Abstract: Provided are novel negative electrodes for use in lithium ion cells. The negative electrodes include one or more high capacity active materials, such as silicon, tin, and germanium, and a lithium containing material prior to the first cycle of the cell. In other words, the cells are fabricated with some, but not all, lithium present on the negative electrode. This additional lithium may be used to mitigate lithium losses, for example, due to Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) layer formation, to maintain the negative electrode in a partially charged state at the end of the cell discharge cycle, and other reasons. In certain embodiments, a negative electrode includes between about 5% and 25% of lithium based on a theoretical capacity of the negative active material. In the same or other embodiments, a total amount of lithium available in the cell exceeds the theoretical capacity of the negative electrode active material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a battery pack including a battery module array, wherein a reinforcement member is coupled to side walls of end plates or sides of main members at an outer side of an outermost battery module of the battery module array to minimize deformation of the battery pack when the battery pack is vibrated in the front and rear direction.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrode of a lithium ion secondary battery includes combining a binder and active particles to form a mixture, coating a surface with the mixture to form a coated article, translating the article along a first plane, cutting a first plurality of carbon fibers, each having a first average length, to form a second plurality of carbon fibers, each having a longitudinal axis and a second average length that is shorter than the first average length, inserting the second plurality of fibers into the mixture layer so that the longitudinal axis of each of at least a portion of the second plurality of fibers is not parallel to the first plane to form a preform, wherein the second plurality of fibers forms a truss structure disposed in three dimensions within the mixture layer, and heating the preform to form the electrode. An electrode is also disclosed.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack is disclosed. The solid oxide fuel cell stack may include a cell array, a pair of planar current collecting members, first and second terminal portions, and a pair of electric insulating members. A plurality of interconnector-type unit cells may be electrically connected in parallel to form a bundle, and a plurality of bundles may be electrically connected in series. The pair of the planar current collecting members may be electrically connected electrically to the plurality of bundles and configured to collect current. The first and second terminal portions contact the current collecting members. The pair of insulating members has first through-holes through which the first and second terminal portions pass, and to the insulating members are formed outside the pair of the current collecting members.

Abstract: A modular fuel cell system includes a base, at least four power modules arranged in a row on the base, and a fuel processing module and power conditioning module arranged on at least one end of the row on the base. Each power module includes a separate cabinet which contains at least one fuel cell stack located in a hot box. The power modules are electrically and fluidly connected to the at least one fuel processing and power conditioning modules through the base.

Abstract: An all-solid-state secondary battery that includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a solid electrolyte, and which has good moldability and favorable battery characteristics. In the all-solid-state secondary battery, a carbon material having carbon particles with a fracture strength of 100 MPa or less is used for an electrode active material.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery comprises an anode capable of intercalating or disintercalating lithium ions, a cathode configured with a lithium-containing oxide, and a nonaqueous electrolyte solution. The lithium-containing oxide comprises a lithium nickel based oxide. The nonaqueous electrolyte solution comprises vinyl ethylene carbonate (VEC) and a mono-nitrile compound. This lithium secondary battery solves the deterioration of charge/discharge cycle characteristics caused by a lithium nickel based oxide used for a cathode, and also controls the decomposition reaction of electrolyte to solve the swelling phenomenon even though the battery is stored at a high temperature or charged/discharged in a fully-charged state, thereby improving high-temperature life characteristics.

Abstract: A purpose is to provide a nonaqueous electrolyte type lithium ion secondary battery system, a control method, and a vehicle using the system, arranged to prevent unevenness of a salt concentration distribution in an electrolyte, avoiding an increase in internal resistance, thus improving endurance of the nonaqueous electrolyte type lithium ion secondary battery. For a measuring time (S101 to S104), a charge threshold current Ic and a discharge threshold current Id are read out (S102) and a charge hysteresis value Cc and a discharge hysteresis value Cd are calculated (S103). The charge hysteresis value Cc and the discharge hysteresis value Cd are compared (S105). If the charge hysteresis value Cc is larger than the discharge hysteresis value Cd (S105: Yes), a current value on a charge side is limited (S106). To the contrary, if the charge hysteresis value Cc is equal to or smaller than the discharge hysteresis value Cd (S105: No), a current value on a discharge side is limited (S107).

Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of unit cells, each unit cell having a first terminal and a second terminal, the plurality of unit cells including at least a first unit cell and a second unit cell, and a bus bar electrically connecting the first terminal of the first unit cell to one of the first and second terminals of the second unit cell, the bus bar including an insertion part therein, the insertion part being configured to receive a sensing member and connect the sensing member to the bus bar.

Abstract: A terminal of a rechargeable battery having a case and an electrode assembly inside the case includes a current collecting terminal electrically connectable to the electrode assembly inside the case and for protrusion outwardly from the case, a terminal plate for positioning outside the case, the terminal plate being coupled to the current collecting terminal, and a contact spring for positioning between the outside of the case and the terminal plate, the contact spring being coupled to the current collecting terminal, the contact spring having a predetermined region extending through the terminal plate.

Abstract: An air battery system has a sealed air battery cell (10) having: an air electrode having an air electrode layer (4) containing a conductive material and an air electrode power collector (6) for collecting electric power from the air electrode layer; a negative electrode having a negative electrode layer (3) containing an negative electrode active material that adsorbs and releases metal ions and a negative electrode power collector (2) for collecting electric power from the negative electrode layer; a separator (7) provided between the air electrode layer and the negative electrode layer; and a sealed air battery case (1a, 1b). The air battery system also has a depressurization portion (20) that reduces the internal pressure of the sealed air battery cell to below the atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A battery includes a case, an electrode assembly located within the case and comprising first and second electrodes, a first terminal electrically connected with the first electrode, and a second terminal electrically connected with the second electrode. The first and second terminals project through the case. One of the first and second terminals has first and second connection formations. The first and second connection formations have mutually different shapes and are located on respectively different aspects of the case.

Abstract: Disclosed is a membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell including an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte membrane disposed therebetween. The anode includes an anode catalyst layer laminated on one principal surface of the electrolyte membrane, and an anode diffusion layer laminated on the anode catalyst layer. The cathode includes a cathode catalyst layer laminated on the other principal surface of the electrolyte membrane, and a cathode diffusion layer laminated on the cathode catalyst layer. At least one of the anode and cathode diffusion layers includes a conductive porous substrate, a porous composite layer laminated on the conductive porous substrate at the catalyst layer side, and a modified layer disposed on the porous composite layer at the catalyst layer side. The porous composite layer includes a conductive carbon material, and a first water-repellent resin material. The modified layer includes a second water-repellent resin material having a needle-like shape.

Abstract: A secondary battery electrode, which is formed by stacking an electrode active material layer (I) containing spinel-structured lithium manganate as an electrode active material and an electrode active material layer (II) containing, as an electrode active material, a composite oxide represented by the following Chemical formula (1) in a thickness direction of the electrode, in which the electrode active material layer (I) is disposed in contact with a current collector, and an average particle diameter of the composite oxide is smaller than an average particle diameter of the spinel-structured lithium manganate. In such a way, it is possible to provide a secondary battery electrode capable of realizing a secondary battery excellent in both of a volumetric energy density and a volumetric output density.

Abstract: Disclosed is a battery with terminal, including a power generating element and a housing can accommodating the power generating element. The power generating element includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The negative electrode includes a material mixture including a negative electrode active material and a binder. The negative electrode active material contains an amorphous Si phase, and the binder includes a polyacrylic acid. The non-aqueous electrolyte includes a non-aqueous solvent, and a lithium salt dissolved in the non-aqueous solvent, and the non-aqueous solvent contains vinylethylene carbonate. The housing can has at least one lead terminal welded thereto. The molar ratio of the vinylethylene carbonate to the amorphous Si phase in the negative electrode active material is 0.09 to 0.17.

Abstract: Provided is a battery module in which a stacked body (142) of a plurality of flat batteries (144A to 144D) stacked on one another is housed. The battery module includes the flat batteries, an output terminal, a metal container, insulating plates and an insulating cover (170). Each of the flat batteries (144A to 144D) includes a power-generating element, an exterior package member for sealing the power-generating element, and electrode terminals led out from the exterior package member. The output terminal is used to provide a parallel or series connection between the electrode terminals of the plurality of flat batteries (144A to 144D) and to output power therefrom. The metal container is used to house the stacked body. The insulating plates are disposed to hold the electrode terminals of the flat batteries (144A to 144D) therebetween in such a way to insulate the electrode terminals from one another, and also include window portions through which the electrode terminals are exposed for the connection.

Abstract: Method of operating a fuel cell apparatus in which a reforming reaction in the reforming portion is selected by a controller at the starting time of the apparatus by comparing a first starting temperature of a reforming portion to a temperature T1 at which steam reforming can be performed and comparing a second starting temperature of a vaporizing portion to a temperature T2 at which a predetermined amount of steam can be generated by steam reforming. A reforming reaction starting with an autothermal reforming reaction is performed when the first starting temperature is not lower than T1 and the second starting temperature is lower than T2.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a middle- or large-sized battery pack case in which a battery module having a plurality of stacked battery cells, which can be charged and discharged, is mounted, wherein the battery pack case is provided with a coolant inlet port and a coolant outlet port, which are disposed such that a coolant for cooling the battery cells can flow from one side to the other side of the battery module in the direction perpendicular to the stacking direction of the battery cells, the battery pack case is further provided with a flow space (‘inlet duct’) extending from the coolant inlet port to the battery module and another flow space (‘outlet duct’) extending from the battery module to the coolant outlet port, and one or more guide members are disposed in the inlet duct for guiding the flow of the coolant in the direction parallel to the stacking direction of the battery cells.

Abstract: A battery operated smoke detector with a system for lowering the battery of the smoke detector is disclosed. The smoke detector is of the type that is mountable from the ceiling of a structure. The battery of the smoke detector is part of a battery pack that is connected to a battery wire that is mounted on a spool. An engagement mechanism that allows the lowering of the spool and battery pack in response to a low-voltage condition controls the lowering of the battery pack. An electric motor is connected to the spool, and is used for raising the battery pack once a battery that is charged is connected to the system.

Abstract: A battery module includes a first end plate and a second end plate, each of the end plates including at least one flange; a plurality of battery units arranged along a first direction between the end plates; a first guide plate on a first side of the plurality of battery units, extending in the first direction and coupled to the flanges of the first and second end plates; and a second guide plate on a second side of the plurality of battery units opposite the first side, extending in the first direction and coupled to the flanges of the first and second end plates.