Abstract: An energy storage device cell includes: a capacitor cathode including a capacitor cathode collector foil, and a capacitor cathode electrode layer formed on one face of the capacitor cathode collector foil and containing microparticles of activated carbon; a first separator; a common anode including an anode collector foil having a through-hole, and an anode electrode layer formed on one face of the anode collector foil; a second separator; and a battery cathode including a battery cathode collector foil, and a battery cathode electrode layer formed on one face of the battery cathode collector foil and containing particles of a lithium-containing metal compound. The first separator is sandwiched by the capacitor cathode electrode layer and the anode electrode layer. The second separator is sandwiched by the anode collector foil and the battery cathode electrode layer.

Abstract: A membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell, which includes an anode and a cathode facing each other; and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed between the anode and cathode. The cathode includes a first catalyst layer that includes catalyst particles, and a second catalyst layer that includes the catalyst particles and a pore-forming agent. The membrane-electrode assembly efficiently performs mass transfer and release, due to pores in the second catalyst layer.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte battery includes an outer case having one open end portion, a battery element held in the outer case, and a battery lid which is disposed on the one open end portion and which is provided with a protrusion portion protruded toward the outside of the battery, at least two opening portions disposed in the protrusion portion, and release portions disposed adjoining the respective opening portions so as to deform in accordance with an increase in internal pressure of the battery.

Abstract: An efficient and passive micro fuel cell includes an anode plate, a reaction plate, a cathode plate and a condensation plate. The anode plate draws a dilute solution of methanol from a fuel tank to delivery to a series of upper oxidation reaction room through micro-channels by thermal capillarity. The condensation plate separates carbon dioxide and vapor from each other. Meanwhile, the methanol solution is delivered to a plurality of lower oxidation reaction rooms. Protons pass through the inner walls of the reaction holes and a porous membrane layer and arrive in the lower reduction reaction rooms. The lower reduction reaction rooms and the lower oxidation reaction rooms have reaction holes whose inner walls have carbon nanotubes and catalysts. A plurality of upper reduction reaction rooms delivers oxygen for the reduction reaction and drains the reduced water at the same time.

Abstract: A coolant inlet manifold for coolant supply passages is attached to an end plate of a fuel cell stack. Pillars are provided on at least one end of the coolant inlet manifold in a longitudinal direction thereof. The pillars are fitted into through holes formed in the end plate, and are connected to a manifold body and to a connector.

Abstract: A fuel cell system (10) of the present invention comprises determination means (50) for consuming a fuel gas present at a gas leak detection portion of a fuel gas supply system (31, 32) through the power generation of a fuel cell (20), and performing a gas leak determination on the basis of a pressure decrease margin of the fuel gas present at the gas leak detection portion, and comprises discharge means (H51) for reducing the pressure at the gas leak detection portion by purging the fuel gas present at the gas leak detection portion to the outside of the fuel gas supply system (31, 32). By not only consuming the fuel gas present at the gas leak detection portion through power generation, but also purging the fuel gas to the outside of the fuel gas supply system, the pressure at the gas leak detection portion can be brought close to a target pressure within a short time period, and the gas leak determination can be performed in a short period of time and with a high level of precision.

Abstract: A sealed battery includes an electrode group formed by winding or stacking a positive electrode including a current collector carrying an active material layer thereon, a negative electrode including a current collector carrying an active material layer thereon and a separator interposed therebetween. The current collectors of the positive and negative electrodes are exposed at an end thereof and the exposed ends are welded to current collector terminals, respectively. The active material layers formed on the surfaces of the current collectors are covered with heat resistant porous films, respectively. An end face of the separator is flush with or positioned inside relative to end faces of the heat resistant porous films. The heat resistant porous films have a melting point higher than that of the separator and have a thermal conductivity lower than that of the current collectors.

Abstract: A positive electrode and a gelled negative electrode are stored with a separator interposed therebetween in a battery case and an opening portion of the battery case is sealed with a gasket. The battery case is formed so that a thickness of a body portion thereof is smaller than a thickness of an opening portion thereof, the gasket includes a center portion, an outer circumference portion and a connection portion, an edge portion of the separator is in contact with the connection portion and bent toward the center portion and contact part of the edge portion with the connection portion has a length in a range of 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm, and the positive electrode contains at least manganese dioxide and graphite and a mixture ratio by weight of manganese dioxide and graphite is within a range of 92.6/7.4 to 94.0/6.0.

Abstract: The present invention seeks, when a temporary abnormality occurs in a voltage converter, a recovery of the voltage converter, and minimizes the inadequacy of the drive power. In a fuel cell system comprising an electric storage device disposed with a voltage converter, in the case where an abnormality occurs in the voltage converter, the voltage converter is stopped once, an attempt is made to recover the voltage converter to a normal state after the voltage converter is stopped, and drive power is generated in at least a fuel cell until the voltage converter recovers to the normal state. It is preferred that an upper limit of the power which can be generated when the voltage converter recovers to the normal state be set to a value lower than an upper limit of power obtained prior to the occurrence of the abnormality. Further, it is preferred that the limit be canceled step by step when recovering the voltage converter to a normal state.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a battery unit comprises a plurality of cells and a case to contain the cells. The case includes a first part to contain at least one cell, a second part to contain at least one cell, and a third part to connect the first and second parts. At least a portion of the third part is made thinner than the first and second parts.

Abstract: A system for delivering a supply fluid stream to a fuel cell stack that discharges an unused fluid stream is provided. A fuel supply is adapted to provide a pressurized supply fluid stream. An expander is in fluid communication with the fuel supply and is configured to receive the pressurized supply fluid stream to reduce the pressure of the pressurized supply fluid stream and to generate mechanical energy in response to reducing the pressure of the pressurized supply fluid stream. An electric machine is operably coupled to the expander and for selectively converting the mechanical energy generated by the expander into electrical energy. A compressor/blower is capable of being driven by at least one of the mechanical energy and the electrical energy to control the flow of the unused fluid stream to the fuel cell stack for recirculating the unused fluid stream back to the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell body to generate electrical energy using a reaction of hydrogen and oxygen; a reformer to generate a reformed gas containing hydrogen by reforming fuel and to supply the reformed gas to the fuel cell body; a fuel tank to store the fuel in a partially liquefied state and to supply the fuel to the reformer; a case to encase the fuel cell body and the reformer; and a refrigeration unit attached to the case to store ambient air of the fuel tank, the ambient air of the fuel tank being cooled by latent heat of vaporization of the fuel.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery having electrical stability includes an electrode assembly, a case, a cap assembly, and a spacer. The electrode assembly includes an anode, a cathode, and a separator interposed between the anode and the cathode. The case has an opening in which the electrode assembly is inserted and has a first thickness portion having a first thickness and a second thickness portion having a second thickness smaller than the first thickness. The cap assembly is coupled to the opening of the case and electrically connected to the electrode assembly. The spacer is fixed to an end of the case, and includes a supporting protrusion that engages with a portion of the case where the first thickness portion and the second thickness portion are connected to each other.

Abstract: A negative electrode material for a nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable battery that can stably and efficiently realize a high-performance nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable battery in which a high discharge capacity, high charge/discharge efficiency at an initial stage and during charge/discharge cycles, and excellent charge/discharge cycle properties are provided as well as electrode expansion in volume after charge/discharge cycles is suppressed. The negative electrode material for a nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable battery in the form of particles having, at least on the surface thereof, a compound of the phase in which an element Z is present in Si in a non-equilibrium state.

Abstract: The present invention provides an exfoliated graphite-based hybrid material composition for use as an electrode, particularly as an anode of a lithium ion battery. The composition comprises: (a) micron- or nanometer-scaled particles or coating which are capable of absorbing and desorbing alkali or alkaline metal ions (particularly, lithium ions); and (b) exfoliated graphite flakes that are substantially interconnected to form a porous, conductive graphite network comprising pores, wherein at least one of the particles or coating resides in a pore of the network or attached to a flake of the network and the exfoliated graphite amount is in the range of 5% to 90% by weight and the amount of particles or coating is in the range of 95% to 10% by weight. Also provided is a lithium secondary battery comprising such a negative electrode (anode). The battery exhibits an exceptional specific capacity, excellent reversible capacity, and long cycle life.

Abstract: A hydrogen absorbing alloy is provided that is represented by the general formula Ln1-xMgxNiyAz, where: Ln is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ca, Zr, Ti, and rare-earth elements including Y; A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co, Mn, V, Cr, Nb, Al, Ga, Zn, Sn, Cu, Si, P, and B; and x, y, and z satisfy the following conditions 0.05?x?0.25, 0<z?1.5, and 2.8?y+z?4.0, wherein Ln contains 20 mole % or more of Sm.

Abstract: A battery having a cathode, an anode, an electrolytic solution, and a separator is provided. An open circuit voltage per pair of cathode and anode in a perfect charging state lies within a range from 4.25V or more to 6.00V or less. The electrolytic solution contains: an additive of at least one kind selected from a group consisting of an acid anhydride and its derivative; and cyclic carbonic ester derivative having a halogen atom.

Abstract: A method for filling a fuel cell anode supply manifold with hydrogen prior to a start-up operation to facilitate a substantially even hydrogen distribution across the fuel cell is disclosed. The anode supply manifold is in fluid communication with a source of hydrogen. A first valve in fluid communication with the anode supply manifold and a second valve in fluid communication with an anode exhaust manifold are initially in a closed position while hydrogen is supplied to the anode inlet conduit to pressurize the fuel cell stack. The first valve is then opened to purge at least a portion of a fluid from the anode supply manifold to facilitate a filling of the manifold with hydrogen.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an active material for lithium ion battery having an excellent discharge capacity in the potential flat part and a high-performance and long-life lithium ion battery, and particularly to provide a technology of improving voltage flatness. The present invention provides an active material for lithium ion battery represented by a composition formula: Li[Li(1-2x)/3MgxTi(5-x)/3]O4 (0<x<1/2) in which a part of the element of lithium titanate is substituted with Mg, and a lithium ion battery using this active material as a negative electrode active material.

Abstract: A biplate assembly may include a biplate, a negative electrode and a positive electrode. A method for manufacturing the biplate assembly may involve selecting the size of the biplate and arranging the positive electrode, which is formed by a compressed first powder, to a first side of the biplate. The first powder contains positive active material. The method may also involve arranging the negative electrode, which is formed by a compressed second powder, to a carrier arranged within the biplate assembly. The second powder contains negative active material. The carrier may be a side opposite to the first side of the biplate. The biplate assembly may be implemented in a bipolar battery.