Abstract: A multi-cell battery in which a plurality of electrochemical cells are disposed in a battery case. The battery case includes one or more partitions which divide the interior of the case into a plurality of cell compartments that house the electrochemical cells. The battery case includes at least one gas channel have a tortuous pathway designed to trap electrolyte which may escape from the cell compartments. A unique battery terminal may be molded into the battery case.

Abstract: Fuel compositions, methods of making the compositions, and fuel cell systems including a fuel composition are disclosed. In some embodiments, a fuel composition includes a polymer, and a fuel such as methanol, wherein the composition has a hardness of at least about 2 grams peak force, as determined by penetration test using a texture analyzer.

Abstract: Subject matter describes a current collector for a fuel cell stack, wherein the current collector physically supports the fuel cell stack within a fuel cell and an electrode element of the fuel cell stack is attached as a deposited layer to the current collector. The current collector has openings to allow gases of the fuel cell to flow to and from the electrode element.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell is formed by arranging a fuel electrode layer and an air electrode layer on both surfaces of a solid electrolyte, respectively, a fuel electrode current collector and an air electrode current collector outside the fuel electrode layer and the air electrode layer, respectively, and separators outside the fuel electrode current collector and the air electrode current collector. In a first embodiment, a fuel gas and an oxidant gas are supplied from the separators to the fuel electrode layer and the oxidant electrode layer, respectively, through the fuel electrode current collector and the air electrode current collector, respectively. Each separator is formed by laminating a plurality of thin metal plates at least including a thin metal plate in which a first gas discharge opening is arranged in a central part and second gas discharge openings are circularly arranged in a peripheral part, and a thin metal plate with an indented surface.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a method of operating a solid oxide fuel cell, including providing a solid oxide fuel cell comprising an anode electrode containing nickel, and electrochemically reducing an anode side of the fuel cell. Another embodiment of the invention provides a method of operating a solid oxide fuel cell, including providing a solid oxide fuel cell comprising an anode electrode containing nickel, periodically operating the fuel cell to generate electricity, and reducing an anode side of the fuel cell between electricity generation operation periods of the fuel cell.

Abstract: Battery packs are retained by frames which are comprised of plastic beams and aluminum corner connectors that peripherally surround the battery packs. The plastic beams are tensioned by tensioning bolts which pass through the aluminum corner connectors and thread into threaded pin inserts laterally seated in the beams. As the tensioning bolts are advanced into the inserts the beams are axially tensioned. Damping pads are disposed between the separate battery modules of the battery packs, as well as at the corners of the frames, to both absorb vibrational and spike impacts. The damping pads frictionally engage the outer surfaces of the battery cases so that the batteries will not move in the Z-axis direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling the use of a non-sterile battery with a sterile surgical instrument. The sterile transfer container has a tubular body with a closed distal end and an open proximal end. The container is provided with a cover and a locking mechanism for locking the cover to the body. The container is adapted to be attached to a surgical instrument in such a way that the latch assembly is prevented from opening until the container is removed from the instrument.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell generator (10) contains stacks of hollow axially elongated fuel cells (36) having an open top end (37), an oxidant inlet plenum (52), a feed fuel plenum (11), a combustion chamber (94) for combusting reacted oxidant/spent fuel; and, optionally, a fuel recirculation chamber (106) below the combustion chamber (94), where the fuel recirculation chamber (94) is in part defined by semi-porous fuel cell positioning gasket (108), all within an outer generator enclosure (8), wherein the fuel cell gasket (108) has a laminate structure comprising at least a compliant fibrous mat support layer and a strong, yet flexible woven layer, which may contain catalytic particles facing the combustion chamber, where the catalyst, if used, is effective to further oxidize exhaust fuel and protect the open top end (37) of the fuel cells.

Abstract: An electrochemical fuel cell stack includes a membrane electrode assembly and a distributor plate. The distributor plate includes a channel region having gas channels for distributing reaction gas to the membrane electrode assembly, a first port area for supplying reaction gas to the channel region, and a second port area for removing reaction gas from the channel region. The gas channels are disentangled and each distributed in a respective separate channel area, at least one of the gas channels having at least one deflection point between the first and second port areas.

Abstract: The separator subassembly includes a spacer layer formed from a film of microporous, non-conductive material joined to a separator by a heating process, wherein the separator is formed from an elongated piece of microporous, non-conductive film. When an anode subassembly is enveloped within the separator subassembly, the spacer aligns with a surface-mounted anode current collector of the alkali metal anode. The spacer serves as an additional protective layer between the cathode material and the anode current collector as the anode depletes.

Abstract: Electrochemical cell, such as an SOFC, comprising a porous solid electrode (2) in contact with an electrolyte (1), which has been treated so as to become gasproof before the electrode is applied. According to the invention, this contact has been mechanically improved by sintering anchoring particles (3) of for instance TiO2 onto the electrolyte (1). Subsequently, the electrode (2) can be sintered thereon at a temperature lower than hitherto known while still obtaining a sufficient, mechanical attachment in the contact. The latter lowering of the process temperature results in an improved efficiency of the electrode (2), and it allows the use of electrodes which are usually reactive towards the electrolyte at comparatively higher process temperatures.

Abstract: A thermal fuse includes an insulating case having a bottom and having an opening provided therein, a fusible alloy provided in the insulating case, a lead conductor having one end connected to the fusible alloy and other end led out from the insulating case through the opening of the insulating case, a flux provided on the fusible alloy, and a sealer for sealing the opening of the insulating case. The volume of a space between the fusible alloy in the insulating case and the sealer is larger than the volume of the flux. Sealing of the fuse is prevented from deteriorating, and the insulating film is prevented from damage even when the thermal fuse is used for breaking a large current at a high voltage.

Abstract: A battery having a bundle of electrodes and separator which is made by winding a positive-electrode plate and a negative-electrode plate together with a separator therebetween, one of the positive- and negative-electrode plates being electrically connected to a power collecting body, the power collecting body being provided in and welded to an outer package can, wherein a welding portion of the outer package can and the power collecting body comprises a first layer and a second layer which are stacked in a thickness direction of the outer package can at the welding portion, and the second layer is in contact with a surface of the first layer and includes crystal grains that are minuter than crystal grains included in the first layer.

Abstract: A lithium ion battery is disclosed in which the negative electrode material comprises carbon nanostructures having no dimension greater than 2 ?m. The battery has a high reversible capacity of the order of 400 mAh/g to 500 mAh/g which can be maintained over a long cycle-life (at least 30 cycles). The carbon nanostructures may be mixed with graphite to improve conductivity. The carbon nanostructues may be synthesized using an AFI template material followed by calcination.

Abstract: A bipolar plate for an electrochemical cell having a first side, a second side, and a sealing region is disclosed. The first side has a first fluid flow region bordered by a first sealing region, and the second side has a second fluid flow region bordered by a second sealing region. The first sealing region is composed of a mesh bonded to the first side.

Abstract: A fuel cell based power supply comprises a main power converter and control that allows the fuel cell stack to be electrically shorted from time-to-time to improve performance. Additionally, the power converter may temporarily disconnect the fuel cell stack from the load after shorting, allowing the fuel cell stack to return to an open circuit voltage, and/or provide current limiting during a period after shorting to provide stable operation while the fuel cell stack powers the load and recharges a power storage device.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly, and first and second separators. A first insulating bushing is attached to a first positioning hole of a first separator, and a second insulating bushing is attached to a second positioning hole of the second separator. An inner wall of the first insulating bushing is fitted to an outer wall of the second insulating bushing for positioning the first and second separators such that the first and second separators are insulated from each other.

Abstract: Described herein is a fuel-cell stack, which comprises a plurality of direct-alcohol fuel cells electrically connected together. Each cell has a miniaturized structure comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrolyte set between the first electrode and the second electrode, means for conducting electrical current to the first electrode, and means for conducting electrical current to the second electrode. The miniaturized structure of each cell is made up of a plurality of layers set on top of one another, and the various miniaturized structures are associated in an unremovable way to a flexible substrate capable of being wound up in a roll.

Abstract: A memory unit stores maps of predetermined determination threshold values for detection values detected by a hydrogen sensor according to an operating state of a fuel cell such as a difference in pressure between reaction gases at an anode and a cathode, supply pressure of the reaction gases, supply flow rate of the reaction gases and generated current of the fuel cell. A control unit obtains a predetermined determination threshold value from the memory unit based on the operating state of the fuel cell. Then, the detection value outputted from the hydrogen sensor and the determination threshold value obtained from the memory unit are compared, and in the event that the detection value is determined to exceed the determination threshold value, a predetermined protecting process is implemented for the fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprising a plurality of fuel cells combined together to form a fuel cell stack, with the fuel cell stack having an anode side with an inlet for a fuel and an outlet for non-consumed fuel and exhaust gases arising at the anode side as well as a cathode side with an inlet for a gaseous oxidising agent such as air and an outlet for exhaust gases which arise at the cathode side, and a compressor having a compressor inlet and a compressor outlet, the compressor outlet of which is connected to the oxidising agent inlet of the fuel cell stack provided at the cathode side, is characterised in that a gas dynamic pressure wave machine having a driven rotor is provided, with an inlet for exhaust gases arising at the cathode side, an inlet for fresh oxidizing agent, an outlet for oxidising agent compressed by the cathode side exhaust gases and also an outlet for the cathode side exhaust gases being associated with the rotor and with the outlet for the oxidising agent compressed by the cathode side ex