Abstract: A positive electrode active material for a lithium ion secondary battery is a lithium-containing composite oxide represented by the chemical formula: Lia(Co1-x-yMgxAly)bMzOc, where M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Na and K, and the values a, b, c, x, y and z respectively satisfy 0?a?1.05, 0.005?x?0.15, 0.0001?y?0.01, 0.0002?z?0.008, 0.85?b?1.1 and 1.8?c?2.1. This makes it possible to improve a high temperature storage characteristics and safety of the lithium ion secondary battery.

Abstract: The methods include steps for making a fuel cell layer, making a compact chemical reactor with high aspect ratio cavities from components with low aspect ratio cavities, and forming of a high aspect ratio compact chemical reactor using low aspect ratio layers. The methods entail forming at least two process layers; forming a perimeter barrier on at least one side of one of the process layers creating an intermediate assembly with at least one low aspect ratio cavity; repeating the initial steps to create additional intermediate assemblies with at least one low aspect ratio cavity; joining intermediate assemblies to create a compact chemical reactor with high aspect ratio cavities; and joining the compact chemical reactor with high aspect ratio cavities to two reactant plenums to facilitate a transport process between reactant plenums and process layers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer electrolyte fuel cell having an increased reaction area by forming a gas channel, a proton channel and an electron channel very close to each other inside a catalyst layer. This polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes a hydrogen ion conductive polymer electrolyte membrane; and a pair of electrodes having catalyst layers sandwiching the hydrogen ion conductive polymer electrolyte membrane between them and gas diffusion layers in contact with the catalyst layers, in which the catalyst layer of at least one of the electrodes comprises carbon particles supporting a noble metal catalyst, and the carbon particles include at least two kinds of carbon particles adsorbing a hydrogen ion conductive polymer electrolyte in mutually different dispersed states.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a nonaqueous electrolyte and a positive electrode including an active material containing lithium composite oxide powder, the lithium composite oxide powder includes secondary particles, exhibits a peak intensity ratio satisfying the following formula (4), satisfies the following formula (5), and has a particle distribution wherein a particle diameter at a volumetric cumulative frequency of 90% (D90) falls within the range of 10 to 25 m, and the nonaqueous electrolyte contains a sultone compound including a ring having at least one double bond; 2?(I003/I104)<5 ??(4) 0.95?(XLi/XM)?1.02.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a stent or other medical device by creating a free standing thin film of metal.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte fuel cell of the present invention includes conductive separator plates comprising molded plates of a composition comprising a binder, conductive carbon particles whose average particle diameter is not less than 50 ?m and not more than ? of the thickness of the thinnest portion of the conductive separator plate, and at least one of conductive carbon fine particles and micro-diameter carbon fibers. The separator plates do not require conventional cutting processes for gas flow channels, etc., and can be easily mass produced by injection molding and achieve a reduction in the cost.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fuel cell dielectric coolant and evaporative cooling process using same. The coolant comprises an emulsion that defines a polar internal phase and a hydrocarbon external phase. The polar internal phase comprises an azeotropic mixture that includes one or more polar compounds selected from water, alcohol, or combinations thereof. The fuel cell is configured to react fuel with oxygen to generate an electric current and at least one reaction product, and comprises an electrochemical catalytic reaction cell configured to include a fuel flowpath, an oxygen flowpath, and a coolant flowpath fluidly decoupled from the fuel and oxygen flowpaths, and which defines a coolant isolation manifold including the fluid dielectric coolant described above. The method of cooling a fuel cell comprises, inter alia, evaporating the polar internal phase of the fluid dielectric coolant emulsion in the coolant isolation manifold.

Abstract: An assembly structure for facilitating assembly of laminated cells, for reducing the possibility of gas leakage and for preventing the reduction of generating efficiency of cells due to the gas leakage is provided. A plate-shaped electrochemical cell made of a ceramic material with a through hole formed therein is held by a holding member. The holding member is made of a ceramic material having a planar main body with a protruded portion. A first supply hole for supplying a first gas and a second supply hole for supplying a second gas are formed in the holding member. The planar main body of the holding member has a first sealing surface against a first surface of the electrochemical cell while the protruded portion is inserted into the through hole.

Abstract: An organic electrolytic solution containing a lithium salt, an organic solvent, and an oxalate compound, and a lithium battery using the organic electrolytic solution are provided. Due to the oxalate compound, the organic electrolytic solution stabilizes lithium metal and improves the conductivity of lithium ions. Also, the organic electrolytic solution present invention improves charging/discharging efficiency when used in lithium batteries having a lithium metal anode. Especially when the organic electrolytic solution is used in lithium sulfur batteries, the oxalate compound forms a chelate with lithium ions and improves the ionic conductivity and the charging/discharging efficiency of the battery. In addition, due to the chelation of the lithium ions, negative sulfur ions remain free without interaction with lithium ions, are highly likely to dissolve in an electrolytic solution. As a result, a reversible capacity of sulfur is improved.

Abstract: This invention relates to a positive electrode for an electrochemical cell or battery, and to an electrochemical cell or battery; the invention relates more specifically to a positive electrode for a non-aqueous lithium cell or battery when the electrode is used therein. The positive electrode includes a composite metal oxide containing AgV3O8 as one component and one or more other components consisting of LiV3O8, Ag2V4O11, MnO2, CFx, AgF or Ag2O to increase the energy density of the cell, optionally in the presence of silver powder and/or silver foil to assist in current collection at the electrode and to improve the power capability of the cell or battery.

Abstract: Fuel cells, and renewable-semi-liquid fuel mixtures, useful as anode materials, for said fuel cells are disclosed. The fuels are comprised in part of materials intercalated with hydrogen, alkali metals, or alkali metal hydrides, dispersed in liquid carriers. The chemical energy generated by the reaction of the fuel mixtures with oxygen, or an oxygen carrier such as air, water, or hydrogen peroxide, can be converted into electrical energy in fuel cells. Once converted, the by-products of the reaction may be collected and those components that where chemically modified in the reaction can be renewed by conversion or re-intercalation of hydrogen, alkali metals, or alkali metal hydrides.

Abstract: A metal-coated, wire-reinforced polymer electrolyte membrane that is permeable only to protons and hydrogen is disclosed. The metal-coated, wire-reinforced polymer electrolyte membrane has a surface microsturcture that prevents cracking of the metal coating during hydration. The metal-coated, wire-reinforced polymer electrolyte membrane can be used in liquid-type fuel cells to prevent crossover of fuel, gas and impurities.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ion-conductive polymer membrane for a fuel cell, whereby the polymer membrane is configured from a polymer-forming hydrocarbon material and to a method for producing the same. The membrane also has a metal-containing gel which has been hydrolysed and/or condensed from a metal alkoxide starting material and which is deposited in the polymer and/or is chemically bonded to the polymer. The proportion of metal alkoxide by weight, in relation to the membrane, lies between 25% and 1%.

Abstract: A method of operating a downhole component (for example a battery pack) comprising at least one electrolyte based element. The method comprising the steps of locating the component in a downhole environment and whilst the component is in the downhole environment subjecting the element to a pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure to suppress at least one of boiling and evaporation of electrolyte in the element. The component may then be operated at a temperature in excess of that which would be tolerated by the electrolyte based element if not subjected to a pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A pouched lithium secondary battery including a battery unit having a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator disposed between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate; a positive electrode tab electrically connected with the positive electrode plate; a negative electrode tab electrically connected with the negative electrode plate; a case having a space to accommodate the battery unit, and a sealing edge around the space; and a positive electrode voltage applying unit to apply a positive electrode voltage to both the positive electrode tab and the case.

Abstract: A single step, in situ curing method for making gel polymer lithium ion rechargeable cells and batteries is described. This method used a precursor solution consisting of monomers with multiple functionalities such as multiple acryloyl functionalities, a free-radical generating activator, nonaqueous solvents such as ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate, and a lithium salt such as LiPF6. The electrodes are prepared by slurry-coating a carbonaceous material such as graphite onto an anode current collector and a lithium transition metal oxide such as LiCoO2 onto a cathode current collector, respectively. The electrodes, together with a highly porous separator, are then soaked with the polymer electrolyte precursor solution and sealed in a cell package under vacuum. The whole cell package is heated to in situ cure the polymer electrolyte precursor.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack (10) comprises a plurality of modules (12). Each module (12) comprises an elongate hollow member (14). Each hollow member (14) has at least one passage (32) extending longitudinally through the hollow member (14) for the flow of reactant. Each hollow member (14) has two parallel flat surfaces (16,18). At least one of the modules (12A, 12B, 12C) includes a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells (20). The solid oxide fuel cells (20) are arranged on the flat surfaces (16,18) of the modules (12A, 12B, 12C). At least one end (34) of each module (12) is connected to an end (36) of an adjacent module (12) to allow reactant to flow sequentially through the modules (12). The arrangement of the modules (12) provides compliance in the solid oxide fuel cell stack (10) and thermal and mechanical stresses in the solid oxide fuel cell stack (10) are reduced.

Abstract: Fuel cell parameters and limited electrochemical fuel cell sensors are used to calculate the concentration of diluting gas on the anode side of the fuel cell. The calculated concentration is then used to optimize fuel cell efficiency and/or stability by controlling the evacuation of diluted fuel from the anode side of the cell. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention the dilution gas crossover rate of the membrane electrode assembly is calculated and the dilution gas concentration in the anode flow field is determined as a function of the crossover rate. The vent valve is opened when the dilution gas concentration in the anode flow field is above a high threshold value and is closed when the dilution gas concentration in the anode flow field is below a low threshold value.

Abstract: Provided is a polymer electrolyte containing a block copolymer comprising one or more blocks having sulfonic acid groups and one or more blocks having substantially no sulfonic acid group, and at least one block among all blocks is a block having aromatic rings in the main chain thereof, and a method for producing the same. The polymer electrolyte is suitable for a proton conductive film of a fuel cell due to excellent water resistance and heat resistance, and high proton conductivity.

Abstract: A hybrid power system includes a fuel cell and a secondary power source.