Abstract: A process of preparation capable of easily preparing cathode materials having a homogeneous composition in a good mass productivity, a cathode material obtained by this process, and a secondary lithium ion battery using the cathode material. Aqueous solutions of each of a lithium salt, a transition metal salt, and a complexing agent are prepared and mixed in a stoichiometric ratio of a cathode material, and therefrom water is removed by spray-drying to give a precursor which is then sintered. High performance secondary lithium ion batteries are obtained by using the obtained cathode material in the positive electrode.

Abstract: After discharge, a rechargeable battery having a nickel hydroxide positive electrode is charged at a temperature T1 between a proximately −10° C. and −30° C., lower than a temperature T2, in the range of approximately −15° C. to +5° C., at which discharge begins, automatically determining the total charge to be returned to the battery for establishing the ideal charge for the battery leading into the next discharge cycle, and applying charge energy to the battery having the magnitude as automatically determined. After discharge, the battery is cooled into the T1 range, then heated to stabilize the temperature to that in the T1 range. Then the battery is charged according to a nominal profile of charge power as a function of time, the accumulated charge imparted to the battery sensed as cooling proceeds, the nominal power profile adjusted according to the accumulated charge obtained, and the remainder of the nominal charge profile adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: A separator for an electrochemical fuel cell provides a path for a fuel gas or an oxidative gas to an electrode and functions as a wall of a unit cell of the electrochemical fuel cell. The separator comprises a conductive metal plate, a conductive coating membrane, and a tight coating membrane. The conductive coating membrane coats the conductive metal plate where the separator contacts the electrode. The tight coating membrane coats the conductive metal plate where the conductive coating membrane does not coat the conductive metal plate. A conductivity of the conductive coating membrane is higher than the tight coating membrane, and the tight coating membrane has a tighter adhesion to the conductive metal plate than the conductive coating membrane. The conductive coating membrane comprises carbon, a precious metal, or an alloy of nickel and chromium. The tight coating membrane comprises a close-grained resin.

Abstract: The invention realizes an improved sealing unit for the electrolyte of electric batteries which includes a container which is closed through a cover. The cover is provided with annular elements circumscribing the holes which let the poles pass by and be coupled to the elements which are housed in the container. The sealing unit includes a tubular ring nut which is coupled in the interspace existing between the pole and the hole, and which cooperates with at least a first sealing gasket. The first sealing gasket is included between the pole, the cover and the ring nut, and realizes with them an annular sealing area.

Abstract: A rechargeable yttrium-ion battery cell comprising a source of yttrium ions, an electrolyte providing ion mobility, and an electrode material capable of reversibly accepting and yielding yttrium ions exhibits substantially increased specific capacity due to the activity of multivalent yttrium ions.

Abstract: One or more patches adhered to a bag have a first-patch-overhang-region and a second-patch-overhang-region, wherein at least a portion of said first-patch-overhang-region is adhered to said second-patch-overhang-region. The overhang regions are preferably present on separate patches adhered to the bag. The patches can extend completely around the bag, eliminating uncovered regions, thereby providing protection against puncture by a bone-in meat product packaged within the bag. This “full width patch bag” has been discovered to be particularly beneficial in reducing punctures in the packaging of whole bone-in pork loins. Other bag embodiments without patch overhangs are also disclosed, for solving the bone puncture problem by providing alternative full width patch bags.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-aqueous electrolyte solution comprising a non-aqueous solvent and a lithium electrolyte, wherein the non-aqueous solvent is obtained by adding a phosphoric acid compound prepared by substituting at least one hydrogen atom in phosphoric acid or polyphosphoric acid with a group represented by the general formula [1]: wherein, X represents Si, Ge or Sn atom, and each of R1 to R3 independently represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or an aryl group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A cell package is made of a laminate which can be heat sealed even when the cell package is contaminated with electrolyte. The laminate includes a polyester outer layer, an aluminum barrier layer and a polypropylene inner layer which are adhered together by an adhesive which does not break down in the presence of electrolyte.

Abstract: A separator paper is provided which simultaneously satisfies the requirements to have a high denseness that can prevent internal shortage due to such as the deposition of the zinc oxide dendrite accompanied by not adding mercury, and a high liquid impregnate properties that can improve heavy discharging properties.

Abstract: A molten carbonate fuel cell having an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and an electrolyte matrix disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. An electrode support constructed of a high porosity reticulated foam material is disposed on an anode electrode face of at least one of the anode electrode and the cathode electrode facing away from the electrolyte matrix and forming a plurality of pores. An electrolyte is disposed within at least a portion of the plurality of pores, whereby at least a portion of the electrolyte flows into the electrolyte matrix during initial conditioning of the fuel cell.

Abstract: In a solid electrolyte fuel cell which includes a solid electrolyte device having electrodes formed on both surfaces of an oxygen ion-conductive solid electrolyte substrate and wherein oxygen is supplied to the electrode on the cathode side and methane gas, as fuel, is supplied to the electrode on the anode side of the solid electrolyte device, metal oxide particles consisting of CoNiO2 are blended, as an oxidation catalyst for the methane gas, with a porous platinum layer forming substantially the electrode on the anode side of the solid electrolyte device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a base tube for a fuel cell produced by forming a film of a fuel electrode and a film of an air electrode on a surface of the base tube, the base tube comprising a mixture of a raw material for the base tube, and coarse particles, whereby the mixture shrinks nonuniformly when sintered to increase the porosity of the base tube. Thus, the gas permeability and the cell electrical efficiency can be increased.

Abstract: The battery has an electrode assembly inserted into a cylindrical external case. A lead plate connected to the electrode assembly is weld attached to the inner surface of the external case by an energy beam applied from outside the external case. The external case has a projection jutting from its inner surface. The energy beam is applied to the projection from outside the external case and weld attaches the lead plate to the inner surface of the projection.

Abstract: The invented system includes a fuel-cell system comprising a fuel cell that produces electrical power from air (oxygen) and hydrogen, and a fuel processor that produces hydrogen from a variety of feedstocks. One such fuel processor is a steam reformer which produces purified hydrogen from a carbon-containing feedstock and water. In the invented system, various mechanisms for implementing the cold start-up of the fuel processor are disclosed, as well as mechanisms for optimizing and/or harvesting the heat and water requirements of the system, and maintaining desired the feed ratios of feedstock to water in the fuel processor and purity of the process water used in the system.

Abstract: A lithium secondary cell is disclosed in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate are spirally wound with a sheet of separator interposed therebetween. A plurality of positive electrode current collector tabs are attached to the positive electrode plate so that an interval is formed between the positive electrode current collector tabs in a longitudinal direction of the positive electrode plate, and a plurality of negative electrode current collector tabs are attached to the negative electrode plate so that an interval is formed between the plurality of the negative electrode current collector tabs in a longitudinal direction of the negative electrode plate. In a state of the positive electrode plate and negative electrode plate being wound together, the positive electrode current collector tabs and the negative electrode current collector tabs are so disposed as to face each other with the separator interposed therebetween.

Abstract: A system for controlling the humidity level of a fuel cell is provided. The system includes a fuel cell, a humidifier for humidifying the fuel cell, and a controller for determining the humidity level of the fuel cell and controlling the humidifier in response to the determined humidity level. The resistance of the fuel cell varies as a function of the humidity level of the fuel cell. Thus, in a preferred system, the controller calculates the resistance of the fuel cell via measurements of AC preferred voltage and current components to determine the humidity level of the fuel cell. A method for controlling the humidity level of a fuel cell is also provided. The steps of the method include: determining the humidity level of the fuel cell, and humidifying the fuel cell in response to the determined humidity level.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell in the form of first and second sheet members (2,12) at least one of which is gas permeable on which is disposed one or more planar electrodes (4,6,8). Peripheral regions of the first and second sheet members (2,12) are sealed together to form a sealed envelope or reservoir containing electrolyte. Electrical connection means (41,61,81) extend from each of the electrodes (4,6,8) across the sealing of the sheet members (2,12) to provide external electrical connection.

Abstract: A fuel cell having an anode and a cathode side with fuel flowing over the anode side and air over the cathode side has a staging plate located on the anode side of the fuel cell to divide the flow of fuel to two different sections of the anode. A second staging plate may be used to divide the flow of fuel to three different sections of the anode and various apertures may be formed in the plates, such as rectangles triangles or ovals, to direct fuel flow to desired areas of the anode.

Abstract: A battery cell 10 is attached in an apparatus loaded in a revolving body, etc., such that the negative electrode 2 side of the battery cell 10 is oriented, within a prescribed angular range, in the direction in which centrifugal force acts.

Abstract: A tubular polymeric membrane fuel cell mechanically integrated through upper and lower manifolds that also acts as power leads to the fuel cell. The fuel cell of the present invention can be stacked and multiple fuel cell stacks can be arranged in a series and parallel format. According to the manifold design of the present invention, the dual-purpose manifolds allow the fuel cell system to operate under low parasitic power loss conditions, thereby simplifying and improving the system. In addition, the mechanically integrated fuel cell structure of the present invention does not require external clamping. The manifold design of the present invention mechanically integrates the fuel cells and the fuel cell stacks without the need for external clamping.