Abstract: Certain fuel cell designs employ bipolar plate assemblies with internal coolant flow fields which comprise a coolant channel region and transition regions adjacent the coolant channel region. The temperature and/or pressure drop, and hence flow, of coolant over the coolant channel region can be non-uniform however, and this can have an adverse effect on cell performance. The coolant flow and temperature distribution can be modified and made more uniform by inserting an appropriate non-uniform porous insert in one or more of the coolant transition regions.

Abstract: A method for making tungsten-alloy nanoparticles that are useful for fuel cell applications includes a step of combining a solvent system and a surfactant to form a first mixture. A tungsten precursor is introduced into the first mixture to form a tungsten precursor suspension. The tungsten precursor suspension is heated to form tungsten nanoparticles. The tungsten nanoparticles are combined with carbon particles to form carbon-nanoparticle composite particles. The carbon-nanoparticle composite particles are combined with a metal salt to form carbon-nanoparticle composite particles with adhered metal salt, the metal salt including a metal other than tungsten. The third solvent system is then removed. A two-stage heat treatment is applied to the carbon-nanoparticle composite particles with adhered metal salt to form carbon supported tungsten-alloy nanoparticles. A method for making carbon supported tungsten alloys by reducing a tungsten salt and a metal salt is also provided.

Abstract: Improved metal-based redox flow batteries (RFBs) can utilize a metal and a divalent cation of the metal (M2+) as an active redox couple for a first electrode and electrolyte, respectively, in a first half-cell. For example, the metal can be Zn. The RFBs can also utilize a second electrolyte having I?, anions of Ix (for x?3), or both in an aqueous solution, wherein the I? and the anions of Ix (for x?3) compose an active redox couple in a second half-cell.

Abstract: A hard shell cell housing for an individual alkali metal cell includes a housing main body with an interior space that is configured to accommodate cell components of the individual alkali metal cell, and a housing cover configured to close off the interior space. The housing main body is formed at least substantially from plastic, and further includes at least one vapor barrier layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a state of a rechargeable battery or of a battery has a sensor device and an evaluation device. The sensor device brings about an interaction between an optical signal and a part of the rechargeable battery or of the battery, which part indicates optically acquirable information about a state of the rechargeable battery or of the battery, and detects an optical signal caused by the interaction. The sensor device furthermore provides a detection signal having information about the detected optical signal. The evaluation device determines information about a state of the rechargeable battery or of the battery on the basis of the information of the detection signal. Furthermore, the evaluation device provides a state signal having the information about the determined state.

Abstract: Gravoltaic cell devices and methods are disclosed for producing robust electrochemical gravoltaic cells that convert a gravitational force into electrical energy. The cells includes a reaction vessel and a first stationary homogeneous volume of dissociated aqueous cations and a second stationary homogeneous aqueous volume of dissociated aqueous reactant cations, both volumes being disposed within the reaction vessel, and providing bulk solvent and anions a stationary bulk volume of a homogeneous mixture of solvent and dissociated anions collectively disposed homogeneously throughout the two layers of dissociated aqueous cations. The cell also includes an anode junction providing electrochemically active dissimilar anode/cation chemical species junction. The cell also includes a cathode junction providing a gravity-sustained electrochemically passive similar cathode/cation chemical species junction.

Abstract: A method for starting a cold or frozen fuel cell stack as efficiently and quickly as possible in a vehicle application is based upon a state of charge of a first power source such as a high voltage battery. Power flow between the first power source and fuel cell system is coordinated in conjunction with a specific load schedule and parallel control algorithms to minimize the start time required and optimize system warm-up.

Abstract: An electrode/separator assembly for use in an electrochemical cell includes a current collector; a porous composite electrode layer adhered to the current collector, said electrode layer comprising at least electroactive particles and a binder; and a porous composite separator layer comprising inorganic particles substantially uniformly distributed in a polymer matrix to form nanopores and having a pore volume fraction of at least 25%, wherein the separator layer is secured to the electrode layer by a solvent weld at the interface between the two layers, said weld comprising a mixture of the binder and the polymer. Methods of making and using the assembly are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for heat reclamation and temperature control of a SOFC for a submersible vehicle. The vehicle includes a SOFC, a hot box that surrounds the SOFC, a cooling loop, and a Stirling engine. The cooling loop has a heat exchanger and a coolant pump. The heat exchanger thermally couples the cooling loop to the water. The Stirling engine has a first end thermally coupled to an interior of the hot box and a second end thermally coupled to the cooling loop. The coolant pump modifies a rate of heat removal from the second end of the Stirling engine based on a pump control signal. A thermal management controller monitors a temperature of a cathode outlet of the SOFC, and modifies the pump control signal to maintain the temperature of the cathode outlet within a temperature range.

Abstract: In a non-aqueous organic electrolyte secondary cell, the counter charge capacity ratio (A/C) between the cathodes and the anodes represented by the following formula is set to within the range from 1.10 to 1.35, A/C=?×(anode charge capacity×?)/(cathode charge capacity×?×?) where ? is the electrode area coefficient defined as (anode area)/(cathode area) and ?>1.0, ? is a design coefficient and 0.85???1.15, ? is the charge-discharge efficiency ratio defined as (charge-discharge ratio at 25° C.)/(charge-discharge ratio at 55° C.), and ? is the temperature characteristic coefficient defined as (charge capacity at 55° C.)/(charge capacity at 25° C.).

Abstract: Provided is device and method for heating fuel cell stack and fuel cell system having the device. The fuel cell system includes: a power generating unit having fuel cell stacks arranged with an interval defined between the stacks; an outlet manifold unit provided outside each fuel cell stack and guiding a reaction mixture discharged from each stack to outside; an inlet manifold unit provided on each stack at a location opposed to the outlet manifold unit based on the stack, the inlet manifold unit supplying fuel and air supplied through a fuel supply pipe and an air supply pipe into the stack; and a subsidiary fuel supply unit for supplying subsidiary fuel into the outlet manifold unit such that the subsidiary fuel is burnt in the outlet manifold unit so as to heat both the outlet manifold unit and the stack coming into contact with the outlet manifold unit.

Abstract: An energy storage device includes a nano-structured cathode. The cathode includes a conductive substrate, an underframe and an active layer. The underframe includes structures such as nano-filaments and/or aerogel. The active layer optionally includes a catalyst disposed within the active layer, the catalyst being configured to catalyze the dissociation of cathode active material.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes: a positive electrode 4 including a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode mixture layer containing a positive electrode active material and a binder, the positive electrode mixture layer being provided on the positive electrode current collector; a negative electrode 5; a porous insulating layer 6 interposed between the positive electrode 4 and the negative electrode 5; and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The positive electrode 4 has a tensile extension percentage of equal to or higher than 3.0%. The positive electrode current collector is made of aluminum containing iron. In this manner, the tensile extension percentage of the positive electrode is increased without a decrease in capacity of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery. Accordingly, even when the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery is destroyed by crush, occurrence of short-circuit in the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery can be suppressed.

Abstract: Provided is an electrode assembly, and more particularly, an electrode assembly having a structure wound in a state, in which a plurality of unit cells having a stacking structure is disposed on a long sheet type separation film, and including the unit cells having two or more types of configurations of electrode materials, wherein a separator stacked on the unit cell having a stacking structure has a coating material coated on both sides thereof and the long sheet type separation film has a coating material coated on one side thereof. According to the present invention, an electrode assembly improving processability of preparation of a battery while reducing initial resistance during the preparation of the battery as well as having battery lifetime equivalent to that of a conventional battery and a lithium secondary battery including the electrode assembly may be provided.

Abstract: In accordance with at least certain embodiments of the present invention, a novel concept of utilizing PIMS minerals as a filler component within a microporous lead-acid battery separator is provided. In accordance with more particular embodiments or examples, the PIMS mineral (preferably fish meal, a bio-mineral) is provided as at least a partial substitution for the silica filler component in a silica filled lead acid battery separator (preferably a polyethylene/silica separator formulation). In accordance with at least selected embodiments, the present invention is directed to new or improved batteries, separators, components, and/or compositions having heavy metal removal capabilities and/or methods of manufacture and/or methods of use thereof.

Abstract: In one example, a system for a flow cell for a flow battery, comprising: a first flow field; and a polymeric frame, comprising: a top face; a bottom face, opposite the top face; a first side; a second side, opposite the first side; a first electrolyte inlet located on the top face and the first side of the polymeric frame; a first electrolyte outlet located on the top face and the second side of the polymeric frame; a first electrolyte inlet flow path located within the polymeric frame and coupled to the first electrolyte inlet; and a first electrolyte outlet flow path located within the polymeric frame and coupled to the first electrolyte outlet. In this way, shunt currents may be minimized by increasing the length and/or reducing the cross-sectional area of the electrolyte inlet and electrolyte outlet flow paths.

Abstract: A battery anode component for a battery cell including a current collector component having a lithium receiving side in which at least two spatially separated recesses are formed as lithium receiving chambers, at least two lithium-based anode material units which are situated in the at least two lithium receiving chambers, and a protective cover which covers the lithium receiving side at least partially and with the aid of which outer surfaces of the at least two lithium-based anode material units which are exposed by the current collector component are covered. A method is also described for manufacturing a battery anode component for a battery cell.

Abstract: The method for manufacturing a lithium ion secondary battery includes a binder coating step (18), a mixture supplying step (20), a magnetic field applying step (22), and a convection generating step (24). The binder coating step (18) is a step of coating a slurry-form binder (18a) on a metal foil (12a) (collector). The mixture supplying step (20) is a step of supplying a negative electrode mixture containing graphite so as to be superposed on the slurry-form binder (18a) coated on the metal foil (12a) in the binder coating step (18). The magnetic field applying step (22) is a step of applying a magnetic field having magnetic lines of force pointing in the direction orthogonal to the metal foil (12a), to the negative electrode mixture (20a) coated on the metal foil (12a) in the mixture supplying step (20).

Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The positive electrode includes a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material layer over the positive electrode current collector. The positive electrode active material layer includes a plurality of lithium-containing composite oxides each of which is expressed by LiMPO4 (M is one or more of Fe (II), Mn (II), Co (II), and Ni (II)) that is a general formula. The lithium-containing composite oxide is a flat single crystal particle in which the length in the b-axis direction is shorter than each of the lengths in the a-axis direction and the c-axis direction. The lithium-containing composite oxide is provided over the positive electrode current collector so that the b-axis of the single crystal particle intersects with the surface of the positive electrode current collector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microporous polymeric battery separator comprised of a single layer of enmeshed microfibers and nanofibers. Such a separator accords the ability to attune the porosity and pore size to any desired level through a single nonwoven fabric. As a result, the inventive separator permits a high strength material with low porosity and low pore size to levels unattained. The combination of polymeric nanofibers within a polymeric microfiber matrix and/or onto such a substrate through high shear processing provides such benefits, as well. The separator, a battery including such a separator, the method of manufacturing such a separator, and the method of utilizing such a separator within a battery device, are all encompassed within this invention.