Abstract: An apparatus for wet granulating a powder material comprises: —a barrel having a granulation chamber and being provided with a first inlet (1) for receiving said powder material and for supplying it to said granulation chamber and with a second inlet (2) for receiving a granulating liquid and for supplying it to said granulation chamber, said granulation having an aperture (9) for discharge of granules from said barrel, and —a transporting means (S) for advancing said powder material toward the end of said granulation chamber while granulating it with the aid of said granulating liquid, said transporting means (S) comprising a first transport zone (4) at its rear end, an agglomeration zone (5) downstream from the first transport zone (4) and a second transport zone (8) at its front end, said first inlet (1) and said second inlet (2) being positioned above the first transport zone (4), wherein said aperture (9) has a shape tightly fitting the terminal portion of the transporting means (S) for directly discharg

Abstract: A decomposer of organic halogenated compounds comprises iron powder constituted of flat iron particles of a planar ratio of 2 or greater. Further, a decomposer of organic halogenated compounds comprises a copper salt-containing iron particle powder constituted of copper salt-carrying iron particles having a flat shape with a planar ratio of 2 or greater whose surfaces have adhered thereto copper salt particles that are finer than the iron particles.

Abstract: An alkaline battery of the present invention includes a battery case, a power generating element housed in the interior of the battery case, and an assembled sealing part for closing the opening of the battery case. The assembled sealing part includes a resin sealing member. The sealing member includes a central cylindrical portion having a through-hole for inserting a shank of a negative electrode current collector therethrough, a peripheral cylindrical portion interposed between the periphery of the negative electrode terminal plate and the end portion of the opening of the battery case, and a joint portion for joining the central cylindrical portion and the peripheral cylindrical portion. The end portion of the opening of the battery case is curved such that the top of the peripheral cylindrical portion of the sealing member is wrapped therein, and the curved portion is crimped inward so that the periphery of the negative electrode terminal plate is fixed tightly.

Abstract: A printing mask includes a mask frame and a mesh extended on the mask frame, in which a mask portion is formed by filling the mesh with resin to leave a pattern forming portion in a region corresponding to an electrode pattern to be formed on a printing object. The mask portion has a raised part on a surface of the mesh to be opposed to the printing object. The thickness of the raised part is such that a difference in average film thickness between the end and other parts of the electrode pattern formed with the printing mask is equal to or less than 5 micrometers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high-temperature fuel cell system including individual SOFC fuel cells which are in contact with each other to be electrically connected in parallel or in series. Contacting elements are provided, in at least one embodiment, that are suitable for the fuel cell system with a certain flexibility in addition to electrical conductivity for continuous operation. The contacting elements are provided, in at least one embodiment, between two fuel cells with an outer, metallically conductive jacket and a ceramic core. For example, ceramic felts can be enveloped by a nickel net by adequately shaping the same.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly is disclosed that utilizes a fuel cell plate having hydrophobic portions adjacent an inlet and an outlet formed therein, and a hydrophilic portion formed in the flow channels of the fuel cell plate adjacent the hydrophobic portions, wherein the hydrophilic portion and the hydrophobic portion facilitate the transport of liquid water from the fuel cell plate.

Abstract: Edge illumination photovoltaic devices based on multicomponent semiconductors and low cost methods for fabricating such devices are provided. The photovoltaic devices can find application in a variety of photovoltaic and thermophotovoltaic systems including solar concentrator based systems.

Abstract: A sealing member for a fuel cell includes a pair of belts that include non-gas transmitting layers formed of aromatic polyimide or aluminum and thermoplastic resin layers. The belts are disposed such that the thermoplastic resin layers of the belts face each other, and the thermoplastic resin layers in outer edge portions of the belts are thermally bonded to each other. In a fuel cell, an inner portion of the belts engage the electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: A stacked photovoltaic element comprising a plurality of unit photovoltaic elements each composed of a pn- or pin-junction, connected to each other in series, wherein a zinc oxide layer is provided at least one position between the unit photovoltaic elements, and the zinc oxide layer has resitivity varying in the thickness direction.

Abstract: A fan blows air across a battery package, which includes battery modules in a holder. The holder includes fins, configured such that air contact areas of battery modules at an upstream part are smaller than those at a downstream part. The fins at the upstream part may be longer than those at the downstream part. Alternatively, fins at a first side of the battery modules may be longest at the upstream part. Fins at a second side may be shortest at the upstream part. An air channel between the fins and the battery modules narrows from the upstream part to the downstream part. The fins at the upstream part may be closer to corresponding battery modules than those at the downstream part. Each fin may define a substantially rectangular cross-section. Alternatively, each fin may have an inclined surface on an upstream side and/or a declined surface on a downstream side.

Abstract: It has been unexpectedly found that the solvent extracted aromatic cut of heavy vacuum gas oil can be oxidized to produce an adhesive composition that has all the needed attributes of a self seal adhesive for asphalt roofing shingles. This adhesive composition does not require any volatile organic solvents and is accordingly environmentally friendly. It does not contain any asphalt or polymers and will not phase separate. Thus, it offers excellent long term stability. Additionally, it is made by the simple oxidation of the solvent extracted aromatic cut of heavy vacuum gas oil and is accordingly relatively inexpensive. The subject invention more specifically reveals an asphaltic roofing shingle comprising a back surface and an exposure surface, wherein the back surface is covered with an oxidized solvent extracted aromatic cut of heavy vacuum gas oil.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for current loss compensation in multi-junction photovoltaic cells. The use of direct electrical contact with the interconnect layers in a multi-junction PV cell can improve cell efficiency over variable lighting conditions. Electrical contact with some or all of the interconnect layers can advantageously permit disconnection of subcells operating at low current or voltage. The result is multi-junction PV cells that can adapt to variable lighting conditions and compensate for a decrease in current in certain subcells, thereby advantageously improving a multi-junction PV cell's total output current.

Abstract: Nanoplatelet forms of metal hydroxide and metal oxide are provided, as well as methods for preparing same. The nanoplatelets are suitable for use as fire retardants and as agents for chemical or biological decontamination.

Abstract: A two-axis solar tracker is capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions. The solar tracker includes a solar array, a frame, a base, a pivot frame, and a first and second actuator. The solar array is mounted to the frame and captures sunlight. The base is pivotally connected to the frame and defines a pivot axis for elevational movement of the solar array. The pivot frame is also pivotally connected to the frame and defines a pivot axis for azimuthal movement of the solar array. The first actuator controls elevational movement of the solar array and the second actuator controls azimuthal movement of the solar array. The solar tracker is pivotable between a raised position and a stowed position.

Abstract: A fuel cell reforming catalyst includes a platinum-group metal; an inorganic oxide selected from CeO2, Pr6O11, and combinations thereof; a strong acid ion; and a carrier. The fuel cell reforming catalyst has high activity for the reforming reaction at low temperatures and low space velocities.

Abstract: A fuel cell is equipped with a fuel cell main body, a liquid fuel-storing tank for storing a liquid fuel and a fuel-supplying member which has a penetrating structure and is connected with the liquid fuel-storing tank and which supplies the liquid fuel to the liquid fuel main body, wherein the liquid fuel-storing tank is provided with a liquid fuel reservoir comprising a cylindrical fuel-storing vessel for storing the liquid fuel, a fuel discharge part provided at a lower part of the fuel-storing vessel and having a fuel discharge valve and a follower which is disposed at a rear end of the liquid fuel stored in the fuel-storing vessel and which moves as the liquid fuel is consumed, a housing box member which encompasses at least a part of the liquid fuel reservoir via a space part in the periphery of the liquid fuel reservoir and whose rear end part is closed and pressurized gas which is filled in the space part.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improvement in the process of producing energy from fuel cells. A cyclic reforming process, referred to as temperature swing reforming, provides an efficient means for producing a hydrogen containing synthesis gas for use in proton conducting solid oxide fuel cell applications. In one embodiment, at least some synthesis gas which is first produced in the temperature swing reforming process is combusted with air to provide the heat for the regeneration step of the temperature swing reforming process. The syngas produced in TSR is particularly well suited for use in proton conducting solid oxide fuel cell applications.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for concentrating light onto a photovoltaic target. In one embodiment, the device may include a transparent concentrating lens having an outside surface and a top and bottom portion wherein the bottom portion may be configured to receive concentrated light. A photovoltaic strip including a conducting strip are then provided along with film adhered to at least a portion of the outside surface of the concentrating lens wherein the film engages the lens and positions the photovoltaic strip at the lens bottom portion. A dielectric fluid may then be located between the lens and the film.

Abstract: The invention relates to an energy converter cell, consisting of a negative metal electrode, preferably a tin electrode, a positive electrode consisting of graphite and an electrolyte that is positioned between the electrodes and is in contact with the latter, the electrolyte containing in the charged state a manganate(IV) salt that is dissolved in water and an alkali hydroxide. The energy converter cell forms a galvanic element, which can be discharged by delivering electrical energy to an ohmic consumer resistor that is connected to the electrodes and can be charged by a supply of thermal energy. In addition, supplied electrical energy can be electrochemically stored in the cell.

Abstract: An energy generating device for lighter-than-air vehicles having a gas impervious outer flexible fabric including a flexible photovoltaic array located on the outer layer of the gas impervious fabric; a thermocouple array located between the photovoltaic cells and the gas impervious fabric; a thermally conductive layer or heat spreader between the thermocouple array and the photovoltaic array and between the thermocouple array and the gas impervious flexible fabric; an electrically conductive means connected to said thermocouple array for drawing electrical power away from said thermocouple array; and an electrical load, such as an electrical storage device or a device that consumes electricity, for drawing electricity from the thermocouple array.