Abstract: A proton conductor of the present disclosure has a composition formula of BaaZr1-x-yYbxNiyO3-? (0.95?a?1.05, 0.1?x?0.4, and 0.15?y?0.30).

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to providing improved processability by forming a protective film on the surface of lithium metal used as an electrode layer through a simple process, and to improving the cycle characteristics of a lithium metal secondary battery by forming a stable protective film. The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a negative electrode, including the steps of: (S1) preparing lithium metal; and (S2) dipping the lithium metal in an acid solution for 60-120 seconds to form a LiF film on the surface of lithium metal.

Abstract: The invention relates to electrodes that contain active materials of the formula: AaMbXxOy wherein A is one or more alkali metals selected from lithium, sodium and potassium; M is selected from one or more transition metals and/or one or more non-transition metals and/or one or more metalloids; X comprises one or more atoms selected from niobium, antimony, tellurium, tantalum, bismuth and selenium; and further wherein 0<a?6; b is in the range: 0<b?4; x is in the range 0<x?1 and y is in the range 2?y?10. Such electrodes are useful in, for example, sodium and/or lithium ion battery applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a silicon-based negative electrode, a method for manufacturing a lithium-ion battery from a preformed silicon-based negative electrode, and a lithium-ion battery thus obtained.

Abstract: A secondary battery including, an anode including a metal; a cathode; an electrolyte provided between the anode and the cathode; and a separator membrane, and further comprising an auxiliary electrode interposed in the separator membrane, for inhibiting dendrite growth of the metal to a predetermined state or less and detecting an internal short circuit of the secondary battery in advance, is provided.

Abstract: A first holder holds a plurality of layers associated with a battery submodule that is being assembled. A first and second pair of actuators, while the plurality of layers is held by the first holder, extend so that the first and second pair of actuators apply pressure to the plurality of layers. While the first and second pair of actuators are extended and applying pressure to the plurality of layers, the first holder retracts. A second holder holds a container associated with the battery submodule that is being assembled and extends so that the container gradually surrounds the plurality of layers. While the container gradually surrounds the plurality of layers, the first and second pair of actuators sequentially retract.

Abstract: Fuel cell devices and systems are provided. In certain embodiments, the devices include a ceramic support structure having a length, a width, and a thickness with the length direction being the dominant direction of thermal expansion. A reaction zone having at least one active layer therein is spaced from the first end and includes first and second opposing electrodes, associated active first and second gas passages, and electrolyte. The active first gas passage includes sub-passages extending in the y direction and spaced apart in the x direction. An artery flow passage extends from the first end along the length and into the reaction zone and is fluidicly coupled to the sub-passages of the active first gas passage. The thickness of the artery flow passage is greater than the thickness of the sub-passages.

Abstract: Fiber-reinforced separators/solid electrolytes suitable for use in a cell employing an anode comprising an alkali metal are disclosed. Such fiber-reinforced separators/solid electrolytes may be at least partially amorphous and prepared by compacting, at elevated temperatures, powders of an ion-conducting composition appropriate to the anode alkali metal. The separators/solid electrolytes may employ discrete high aspect ratio fibers and fiber mats or plate-like mineral particles to reinforce the separator solid electrolyte. The reinforcing fibers may be inorganic, such as silica-based glass, or organic, such as a thermoplastic. In the case of thermoplastic fiber-reinforced separators/solid electrolytes, any of a wide range of thermoplastic compositions may be selected provided the glass transition temperature of the polymer reinforcement composition is selected to be higher than the glass transition temperature of the amorphous portion of the separator/solid electrolyte.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide an electrode for lithium ion batteries which exhibits excellent electrical conductivity even if its thickness is large. The electrode for lithium ion batteries of the present invention includes a first main surface to be located adjacent to a separator of a lithium ion battery and a second main surface to be located adjacent to a current collector of the lithium ion battery. The electrode has a thickness of 150 to 5000 ?m. The electrode contains, between the first main surface and the second main surface, a conductive member (A) made of an electronically conductive material and a large number of active material particles (B). At least part of the conductive member (A) forms a conductive path that electrically connects the first main surface to the second main surface. The conductive path is in contact with the active material particles (B) around the conductive path.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a pressure regulating valve that reduces a pressure of a fuel gas; a fuel gas supply passage having a first passage extending between a fuel cell and the pressure regulating valve and a second passage extending from the pressure regulating valve via a cutoff valve to a fuel gas supply source; a pressure sensor that detects a pressure of the fuel gas inside the first passage; and a controller to which the cutoff valve and the pressure sensor are connected. When a pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is an abnormal value, the controller closes the cutoff valve and performs pressure reduction processing for the first passage. Thereafter, the controller judges that the pressure regulating valve has failed when the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor has lowered, whereas the controller judges that the pressure sensor has failed when the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor has not lowered.

Abstract: There is provided a fuel cell system having a fuel cell, which determines whether an operating state thereof is a low-temperature-startup operation or a normal-running operation and performs recovery control for increasing a concentration gradient of water in an electrolyte membrane of the fuel cell to be greater than that in the normal-running operation when it is determined that the operating state is the low-temperature-startup operation.

Abstract: A Water Activated Battery characterized by a) At least one anode selected from the group consisting of magnesium, aluminum, zinc and alloys thereof; b) A cathode comprising at least one basic copper salt comprising Cu(OH)2 combined with a copper salt CuX (with n?1 the molar ratio between the CuX and the Cu(OH)2 in the basic copper salt), such that a discharge reaction in saline versus a Mg anode could be written nMg+Cu(OH)2.

Abstract: Described herein are bimetallic nanoframes and methods for producing bimetallic nanoframes. A method may include providing a solution including a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed in a solvent, and exposing the solution to oxygen to convert the plurality of nanoparticles into a plurality of nanoframes.

Abstract: Carbon nanosheets fabricated by carbonization and activation or by carbonization alone. The nanosheets possess a disordered structure for copious reversible binding of ions at the carbon defects. They are also hierarchically micro-meso-macro porous, allowing facile ion transport at high rates both through the pore-filling electrolyte and in the solid-state. Also, a combined battery—supercapacitor energy storage device using the carbon nanosheets as one or both of the electrodes therein. Tuning the mass-loading ratio of the carbon nanosheets in the two electrodes configures the carbon nanosheets to operate either as a bulk insertion electrode (anode) or a surface adsorption electrode (cathode). The energy storage device may further include a housing with a form factor of a commercial battery.

Abstract: A device of the present disclosure includes an electronic component, a metal plate, a housing, and a wavelength selective heat radiating member. The metal plate is thermally coupled to the electronic component. The housing houses the electronic component and the metal plate. The wavelength selective heat radiating member is mounted on a surface of the metal plate, so as to face an inner side surface of a specific portion of the housing. The wavelength selective heat radiating member is configured to convert thermal energy from the electronic component into heat radiation having a wavelength that penetrates the specific portion of the housing, and emit the heat radiation toward the inner side surface of the specific portion of the housing.

Abstract: A method for reducing residual water content in a battery material includes placing the battery material having residual water adsorbed therein in a channel substantially sealed from an ambient environment. A gaseous mixture is caused to flow through the battery material in the channel. The gaseous mixture includes an organic solvent vapor present in an amount effective to hydrogen bond with at least some water molecules from the battery material. The gaseous mixture is caused to flow through the battery material for a predetermined amount of time, at a predetermined temperature, and at a predetermined pressure. The organic solvent vapor having at least some water molecules bonded thereto is removed from the battery material. The removing takes place for a predetermined amount of time, at a predetermined temperature, and at a predetermined pressure, thereby forming the battery material having reduced residual water content.

Abstract: A wrinkle or misaligned winding caused in a separator roll is inhibited. In a slitting apparatus (6), a conveying direction of a first separator (12a) is changed to a first take-up roller (70U) side by a direction changing roller (68), the first separator is conveyed via a take-up assisting roller (69) which is provided between the direction changing roller and a first touch roller (81U) so as to shorten a roller-to-roller distance to the first touch roller, and the first separator which is being wound is pressed onto a take-up surface by the first touch roller.

Abstract: Provided are a top cover assembly and a secondary battery containing the same. The top cover assembly includes a cover plate, and a first terminal assembly; the top cover plate includes a main body and a protrusion connected to the main body, the protrusion protrudes beyond an upper surface of the main body, an accommodation chamber is defined below the protrusion, the protrusion faces the accommodation chamber, the first terminal assembly includes a deformable plate, and the deformable plate is connected to the top cover plate and covers the accommodation chamber. Such solution can sufficiently utilize the space between the upper surface of the top cover plate and the upper surface of the second terminal assembly, improve the space utilization of the secondary battery, improve the deformation resistance of the top cover plate and the strength of the top cover plate, and keep the secondary battery safe.

Abstract: A method for controlling a fuel cell system includes steps of: (a) determining whether hydrogen (H2) is detected in an interior space of a stack enclosure in which a fuel cell stack is accommodated; (b) stopping power generation that is performed using the stack when it is determined in step (a) that the hydrogen is detected; (c) opening a purge valve to discharge gases circulating in an anode through the purge valve, and opening a condensate discharge valve to discharge condensate contained in a water trap through the condensate discharge valve; and (d) determining whether the hydrogen discharged through at least one of the purge valve and the condensate discharge valve in step (c) flows back to the interior space based on H2 concentration in the interior space.

Abstract: A battery enclosure for the battery of an electric vehicle is disclosed that is provided with cylindrical impact absorbing tubular members. The tubular members are arrayed about the battery enclosure between an inner wall and an outer wall in a spaced relationship. The tubular members are spaced from each other and include internal reinforcing walls that stiffen the battery enclosure and absorb impact loads. The reinforcing walls may be in an X-shaped, Y-shaped or parallel and may be oriented to absorb impact loads to a greater or lesser extent.