Abstract: A fuel gas supply channel connecting a fuel gas supply passage and a fuel gas inlet are provided in a separator, a channel lid member, and a circular disk member. A filter mechanism for filtering a fuel gas supplied from the fuel gas supply passage to a channel unit is provided in the fuel gas supply channel. The filter mechanism has a plurality of holes, and the cross sectional area of the opening of the hole is smaller than the cross sectional area of the opening of the fuel gas inlet.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a heat exchange system for battery packs, which controls the temperature of a medium- or large-sized battery pack including a plurality of unit cells such that the battery pack can be operated under the optimum operating conditions. The heat exchange system includes an air inlet port and an air outlet port formed at one side of a housing surrounding the outer surface of the battery pack so as to form a predetermined flow channel, through which air flows, a driving fan mounted in the flow channel for driving the air to flow through the flow channel, and a Peltier element mounted at the air inlet port for controlling the temperature of air introduced into the air inlet port. In the heat exchange system according to the present invention, the thermoelectric element is mounted inside the air inlet port, through which air for cooling the battery pack is introduced into the heat exchange system.

Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte composite membrane and method of manufacturing the same. According to one embodiment, the composite membrane comprises a rigid, non-electrically-conducting support, the support preferably being a sheet of polyimide having a thickness of about 7.5 to 15 microns. The support has a plurality of cylindrical pores extending perpendicularly between opposing top and bottom surfaces of the support. The pores, which preferably have a diameter of about 5 microns, are made by laser micromachining and preferably are arranged in a defined pattern, for example, with fewer pores located in areas of high membrane stress and more pores located in areas of low membrane stress. The pores are filled with a first solid polymer electrolyte, such as a perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) polymer. A second solid polymer electrolyte, which may be the same as or different than the first solid polymer electrolyte, may be deposited over the top and/or bottom of the first solid polymer electrolyte.

Abstract: A fuel cell system for generating electrical energy by a chemical reaction between a fuel and an oxidizing agent. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, by using a hydrophobic porous membrane, an alkaline material such as sodium that is generated together with hydrogen gas in a hydrolysis reaction of a metal hydride compound can be eliminated effectively.

Abstract: An alpha voltaic battery includes at least one layer of a semiconductor material comprising at least one p/n junction, at least one absorption and conversion layer on the at least one layer of semiconductor layer, and at least one alpha particle emitter. The absorption and conversion layer prevents at least a portion of alpha particles from the alpha particle emitter from damaging the p/n junction in the layer of semiconductor material. The absorption and conversion layer also converts at least a portion of energy from the alpha particles into electron-hole pairs for collection by the one p/n junction in the layer of semiconductor material.

Abstract: A fuel cell is produced using a fuel cell electrolyte layer comprising a hydrogen-permeable metal layer 27 serving as the compact substrate through which the gas supplied to the electrochemical reaction passes, a porous layer formed on the hydrogen-permeable metal layer 27, and an inorganic electrolyte supported in the pores of the porous layer.

Abstract: An alpha voltaic battery includes at least one layer of a semiconductor material comprising at least one p/n junction, at least one absorption and conversion layer on the at least one layer of semiconductor layer, and at least one alpha particle emitter. The absorption and conversion layer prevents at least a portion of alpha particles from the alpha particle emitter from damaging the p/n junction in the layer of semiconductor material. The absorption and conversion layer also converts at least a portion of energy from the alpha particles into electron-hole pairs for collection by the one p/n junction in the layer of semiconductor material.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery including an electrode assembly, a case, a cap assembly, and a core. The electrode assembly includes an anode, a cathode, and a separator interposed between the anode and the cathode. The case has a space for housing the electrode assembly. The cap assembly is connected to the case and electrically connected to the electrode assembly. The core is disposed inside the electrode assembly, and has a distance between the exterior and the center thereof at one end in a length direction that is greater than a distance between the exterior and the center thereof at the center in the length direction.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a rechargeable power cell are described. Methods include providing a slurry or paste of negative electrode materials having low toxicity and including dispersants to prevent the agglomeration of particles that may adversely affect the performance of power cells. The methods utilize semi-permeable sheets to separate the electrodes and minimize formation of dendrites; and further provide electrode specific electrolyte to achieve efficient electrochemistry and to further discourage dendritic growth in the cell. The negative electrode materials may be comprised of zinc and zinc compounds. Zinc and zinc compounds are notably less toxic than the cadmium used in NiCad batteries. The described methods may utilize some production techniques employed in existing NiCad production lines. Thus, the methods described will find particular use in an already well-defined and mature manufacturing base.

Abstract: A technique for controlling the relative humidity of a cathode airflow to a fuel cell stack that includes compensating for valve non-linearities. The cathode input air flows through a water vapor transfer unit where it is humidified. The humidified cathode exhaust from the fuel cell stack is output to the water vapor transfer unit to provide the water vapor for humidifying the cathode input airflow. A first control valve controls the flow of the cathode exhaust through the water vapor transfer unit and a second control valve controls the flow of the cathode exhaust that by-passes the water vapor transfer unit to control both the relative humidity of the cathode input airflow and the pressure within the stack. By compensating for the non-linearity, the first and second valves control the relative humidity of the cathode airflow without changing the cathode output resistance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compact and portable fuel cell package. The package includes a fuel cell that generates electrical energy. Some packages also include a fuel processor that produces hydrogen from a fuel source. Fuel cell packages described herein provide power densities (power per unit volume or mass) at levels not yet seen. One package employs an interconnect disposed at least partially between a fuel cell and a fuel processor. The interconnect forms a structural and plumbing intermediary between the two. Given the portable size of fuel cell packages described herein, the invention is well suited to power portable electronics devices. One portable fuel cell package includes a tether, which allows electrical and detachable coupling to an electronics device.

Abstract: A fan structure is provided, which includes: a fan case having an inlet and an outlet; a bladed wheel provided inside the fan case; a motor for rotating the bladed wheel; a circuit substrate for controlling the motor; and a scroll housing formed between the fan case and the bladed wheel. Rotation of the bladed wheel causes a fluid to enter the scroll housing from the inlet and to exit from the outlet. The circuit substrate and the motor are arranged inside the fan case. The fan structure further includes a waterproof member for dividing the motor and the circuit substrate from the scroll housing, and a cylindrical seal for sealing a hole formed in the waterproof member through which an output shaft of the motor extends. The fan structure is compact and prevents adhesion of salt, water, or dust to the built-in circuit substrate.

Abstract: A stress reducing mounting for an electrolyte sheet assembly in a solid electrolyte fuel cell is provided that includes a support frame or manifold having an inner edge portion that supports a peripheral portion of the sheet assembly, a seal that affixes an edge of the peripheral portion to the frame or manifold, and a stress reducer disposed around the peripheral portion of the electrolyte sheet and the frame or manifold that reduces tensile stress in the peripheral portion of the electrolyte sheet when the peripheral portion is bent by pressure differentials or thermal differential expansion. The stress reducer is at least one of a convex curved surface on the inner edge portion of the frame or manifold that makes area contact with the peripheral portion when it bends in response to a pressure differential or thermal differential expansion, and a stiffening structure on the sheet peripheral portion that renders the ceramic sheet material forming the peripheral portion more resistant to bending.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack that includes an actuating device or devices for selectively providing interdigitated reactant gas flow and straight reactant gas flow through reactant gas flow channels to reduce water accumulation in the diffusing media layers of the stack. In one embodiment, the fuel cell stack employs internal actuators that selectively close the inlet end of every other flow channel and the outlet end of every other opposite flow channel to provide the interdigitated flow. In another embodiment, the interdigitated flow is provided by external actuation where two inlet manifolds and two outlet manifolds are provided. One input manifold is closed to close the input ends of every other flow channel and one outlet manifold is closed to close the output ends of every other opposite flow channel.

Abstract: A fuel cell power generating system which is advantageous not only in that steady power supply can be achieved according to the load, but also in that the power supply can be flexibly controlled even when different types of loading apparatus utilize the electric power generated. The fuel cell power generating system includes a fuel cell power generating apparatus (10) for electrochemically reacting a predetermined fuel, such as hydrogen or methanol, and air to allow a power generator to generate electric power, and a loading apparatus (20) connected to the fuel cell power generating apparatus (10) through a predetermined electric cable (30) for supplying the electric power generated by the fuel cell power generating apparatus.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack utilizes flow shifting of the anode reactant within the individual fuel cells of the fuel cell stack. The anode side of the fuel cells are separated into two or more flow fields. Anode reactant is supplied in varying quantities to the two flow fields so that anode reactant flowing through one of the flow fields is allowed to back flow into the other flow field and vice versa. The back flowing of anode reactant between the flow fields distributes nitrogen more evenly between the multiple flow fields in each of the fuel cells.

Abstract: A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly, an electrically conducting metallic can, adapted to accommodate the electrode assembly, and having a side opening, a cap assembly including a cap plate and an electrode port, the cap plate being coupled to the side opening of the can and having at least one aperture in a side portion thereof, the electrode port being coupled to the cap plate and being connected to one of at least two electrode tabs that extend from the electrode assembly, and a lead plate, pressed into the at least one aperture of the cap plate, and connected to a safety device.

Abstract: Disclosed are an anode material for a secondary battery, a method for producing the same and a secondary battery using the same. The present invention provides the anode material for a secondary battery produced by coating a high-crystallinity core carbonaceous material with a coating carbonaceous material and calcinating the high-crystallinity core carbonaceous material, wherein the anode material has a specific volume of 0.002 cc/g or less. The anode material for a secondary battery of the present invention may be produced by coating a high-crystallinity core carbonaceous material with a coating carbonaceous material and undergoing a predetermined calcination process, and the anode material can have an increased volume ratio of the micropores. Accordingly, the secondary battery of the present invention may be useful to improve charging/discharging capacity and efficiency since sorption of lithium ion in the anode material is improved.

Abstract: A fuel cell system according to the invention comprises a fuel cell stack, a fuel feeder that supplies the fuel cell stack with fuel, a rechargeable battery that is an electric storage device, a bidirectional DC/DC converter that selectively performs an operation of converting the output voltage of the rechargeable battery into a predetermined voltage and then outputting it (a discharge operation), or an operation of charging the rechargeable battery using the electric power outputted from the fuel cell stack (a charge operation), and a mode control circuit. The mode control circuit detects the output voltage of the fuel cell stack so that, when it is higher than the set value, the mode control circuit makes the bidirectional DC/DC converter perform the charge operation; when it is not higher than the set value, the mode control circuit makes the bidirectional DC/DC converter perform the discharge operation.

Abstract: The electrochemical element includes an electrode assembly accommodated in a case with an electrolyte. The electrode assembly is formed into a flat shape by winding positive and negative electrodes with a separator interposed therebetween. The positive electrode includes an exposed positive current collector portion uncoated with an active material and formed in one end in the width direction of a strip-shaped positive current collector, and a positive lead is attached to the exposed positive current collector portion. The negative electrode includes an exposed negative current collector portion uncoated with an active material and formed in the other end in the width direction of a strip-shaped negative current collector, and a negative lead is attached to the exposed current collector portion. The exposed positive current collector portion on the one end is pressed and welded, and the exposed negative current collector portion on the other end is pressed and welded to form the electrode assembly.