Abstract: The invention is directed to an intermediate element for thermal, electrical and mechanical connection of two parts, particularly two fuel cells. The intermediate element is corrugated and each corrugation is respectively multiply interrupted along its wave hill/wave valley and is coined upward and downward in alternation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hybrid electrolyte comprising a shaped porous polymer structure comprising a polymer matrix and a plurality of cells dispersed in the polymer matrix, the polymer matrix containing a crosslinked polymer segment and having a gel content in the range of from 20 to 75%, wherein the shaped porous polymer structure is impregnated and swelled with an electrolytic liquid. A method for producing the hybrid electrolyte and a method for producing an electrochemical device comprising the hybrid electrolyte are also disclosed. The hybrid electrolyte of the present invention has a high ionic conductivity, an excellent stability under high temperature conditions and an excellent adherability to an electrode. Further, by the method of the present invention, the hybrid electrolyte having the above-mentioned excellent properties and an electrochemical device comprising such a hybrid electrolyte can be surely and effectively produced.

Abstract: An anode composition for zinc/air cells comprises a metal binder added to particulate zinc. The metal binder in contact with the particulate zinc is heated to above its melting point. Upon cooling the metal binder solidifies and adheres to the zinc particle surfaces to form agglomerates wherein individual zinc particles are held bound to each other by the metal binder. Gelling agent and electrolyte can then be added to form an anode mixture. The metal binder has a melting point desirably above about 35° C. and below the melting point of zinc. A preferred metal binder for the particulate zinc is an alloy of indium and bismuth (In/Bi). Other desirable metal binders, for example, can be an alloy of indium, bismuth and tin (In/Bi/Sn) or alloy of indium and tin (In/Sn) as well as indium metal. Use of the metal binder in the anode mixture improves conductivity of the zinc particles and replaces the need to add mercury to the anode composition.

Abstract: A fuel cell is provided which includes iron-based alloys for the construction of the solid parts of the fuel cell. The fuel cell includes a membrane electrode unit and solid constructive parts which may include current collectors, a cell frame and a bipolar plate. At least one of these solid constructive parts is made from an iron-based material that preferably has an effective weight percent of iron of greater than or equal to 26.9 percent.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a can for containing electrochemically active materials including positive and negative electrodes and electrolyte. The can has a bottom end and an open top end, and positive and negative electrodes disposed in the can. An inner metal cover is disposed in the open end of the can and has a first peripheral flange. An outer metal cover is disposed over the inner cover in the open end of the container and has a second peripheral flange juxtaposed to the first peripheral flange. A seal is disposed between the can and both the first and second peripheral flanges. The low profile seal assembly advantageously provides for reduced volume consumption thereby allowing for a greater amount of electrochemically active materials in the can.

Abstract: This invention is an electrode for a non-aqueous electrolytic cell, in which a collector is coated with an electrode active material layer comprising an active material, flake graphite and a binder, which is characterized by that the central particle size of the graphite is larger than that of the active material, and the following equation is satisfied, when the particle size of the active material is taken as r, the particle size distribution of the active material as f(r), the density of the active material as d, the specific surface area according to the BET method of the graphite as Sg, and the weight of the active material in an electrode coating film as Mg, and provides an electrode for a secondary cell which can give high capacity to the cell and enhance the flexibility of the cell: 9 · Ma d ⁢ ∫ 0 ∞ ⁢

Abstract: A sealed one-piece battery comprises a container having at least one wall and divided into contiguous compartments which receive electrode assemblies by at least one partition attached to the wall. A device for measuring the temperature of the electrode assemblies comprises at least one sensor disposed in a housing formed within the thickness of at least one of the partitions. The opening of the housing is on the external face of the wall.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte cell having high hermetic sealing and hermetic sealing properties and which is reduced in thickness. A unit cell of the non-aqueous electrolyte cell is accommodated in a packaging material formed by a laminated film. The packaging material includes at least a metal layer and a heat fused layer arranged on an inner side of the meta layer. The heat fused layer is made up of a plurality of layers each containing the same monomeric unit. A mixed layer where plastic materials of the plural layers co-exist is formed between the plural layers such that the heat fused layer is in the form of a continuous film not having a definite boundary surface.

Abstract: The fuel utilization of a direct methanol fuel cell is enhanced for improved cell efficiency. Distribution plates at the anode and cathode of the fuel cell are configured to distribute reactants vertically and laterally uniformly over a catalyzed membrane surface of the fuel cell. A conductive sheet between the anode distribution plate and the anodic membrane surface forms a mass transport barrier to the methanol fuel that is large relative to a mass transport barrier for a gaseous hydrogen fuel cell. In a preferred embodiment, the distribution plate is a perforated corrugated sheet. The mass transport barrier may be conveniently increased by increasing the thickness of an anode conductive sheet adjacent the membrane surface of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A planar type solid oxide electrolyte fuel cell which is composed of power generation films in which an oxygen electrode is constituted on one side of each solid electrolyte having dimples almost all over its surface and a fuel electrode on the other side thereof, interconnectors sandwiched between the said power generation films, and seal materials which surround the four sides of the said power generation films, wherein oxidant gases and fuel gases react electrochemically via the said power generation films in order to obtain electric energy, wherein on the fuel electrode side of one the four sides of the cell a fuel inlet aperture is provided over nearly the entire length thereof, and a fuel outlet aperture is provided on the side facing the said one side over nearly the entire length thereof, and an air inlet aperture is provided on the oxygen electrode side of one of the remaining two sides, the said air inlet aperture being located in that half of the said side which is closer to the fuel gas inlet aper

Abstract: A connector assembly connects a plurality of battery cells in a serial/parallel arrangement. Each battery cell includes a cover and a canister having a side and a bottom. Each battery cell is constructed such that a segment of the side of the canister forms a top crimped portion that retains the cover and is electrically isolated from the cover. The connector assembly includes a conductive weld cup. The conductive weld cup includes a bordered portion and recessed portion. The bordered portion includes a first side wall and a ledge that is substantially planar. The recessed portion is recessed within the ledge. The recessed portion includes a recessed portion and a floor that is substantially planar. The first side wall includes an integrated tab projecting from it. An inner surface of the bordered portion engages an outer surface of the side and the bottom of the canister of an upper adjacent battery cell. An outer surface of the floor engages a cover of a lower adjacent battery cell.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack includes a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells juxtaposed to one another, with at least two of the cells having a substantially flat configuration; and each of the two cells having an anode layer, an electrolyte layer, and a cathode layer. The fuel stack also includes at least one interconnect disposed among the plurality of cells, with the interconnect being capable of providing an electrical connection between the cells, and the interconnect comprising a plurality of first extensions on a first surface of the interconnect and a plurality of second depressions on a second surface of the interconnect. The first extensions and second depressions are integrally formed with one another to provide a plurality of oxidant passageways and fuel passageways.

Abstract: A fuel cell system having two fuel cell stacks with different operating temperatures, i.e. a low temperature stack (LT stack) and a high temperature stack (HT stack). The high temperature stack is connected in front of the low temperature stack with respect to the process flow of fuel through the fuel cell system.

Abstract: A fuel cell has an anode and a cathode with anode enzyme disposed on the anode and cathode enzyme is disposed on the cathode. The anode is configured and arranged to electrooxidize an anode reductant in the presence of the anode enzyme. Likewise, the cathode is configured and arranged to electroreduce a cathode oxidant in the presence of the cathode enzyme. In addition, anode redox hydrogel may be disposed on the anode to transduce a current between the anode and the anode enzyme and cathode redox hydrogel may be disposed on the cathode to transduce a current between the cathode and the cathode enzyme.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell stack comprising a fuel cell unit and separators which are stacked with each other. The separator is provided with a cooling medium supply port corresponding to a central portion of an electrode power-generating section and a cooling medium discharge port corresponding to an outer circumferential portion of the electrode power-generating section. The cooling medium supply port communicates with the cooling medium discharge port via a cooling medium flow passage having a spiral configuration. Accordingly, the entire fuel cell unit can be uniformly cooled, and the power-generating function can be effectively improved.

Abstract: A battery includes a cell having an outer circumference and a battery tester. The batter tester can be of different types. One type a segmented display tester includes a first voltage divider and a plurality of parallel battery tester elements including a voltage controlled display having a first terminal coupled to the first voltage divider and a second voltage divider coupled in parallel with the first voltage divider and coupled to a second terminal of the voltage controlled display. The second voltage divider also includes a non-linear device. A second type of battery tester is also disclosed. This type is a variable type and has a first voltage divider including a non-linear device coupled to a plurality of resistance elements and a voltage controlled display having a first terminal coupled to the first voltage divider and a plurality of second terminals coupled to the plurality of resistance elements.

Abstract: A radial planar fuel cell stack comprises an internal manifold having a first interior cavity and a second interior cavity. A plurality of single cells having an anode layer, a cathode layer, and an electrolyte layer therebetween are disposed about the manifold. A manifold bracket operatively fixes the manifold to at least one of the single cells. The manifold bracket describes a channel in communication with at least one of the first and second interior cavities. A porous element is disposed in the channel and ensures uniform distribution of gases over 360°.

Abstract: A battery separator and a method for manufacturing the same and a battery using the same. The battery separator is excellent in alkaline retaining property, initial alkaline absorption and durable alkaline absorption while maintaining tensile strength and air permeability, by forming functional groups or bonds of —CHO or —C+H—O−, —CO—, and —COO— or —COO−on the surface of the non-woven fabric. The battery shows great wettability with an alkaline electrolyte when incorporated into an battery, and thus, improves the battery life.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery design for bi-cell polymer matrix batteries. Each bi-cell comprises, sequentially, a first counter electrode, a first separator membrane, a centrally located electrode, a second separator membrane, and a second counter electrode. The current collector of each of the counter electrodes is positioned other than medially within the counter electrode. Generally, the current collector of the counter electrode is located within the outer half of the counter electrode. When the current collector is located at the extreme outer edge of the counter electrode, a capping film of polymer matrix material is preferably laminated to the perforated current collector, and, through the perforated current collector, to the counter electrode material itself.

Abstract: A continuous method manufactures a laminated electrolyte and electrode assembly (“laminated assembly”) comprising at least one pre-formed electrode layer, at least one catalyst layer and at least one electrolyte layer for an electrochemical cell. The method comprises forming at least one of the catalyst or electrolyte layers in situ and using it as a laminating medium. The method produces a laminated assembly in a continuous sheet, which may be later cut to size and shape for use in electrochemical cells. The method may comprise co-extruding granular catalyst and/or electrolyte materials. In one embodiment, the catalyst and electrolyte layers are co-extruded. The co-extruded tri-layer extrusion is laminated with immediately adjacent pre-formed electrode layers. In another embodiment the catalyst layer is extruded and the catalyst layer acts as the laminating medium between immediately adjacent pre-formed electrode and electrolyte layers.