Abstract: An electrode excellent in high-rate discharge characteristics is provided by increasing the adhesive strength of the conductive core material to the sintered nickel porous body which form the sintered type substrate. The electrode of the present invention uses a sintered substrate containing a part wherein the diameter of the pores of the sintered nickel porous body becomes successively smaller from the joining interfaces of the conductive core material toward the outside surfaces of the substrate. The region wherein the diameter is greater than in other parts preferably ranges within about 1/5 of the substrate thickness starting from both surfaces of the core material toward the outside surfaces of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer secondary battery comprising a pair of current collectors and electrodes arranged in opposed relationship with an electrolyte solution-containing separator or a solid electrolyte interposed therebetween, the polymer secondary battery having a structure in which a first polymer active material layer adjacent to the current collector of the negative electrode has laminated thereto at least one layer of a polymer material having an oxidation-reduction potential higher than that of the first polymer active material layer. This polymer secondary battery has a high rate of appearance of capacity, is capable of quick charging and discharging, and exhibits excellent cycle characteristics.

Abstract: A cylindrical electrochemical cell includes a cathode, an anode, a cylindrical separator, coaxial with the cell, for electrically separating the cathode and anode, and a cup seal at an end of the separator for electrically separating the anode and cathode and maintaining an ionic connection therebetween. The cup seal is comprised of one or more first layers of a micro-porous or a non-porous membrane, or a combination thereof, and one or more second layers of a porous membrane and wherein the seal overlaps at least a portion of the separator.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes: a fuel supplying portion for supplying a fuel which is reformed at a temperature below 450.degree. C.; a gas generating portion for reforming the supplied fuel to generate a hydrogen containing gas; a temperature control portion for rapidly raising the temperature of the reformed hydrogen containing gas from 450.degree. C. to 600.degree. C. to supply the hydrogen containing gas while maintaining the temperature thereof; and a power generating portion for allowing the temperature controlled fuel to react with a separately supplied oxidizer to generate electricity. The power generating portion comprises at least a fuel electrode, to which the fuel temperature-controlled by the temperature control portion is supplied, and an oxidizer electrode, which is provided so as to face the fuel electrode via an electrolyte layer 6. A plurality of single cells with this construction may be laminated to form a laminated body 12.

Abstract: An in-situ thermal management system for an energy storage device. The energy storage device includes a plurality of energy storage cells each being coupled in parallel to common positive and negative connections. Each of the energy storage cells, in accordance with the cell's technology, dimensions, and thermal/electrical properties, is configured to have a ratio of energy content-to-contact surface area such that thermal energy produced by a short-circuit in a particular cell is conducted to a cell adjacent the particular cell so as to prevent the temperature of the particular cell from exceeding a breakdown temperature. In one embodiment, a fuse is coupled in series with each of a number of energy storage cells. The fuses are activated by a current spike capacitively produced by a cell upon occurrence of a short-circuit in the cell, thereby electrically isolating the short-circuited cell from the common positive and negative connections.

Abstract: An SOFC anode is provided, which is fabricated from ceria which has been mixed with a nickel oxide-magnesium oxide material to stabilize the nickel against coarsening during high temperature SOFC operation. With a starting material of NiO--MgO solid solution in a cement anode, the MgO will diffuse into zirconia and/or ceria at the appropriate firing temperature for the respective materials. Reduction of NiO in the anode with the fuel during cell operation will result in metallic Ni grains with a fine dispersion of MgO. The dispersion of MgO in Ni retards coarsening of nickel during the high temperature operation of the cell.

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

Abstract: The present invention consists of a device for retaining a one-piece battery with a prismatic casing having two longitudinal walls and two transverse walls. The device contains two plates applied to respective transverse walls and at least one cinching mechanism for the plates consisting of at least one flat strip closed on itself surrounding the longitudinal walls and the transverse walls are provided with the plates. The device is characterized in that at least one of the plates contains at least one recessed housing and the strip closely follows the shape of the housing.

Abstract: A fluid flow plate is preferably formed with three initial sections, for instance, two layers of conductive (e.g., metal) fibers and a barrier material (e.g., metal foil) which is interposed between the two layers. For example, sintering of these three sections can provide electrical path(s) between outer faces of the two layers. Then, the sintered sections can be, for instance, placed in a mold for forming of flow channel(s) into one or more of the outer faces. Next, rigidizing material (e.g., resin) can be injected into the mold, for example, to fill and/or seal space(s) about a conductive matrix of the electrical path(s). Preferably, abrading of surface(s) of the outer face(s) serves to expose electrical contact(s) to the electrical path(s).

Abstract: A plate-like current collector and the method of producing the same, said collector comprising a metal foil having a plurality of bowl-like projections, each projection projecting downwardly from the front side thereof to the reverse side thereof and having a penetrated hole in the center of the projection, a turning peripheral portion of the central penetrated hole formed to curve upwardly to a level positioning beneath the front side of the metal foil, wherein the penetrated hole may be enlarged or contracted using the elastic deformation of the turning peripheral portion.

Abstract: Anodes, cathodes, and/or solid electrolytes (or separator layers) of an electrochemical cell can be fabricated from aqueous compositions containing monomers and/or polymers. In one formulation, the aqueous composition contains binding materials that are polymerized and crosslinked. In a second formulation, the composition is a latex having as aqueous phase and a solid polymer phase. Upon removal of water, the compositions provide a polymeric structure suitable for use as an electrode or solid electrolyte.

Abstract: A prefabricated carbon anode containing predetermined amounts of passivating film components is assembled into a lithium-ion rechargeable battery. The modified carbon anode enhances the reduction of the irreversible capacity loss during the first discharge of a cathode-loaded cell. The passivating film components, such as Li.sub.2 O and Li.sub.2 CO.sub.3, of a predetermined amount effective for optimal passivation of carbon, are incorporated into carbon anode materials to produce dry anodes that are essentially free of battery electrolyte prior to battery assembly.

Abstract: This invention provides a film comprising a cross-linked polymer having an oxyalkylene group or a cross-linked polymer having an oxyalkylene group through a urethane bond, as a constituent component, a production method of the film, and an electrochemical apparatus using the film as a separator.The film for separator of an electrochemical apparatus can be easily and uniformly processed, can include an electrolytic solution, exhibits good film thickness and ensures excellent safety and reliability. The electrochemical apparatus is free of leakage of the solution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for operating an electrochemical fuel cell with periodic momentary fuel starvation at the anode. It is believed that such momentary periodic fuel starvation conditions cause the anode potential to increase, resulting in the oxidation and removal of electrocatalyst poisons from the anode electrocatalyst and improved fuel cell performance. In a preferred method, while successive localized portions of the fuel cell anode are momentarily periodically fuel starved, the remainder of the fuel cell anode remains electrochemically active and saturated with fuel such that the fuel cell is continually available to generate power.

Abstract: This present invention provides a method for forming C-SVO without the need for flowing O.sub.2 during its synthesis. A method of forming silver vanadium oxide in accordance with the present invention includes combining AgO with a vanadium-containing compound to form a mixture; and exposing the mixture to a sufficient temperature for a time effective to form silver vanadium oxide. A method of forming the silver vanadium oxide for use as a cathode material is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for reducing erosion of a mask while etching a feature in a first layer underlying the mask is disclosed. The first layer is disposed on a substrate, with the substrate being positioned on a chuck within in a plasma processing chamber. The method includes flowing an etchant source gas into the plasma processing chamber and forming a plasma from the etchant source gas. The method further includes pulsing an RF power source at a predefined pulse frequency to provide pulsed RF power to the chuck. The pulsed RF power has a first frequency and alternates between a high power cycle and a low power cycle at the pulse frequency The pulse frequency is selected to be sufficiently low to cause polymer to be deposited on the mask during the low power cycle.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the manufacture of microstructures and devices. The method is relatively easy to implement, and has the capability to produce features having a resolution of ten microns or smaller with a high aspect ratio (60, 75, 100, 200, or even higher). A master mask, appropriately designed and fabricated, is used in an initial exposure step with visible light, ultraviolet light, x-rays, an electron beam, or an ion beam to make a "transfer mask" directly on the surface of the sample. It is not necessary to produce an expensive x-ray master mask, even if x-ray exposure of the sample is desired. There is no necessity for gap control during exposure of the resist through the transfer mask. The resulting structures may, if desired, have a higher aspect ratio than microstructures that have previously been produced through other methods. The "transfer mask" is not a unit separate from the sample, but is formed directly on the surface of each sample.

Abstract: A baffle plate for semiconductor processing apparatus. The baffle plate includes a plurality of slits. A plurality of fins are located between adjacent slits. The fins have varying heights and a supporting portion interconnects the fins.

Abstract: An improved fuel cell system that utilizes hydrogen and air. The hydrogen of the fuel cell is derived from a hydrogen-generating process wherein H.sub.2 O is passed over a bed of iron material. The hydrogen generating process uses a catalyst, or freshly-ground iron material, or both, and generates the hydrogen for the fuel cell in situ at lower-than-normal temperatures when the H.sub.2 O reacts with the iron material. The fuel cell can be used to power a stationary system or a land vehicle, such as an automobile. The bed of iron material can be replenished periodically or continuously.

Abstract: A device for protecting a cell is described comprising a cell body arranged in a container which has opening and closing means to open and close the cell body from the exterior atmosphere of the container. The device also has a sensor for sensing an impact to the cell body. When the impact is above a predetermined value, a barrier fluid is sprayed into the interior of the container. The opening and closing means of the container is operated in response to the spraying of the barrier fluid.