Abstract: A film-type lithium secondary battery, in which an electrolyte layer (13) composed only of an electrolyte integrated with an electrolyte in a cathode composite (11) is formed on a surface of the cathode composite (11) of a positive electrode (1), an electrolyte layer (23) composed only of an electrolyte integrated with an electrolyte in an anode composite (21) is formed on a surface of the anode composite (21) of a negative electrode (2), and the positive electrode (1) is opposed against the negative electrode (2) through the electrolyte layers (13 & 23).

Abstract: An extremely safe non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell free of explosions and which can promptly release the internal pressure in case of rise in the internal pressure. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell has in its opening a cleavage valve obtained on bonding a metal foil to the opening. In case of rise in the internal pressure, the cleavage valve is cleft to release the pressure. In this cell, a value K corresponding to the internal volume in the cell in cm3 divided by the area of the opening in cm2 is set so that 40≦K≦350. By selecting the value K to a suitable value, the cleavage valve is in operation when the internal pressure reaches a predetermined value to release the pressure. The metal foil is produced by, for example, a electro-forming method or a cladding method. Preferably, a fluorine-based water-proofing agent is coated on the foil surface.

Abstract: A flow plate gasket that is usable with a first fuel cell plate and a second fuel cell plate includes a material that is adapted to form a seal between the first and second fuel cell plates. The material includes at least two spaced ridges to contact the first fuel cell plate when the gasket is compressed between the first and second fuel cell plates.

Abstract: An alkaline battery separator comprising a nonwoven fabric containing one or more mixture layers of entangled short fibers and entangled long fibers, wherein a fiber length of the short fibers is from 1 mm to less than 25 mm, a fiber length of the long fibers is 25 mm or more, and a total thickness of all of the mixture layers accounts for not less than one-third of a whole thickness of the nonwoven fabric is disclosed. The alkaline battery separator according to the present invention exhibits an excellent electrolyte-holding capacity, tensile strength, tear strength and bending resistance, and can be used to stably prepare a battery. Electrode flash rarely penetrate the separator, to thereby cause a short circuit between electrodes.

Abstract: A homogeneous solid polymer alloy electrolyte comprises a total 100 weight % of mixture of (a) from 5 to 90 weight % comprising one of polyacrylonitrile-based (PAN-based) solid polymers and poly(methyl methacrylate)-based (PMMA-based) solid polymers which have superior adhesion and ion conductivity, (b) from 5 to 80 weight % comprising one of poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based (PVdF-based) solid polymers and the PMMA-based solid polymers which have superior compatibility with an organic solvent electrolyte, (c) from 5 to 80 weight % comprising one of poly(vinyl chloride)-based (PVC-based) solid polymers and the PVdF-based solid polymers which have superior mechanical strength. The solid polymer alloy electrolyte has superior ion conductivity, compatibility with an organic solvent and mechanical strength.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method of increasing the available amount of acid at PAM and NAM in lead battery electrodes and still retain a short distance between the electrode surfaces. With mechanical support of PAM (for example in tubular batteries) in spite of low PAM densities it is possible to almost completely prevent the formation of mud. Spaces for acid should therefore be mechanically strong and supporting in order to retain unchanged PAM volume. In order to prevent that the porous bodies are filled with lead powder, lead sulphate or other components during manufacture, they may be impregnated with a filler material such as for example plastic or wax which is removed after forming the electrodes or after any other suitable process. The filler material may also be an inorganic salt which dissolves only at filling with acid leaving a desired porosity.

Abstract: A first gas diffusion layer for constructing an anode electrode and a second gas diffusion layer for constructing a cathode electrode are provided with first and second gas flow passages which are formed opposingly to first and second flow passages provided on first and second separators respectively. A fuel gas is supplied to the first flow passage and the first gas flow passage, while an oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the second flow passage and the second gas flow passage. Accordingly, the fuel gas and the oxygen-containing gas are uniformly diffused and supplied to first and second electrode catalyst layers respectively.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a can with a bottom end and an open top end, and positive and negative electrodes disposed in the can. The cell includes an inner metal cover inserted in the open end of the can for closing the open end of the can. The inner metal cover has a pressure relief mechanism for providing pressure relief to vent high pressure gases upon reaching a predetermined pressure. In addition, an outer cover is preferably positioned over the metal cover to form an electrical contact terminal and to substantially cover the pressure relief mechanism. The pressure relief mechanism advantageously provides for high pressure gas venting while minimizing the amount of volume consumed by the venting components and thereby allowing for a greater amount of electrochemically active materials in the can.

Abstract: The instant invention is to an electrolyte consisting essentially of a salt mixture and a solvent mixture. The solvent mixture consists essentially of ethylene carbonate and dimethyl carbonate and the salt mixture consists of 60-90% lithium tetrafluoroborate and 10-40% lithium hexafluorophosphate. A battery comprising this electrolyte and a method of preparing this electrolyte are exhibited.

Abstract: A description is given of a secondary lithium metal battery in which the formation of lithium dendrites is inhibited. The battery (1) comprises negative electrode material (3) on a current collector (5) and positive electrode material (7) on a current collector (9) separated by a separator (11), which may be a polymer gel electrolyte optionally combined with a separator. According to the invention, the negative electrode (anode) has a high specific surface area, so that lithium dendrites are prevented during charging of the negative electrode. Examples of electrode materials of high surface area are particles of graphite, metals such as nickel, or metal foams, e.g. of nickel. Lithium intercalation does not occur in metals, whereas the intercalating capacity for lithium in graphite is at most 25 percent of the capacity of the positive electrode.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery includes a battery case, and an internal electrode body contained in the battery case and including a positive electrode and a negative electrode wound through a separator film made of porous polymer, and uses a nonaqueous organic electrolyte. Opposing pressure release mechanisms are disposed at both ends of the battery case in the winding direction of the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The lithium secondary battery is simple in fabrication, has small internal resistance, and is superior in safety. Preferably, the ratio of the total area of opening portions where the pressure release mechanisms operate to the battery capacity is kept within a predefined range.

Abstract: Portable fuel cell arrangement comprising fuel cells in the form of discs for axial layering in a stack which is fixed by a tie rod, wherein the fuel cell has an opening to hold the tie rod and to form an inlet for a first gas, and comprises: a high-temperature ceramic electrolyte or a low-temperature polymer electrolyte; a porous cathode layer or a porous anode layer on each side of the electrolyte; a gas-permeable substrate having channels for carrying gases; a small separating plate located at least partially on the first surface of the substrate a large, separating plate which is located on the second surface of the substrate and comprises means for carrying gases in a controlled manner. The large separating plate may comprise means for carrying gases run along continuous lines, have no branches and do not run in the radial direction or in the tangential direction, and described by the formula &phgr;=±A{[(r/r0)2−1]0.5: −B arc tan[(r/r0)2−1]}.

Abstract: This invention provides a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery including a negative electrode containing a carbonaceous material aggregate having a structure in which carbonaceous material plates are three-dimensionally distributed, the carbonaceous material plates being capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ions and having a molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon of 0.2 to 0.4.

Abstract: A fuel cell generation system of the invention includes a reforming apparatus; a fuel cell; a reformed gas flow rate control section controlling a flow rate of reformed gas flowing from the reforming apparatus so that an operating pressure of the reforming apparatus is equal to its target pressure; a reformed gas flow rate detecting section detecting a flow rate of the reformed gas flowing into the fuel cell; a target load current calculating section calculating a target load current taken out of the fuel cell in accordance with the flow rate of the reformed gas detected by the reformed gas flow rate detecting section so that an operating pressure of the fuel cell is equal to its target pressure; an inlet pressure detecting section detecting an inlet pressure of the fuel cell; a target load current correction quantity calculating section calculating a load current correction quantity in accordance with a deviation between the inlet pressure of the fuel cell detected by the inlet pressure detecting section and

Abstract: A battery tray assembly is described which has a bottom member and four side walls which are attached to the bottom member thereby forming an enclosure; the enclosure adapted to removably receive a battery therein; one of the walls having integral battery holddown members to retain the battery in position when placed in the enclosure; spaced adjacent to one of the walls a slot for snuggly retaining an electrical control module for modulating the engine performance; a manually operable cover which securely fits over the enclosure and the module when it is placed in the slot, the cover when open facilitates inspection or removal of the battery from the enclosure; integral with the slot for the control module a second enclosure formed of a second bottom member and four sides, the second enclosure adapted to snuggly retain a second module for modulating the performance of the engine; and a second cover being manually removable which fits over the second enclosure.

Abstract: A fibrous microcell structure comprising at least one electrically conductive fibrous element circumscribed by a porous membrane separator having coated, impregnated or extruded at an inner surface thereof a first electrocatalyst layer having an electrically conductive hydrogen- or oxygen-permselective membrane thereon, with an electrolyte disposed in porosity of the porous membrane separator. The structure includes a central lumen, at least one electrically conductive fibrous element and interstitial volume accommodating flow of feed through the lumen, at least one electrically conductive fibrous element in contact with the second electrocatalyst layer, and the porous membrane separator at its outer surface being in contact with an electrocatalyst and at least one electrically conductive fiber.

Abstract: An electrode comprises a porous three-dimensional conductive support and at least one reinforcing metal band fixed along a longitudinal edge portion of the support and having a coefficient of elongation to rupture equal to at least 20% in a direction parallel to the edge portion of the support. Two longitudinal edge portions of the band are bent against the same face of the band, at least part of whose surface is pressed against the support.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrochemical cell comprising a cathode, non-aprotic or polymeric electrolyte and an anode of carbon-based bonded particles coated with a thin (less than 1 micron thick) solid electrolyte interphase which is a M conductor and electronic insulator consisting of alkali metal or alkaline earth salts, oxides or sulfides, said cell being assembled in the non-charged state.

Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane and a fuel cell electrode. The solid polymer electrolyte membrane and/or the fuel cell electrode can contain at least one catalyst selected from oxide catalysts, macrocyclic metal complex catalysts, transition metal alloy catalysts and inorganic salt catalysts. The catalyst decomposes hydrogen peroxide formed during fuel cell operation and prevents the hydrogen peroxide from decomposing the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. As a result, a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell is formed that is excellent in durability and available at a reduced cost.

Abstract: A safety device having a thin plate of a brittle material adapted to be ruptured by a difference between pressures exerted on opposite sides thereof; and a conductive path provided on the thin plate and adapted to be cut off by the rupture of the thin plate. One surface of the thin plate is present in a reference pressure chamber. The safety device with its reference pressure chamber being sealed is incorporated in a secondary battery. When the secondary battery is overcharged, the pressure difference between the opposite sides of the thin plate is increased, so that the thin plate is ruptured to cut off the conductive path.