Abstract: A film covered battery has a battery element, a positive and a negative lead terminal connected to the battery element, and a casing for sealing the lead terminals and the battery element together with an electrolytic solution, with portions of the lead terminals extending therefrom. The casing has a buffer in at least a portion thereof for accumulating a gas generated within the casing through deformation of the casing. The buffer is formed continuously with a region for accommodating the battery element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a reversible solid oxide fuel cell, comprising the steps of: —providing a metallic support layer; —forming a cathode precursor layer on the metallic support layer; —forming an electrolyte layer on the cathode precursor layer; —sintering the obtained multilayer structure; —impregnating the cathode precursor layer so as to form a cathode layer; and—forming an anode layer on top of the electrolyte layer. Furthermore, a reversible SOFC is provided which is obtainable by said method. The method advantageously allows for a greater choice of anode materials, resulting in more freedom in cell design, depending on the desired application.

Abstract: In a solid-oxide fuel cell assembly comprising a plurality of components having electrically-conductive mating surfaces therebetween, the surfaces are sealed by gasket elements that include first and second silver braze alloy layers and a dielectric layer, formed preferably of yttrium-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), disposed between the alloy layers. The alloy is capable of bonding to many ceramics, including YSZ, and is readily brazed to the oxide layer formed on many metals at elevated temperatures. Because the braze alloy is electrically conductive, a dielectric layer must be included to break conductivity in bonding applications where electrical insulation is required. YSZ functions as a reliable insulator and will not crystallize or fracture as do prior art glass insulators. The assembly is useful as an auxiliary power unit in a vehicle.

Abstract: A structure of an integrated packed fuel cell including an integrated cathode electrode sheet that further includes a substrate, at least a cathode electrode area, and at least a conductive opening, an intermediate bonding layer that further includes at least a bonding sheet and at least a conductive opening, an integrated anode electrode sheet that further includes a substrate, at least an anode electrode area, at least a conductive pad, a device combination, and a fuel container base.

Abstract: An electrolyzer assembly comprises at least one electrolyzer cell including at least two electrodes and an electrolyte interposed therebetween. The electrolyzer assembly further comprises an interconnect structure in intimate contact with at least one of the two electrodes or the electrolyte. The interconnect structure includes at least one flow channel initially defined by a removable sacrificial material, wherein the interconnect structure is configured to provide support for the electrodes and the electrolyte.

Abstract: The invention provides a high activity electrode catalyst for fuel cells whose catalytic activity due to an expensive noble metal, such as platinum, has been improved to a higher level through the use of an inexpensive material to enable a reduction in noble metal catalyst usage, a fuel cell in which the above high activity electrode catalyst is used, a membrane-electrode assembly in which the above high activity electrode catalyst is used, and a gas diffusion electrode in which the above high activity electrode catalyst is used.

Abstract: A supercapacitor comprising a poly(3,4-ethylendioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene) (PProDOT) as electrode couples for the capacitor and a pair of gel electrolyte layers disposed between the electrodes. The gel electrolytes are separated by a battery paper and are selected from a group consisting of a lithium salt and an organic electrolyte.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly includes at least one fuel cell including at least two electrodes and an electrolyte. An interconnect structure includes at least one flow channel initially defined by a removable sacrificial material. A method of forming the fuel cell assembly includes the steps of providing the interconnect structure having at least one flow channel, depositing the sacrificial material into the flow channel, depositing an electrode or an electrode/electrolyte material upon the interconnect structure and the sacrificial material, and processing the fuel cell so as to remove the sacrificial material.

Abstract: A method of starting up at a subzero temperature a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack that is formed by stacking a plurality of layers of separators and membrane electrode assemblies having a solid polymer electrolyte membrane and electrodes. The method includes a step of using a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack in which the separators are made from metal and have a cross-sectional waveform structure, and a space that is formed between at least a portion of the separators and separators that are placed adjacent to this portion of the separators is used as a coolant flow passage.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides ion conductive copolymers comprising (1) a plurality of first oligomers, (2) a plurality of second oligomers, (3) ion conductive monomers and (4) linking monomers. The oligomers preferably are hydrophobic and together with the ion conductive monomers are randomly dispersed between the linking monomers. Uses of such polymeric materials include the formation of polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs), catalyst coated membranes (CCM's) and membrane electrolyte assemblies (MEA's) which may be used in fuel cells and the like.

Abstract: An improved fuel cell makes uniform partial gas pressure of a fuel gas flowing through a gas passage formed between an electrode and a separator of a fuel cell, activating an electrode reaction in a whole region of the electrode surface along the gas passage. The inlet and outlet for the fuel gas are disposed on a diagonal line of the separator to define a gas passage such that fuel gas smoothly flows even though portions of the passage away from the diagonal line. This may reduce the separator size and improve the volumetric efficiency of the fuel cell and the diffusibility of fuel gas as well as the drainage of water produced by the electrode reaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrocarbon fuel reformer systems that improve the recovery and utilization of the water vapor and/or the heat energy within the reformer system. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention utilizes a desiccant matrix maintained in a water transfer assembly to collect, in a continuous manner, water from a process stream and transfer the water to a reactivation stream to return the water vapor to the reformer, with or without the use of a heat exchanger, and without requiring the collection and evaporation of liquid water.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and separators sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly. Each of the separators includes first and second metal plates. When the fist and second metal plates are stacked together, an inlet buffer and an outlet buffer are overlapped with each other in the stacking direction. A plurality of bosses in the inlet buffer and a plurality of bosses in the outlet buffer are not overlapped with each other.

Abstract: A method for forming a disassembleable fuel cell assembly includes the steps of (a) forming at least two fuel cell assemblies, each of the fuel cells assemblies formed by a method including the steps of (i) providing a membrane electrode assemble and two bipolar plates; (ii) applying a first portion of a curable silicone composition to internal mating surfaces of at least one of the bipolar plates; (iii) aligning the membrane electrode assembly between the two bipolar plates; (iv) compressing the bipolar so that the first portion of the silicone composition abuts the adjacent internal mating surface of the adjacent bipolar plate; (v) curing the first portion of the silicone composition to adhesively bond the adjacent internal mating surfaces; and (vi) further compressing the bipolar plates to compress the cured first portion of the silicone composition to mechanically seal the adjacent mating surfaces against surface imperfections and/or leak paths; (vii) applying a second portion of the curable silicone comp

Abstract: Battery charging system comprising a hydrogen source module adapted to provide gaseous hydrogen; a hydrogen fuel cell power module comprising a hydrogen fuel cell and a power delivery outlet unit adapted to transfer power generated by the fuel cell to a secondary battery for recharging the secondary battery; and coupling and transfer means adapted to connect and disconnect the hydrogen source module and the hydrogen fuel cell power module.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly has a fuel cell stack (1) provided with a polymer electrolyte membrane (2), an air electrode (4) and a fuel electrode (3); an air supply device (19) for supplying air; a fuel gas supply device (20) for supplying fuel gas, and a humidity regulation module (5) allowing movement of water from a humid air passage (6) to a dry air passage (7). The air electrode (4) is divided into an upstream air electrode (4a) and a downstream air electrode (4b). The air supplied from the air supply device (19) is supplied to the upstream air electrode (4a) after passing through the dry air passage (7). The air discharged from the upstream air electrode (4a) is supplied to the downstream air electrode (4b) after passing through the humid air passage (6).

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a fuel supply system, and a fuel cell control system. The fuel cell converts fuel into electrical energy. The fuel supply system is connected to the fuel cell and the fuel cell control system is coupled to the fuel cell and the fuel supply system.

Abstract: A gas delivery substrate and method of manufacture is disclosed. A thermoplastic extrusion compound is created comprising a ceramic material and a thermoplastic resin, a green body is formed by thermoplastic extrusion of the compound, and the green body is sintered to form the gas delivery substrate. Such gas delivery substrates may be thin walled, highly porous and have secondary operations such as crimping and machining done prior to sintering.

Abstract: Lithium cobalt oxide, which can provide a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery having an excellent initial capacity and an excellent capacity retention, and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The lithium cobalt oxide has a tap density of at least 1.7 g/cm3 and a pressed density of 3.5 to 4.0 g/cm3. A method for manufacturing the lithium cobalt oxide includes the step of selecting a lithium cobalt oxide (A) and a lithium cobalt oxide (B) so that a difference in the tap density between the lithium cobalt oxide (A) and the lithium cobalt oxide (B) is at least 0.2 g/cm3; and mixing the lithium cobalt oxide (A) and the lithium cobalt oxide (B).

Abstract: Lithium cobalt oxide, which can provide a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery having an excellent initial capacity and an excellent capacity retention, and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The lithium cobalt oxide has a tap density of at least 1.7 g/cm3 and a pressed density of 3.5 to 4.0 g/cm3. A method for manufacturing the lithium cobalt oxide includes the step of selecting a lithium cobalt oxide (A) and a lithium cobalt oxide (B) so that a difference in the tap density between the lithium cobalt oxide (A) and the lithium cobalt oxide (B) is at least 0.2 g/cm3; and mixing the lithium cobalt oxide (A) and the lithium cobalt oxide (B).