, and an electrochemical device comprising the same. The graphene powder has an elemental ratio of oxygen atoms to carbon atoms of not less than 0.07 and not more than 0.13 and an elemental ratio of nitrogen atoms to carbon atoms of not more than 0.01. In the production method, the graphene powder is produced by using a dithionous acid salt as a reducing agent. Since the graphene has a low content of nitrogen atoms and a proper amount of oxygen atoms and a proper defect, the graphene is provided with good performance of both dispersibility and conductive property, and is usable as a good conductive additive, such as the one for a lithium ion battery electrode. The production method has the advantages of low cost, high efficiency and low toxicity.

Abstract: The present application is generally directed to energy storage materials such as activated carbon comprising enhanced particle packing properties and devices containing the same. The energy storage materials find utility in any number of devices, for example, in electric double layer capacitance devices and batteries. Methods for making the energy storage materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a first area where an exhaust gas combustor and a start-up combustor are provided, an annular second area around the first area and where a reformer and an evaporator are provided, and an annular third area around the second area and where a heat exchanger is provided. A circumscribed non-uniform flow suppression plate is provided along the minimum circumscribed circle which is tangent to outer surfaces of heat exchange pipes of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A high voltage battery module comprises a plurality of battery cells stacked in an array. The array is covered on its ends by a pair of opposing end plates, and is covered on its sides by a pair of opposing sidewalls. The sidewalls partially cover upper surfaces of the battery cells. Internal channels provide gaps between the sides of the battery cells and the interior surfaces of the sidewalls. An external channel is vertically spaced from the internal channel and is defined by the exterior surfaces of the sidewalls. Brackets secure the end plates to the sidewalls by at least partially extending into the external channels of the sidewalls.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a direct carbon fuel cell in which a coal fuel is oxidized electrochemically so as to create electrons to cause the electrons to generate electricity by a voltage difference between two electrodes. Specifically, a membrane-electrode assembly for operating a low rank coal fuel, a direct carbon fuel cell including the same, and a method of preparing the same are provided.

Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a fuel cell stack and FC peripheral equipment. The fuel cell module includes a first area where an exhaust gas combustor and a start-up combustor are provided, a second area where a reformer and an evaporator are provided, and a third area where a heat exchanger is provided. A stress relaxing portion for relaxing heat stress is provided at least along a border between the first area and the second area, along a border between the second area and the third area, or along an outermost circumferential portion of the third area.

Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a molten salt battery. The method includes a housing step (S100) for housing a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator in a battery container; an injecting step (S110) for injecting the molten salt into the battery container while heating the battery container; a closing step (S120) for closing the battery container with a closing lid; a heating and drying step (S130) for heating the battery container in a vacuum state with a check valve open; and a sealing step (S150) for closing the check valve. In summary, the positive electrode, negative electrode, separator and molten salt are heated and dried in a vacuum state.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an electrolyte-membraneless microbial fuel cell, in-series stack thereof, and in-parallel combination thereof. According to various implementation examples, problems relating to scaling up and modularization are overcome, and problems relating to using an electrolyte membrane are solved.

Abstract: An electric storage element has a casing, a power generating element arranged inside the casing, a current collector, and a connection member. The current collector is connected to the power generating element and directly fixed to the casing. The connection member penetrates through the casing without a clearance and is connected to the current collector.

Abstract: In a direct-liquid fuel cell supplied directly with a liquid fuel, a process for producing an electrode catalyst for a direct-liquid fuel cell is provided which is capable of suppressing decrease in cathode potential caused by liquid fuel crossover and providing an inexpensive and high-performance electrode catalyst for a direct-liquid fuel cell. The process for producing an electrode catalyst for a direct-liquid fuel cell includes Step A of mixing at least a transition metal-containing compound with a nitrogen-containing organic compound to obtain a catalyst precursor composition, and Step C of heat-treating the catalyst precursor composition at a temperature of from 500 to 1100° C. to obtain an electrode catalyst, wherein part or entirety of the transition metal-containing compound includes, as a transition metal element, at least one transition metal element M1 selected from Group IV and Group V elements of the periodic table.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack has a stacked plurality of cell modules, each of the plurality of cell modules comprising a stacked plurality of single cells, each of the plurality of single cells comprising a membrane electrode assembly sandwiched between a pair of separators, a pair of end plates that sandwich the plurality of cell modules in the stacking direction, sealing plates to seal a reactant gas, disposed between the plurality of cell modules and between outermost cell modules and the end plates, and a voltage measuring terminal protruding to an outside of the cells, provided in at least one of the sealing plates.

Abstract: A sealing member includes a metal lid, an elastic shaft, a supporting protrusion, and a tip portion. The tip portion has an engaging portion larger in diameter than a liquid inlet. The shaft portion has a diameter smaller than that of the liquid inlet and a shaft length longer than the thickness of the circumferential edge portion of the liquid inlet. A sealed battery manufacturing method includes: a temporary sealing step of pressure-contacting the engaging portion to the circumferential edge portion; a degassing step of forming a communication path by pushing the tip portion to such an extent that the lid part does not make contact with a battery case and the tip portion is apart from the circumferential edge portion; and a final sealing step of pressing the tip portion until the lid part makes contact with the battery case, thereby sealing the liquid inlet.

Abstract: The present invention provides one with a novel coated iron electrode. Provided is an iron based electrode comprising a single layer conductive substrate coated on at least one side with a multilayered coating, with each coating layer comprising an iron active material, and preferably a binder. The coating is comprised of at least two layers. Each layer has at least a different porosity or composition than an adjacent layer. The iron based electrode is useful in alkaline rechargeable batteries, particularly as a negative electrode in a Ni—Fe battery.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a solid state battery device. The device can include electrochemically active layers and an overlaying barrier material, with an inter-digitated layer structure configured with a post terminated lead structure. The method can include forming a plurality of battery device cell regions (1-N) formed in a multi-stacked configuration, wherein each of the battery device cell regions comprises a first current collector and a second current collector. The method can also include forming a thickness of a first and second lead material to cause formation of a first and second lead structure to interconnect each of the first and second current collectors associated with each of the plurality of battery device cell regions and to isolate each of the second current collectors extending spatially outside of the battery device cell region within a first and second isolated region, respectively.

Abstract: Substrates and methods of forming a pattern on a substrate. The pattern includes a repeating pattern region and a pattern-interrupting region adjacent to the repeating pattern region. A mask is formed on the substrate, with the mask including the repeating pattern region and the pattern-interrupting region and which are formed using two separate masking steps. The mask is used in forming the pattern into underlying substrate material on which the mask is received. Substrates comprising masks are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for forming variable section thicknesses from a uniformly thick resinous sheet in a PEM fuel cell. A method for forming a seal in a fuel cell includes a step of providing a sheet including a layer of resinous material. A first fold is formed in the sheet. The first fold extends from a substantially planar section of the sheet having a first side section and a second side section opposing the first side section and connected by a top section. A gasket is formed by folding the first fold over towards the planar section to form a compound fold. The compound fold is placed between a first fuel cell component and a second fuel cell component to form the seal therein. A fuel cell incorporating the gasket is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a substrate surface structured with thermally stable metal alloy nanoparticles, which method comprises—providing a micellar solution of amphiphilic molecules such as organic diblock or multiblock copolymers in a suitable solvent; —loading the micelles of said micellar solution with metal ions of a first metal salt; —loading the micelles of said micellar solution with metal ions of at least one second metal salt; —depositing the metal ion-loaded micellar solution onto a substrate surface to form a (polymer) film comprising an ordered array of (polymer) domains; co-reducing the metal ions contained in the deposited domains of the (polymer) film by means of a plasma treatment to form an ordered array of nanoparticles consisting of an alloy of the metals used for loading the micelles on the substrate surface.

Abstract: A secondary battery 100 includes: a positive electrode mixture layer 223 containing a positive electrode active material 610 and an electrically conductive material 620; a positive electrode current collector 221 on which the positive electrode mixture layer 223 is coated; a negative electrode mixture layer 243 containing a negative electrode active material 710; and a negative electrode current collector 241 on which the negative electrode mixture layer 243 is coated, wherein a porosity A1 of the positive electrode mixture layer 223 satisfies 0.30?A1 and, at the same time, a porosity A2 of the negative electrode mixture layer 243 satisfies 0.30?A2.

Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery 100A has negative electrode active material particles 710A which include graphite particles that are at least partially covered by an amorphous carbon film 750. The negative electrode, active material particles 710A have a TG weight-loss-on-heating onset temperature T1 which satisfies the condition 500° C.?T1?615° C. and a micro-Raman G-band half-width Gh which satisfies the condition 20?Gh?28. This configuration makes it possible to obtain a lithium ion secondary battery 100A in which the reaction resistance in a low-temperature environment can be kept low.