Abstract: This invention provides a fuel cell catalyst including a carbon support containing at least one first element selected from the group consisting of B, N, and P, and catalyst particles supported on the carbon support, wherein the catalyst particles include at least one of platinum particles and alloy particles containing Pt and an element A, and the element A contains at least one element selected from the group consisting of platinum group elements and period 4 to 6 transition metal elements.

Abstract: A method for increasing the Scott density of synthetic and/or natural graphite powders of any particle size distribution, preferably of highly-pure graphite, by subjecting the graphite powder to an autogenous surface treatment. The powder is used, in particular, for producing dispersions, coatings with an increased graphite/binder ratio and increased electric and thermal conductivity, gas and liquid-tight coatings on metal substrates, thermoplastic or duroplastic graphite-polymer composites, or for producing metallic, non-ferrous sintering materials.

Abstract: A fuel cell including a cell stack including plural electrically conductive separator plates and MEAs (electrolyte membrane-electrode assemblies) inserted among the separator plates. The fuel cell further includes gas communication grooves, where the gas communication grooves on one main surface of each separator plate are positioned to correspond to the ribs on the other main surface thereof, whereby thin wall portions in the separator plate can be avoided as much as possible, thereby to solve above described problems.

Abstract: Fuel electrode-anode supported type solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) comprise novel fuel electrode design with improved mechanical and electrochemical properties. The novel supporting anodes comprise a plurality of internal longitudinal elevations or bosses projecting inwardly into the central bore of the tubular body for structural reinforcement of the entire cell, increasing electrode surface area, optimizing the anode electronic conductivity, and facilitating the mounting of the cell into a SOFC assembly system (e.g., cell stack). The SOFCs of the invention contemplate a range of tubular configurations, including cylindrical and polygonal shapes having at least three surfaces. Low-cost manufacturing routes are also disclosed, whereby the protruding bosses in the anode support do not require additional processing steps compared to conventional forming techniques.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and first and second separators in the form of meal plates for sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly. An anode of the membrane electrode assembly has a gas diffusion layer, and a cathode of the membrane electrode assembly has a gas diffusion layer. Each of the gas diffusion layers includes a foamed member made of metal material such as stainless steel. Resinous flow field walls are provided in the foamed member by impregnation for forming a reactant gas flow field.

Abstract: There is provided a positive electrode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, comprising a composite oxide represented by the general formula (1): (Li1-xMx)a(Co1-yMy)bOc where lithium and cobalt are partly replaced with element M in the crystal structure of LiCoOc, wherein element M is at least one selected from the group consisting of Al, Cu, Zn, Mg, Ca, Ba and Sr, and 0.02?x+y?0.15, 0.90?a/b?1.10, and 1.8?c?2.2 are satisfied.

Abstract: A fuel cell for production of electrical energy, such as a fuel cell, comprising a fuel chamber (1), an anode (2a), a cathode (2b), an electrolyte (3) disposed between said anode and said cathode, an oxidant chamber (4), wherein said chambers (1 and 4) enclose said anode, cathode and electrolyte, wherein a fuel flowing from the fuel chamber is oxidized at the anode, thereby producing electrical energy, wherein said electrolyte (3) is a ceramic composite electrolyte comprising at least one salt and at least one oxide in mixture.

Abstract: During startup or shutdown of a fuel cell power plant, the electric energy generated by consumption of reactants is extracted by a storage control (200) in response to a controller (185) as current applied to an energy storage system 201 (a battery). In a boost embodiment, an inductor (205) and a diode (209) connect one terminal (156) of the stack (151) of the battery. An electronic switch connects the juncture of the inductor and the diode to both the other terminal (155) of the stack and the battery. The switch is alternately gated on and off by a signal (212) from a controller (185) until sufficient energy is transferred from the stack to the battery. In a buck environment, the switch and the inductor (205) connect one terminal (156) of the stack to the battery. A diode connects the juncture of the switch with the inductor to the other terminal (155) of the fuel cell stack and the battery.

Abstract: A battery chamber, in which a dry cell or a battery pack is selectively loaded, is provided in a corner of a digital camera. The battery pack is inserted through a loading gate of a side surface of the digital camera, and plural dry cells are inserted through a loading gate in a bottom surface thereof. Four holes are formed in the loading gate in the bottom surface, and the dry cells are inserted in the respective holes. The loading gate in the side surface has a large size according to a shape of the battery pack. In the battery chamber, contact segments for dry cells and contact segments for battery pack are respectively provided.

Abstract: A freeze tolerant fuel cell power plant (10) includes at least one fuel cell (12), a coolant loop (42) having a porous water transport plate (44) secured in a heat and mass exchange relationship with the fuel cell (12) and a coolant pump (46) for circulating a coolant through the plate (44) and for transferring water into or out of the plate (44) with the coolant. A coolant heat exchanger (52) removes heat from the coolant, and an accumulator (66) stores the coolant and fuel cell product water and directs the product water out of the accumulator (66). The coolant is a two-component mixed coolant liquid circulating through the coolant loop (42) consisting of between 80 and 95 volume percent of a low freezing temperature water immiscible fluid component and between 5 and 20 volume percent of a water component.

Abstract: Between adjacent MEA's is a bipolar plate assembly having a first sub-plate with a flow channel which is open to the anode side of the one of the MEA's. A second sub-plate has a flow channel which is open to the cathode side of the adjacent MEA. The sub-plates are nested together to form a coolant flow channel between the sub-plates. The coolant flow path has a height dimension wherein the distance between the adjacent MEA's is substantially unaffected by the height dimension of the coolant flow path. A method of manufacturing a bi-polar plate assembly includes forming a closed coolant flow channel between the sub-plates by nesting the sub-plates together. A method of operating a fuel cell includes passing the coolant through a flow path having a height dimension which is substantially aligned with the height dimension of the hydrogen flow path, the oxygen flow path, or both.

Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte is made up of a polymer compound having a hydrocarbon aromatic group in the backbone thereof and including a side chain expressed by FORMULA 1: wherein “n” is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. The solid polymer electrolyte may be incorporated into a membrane and may be used in a solution for covering an electrode catalyst.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes an electrolyte electrode assembly and a pair of first and second separators. First through fourth oxygen-containing gas holes, first through fourth coolant holes, and first through fourth fuel gas holes extend through the fuel cell. The first through fourth oxygen-containing gas holes are selectively used as an oxygen-containing gas supply port or an oxygen-containing gas discharge port to cause an oxygen-containing gas to flow circularly along an electrode surface in an oxygen-containing gas flow field.

Abstract: A fuel cell having high operation performance and reliability is provided by optimizing the shape and properties of a gas diffusion layer and the dimensions of a gas flow channel. The fuel cell evenly supplies a reaction gas to the catalyst of a catalyst layer and promptly discharges excessive water generated therein. The gas diffusion layer of the MEA comprises a first section having a surface A coming in direct contact with a separator plate and a second section having a surface B facing the gas flow channel of the separator plate. The porosity of the first section is lower than the porosity of the second section, and the second section protrudes into the gas flow channel, which has sufficient width and depth for the protrusion of the gas diffusion layer, and the width of a rib formed by the gas flow channel is sufficiently narrow.

Abstract: A humidifying system for a fuel cell includes: a fuel cell having an anode and a cathode, the anode being supplied with a fuel gas and the cathode being supplied with an oxidant gas so that the fuel gas and the oxidant gas chemically react within the fuel cell to generate electricity; a first humidifier transferring moisture of cathode exhaust gas discharged from the cathode of the fuel cell to the fuel gas through hollow fiber membranes; a second humidifier transferring moisture of cathode exhaust gas discharged from the first humidifier to the oxidant gas through hollow fiber membranes; and a reduced pressure generating device arranged downstream of the first humidifier and between the first humidifier and the fuel cell to mix part of anode exhaust gas discharged from the anode of the fuel cell with the fuel gas using negative pressure resulting from a flow of the fuel gas.

Abstract: A high temperature material which consists of a chromium oxide forming iron alloy including: a) 12 to 28 wt % chromium, b) 0.01 to 0.4 wt % La, c) 0.2 to 1.0 wt % Mn, d) 0.05 to 0.4 wt % Ti, e) less than 0.2 wt % Si, f) less than 0.2 wt % Al, wherein, at temperatures of 700° C. to 950° C., the high temperature material is capable of forming a Mn Cr2O4 spinel phase. At a temperature of 700° C. to 950° on Mn, Cr2O4 the spinel phase formed protects a body, such as spark plug electrodes and other electrodes.

Abstract: A battery mounting (100) is provided for detachable placement in a device. The battery mounting (100) comprises a housing (104) for at least one battery cell (102), a clip (116) having a cammed surface (118) for cooperation with between the housing (104) and a portion of the device, a lock (130) with a-means for applying a force to the chip (116) for locking the battery mounting (100) in place in the device, and at least one power contact (138, 140) for connecting the at least one battery cell (102) to the device. The lock (138) provides a load in the engaging direction of the at least one power contact (138, 140).

Abstract: A separator for use in solid polymer fuel cells has porous areas, dense areas and gas flow channels. The flow channels are defined by flow channel surfaces, some or all of which are formed in the porous areas. The gas flow channels are not readily obstructed by water that forms during power generation. The separator has an adequate strength for use in fuel cells and a low contact resistance.

Abstract: A fuel cell system and related operating method are disclosed wherein a water storage section (a water storage tank 33), that stores water to humidify a fuel cell 1, is provided with a heat transfer surface (52a to 55a, 52b to 54b) that is heated by hot medium supplied to a hot medium flow passage. The heat transfer surface is inclined such that a surface area surrounded by the heat transfer surface increases as a water level increases. Antifreeze solution forming coolant medium of the fuel cell is heated and used as hot medium of the hot medium flow passage.