Abstract: A fluid regulating microvalve assembly for use to control fluid flow to a fluid consuming electrode, such as an oxygen reduction electrode, in an electrochemical cell is proposed. The microvalve assembly includes a stationary valve body having an aperture and microactuators movable from a first closed aperture position to at least a second position where fluid is able to pass through the microvalve body aperture. These microactuators control the movement of spring-like shape-retaining interior aperture covers, which covers can be belleville springs or flat springs. The fluid regulating microvalve assembly can utilize cell potential or a separate source. The latter assembly can be located outside or inside the cell housing, for example between a fluid inlet aperture and the fluid consuming electrode. Using a printing process to deposit at least one of the layers is proposed for making the multilayer microvalve assembly for a fluid depolarized battery.

Abstract: Achieved is an electricity storage device having a low internal resistance and a high energy density. In a pore distribution, which is obtained for a carbon material using a BJH method and is plotted on a graph with a pore diameter D on the abscissa and a derivative ?V/?D of a pore volume per unit mass or unit volume with respect to the pore diameter D on the ordinate, a ratio M1/M2 of the maximum value M1 of the derivative ?V/?D in an interval of the pore diameter D from 10 to 100 nm with respect to the maximum value M2 of the derivative ?V/?D in an interval of the pore diameter D from 2 to 10 nm is 1.5 or more.

Abstract: An example fuel cell assembly may include a proton exchange membrane (or membrane electrode assembly) that has a first major surface and a second major surface. An anode electrode, which may include a patterned metal layer with a plurality of apertures extending through the patterned metal layer, may also be provided. An anode gas diffusion layer secured to an anode adhesive frame may be situated between the anode electrode and the first major surface of the proton exchange membrane. A cathode electrode may, in some instances, include a patterned metal layer with a plurality of apertures extending through the patterned metal layer. A cathode gas diffusion layer secured to a cathode adhesive frame may be situated between the cathode electrode and the second major surface of the proton exchange membrane. In some instances a fuel cell assembly may be flexible so that the fuel cell assembly can be rolled into a rolled configuration that defines an inner cavity with open ends.

Abstract: Electrodes comprising metal support structures and methods for making the same are generally described. In certain embodiments, the electrodes described herein comprise a metal porous support structure, and an electrode active material at least partially contained within the pores of the porous support structure. In some embodiments, the electrical conductivity of the porous support structure material can ensure that electrons are efficiently transferred through and/or out of the electrode (e.g., to a current collector and/or to an external circuit). The pores within the porous support structure can ensure, in certain embodiments, that the electrode active material is accessible to the electrolyte, thereby enhancing performance of the electrochemical cell in which the electrode is used.

Abstract: Counter electrodes are used within the context of a flow cell to attract shunt current depositions during operation. The counter electrodes may be electrically connected with an anode of the flow cell to attract the depositions and then electrically connected with a cathode of the flow cell to remove the depositions.

Abstract: The non-aqueous electrolyte battery includes an outer case, a positive electrode housed in the outer case, a negative electrode housed in the outer case such that the negative electrode is separated from the positive electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte accommodated in the outer case. The negative electrode comprises a current collector and negative electrode layer formed on one surface or both surfaces of the current collector. The negative electrode layer includes at least one main negative electrode layer which is formed on the surface of the current collector and contains a first active material, and a surface layer which is formed on the surface of the main negative electrode layer and contains a second active material different from the first active material, the second active material being a lithium titanium composite oxide having a spinel structure.

Abstract: A secondary battery including a cap assembly, the cap assembly including a cap plate having an electrolyte injection hole. The electrolyte injection hole includes a tapered portion having a roughened surface. The secondary battery further includes a sealing member located in the electrolyte injection hole, to seal the electrolyte injection hole. The sealing member includes a cap and a resin coated on the cap.

Abstract: A hermetically-sealed electrical feed-through device includes a conductor, an insulating sleeve, and an outer ferule interconnected in a manner preventing relative rotation therebetween and/or includes a thermocouple in direct contact with the conductor for monitoring temperature. The conductor can have a body section extending along an axis and having an outer contour including flats or an outwardly-extending eccentrically-shaped lobe. The sleeve confronts and covers the body section of the conductor and accommodates and engages the outer contour at the flats or lobe to prevent rotation of the conductor relative to the sleeve, and the outer ferrule sandwiches the insulating sleeve between the outer ferrule and the outer contour of the conductor. The outer ferrule accommodates and engages the sleeve adjacent the outer contour of the conductor at the flats or lobe to prevent rotation of the insulator sleeve relative to the outer ferrule.

Abstract: To increase the power generation efficiency of a microbial power generator by using an easy and inexpensive unit. Two plate-like cation-exchange membranes 31 are disposed in parallel in a tank 30. This arrangement allows an anode chamber 32 to be formed between the cation-exchange membranes 31. Two cathode chambers 33 are separated from the anode chamber 32 by using the respective ion-permeable nonconductive membranes 31. An oxygen-containing gas is made to pass through the cathode chamber 33. An anode solution L is supplied to the anode chamber, and, preferably, the anode solution is made to circulate. A biologically treated exhaust gas is used as the oxygen-containing gas to be supplied to the cathode chamber 33. Carbon dioxide in the biologically treated exhaust gas can promote transport of Na+ and K+ ions, and water vapor can increase the ion permeability, thereby increasing the power generation efficiency.

Abstract: A microporous film, characterized in that it is prepared by a method comprising melting and kneading a polyolefin resin, inorganic particles and a plasticizer, forming the resultant mixture into a sheet, subjecting the rejecting the resultant sheet to a biaxial stretching treatment of a surface magnification of not less than 20 and less than 100 times, and then extracting the plasticizer, it has an inorganic particle content of 20 to 60 mass %, and it exhibits a piercing strength of 3.0 N/20 ?m or more.

Abstract: A secondary battery including: a case including an accommodation space therein; an electrode assembly housed in the case, the electrode assembly including a coating portion, a first electrode including a first non-coating portion, and a second electrode including a second non-coating portion; a short circuit induction member electrically connected to at least one of the first or second non-coating portions; and a cap plate sealing the case, the short circuit induction member including a contact maintaining part extending along a longitudinal direction of the electrode assembly.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery including: an electrode assembly; and a case including a receiving portion to house the electrode assembly, a junction portion disposed around the receiving portion, formed by bonded films of the case, and gas outlet disposed in the junction portion. The gas outlet includes a first block portion, a second block portion, and a buffering space disposed between the first and second block portions.

Abstract: A battery holder for attachment to a printed circuit board includes a base, a positive conductor, a negative conductor and a top. The base is to be fixed to the printed circuit board and the two conductors are fixed to the base. The top includes a window for viewing the polarity of the battery and is selectively attached to the base by a series of latches.

Abstract: Achieved is an electricity storage device having a low internal resistance and a high energy density. In a pore distribution, which is obtained for a carbon material using a BJH method and is plotted on a graph with a pore diameter D on the abscissa and a derivative ?V/?D of a pore volume per unit mass or unit volume with respect to the pore diameter D on the ordinate, a ratio M1/M2 of the maximum value M1 of the derivative ?V/?D in an interval of the pore diameter D from 10 to 100 nm with respect to the maximum value M2 of the derivative ?V/?D in an interval of the pore diameter D from 2 to 10 nm is 1.5 or more.

Abstract: The invention provides catalysts that are not corroded in acidic electrolytes or at high potential and have excellent durability and high oxygen reducing ability. The catalyst includes a metal element M, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen, wherein the catalyst shows peaks at 1340 cm?1 to 1365 cm?1 and at 1580 cm?1 to 1610 cm?1 as analyzed by Raman spectroscopy and the metal element M is one selected from titanium, iron, niobium, zirconium and tantalum. The catalysts of the invention are stable and are not corroded in acidic electrolytes or at high potential, have high oxygen reducing ability and are inexpensive compared to platinum. Fuel cells having the catalysts are therefore relatively inexpensive and have high performance.

Abstract: Disclosed are a lithium electrode for a lithium metal battery, which uses a solid high-ionic conductor having a three-dimensional (3D) porous structure, wherein a lithium metal or lithium alloy is filled into each pore and dispersed, and a method for manufacturing the lithium electrode. By applying a solid high-ionic conductor having a 3D porous structure, an ion conduction path is secured in the lithium electrode using the solid high-ionic conductor instead of a conventional liquid electrolyte, electrical-chemical reactivity in charging and discharging are further improved, and shelf life and high rate capability are enhanced.

Abstract: An oxygen permeable film including an aggregate of water-repellent particles and having an average particle size of the particles of 0.01 to 50 ?m has a contact angle with water of not less than 120° and super water repellency, and therefore has an excellent water vapor permeation inhibiting capability. As the particles, fluorocarbon resins such as polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl fluoride and polyvinylidene fluoride are suitable. The specific surface area of the oxygen permeable film is preferably not less than 0.1 m2/g and not more than 500 m2/g.

Abstract: An electrolyte includes a polar aprotic solvent; an alkali metal salt; and an electrode stabilizing compound that is a monomer, which when polymerized forms an electrically conductive polymer. The electrode stabilizing compound is a thiophene, a imidazole, a anilines, a benzene, a azulene, a carbazole, or a thiol. Electrochemical devices may incorporate such electrolytes.

Abstract: Provided is a battery pack that can securely prevent liquid, such as water and wash fluid, attached to an outer surface of a packaging case housing a plurality of electric cells from entering an internal space of the packaging case from between a tray and a cover and that also allows easily performing attachment and detachment work of the cover to and from the tray. The packaging case includes an edge cover for covering the whole circumference of a lower flange portion of the tray and an upper flange portion of the cover that abut each other. The edge cover includes a first section facing the lower flange portion, a second section facing the upper flange portion, and a connecting portion for connecting base ends of the first section and the second section. A plurality of female threaded portions are arranged on either the first section or the second section.

Abstract: A secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode containing a metal compound having a lithium ion absorption potential of 0.2V (vs. Li/Li+) or more, a separator and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The separator is provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The separator comprises cellulose fibers and pores having a specific surface area of 5 to 15 m2/g. The separator has a porosity of 55 to 80%, and a pore diameter distribution having a first peak in a pore diameter range of 0.2 ?m (inclusive) to 2 ?m (exclusive) and a second peak in a pore diameter range of 2 to 30 ?m.