Abstract: The invention provides a fuel cell separator wherein a first reaction gas channel 131 has a first portion 41 and a second portion 51 located upstream of the first portion 41, the first portion 41 lying closest to the upstream end of the first reaction gas channel 131 among portions located between the second portion 51 and the downstream end of the first reaction gas channel 131, the second portion 51 lying closest to the downstream end among portions located between the upstream end and the first portion 41 of the first reaction gas channel 131. Second reaction gas channels 132, 133 do not exist between the first portion 41 and the upstream end but exist between the second portion 51 and the downstream end. The first reaction gas channel 131 is communicated with at least one (hereinafter referred to as the “specific channel”) of the second reaction gas channels 132, 133 in a portion (hereinafter referred to as the “specific portion”) between the first portion 41 and the downstream end.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprises an inlet and an outlet for an electrolyte flow, and two unipolar electrodes. Each electrode comprises a structure with a network of through-passages, surrounded by a solid frame. The electrolyte enters via inlets, circulates via the passages of the electrodes, passes through the space between the electrodes and leaves via an outlet. The structure and the frame are based on carbon.

Abstract: The active material for a lithium secondary battery includes a solid solution of a lithium transition metal composite oxide having an ?-NaFeO2 type crystal structure, in which the composition ratio of Li, Co, Ni, and Mn contained in the solid solution satisfies Li1+(1/3)xCo1?x?yNi(1/2)yMn(2/3)x+(1/2)y (x+y?1, 0?y and 1?x?y=z); in an Li[Li1/3Mn2/3]O2(x)-LiNi1/2Mn1/2O2(y)-LiCoO2(z) type ternary phase diagram, (x, y, z) is represented by values in a range present on or within a line of a heptagon (ABCDEFG) defined by the vertexes; point A(0.45, 0.55, 0), point B(0.63, 0.37, 0), point C(0.7, 0.25, 0.05), point D(0.67, 0.18, 0.15), point E(0.75, 0, 0.25), point F(0.55, 0, 0.45), and point G(0.45, 0.2, 0.35); and the intensity ratio between the diffraction peaks on (003) plane and (104) plane measured by X-ray diffractometry before charge-discharge is I(003)/I(104)?1.56 and at the end of discharge is I(003)/I(104)>1.

Abstract: A sealed and/or reinforced membrane electrode assembly is disclosed. Encapsulation films, each comprising a backing layer and an adhesive layer, are positioned on the edges of at least one face of each gas diffusion substrate such that the adhesive layers impregnate into each gas diffusion substrate. Methods of forming sealed and/or reinforced membrane electrode assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing simply a positive electrode active material which can further increase charge-discharge capacity of secondary batteries when the positive electrode active material is used for positive electrode of secondary batteries, particularly non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries. A method for producing a positive electrode active material includes the step of heat-treating a lithium mixed metal oxide represented by the formula Li2MO3 in the presence of a hydride wherein M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Co and Ni.

Abstract: The battery module includes: a plurality of batteries; a housing 50 in which the plurality of batteries are aligned and stored; and a cooling pipe 70 provided along the plurality of batteries in the housing 50, the cooling pipe 70 being filled with a cooling medium, wherein the cooling pipe 70 is made of a material which melts when the temperature of the battery reaches or exceeds a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A latching module includes a main body and two elastic members. The main body includes two opposite sidewalls and a first surface connecting with the sidewalls, the first surface configured for resisting the battery. The two elastic members are respectively mounted to the sidewalls of the main body. Each elastic member has at least one latching portion and at least one stopping portion.

Abstract: In one embodiment a tin oxide based electrode is disclosed. The tin oxide-based electrode includes a base material of tin oxide, a resistivity modifier, a sintering aid, and a corrosion inhibitor. The corrosion inhibitor forms a solid solution with the base material and has a melting point not less than about 1700° C. and a partial pressure of not greater than about 1.0E-7 atmospheres at 1500° C. The corrosion inhibitor further includes 0-4.0 wt % ZrO2 based on the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell or a fuel cell stack, wherein a means for reducing the concentration of unreacted alcohol is disposed on the cathode exhaust gas side. This means comprises in particular an additional electrochemical cell, to which a voltage is applied and which at least partially converts the unreacted alcohol into CO2 and hydrogen or water by way of an electrochemical reduction reaction. Since the concentration of unreacted alcohol is generally low, the loss of power required for the additional reduction reaction does not result in any notable impairment of the efficiency of the fuel cell stack. The invention is thus not limited to direct-methanol fuel cells, but may also be similarly applied to high-temperature fuel cells, and particularly to high-temperature PEM fuel cells, in which the additional electrochemical cell disposed on the cathode exhaust gas side is advantageously able to convert the residual CO.

Abstract: A process for producing a lithium secondary battery employs a charging method where a positive electrode upon charging has a maximum achieved potential of 4.3 V (vs. Li/Li+) or lower. The process includes charging the lithium secondary battery to reach at least a region with relatively flat fluctuation of potential appearing in a positive electrode potential region exceeding 4.3 V (vs. Li/Li+) and 4.8V (vs. Li/Li+) or lower. The lithium secondary battery includes an active material having a solid solution of a lithium transition metal composite oxide having an ?-NaFeO2 type crystal structure. The composition ratio of Li, Co, Ni, and Mn contained in the solid solution satisfies Li1+1/3xCo1?x?yNiy/2Mn2x/3+y/2(x+y?1, 0?y and 1?x?y=z).

Abstract: A cooling system for cooling a fuel-cell system on board an aircraft, in one example, includes a hydrogen accumulator, a connecting device coupling the hydrogen accumulator, with an external cooling system for dissipating heat arising upon charging of the hydrogen accumulator. The hydrogen accumulator cools down upon removal of hydrogen, because of which cooling of a condenser occurs. The cooling system need not utilize a secondary cooling loop for condenser cooling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement in a lithium ion secondary battery including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator, a non-aqueous electrolyte, and a porous film formed on at least one electrode surface. The porous film includes inorganic compound particles and polyvinylidene fluoride. The viscosity of the N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone solution dissolving 8 wt % polyvinylidene fluoride is 600 to 2400 mPa·s at 25° C., and the amount of the polyvinylidene fluoride in the porous film is 1 to 10 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the inorganic compound particles.

Abstract: A membrane-electrode assembly for a mixed reactant fuel cell and a mixed reactant fuel cell system including the same. In one embodiment of the present invention, a membrane-electrode assembly for a mixed reactant fuel cell includes an anode catalyst layer, a cathode catalyst layer, a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed between the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer, an electrode substrate disposed on at least one of the anode catalyst layer or the cathode catalyst layer, and an oxidant supply path penetrating the polymer electrolyte membrane, the anode catalyst layer, the cathode catalyst layer, and the electrode substrate and adapted to supply an oxidant.

Abstract: A sealed and/or reinforced membrane electrode assembly is disclosed. Encapsulation films, each comprising a backing layer and an adhesive layer, are positioned on the edges of at least one face of each gas diffusion substrate such that the adhesive layers impregnate into each gas diffusion substrate. Methods of forming sealed and/or reinforced membrane electrode assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for producing an accumulator having a fixed electrolyte. The inventive method is characterized by introducing an electrolyte in a flowable form into the accumulator cell and fixing the electrolyte and forming the active mass simultaneously inside the accumulator cell. The device for carrying out the inventive method comprises a filler head (1), an acid reservoir (3), a thickener reservoir (4), a metering pump for the acid (6.1+6.2), a metering pump for the thickener (5.1+5.2) and a flowmeter for the thickener (9.1+9.2) and the acid (10.1+10.2).

Abstract: A battery cover assembly for a portable electronic device, the battery cover assembly includes a housing, a removable battery cover and a locking mechanism. The housing has a latching portion. The locking mechanism latches the battery cover to the housing, and includes an operating member, a slidable member and an elastic member. The operating member engages in the latching portion of the housing, and the operating member includes a resisting block. The slidable member releasably engages with the battery cover, and the slidable member has a support block engaging with the resisting block. The elastic member is between the slidable member and the latching portion and provides an elastic force to the slidable member and the operating member.

Abstract: A separator includes a plurality of first and second sandwiching sections, a plurality of first bridges connected thereto, and first and second fuel gas supply units integrally connected to the first bridges. Electrolyte electrode assemblies are sandwiched between the first and second sandwiching sections. A fuel gas supply channel is formed in each of the first bridges. A fuel gas supply passage extends through the first and second fuel gas supply units in a stacking direction. A pressure loss generator mechanism is provided in the fuel gas supply channel. The pressure loss generator mechanism generates a pressure loss over the entire fuel gas supply channel for distributing a fuel gas equally to each of the electrolyte electrode assemblies.

Abstract: A direct oxidation fuel cell (DOFC) having a liquid fuel and an anode electrode configured to generate power. The anode electrode includes a gas diffusion layer (GDL) and a microporous layer, such that a decrease in the porosity of the GDL achieves an increase in the power density of the DOFC.

Abstract: A fuel cell according to the present invention comprises a membrane electrode assembly, a bipolar plate for guiding a reaction gas to the membrane electrode assembly, two layers of coolant flow fields formed on the bipolar plane opposite to another plane on which a reaction gas flow field is formed, and an interlayer separation plate; wherein the interlayer separation plate separates the two layers of coolant flow fields and has permeability or jet orifices so as to allow a coolant to pass through.

Abstract: A metallic material for a conductive member has good corrosion resistance and low contact resistance. The metallic material has 0.3 ?m or less of mean spacing of local peaks of the surface roughness profile. A proton-exchange membrane fuel cell includes a proton-exchange membrane, an electrode, a gas diffusing layer, and a separator using the metallic material for a conductive member, where the metallic material for a conductive member includes a stainless steel and includes 0.03% or less C, 0.03% or less N, 16 to 45% Cr, 0.1 to 5.0% Mo, 0.03% or less (C+N), by mass, and balance of Fe and inevitable impurities, and where the metallic material for a conductive member has 0.3 ?m or less of mean spacing of local peaks of the surface roughness profile.