Abstract: The present invention relates to a bifunctional catalyst for use with air metal batteries and fuel cell. The bifunctional catalyst comprising a core and a shell, where the core comprises a metal oxide and the shell comprises a carbon nanostructure. In a further aspect the bifunctional catalyst is catalytically active for oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reactions.

Abstract: A method for determining an operating state (e.g., state-of-charge or state-of-health) and/or generating management (charge/discharge) control information in a system including an electrochemical energy device (EED, e.g., a rechargeable Li-ion battery, supercapacitor or fuel cell) that uses optical sensors to detect the intercalation stage change events occurring in the EED. The externally or internally mounted optical sensors measure operating parameter (e.g., strain and/or temperature) changes of the EED during charge/recharge cycling, and transmit measured parameter data using light signals sent over optical fibers to a detector/converter. A processor then analyzes the measured parameter data, e.g., using a model-based estimation process, to detect intercalation stage changes (i.e., crystalline structure changes caused by migration of guest species, such as Li-ions, between the EED's anode and cathode), and generates the operating state and charge/discharge control information based the analysis.

Abstract: An electrolyte for a lithium battery, the electrolyte including a compound represented by Formula 1; a nonaqueous organic solvent; and a lithium salt. wherein, in Formula 1, X, Ya, Z, R1, and R2 are as defined.

Abstract: A power tool system includes a first power tool having a first power tool rated voltage, a second power tool having a second power tool rated voltage that is different from the first power tool rated voltage, and a first battery pack coupleable to the first power tool and to the second power tool. The first battery pack is switchable between a first configuration having a first battery pack rated voltage that corresponds to the first power tool rated voltage such that the first battery pack enables operation of the first power tool, and a second configuration having a convertible battery pack rated voltage that corresponds to the second power tool rated voltage such that the battery pack enables operation of the second power tool.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator located between the first electrode and the second electrode; a case accommodating the electrode assembly; a cap plate sealing an opening of the case; and an insulation case located between the cap plate and the electrode assembly, the insulation case having a base and a side wall protruding from the base, the side wall including avoiding portions formed thereon.

Abstract: A lithium ion battery includes an anode and a cathode. The cathode includes a lithium, manganese, nickel, and oxygen containing compound. An electrolyte is disposed between the anode and the cathode. A protective layer is deposited between the cathode and the electrolyte. The protective layer includes pure lithium phosphorus oxynitride and variations that include metal dopants such as Fe, Ti, Ni, V, Cr, Cu, and Co. A method for making a cathode and a method for operating a battery are also disclosed.

Abstract: To provide an NiO-GDC composite powder or NiO-SDC composite powder having a uniform composition, which is suitable as an anode material for a solid oxide fuel cell. A process for producing an anode material for a solid oxide fuel cell, made of a composite powder comprising a composite oxide containing cerium element and gadolinium or samarium element, and oxygen element, and an oxide containing nickel element and oxygen element, which comprises a dissolving step of mixing raw material compounds containing metal elements constituting the above composite powder, at least one organic acid selected from the group consisting of maleic acid, lactic acid and malic acid, and a solvent to obtain a metal elements-containing solution, and a drying/sintering step of drying and sintering the metal elements-containing solution.

Abstract: Storage batteries connected in series in an uninterruptible or back-up power supply system may have voltage potential differences between exposed terminals or conductors that exceed safety limits. A demountable insulating shield having apertures may be positioned so that the series string may be broken into a plurality of series sub-strings having a lesser potential difference has a cover over the aperture through which the series string configuration may be connected and disconnected. The cover may be an insulating material removably fastened to the insulating shield or a sliding cover that is captivated to the insulating shield. When the series string has been divided in to the sub-strings, the insulating shield may be demounted from the structure housing the batteries so that the batteries or their connections may be serviced.

Abstract: The battery has rod cells, which are arranged next to one another in multiple rows and the end-side electrical contacts of which are respectively electrically connected to one another in parallel and in series by a common contact plate. For effective cooling, a flat heat exchange pocket, through which a heat transfer medium flows, abuts against these contact plates. This heat exchange pocket consists of a multilayered thin film having an electrically insulating outer layer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a fuel-cell power generation system includes a fuel cell that generates electricity by electrochemical reaction using fuel and an oxidizer and a resin module that includes a flow path through which fuel, air, or water flows, inner walls defining the flow path being made of resin.

Abstract: Provided herein are functionally substituted fluoropolymers suitable for use in liquid and solid non-flammable electrolyte compositions. The functionally substituted fluoropolymers include phosphate-terminated or phosphonate-terminated perfluoropolyethers (PFPEs) having high ionic conductivity. Also provided are non-flammable electrolyte compositions including phosphate-terminated or phosphonate-terminated perfluoropolyethers (PFPEs) and alkali-metal ion batteries including the non-flammable electrolyte compositions.

Abstract: A mixed aqueous solution is prepared in which a phosphorus source, a divalent Fe compound, and an oxidant are mixed at a predetermined ratio. Then, this mixed aqueous solution is dropwise added into a buffer solution having a pH value of 1.5 to 9, thereby to produce a precipitated powder of FePO4. This FePO4 is synthesized with a lithium compound to obtain LiFePO4. An electrode active substance containing this LiFePO4 as a major component is used as a positive electrode material of a secondary battery.

Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a fuel cell stack, a reformer, and an exhaust gas combustor. The fuel cell stack has an oxygen-containing exhaust gas channel and a fuel exhaust gas channel at one end in a stacking direction of fuel cells. An exhaust gas combustor connected to the oxygen-containing exhaust gas channel and the fuel exhaust gas channel are provided at the one end of the fuel cell stack in the stacking direction. A reformer is provided around the exhaust gas combustor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of a mesoporous substantially pure anatase titanium oxide (meso-TiO2) and its use in electrochemical devices, in particular lithium-ion batteries.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide an electric storage apparatus configured to prevent external terminals of adjacent electric storage devices from contacting each other, even if a compressive force in a direction in which a plurality of electric storage devices are aligned acts thereon. In the electric storage apparatus of the present invention, a spacer is arranged between each adjacent two of the plurality of electric storage devices having external terminals, and a portion opposite to the external terminal side of the spacer has a lower rigidity than a portion on the external terminal side of the spacer.

Abstract: A composite anode active material, a method of preparing the composite anode active material, and a lithium battery including the lithium battery. According to the method of preparing the composite anode active material, carbon nanotubes are formed on a Si particle without a separate operation of applying a catalyst. Furthermore, high adherence is provided between the Si particle and carbon nanotubes, and therefore the composite anode active material is used as an anode material of the lithium battery.

Abstract: An electric storage device includes a case having a cuboid shape and including a terminal surface having an electrode terminal, a bottom surface opposite to the terminal surface, a long side surface, and a short side surface. The device also includes an electric storage element formed by winding positive and negative plates being laminated via a separator, the electric storage element being housed in the case and being away from an inner surface of the long side surface, the electric storage element being in electrical connection with the electrode terminal, and a heat transfer member in contact with an outer surface of the long side surface.

Abstract: An electric storage device includes a plurality of storage modules and a first storage-module busbar. The plurality of storage modules each include a storage-cell busbar and a plurality of storage cells. The storage-cell busbar includes a first storage-module terminal at a first end of the storage-cell busbar. The plurality of storage cells are electrically connected to each other with the storage-cell busbar. The first storage-module terminal provided in one of the plurality of storage modules is electrically connected to the first storage-module terminal provided in another of the plurality of storage modules with the first storage-module busbar. The first storage-module terminal includes a first stud bolt which extends through a bolt hole provided in the first storage-module busbar and to which a nut is fastened.

Abstract: Power supplies for pool and spa equipment are disclosed. In one embodiment, the power supply includes a buoyant housing, a peripheral float, at least one solar cell positioned on the buoyant housing for collecting sunlight and converting same to electrical energy, and a power cable for interconnecting the power supply and pool/spa equipment. In other embodiments, first and second inductive power couplings are provided for powering pool and spa equipment. The power couplings can also be installed using existing plumbing features of the pool or spa.

Abstract: An electrode active material for an all solid state secondary battery, which is able to have the controlled orientation of a crystal face at the interface between an electrode layer and an electrolyte layer in order to enhance the battery performance, and an all solid state secondary battery including the electrode active material. The electrode active material includes a carbon material having an intensity ratio (P002/P100) of 600 or less between the X-ray diffraction peak intensity P002 in the (002) plane and the X-ray diffraction peak intensity P100 in the (100) plane, which are obtained when a surface of a compact prepared by compression molding of a powder of the carbon material at a pressure of 110 MPa is irradiated with X-ray. The all solid state secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a solid electrolyte, and the negative electrode contains the electrode active material.