Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell with intrinsic energy storage. The solid oxide fuel cell includes a hydrogen electrode utilizing a modified anode active material. The modified anode active material allows for intrinsic energy storage within the hydrogen electrode which provides for transient response, load leveling applications, a decreased start-up time, and ability to accept charge. The solid oxide fuel cell may also include a modified cathode active material that allows for intrinsic energy storage within the oxygen electrode.

Abstract: The reaction product of a monomer comprising phthalazinone and a phenol group, and at least one sulfonated aromatic compound. The monomer comprising phthalazinone and a phenol group is used in a reaction with the sulfonated aromatic compound to produce ionomers with surprising and highly desirable properties. In one embodiment, the inventive ionomer is a sulfonated poly(phthalazinone ether ketone), hereinafter referred to as sPPEK. In another embodiment, the inventive ionomer is a sulfonated poly(phthalazinone ether sulfone), herein after referred to as sPPES. In another embodiment, the inventive ionomer is other sulfonated aromatic polymeric compounds. The invention further includes the formation of these polymers into membranes and their use for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), and in particular for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC).

Abstract: A multi-sided bellows cover has panel sections formed of extruded plastic panels that are connected end-to-end by bead-in-slot connections. The panel sections can be made of one or more rigid wall sections that are connected at the fold lines by flexible web sections or by the bead-in-slot connection. The panel sections are integrally molded by extrusion, and many serial wall sections alternating with web sections may be integrally co-extruded with one another.

Abstract: A solid-oxide fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells connected in series and disposed as two stacks side-by-side in head-to-tail configuration, connected in series across one end and having cathode and anode current collectors mounted side-by-side on a stack base at the other end. Each current collector is a flat plate extending from the stack footprint. Surrounding the stacks is a cover-sealing flange so formed that when the cover is in place a thermal jacket is formed around the stacks. The current collectors are electrically insulated from the sealing flange and cover by a gasket, and extend outwards from the flange for electrical attachment to a load. This arrangement permits the stacks to be fully assembled and the stack cover secured and sealed in place without need for passing electrical leads through openings in the cover which must be subsequently sealed.

Abstract: The present invention is a proton exchange membrane fuel cell that includes a fuel cell assembly. The fuel cell assembly includes a bipolar separator, which includes an anode separator, a cathode separator and a membrane electrode assembly. The bipolar separator includes a highly porous, electrically conductive, non-metallic interface and a non-porous frame. The highly porous interface includes micro-channels for fluid communication and diffusion. Both the cathodic interface and anodic interface of the bipolar separator contain the highly porous material in a fluid diffusion region that interfaces with the active area of the MEA interposed between two bipolar separators. The highly porous material connects the fluid diffusion regions with their respective external sources of oxidant and fuel. The bipolar separator includes a non-porous frame that seals the highly porous material and isolates the fluids within the proton exchange membrane fuel cell.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sputter depositing a magnetic film on a substrate to produce a magnetic device such as magnetic recording heads for reading digital information from a storage medium. The apparatus of the invention includes a sputtering chamber containing a target and a substrate, and a magnet array disposed within the chamber to form a substantially parallel magnetic field at a surface of the substrate. The sputtering chamber reduces interference between the magnetron and the magnet array by providing a long throw distance and/or a grounded collimator. The magnet array is preferably a circular ring.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling reformate delivered to an electrochemical cell in an electric power system. The system comprises: a reformate pressure sensor disposed in the reformate and configured to measure reformate pressure; a controllable valve configured to control the flow of reformate to the electrochemical cell; and a controller coupled to the reformate pressure sensor and the controllable valve. The controller receives a reformate pressure signal from the reformate pressure sensor, a controllable valve position signal from the controllable valve, and transmits a controllable valve command to the controllable valve.

Abstract: Disclosed is a positive electrode active material for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery containing at least a lithium-transition metal composite oxide of a spinel structure, in which at least one kind of element which may become tetravalent exists on at least a surface of the lithium-transition metal composite oxide, and concentration of the element which may become tetravalent on the surface of the lithium-transition metal composite oxide is higher than concentration of the element which may become tetravalent inside the lithium-transition metal composite oxide. A use of this positive electrode active material can improve cycle characteristics and high rate characteristics without reducing the charge-discharge capacity of the lithium-transition metal composite oxide.

Abstract: A fuel cell is provided that includes anode and cathode plates each formed with a peripheral groove and an extended groove at a circumferential portion thereof. Silicone, rubber is applied to the peripheral groove and the extended groove. Before the silicone rubber has cured, the anode plate, a membrane electrode assembly and the cathode plate are stacked and compressed to form a tight seal at the circumferential portions between the anode plate and the cathode plate. The membrane electrode assembly is tightly sandwiched between the silicone rubber at the extended groove of the anode plate and the silicone rubber at the extended groove of the cathode plate to form a tight seal around the ports between the anode plate and cathode plate.

Abstract: A battery having at least one group of electric power-generating elements each comprising at least a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator; and a battery case containing the group of electric power-generating elements. The battery case is formed from a mixture which includes a matrix material selected from the group consisting of plastics, polymers, resins or combinations thereof. The mixture further includes a thermally conductive, electrically insulating material distributed throughout the matrix material. The thermally conductive material has a thermal conductivity at least one order of magnitude higher than the thermal conductivity of the matrix material. The present invention also includes battery cases (lids and containers) used in making the batteries and formed of the mixture.

Abstract: A solid porous zinc electrode for use in alkaline-zinc batteries, zinc-air batteries and fuel cells is provided which comprises specific zinc filaments, fibers, threads or strands compressed into a physically-stable wooly mass to form the electrode with a controlled geometrical shape and porosity distribution. Differential densification incorporates ribs, borders, grids or tabs for good structural integrity, mechanical strength, electrochemical behavior, and electrical conductivity. Pressing in a mold or rolling of a compressed sheet can also provide an anode with a large anode/cathode interface area and a complex geometry. The filaments of controlled dimension and composition are preferably made by spin forming from molten zinc alloys. Such anodes are not susceptible to breakage, have a long storage life and can be used in high rate discharge applications.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack may include repeating fuel cell units each having a planar fuel cell, an interconnect, a cathode contact layer disposed between sealing strips, and an anode contact layer disposed between sealing strips. The sealing strips have end extensions which overlap with corner extensions on the interconnect. The extensions stack to form vertical columns which enclose the external manifolds, along with a manifold plate.

Abstract: A method for elevating a temperature within a fuel cell having a cathode, an electrolyte and an anode, includes, prior to the electrolyte reaching a minimum temperature at which oxygen ions cross the electrolyte, conducting an exothermic reaction at the cathode or the anode to elevate the temperature within the fuel cell.

Abstract: A Li-ion polymer battery and methods for its fabrication. A first and second layer, of a polymer/particulate material composition, separate and bind each anode and cathode. The polymer of the first layer and its associated solvent differ from the polymer of the second layer and its associated solvent. Solubility requirements are such that the polymer of the first layer is non-soluble in the solvent of the second layer, and the polymer of the second layer is non-soluble in the solvent of the first layer. The polymers and particulate materials of the layers form a porous structure for containing the electrolyte of the battery so as to eliminate the need for a substantial case for enclosing the battery.

Abstract: A binderless glass fiber mat suitable for use as a separator for valve regulated (“recombinant”) lead acid (“VRLA”) batteries is disclosed. The separator is produced by a dry process by collecting the fibers from fiberizing apparatus, without subjecting them to a wet paper making or other post forming process, and selecting portions of the collected fibers which are sufficiently uniform in thickness and grammage for use as battery separators. The fibers can be entwined to produce a superior separator material. Additives can be introduced during the collection process to enhance the properties of the separator. A battery comprises at least one stack of alternating positive and negative plates, with the separator between adjacent plates. Separators according to the invention are significantly more resilient and have longer fibers than otherwise identical separators made from different samples of the same glass fibers, but by a conventional wet paper making process.

Abstract: The invention is a consumable Alkaline electrode for use in an Electrolytic Fuel Cell. The electrode system incorporates an intermediate perforated tape between the carrier insulation tape holding the electrolytic fuel and the cover stripper tape having a metalized surface which serves as the electrode conductor accepting electrons from the outer circuit. When the Electrolytic Fuel Cell tape feed mechanism introduces the electrode tape into the cathode electrolyte chamber the cover stripper tape is removed uncovering the perforations in the perforated tape underneath allowing the electrolyte to diffuse into the active metal complex generating protons and electrons. The use of a perforaied tape instead of a mechanical pin roller to bring the electrolyte into communication with the active metal simplifies the EFC cell design lowering manufacturing cost and weight.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery pack for portable electronic equipment is includes a battery coupled to a charge/discharge circuit and includes a a first substrate for mounting parts positioned on a high-current path and a second substrate for mounting peripheral circuits for controlling a charge/discharge of the battery. Accordingly, heat sensitive parts on low current paths may be thermally isolated from heat generating parts on high current paths.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process for manufacturing resilient floor and wall tiles and the products obtained thereby. More particularly, the invention relates to resilient tiles which have been individually cut, routed and mechanically embossed on two adjacent edges to give the appearance that each individual tile has grout lines on two adjacent edges. When a series of these tiles are installed on a floor or wall, the seams between the individual tiles are less visible than when using resilient tiles of the prior art having grout lines on all edges of the tile. This is because the seams between the tiles of the present invention are not in the grout lines themselves but rather adjacent to the grout lines. This creates a more realistic appearance.

Abstract: In order to enhance reliability of a battery against bending or twisting in particular, at least one cell group comprising 4 unit cells is formed on a flexible substrate. The cell group has a rectangular shape, and is divided into the 4 unit cells by strip-shaped portions arranged along 2 diagonal lines of the rectangle.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a polymer electrolyte membrane sandwiched by these electrodes, the catalyst layer of cathode electrode contains a Pt—Co catalyst that is Pt—Co alloys supported by an electrical conductive material, and crystalline carbon fibers, improving the catalyst activity and controlling the oxidization corrosion reaction of the catalyst carrier can be carried out, and providing a high initial performance and superior durability.