Abstract: Disclosed is a positive electrode active material for a lithium ion secondary battery, including lithium-transition metal composite oxide of a layer crystal structure, in which the lithium-transition metal composite oxide contains an element that improves conductivity of electrons in the lithium-transition metal composite oxide. Use of this positive electrode active material can improve cycle characteristics, high rate characteristics and thermal stability of lithium ion secondary batteries. Furthermore, by use of this positive electrode active material, gas generation in batteries can be decreased.

Abstract: A diffusion media is provided for implementation with a PEM fuel cell. The diffusion media is a permeable sheet that is rigid along a transverse axis, flexible along a lateral axis and has a substantially incompressible thickness. The diffusion media is able to be mass produced in large sheets and rolled along the lateral axis for transport and storage. The rigidity of the transverse axis is provided by either inclusion of larger fibers or metallic strips aligned in the transverse direction and prevents tenting of the diffusion media into flow channels of the PEM fuel cell. The diffusion media is water and gas permeable and electrically conductive.

Abstract: An alkaline cell having a flat casing, preferably of cuboid shape. The cell can have an anode comprising zinc and a cathode comprising nickel oxyhydroxide. The casing can have a relatively small overall thickness, typically between about 5 and 10 mm, but may be larger. Cell contents can be supplied through an open end in the casing and an end cap assembly inserted therein to seal the cell. The end cap assembly includes a vent mechanism, preferably a grooved vent, which can activate, when gas pressure within the cell reaches a threshold level typically between about 250 and 800 psig (1724×103 and 5515×103 pascal gage). The cell can have a supplemental vent mechanism such as a laser welded region on the surface of the casing which may activate at higher pressure levels.

Abstract: The positive electrode current collector for a manganese dry battery of the present invention comprises a carbon rod, and either one of a paraffin wax containing hydrocarbon whose molecular weight is 300 to 500 and a microcrystalline wax containing hydrocarbon whose molecular weight is 500 to 800, which is impregnated into the carbon rod, is characterized in that the endothermic amount of the paraffin wax or the microcrystalline wax obtained by differential scanning calorimetry up to 45° C. is not more than 1.0 J/g. This enables the manganese dry battery employing the positive electrode current collector of the present invention to keep its sealing performance in a good condition during high-temperature storage even with the use of a low-density carbon rod.

Abstract: A procedure for starting up a fuel cell system that is disconnected from its primary load and has both its cathode and anode flow fields filled with air includes initiating a flow of air through the cathode flow field and rapidly displacing the air in the anode flow field by delivering a flow of fresh hydrogen containing fuel into the anode flow field, and thereafter connecting the primary load across the cell. Sufficiently fast purging of the anode flow field with hydrogen prior to connecting the cells to the load eliminates the need for purging the anode flow field with an inert gas, such as nitrogen, upon start-up.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for preventing the freezing of water in a structural component containing at least one moving part in the anode cycle of a fuel cell system, characterized by the fact that at the time of a switching-off process the structural component is scavenged by a dry scavenging gas in order to remove a quantity of water present there.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel efficient membrane electrode assembly that substantially resists methanol from “crossing over” by sealing the anode diffusion layer and catalyst layer, and by preventing fluids from passing across at least a portion of the membrane electrolyte. The efficiency of the fuel cell is maintained because essentially all of the fuel is reacted on the catalyst layers creating electricity, which is transferred to the fuel cell load. The temperature of the fuel cell is also maintained as the uncatalyzed reaction that produces heat is prevented.

Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery includes: (a) a positive electrode plate comprising an active material part and a current collector carrying the active material part, the active material part comprising a positive electrode active material capable of absorbing or desorbing a lithium ion during charge and discharge; (b) a negative electrode plate comprising an active material part and a current collector carrying the active material part, the active material part comprising a negative electrode active material capable of absorbing or desorbing a lithium ion during charge and discharge; (c) a separator interposed between the positive and negative electrode plates; (d) an electrolyte; and (e) a battery case accommodating the positive and negative electrode plates, the separator, and the electrolyte. The positive and negative electrode plates are wound with the separator interposed therebetween, thereby to form an electrode plate assembly.

Abstract: A fuel cell system having a fuel cell consuming the hydrogen stored in the high-pressure hydrogen tank as fuel gas, a hydrogen supply line connecting the high-pressure hydrogen tank to the fuel cell, a primary decompressing means provided on the hydrogen supply line, a secondary decompressing means provided in the downstream side of the primary decompressing means on the hydrogen supply line, a hydrogen storage alloy tank saving a hydrogen storage alloy and thermal-exchangeably connected to the fuel cell, a hydrogen pipe connected between the primary decompressing means and the secondary decompressing means, and supplied for hydrogen transfer between the hydrogen supply line and the hydrogen storage alloy tank is provided, and a controlling means for introducing the hydrogen of the first prescribed pressure into the hydrogen storage alloy tank from the hydrogen supply line through the hydrogen pipe during the warm-up of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes plural gas flow channels, a switching device, and a variable gas flow channel with the function of switching the connection between one gas flow channel and another gas flow channel from series to parallel or from parallel to series.

Abstract: The invention is an integrated heat sink fuel cell assembly made of a heat sink assembly with a base and at least one cooling fin extending from the base, at least one connector extending from the heat sink assembly to a heat source, and at least one fuel cell comprising a cathode and an anode integrally disposed within the cooling fin and between the cathode and the anode is an electrolyte.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a lithium secondary cell capable of preventing an active material layer from oxidation and moisture absorption is obtained. This method of manufacturing a lithium secondary cell comprises steps of forming an active material layer on a collector by a method supplying raw material through discharge into a vapor phase and holding the collector formed with the active material layer at least under an inert atmosphere or under a vacuum atmosphere up to preparation of the cell. Thus, the collector formed with the active material layer is prevented from exposure to the atmosphere, whereby the active material layer is prevented from oxidation and moisture absorption. Consequently, a lithium secondary cell having excellent characteristics can be prepared.

Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte membrane comprising a base film and a moisture-proof layer. The moisture-proof layer may be disposed on an outer edge portion of the base film. The solid polymer electrolyte membrane according to an embodiment of the present invention is for use in a fuel cell, and comprises the base film having an electricity-generating region and a non-electricity-generating region, and the moisture-proof layer disposed on at least a part of the non-electricity-generating region. A fuel cell using the solid polymer electrolyte membrane is also provided.

Abstract: Gel-forming battery separators and methods for constructing them. Particles are embedded into pores of a porous support to form a composite. The chemical make-up of surfaces of the particles includes a silanol group. The composite, when contacted with an effective amount of liquid electrolyte, is capable of forming a gelled matrix that includes electrolyte residing within the porous support. Batteries and methods of forming batteries featuring gel-forming separators are also disclosed. No pre-mixing of siliceous material with electrolyte is required facilitating battery construction.

Abstract: Electrode active materials comprising lithium or other alkali metals, a transition metal, and a phosphate or similar moiety, of the formula: Aa+xMbP1?xSixO4 wherein (a) A is selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, and mixtures thereof, and 0<a<1.0 and 0?x?1; (b) M comprises one or more metals, comprising at least one metal which is capable of undergoing oxidation to a higher valence state, where 0<b?2; and wherein M, a, b, and x are selected so as to maintain electroneutrality of said compound.