Abstract: The invention discloses methods of producing thermally stable mesoporous transition metal oxide compositions by aqueous co-assembly of glycometallates and metal complexes with a surfactant template, without the necessity of the use of stabilizers. Mesoporous (nickel/platinum)-yttria-zirconia materials are also disclosed for use as electrode materials in solid oxide fuel cells. These materials display the highest surface area of any form of (metal)-yttria-stabilized-zirconia, thereby providing significant improvement in the efficiency of solid oxide fuel cells.

Abstract: An Mg-based alloy negative electrode active material used as a hydrogen storage alloy electrode of an alkali secondary battery includes an amorphous alloy containing Ni, Mg, Zn, and Zr and capable of electrochemically occluding and releasing hydrogen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a double layer cathode for molten carbonate fuel cells, containing a first layer (2a) consisting of a first cathode material, preferably lithium-treated nickel oxide, and a second layer (2b) consisting of cerium-activated lithium cobaltite. The inventive double layer cathode is characterised in that the polarization resistance is less dependent on temperature and in that it has a longer life. The double layer cathode is especially suitable for operating a fuel cell at less than 650° C. The material for the second cathode layer (2b) is produced by activating cobalt oxide by co-precipitation with cerium and treating it with lithium carbonate to form a suspension. Said suspension is then applied to the first cathode layer (2a) as a second cathode (2b), dried and sintered at a high temperature.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy electrode containing, as a principal active material, a powder of hydrogen storage alloy having a CaCu5 crystal structure and represented by the formula MmNixCoyMnzMw where M is at least one element selected from aluminum (Al) and copper (Cu), x is between 3.0 and 5.2, y is between 0 and 1.2, z is between 0.1 and 0.9, w is between 0.1 and 0.9, and the sum of x, y, z and w is between 4.4 and 5.4. The hydrogen storage alloy powder particles have a surface region and a bulk region enclosed within the surface region and have a higher nickel content in the surface region than in the bulk region. The hydrogen storage alloy electrode further contains an oxide and/or hydroxide of at least one rare-earth element selected from ytterbium (Yb), samarium (Sm), erbium (Er) and gadolinium (Gd).

Abstract: A material for electrode which is excellent in electric conductivity, gas permeability, water repellency and chemical resistance and has enhanced handling property, moldability and processability is provided. A gas diffusion electrode for a fuel battery which is obtained by using a non-woven fabric comprising a fluorine-containing resin fiber and electrically conductive fiber as a material for electrode is formed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell stack comprising fuel cell units and first and second separators which are alternately stacked with each other. Wedge members are integrally inserted, over the plurality of fuel cell units, into communication holes of a fuel gas supply passage, an oxygen-containing gas supply passage, and a cooling water supply passage, as well as a fuel gas discharge passage, an oxygen-containing gas discharge passage, and a cooling water discharge passage. A fluid is uniformly delivered to each of the fuel cell units by the aid of the wedge members. Accordingly, the fluid of any one of a fuel gas, an oxygen-containing gas, and a cooling medium is uniformly delivered to each of the fuel cell units. Further, it is possible to simplify the arrangement of the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A method employing a bonding layer is used to form active metal electrodes having barrier layers. Active metals such as lithium are highly reactive in ambient conditions. The method involves fabricating a lithium electrode or other active metal electrode without depositing the barrier layer on a layer of metal. Rather a smooth barrier layer is formed on a smooth substrate such as a web carrier or polymeric electrolyte. A bonding or alloying layer is formed on top of the barrier layer. Lithium or other active material is then attached to the bonding layer to form the active metal electrode. A current collector may also be attached to the lithium or active metal during the process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a battery which has means which, upon the occurrence of an abnormal phenomenon, such as an overcharge or an external short circuit, rapidly operates a safety mechanism, such as a current breaking valve, to ensure the safety of the battery and which, particularly upon the occurrence of an abnormal phenomenon, can surely and stably increase the pressure within the battery. The battery comprises a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator, an electrolysis solution, and a hermetically sealed container, the hermetically sealed container containing in its interior a compound represented by formula (1): X—O—CO—R  (1) wherein X represents a group which, upon decomposition of the compound caused by a rise in temperature, is eliminated to evolve a gas insoluble or slightly soluble in the electrolysis solution; and R represents a group which controls the decomposition temperature of the compound.

Abstract: A graphite article useful in producing a membrane electrode assembly comprising a pair of electrodes and an ion exchange membrane positioned between the electrodes is presented. At least one of the electrodes is formed of a sheet of a compressed mass of expanded graphite particles having a plurality of transverse fluid channels passing through the sheet between first and second opposed surfaces of the sheet, one of opposed surfaces abutting the ion exchange membrane when used in a membrane electrode assembly. At least some of the fluid channels are interconnected to enable flow of fluid therebetween.

Abstract: A Li-ion battery cell comprising a polymeric matrix positive electrode layer member, a polymeric matrix negative electrode layer member, and an interposed microporous polyolefin separator layer member is laminated into a unitary, flexible cell structure by means of heat and pressure without necessity of applied interlayer adhesive. A volatile vehicle solution of a primary plasticizer for the electrode member polymer matrix is applied to the microporous separator member where it is absorbed into the porous structure. Evaporation of the volatile vehicle solvent deposits the plasticizer upon and within the pores of the separator member. During the lamination operation the plasticizer is forced into contact with the electrode member polymer where it softens the polymer into a thermoplastic adhesive in the region of the electrode/separator interface, thereby enabling the electrode polymer alone to form a strong bond to the separator upon cooling.

Abstract: A negative electrode alloy material including an effective amount of a catalyst to substantially increase the discharge capacity of the alloy at high discharge rates. Preferably the catalyst is palladium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lithium secondary battery with a cathode and an anode, each electrode containing an active material capable of incorporating and releasing lithium ions. The anode includes a sintered material which contains 50 to 99 % by weight of silicon and 1 to 50% by weight of carbon material, and has an electrical conductivity not less than 1 S/cm. By employing the anode including the sintered material containing silicon as the anode active material and carbon material, an increased packing density of the active material and an increased capacity per volume can be obtained. Furthermore, the anode conductivity of not less than 1S/cm can provide a high capacity and improved cycle property.

Abstract: A method employing a bonding layer is used to form active metal electrodes having barrier layers. Active metals such as lithium are highly reactive in ambient conditions. The method involves fabricating a lithium electrode or other active metal electrode without depositing the barrier layer on a layer of metal. Rather a smooth barrier layer is formed on a smooth substrate such as a web carrier or polymeric electrolyte. A bonding or alloying layer is formed on top of the barrier layer. Lithium or other active material is then attached to the bonding layer to form the active metal electrode. A current collector may also be attached to the lithium or active metal during the process.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method of operating a combustor to heat a fuel processor to a desired temperature in a fuel cell system, wherein the fuel processor generates hydrogen (H2) from a hydrocarbon for reaction within a fuel cell to generate electricity. More particularly, the invention provides a method and select system design features which cooperate to provide a start up mode of operation and a smooth transition from start-up of the combustor and fuel processor to a running mode.

Abstract: This invention provides a polymer rechargeable battery, which is obtained by integrally holding a separator, which comprises a polymer and a plasticizer, between positive and negative electrodes and then replacing the plasticizer with an electrolyte solution. The positive and negative electrodes are provided with current collectors obtained by etching metal-foil base materials, respectively. This invention also provides such current collectors. The polymer rechargeable battery according to this invention is excellent in impedance characteristic, load characteristic and the like.

Abstract: A battery device housing a large number of secondary batteries, in which the batteries can be cooled efficiently as the effect of excessive vibrations or shock or changes in environmental conditions on the housed secondary batteries is suppressed and as sufficient air-tightness is maintained. The battery device includes a modular casing 13 having a battery housing section 45 in its inside and a large number of terminal openings 46, 47, an outer casing member 11 for housing the modular casing 13 in an accommodating space section 11a, and a large number of secondary batteries 12 housed in the battery housing section 45 so that terminal sections 12a, 12b are exposed to outside through terminal openings 46, 47. The secondary batteries 12 are connected in series with one another. The modular casing 13 is housed in the outer casing member 11 with a gap p between facing outer and inner peripheries with the interposition of mounting portions 54, 65.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery using lithium containing composite oxide, which intercalates and de-intercalates lithium, for a positive electrode; and lithium containing composite nitride and a compound having a large irreversible capacity for a negative electrode. Metal oxide is used as a material for the negative electrode, and lithium containing composite nitride represented by the general formula of Li3−xMxN (M is a transition metal, 0.2<x≦0.8) is also contained in the negative electrode. Lithium containing composite nitride containing cobalt as its transition metal M is further preferable because it has high capacity and good reversibility. For the positive electrode of the secondary battery, lithium containing composite oxide such as lithium cobaltate, lithium nickelate, their composite compound, and lithium manganate (LiMn2O4) may be used.

Abstract: A method of commencing operation of a fuel cell system which includes a fuel reformer is provided. During a start-up period, the same fuel which is used in the feedstock to the reformer is directed to at least a portion of the fuel cells in the system. These fuel cells provide output power by direct oxidation of the fuel, at least until the reformer is operational, producing a hydrogen-containing gas stream suitable for the fuel cells. Thus, useful output power can be obtained from the system without the delay typically associated with start-up of the reformer.

Abstract: This direct current power supply for electric vehicles includes a modular set of electrical storage batteries (16) which are electrically interconnected. The batteries are disposed in battery boxes (18, 20) which can be stacked to constitute a stack of modules (12, 14).

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell having an anode passage. The method includes collecting hydrogen from the anode passage that does not pass through the catalyst membrane. The hydrogen, together with water and inert gases, are directed to a hydrogen storage container. The hydrogen storage container includes a hydrogen storage media such as metal hydride, carbon adsorbents, or carbon nanofibers. A sensor determines whether or not the vehicle is moving. When the vehicle is stopped or moving slowly, the surplus hydrogen is directed to the hydrogen storage container for temporary storage. When the sensor determines that the vehicle is moving at a high speed, the surplus hydrogen is vented to atmosphere and the hydrogen storage media is renewed.