Abstract: Passive water management techniques are provided in an air-breathing direct oxidation fuel cell system. A highly hydrophobic component with sub-micrometer wide pores is laminated to the catalyzed membrane electrolyte on the cathode side. This component blocks liquid water from traveling out of the cathode and instead causes the water to be driven through the polymer membrane electrolyte to the cell anode. The air-breathing direct oxidation fuel cell also includes a layer of cathode backing and additional cathode filter components on an exterior aspect of the cell cathode which lessen the water vapor escape rate from the cell cathode. The combination of the well laminated hydrophobic microporous layer, the thicker backing and the added filter layer, together defines a cathode structure of unique water management capacity, that enables to operate a DMFC with direct, controlled rate supply of neat (100%) methanol, without the need for any external supply or pumping of water.

Abstract: A battery has at least one electrochemical storage cell and a cooling device. The at least one electrochemical storage cell is placed between parts of the cooling device. The cooling device is flown through by a liquid cooling medium. According to the invention, each electrochemical storage cell is accommodated inside an opening of the cooling device and is, at least in part, in non-positive contact with the cooling device each time via at least one outside surface that is curved in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the electrochemical storage cell. The cooling device comprises at least one expansion joint in the areas of non-positive contact.

Abstract: A locking apparatus for a battery (10) having locking portions (11) includes a base (20), a resilient member (85) secured to the base, and a first lock member (40). The resilient member includes a stop portion (86). The first lock member defines a first recess (43) and a second recess (42), and includes at least one post (51). The at least one post is engaged in the locking portions of the battery. The first lock member is slidable between a first position and a second position. When the first lock member is slid to the first position, the stop potion of the resilient member abuts the first lock member in the first recess to secure the battery to the base. When the first lock member is slid to the second position, the stop potion abuts the first lock member in the second recess to release the battery from the base.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metal hydride fuel storage cartridge having integrated resistive heaters that can be used in conjunction with fuel cells such as MEMS-based fuel cells. The cartridge is fabricated using micromachining methods and thin/thick film materials synthesis techniques.

Abstract: A cascaded fuel cell stack (9a) includes a plurality of groups (10-12) of fuel cells (13) connected electrically in series by means of conductive separator plates (58, 59) and current collecting pressure plates (56, 57). Each group has an inlet fuel distributing fuel inlet manifold (17a, 19c, 20c), a fuel exit manifold (19a, 20a) of each group except the last feeding the inlet manifold of each subsequent group. A microcontroller responds to signals from a plurality of voltage sensing devices (48a-48c) to cause corresponding switches (50a-50c) (a) to connect each group, and all preceding groups in the sequence, to a voltage limiting device (VLD) (45), or (b) to connect each group to its own (VLD (45a-45c), in response to sensing a predetermined average cell voltage across the corresponding group. When normal operation occurs, the microcontroller connects the main load and disconnects the voltage limiting device (53) (25).

Abstract: A method of flowing reactants over an ion exchange membrane in a fuel cell flow field plate is provided. The flow field plate is provided, comprising a network of flow channels in the plate bounded by an electrochemically active electrode, the network comprising a series of passages having parallel grooves, the passages being interconnected by a header providing a substantially even redistribution of fluid flow received from grooves of one passage to grooves of the next passage. A reactant fluid is supplied to create a flow across the network to achieve a desired reactant utilization, wherein a flow rate and a concentration of reactant molecules per active area of membrane in the grooves increase by less than 80% across the header.

Abstract: A fuel cell formed by arranging a plurality of unit cells, wherein each unit cell comprises a membrane electrode assembly arranged such that an electrolyte membrane is clamped between a membrane-like oxidizer electrode and a membrane-like fuel electrode as well as the electrolyte membrane is disposed with the outer periphery thereof protruding from the outer peripheries of the fuel electrode and the oxidizer electrode, a first separator disposed with an abutment surface abutting on the fuel electrode of the membrane electrode assembly and having a first flow path for supplying fuel, and a second separator disposed with an abutment surface abutting on the oxidizer electrode of the membrane electrode assembly and having a second flow path for supplying an oxidizer.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell is provided with a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte solution, wherein said positive electrode comprises sulfur and said non-aqueous electrolyte solution comprises a room-temperature molten salt having a melting point of 60° C. or less.

Abstract: A new semi-fuel cell design that incorporates ion exchange membranes to create separate compartments for the anolyte and catholyte to flow through the semi-fuel cell thereby isolating the metal anode of the bipolar electrode from the catholyte while still allowing the necessary ion transfer to affect the necessary electrochemical balance for the reaction to take place in the semi-fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a diffusion layer formed in a sheet having a small thickness. The fuel cell is assembled with a tension imposed on the sheet in an in-plane direction of the sheet. The tension is imposed on the diffusion layer from a frame disposed outside the fuel cell. The tension is of such a magnitude as to prevent a portion of the sheet positioned corresponding to a gas passage of a separator from being deformed when the fuel cell is assembled and has a tightening force thereby applied thereto. The tension is adjustable according to a fuel cell operating condition. These structures can prevent a separator rib from pushing into a membrane, maintaining the gas passability of the diffusion layer well.

Abstract: A lithium secondary cell includes an internal electrode body having a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate wound and laminated around an external peripheral wall of a hollow cylindrical winding core. The inside of the internal electrode body is impregnated with a nonaqueous electrolyte solution. A cylindrical cell case houses the internal electrode body and has open ends sealed with plate member electrode caps. An external terminal member protrudes onto the surface of the electrode caps to lead current to the outside of the cell case, and an internal terminal member connects with the internal electrode body to take current from the internal electrode body. An elastic body and at least two of the plate member, the external terminal member and the internal terminal member are joined together for construction. An assembly of lithium secondary cells is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are an electrode assembly with improved active material coatings of electrodes, by which an increase in thickness or distortion in shape can be prevented even after repeated charge and discharge cycling, and a lithium ion cell having the electrode assembly.

Abstract: A wound electrode group includes an electrode stack that is formed by laminating a strip of positive electrode plate, a strip of negative electrode plate, and a pair of separators interposed therebetween. When the electrode stack is wound, a difference L in length between an inner turn and an adjacent outer turn satisfies L=2t?+(W×k), where t is a thickness of the electrode stack, W is a maximum diameter of a cross section of the wound electrode group, and k is a coefficient that is preset in accordance with expansion coefficients of active materials of the positive and negative electrode plates and is within a range from 0.005 to 0.05.

Abstract: A film covered battery has a battery element, a casing for sealing the battery element, and lead terminals connected to a positive electrode and a negative electrode, respectively, of the battery element, and extending from the casing. The casing is flexible, and is comprised of two halves for sealably sandwiching the battery element on both sides in the thickness direction thereof. One of the halves of the casing, sandwiching the battery element, is formed with a recess for receiving the battery element. The lead terminals are each connected to the battery element at a position inside of both surfaces of the battery element in the thickness direction.

Abstract: A bipolar plate for an electrochemical cell having a first side with a first fluid flow region bordered by a first sealing region, and a second side with a second fluid flow region bordered by a second sealing region is disclosed. The first and second sealing regions each include a plurality of non-continuous sealing features having overlapping ends that extend around the perimeter of the respective fluid flow region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laminate for battery encasement comprising aluminum foil and an inner layer, wherein a resin film layer that comprises an aminated phenol polymer (A), an acrylic polymer (B), a phosphorus compound (C), and a zirconium compound (D) lies between the aluminum foil and the inner layer. The laminate for battery encasement of the present invention is excellent in adhesiveness, gas impermeability, etc., and therefore can be suitably used as a material for encasing a secondary battery, particularly a lithium ion polymer secondary battery.

Abstract: A negative active material of a rechargeable lithium battery includes a crystalline carbon core having an intensity ratio Ra I(1360)/I(1580) of a Raman Spectroscopy peak intensity I(1360) at a (1360) plane to an Raman Spectroscopy peak intensity I(1580) at a (1580) plane of 0.01 to 0.45 and a shell with a turbostratic or half-onion ring structure coated on the core, the shell including crystalline micro-particles and a semi-crystalline carbon, the shell having an intensity ratio Ra I(1360)/I(1580) of a Raman Spectroscopy peak intensity I(1360) at a (1360) plane to a Raman Spectroscopy peak intensity I(1580) at a (1580) plane of 0.46 to 1.5.

Abstract: A method of forming an anode comprising zinc for an alkaline cell. The method involves mixing zinc particles with binders including preferably polyvinylalcohol, surfactant and water to form a wet paste. The wet paste is molded into the near shape of the cell's anode cavity and then heated to evaporate water. A solid porous zinc mass is formed having microscopic void spaces between the zinc particles. The solid mass can be inserted into the cell's anode cavity and aqueous alkaline electrolyte, preferably comprising potassium hydroxide, then added. The solid mass absorbs the aqueous electrolyte and expands to fill the anode cavity to form the final fresh anode. Zinc fibers may be added to increase the structural integrity of the solid mass.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell module (30) comprises a plurality of fuel cells (36). Each fuel cell (36) comprises a first electrode (40), an electrolyte (42) and a second electrode (44). A plurality of interconnectors (38) are arranged to electrically connect the fuel cells (36) in electrical series. Each interconnector (38) electrically connects a first electrode (40) of one fuel cell (36) to a second electrode (44) of an adjacent fuel cell (36). The first electrode (40) comprises a first layer (40A) on the electrolyte (42 to optimize the electrochemical activity at the electrolyte (42) and a second layer (40B) on the first layer (40A) to provide electronic conduction perpendicular to the layers (40, 42, 44) of the fuel cell (36). The second layer (40B) is arranged such that electronic conduction perpendicular to the layers (40, 42, 44)) of the fuel cell (36) is different at different positions in the second layer (40B).

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.