Abstract: A method for fabricating a membrane-electrode assembly, and fuel cells adopting a membrane-electrode assembly formed by the method, wherein the method includes: coating nano-sized catalytic metal particles on a proton exchange polymer membrane by sputtering a catalytic metal source; coating nano-sized carbon particles on the proton exchange polymer membrane by arc discharging or by sputtering a carbon source to form a nanophase catalyst layer; and bonding electrodes to the proton exchange polymer membrane having the nanophase catalyst layer. The nano-sized catalytic metal and nano-sized carbon particles can be coated on a proton exchanger polymer membrane to form a catalyst layer by simultaneously sputtering a catalyst metal source and a carbon source.

Abstract: Disclosed is a negative electrode for a lithium secondary battery which is prepared by mixing graphite powder with a binder. The negative electrode comprises graphite with an intensity ratio I(110)/I(002) of 0.5 or more wherein I(002) is an X-ray diffraction peak intensity I(002) at a (002) plane and I(110) is an X-ray diffraction peak intensity I(110) at a (110) plane The negative electrode for a lithium secondary battery has enhanced discharge capacity and cycle life characteristics.

Abstract: A method for improving the efficiency of a hydrocarbon catalytic reformer and close-coupled fuel cell system by recycling a percentage of the anode exhaust syngas directly into the reformer in a range between about 20% and about 60%. Oxygen is supplied to the reformer at start-up. Under equilibrium conditions, oxygen required for reforming of hydrocarbon fuel is derived entirely from endothermic reforming of water and carbon dioxide in the recycled syngas. Recycling of anode syngas into the reformer increases fuel efficiency, adds excess water to the reformate to increase protection against anode coking, and protects the fuel cell stack against air- and water-borne contaminants. A method for producing an excess amount of syngas for exporting for other purposes is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is an alkaline storage battery comprising: a positive electrode comprising nickel hydroxide; a negative electrode; and an electrolyte layer interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The electrolyte layer comprises a water absorbent polymer and an aqueous alkaline solution. The water absorbent polymer is obtained by saponification of a copolymer comprising 100 parts by weight of monomer (A) and 0.01 to 10 parts by weight of monomer (B). The monomer (A) has at least one group capable of being converted to a carboxyl group by saponification and has one polymerizable double bond, and the monomer (B) has two or more polymerizable double bonds.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and first and second separators for sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly. A serpentine oxygen-containing gas flow field is formed on a surface of the first separator. A seal member is provided around the oxygen-containing gas flow field, i.e., around the anode. Filling seals are provided in a clearance between the seal member and the cathode at positions where the leakage of an oxygen-containing gas is likely to occur.

Abstract: A laminate battery is provided with a tab, an electric power generating element connected to the tab, and a laminate sheet allowing the electric power generating element to be accommodated. The laminate sheet includes a metallic layer and a thermally welding resin layer laminated on the metallic layer. The tab and the thermally welding resin layer are welded by permitting a thermally welding area, which is formed in at least one of the thermally welding resin layer and the tab, and the other of the thermally welding resin layer and the tab to be welded to one another.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a combustor and a water tank and a drain collector. The combustor has an exhaust line and a combustor drain. The water tank has a water-tank drain. The drain collector collects drainage from the drains into the exhaust line.

Abstract: A front access battery module for supporting batteries during seismic stress, comprising a pair of spaced side panels, a rear panel spanning the side panels and connected thereto at opposing side edges, a shelf forming a base for supporting batteries and means for securing the module to a support structure and fastening means for securing modules together to form a multi-tier battery rack system wherein the anchoring means and connecting means are accessible from the open front access end of the module.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a plurality of metal clip members for holding outer regions of first and second metal separators at a plurality of positions. Each of the metal clip member includes a side plate and first and second holding portions. The side plate is curved at opposite ends, and the first and second holding portions are extending from the opposite ends of the side plate. The first and second holding portions generates a predetermined elastic force for holding the first and second metal separators. The outer ends of the first and second metal separators are covered by insulating sections, and the insulating sections are held between the first and second holding portions so that the entire unit cell is tightened by the predetermined elastic force.

Abstract: A high temperature fuel cell generator (10) having a housing (12) containing a top air feed plenum (80), a bottom fuel inlet (54), a fuel reaction generator chamber (62) containing fuel cells (42) and a reacted fuel-reacted air combustion chamber (38) above the fuel reaction generator chamber (62), where inlet air (14) can be heated internally within the housing in at least one interior heat transfer zone/block (92) located between the reacted fuel-reacted air combustion chamber (38) and the air feed plenum (80).

Abstract: A fuel cell system including a combined injector/ejector system. The pressure of a hydrogen gas being injected into the fuel cell system by the injector acts as a pump that draws an anode exhaust gas being carried by the ejector back into the fuel cell system. The respective gases mix together in proximity to the ejector prior to being introduced back into the fuel cell system. A pressure controller can be provided to control the pressure of the hydrogen gas applied to the injector to more effectively draw the anode exhaust gas. In this manner, the need for a separate pump for the ejector, and the energy required for its operation, is eliminated or at least lessened, thus increasing the overall energy efficiency of the fuel cell system.

Abstract: A fuel cell is disclosed having a separator that can minimize damage to a membrane electrode assembly. The separator advantageously has a groove therein approximately positioned over an outer edge of an electrode of the fuel cell to reduce any pressure between the separator and the outer edge of the electrode upon assembly and during use thereafter.

Abstract: The fuel cell system has a fuel cell unit and a catalytically active reactor unit (3) for at least partial chemical transformation of an operating medium stream (1), especially a reformer, gas purifier stage and/or a combustor, in which the catalytically active reactor unit (3) has a variable catalytically active reactor volume (4) acted on by the operating medium stream. To provide the fuel cell system with a higher efficiency and good dynamic behavior the catalytically active reactor unit is provided with at least one control device (5, 8, 11, 12, 13) for controlling and/or for changing the variable catalytically active reactor volume (4) acted on by the operating medium stream (1).

Abstract: In a MEA (membrane electrode assembly) of a fuel cell including an electrolyte membrane as an ion transfer medium arranged between a bipolar plate having a fuel side open groove in which fuel flows and a bipolar plate having an air side open groove in which air flows so as to form a fuel path with the fuel side open groove and form an air path with the air side open groove; and a catalyst electrode inserted into the fuel side open groove so as to be separated from the electrolyte membrane in order to form a fuel path with both sides thereof and induce electrochemical oxidation with the fuel, by activating action occurred on the fuel electrode in which fuel is supplied and the air electrode in which air is supplied, current generating efficiency can be improved.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a fuel cell includes an electromotive section, a fuel tank, an anode line through which a fuel is circulated between the electromotive section and the fuel tank, an air supply section, a cathode line which is connected to the electromotive section and through which products from the electromotive section are discharged, a cooler which is provided in the cathode line, cools the products, and condenses water, and an exhaust filter provided in the cathode line. The fuel cell has a reservoir portion which stores the condensed water and water discharged from the electromotive section, a first recovery line through which the water stored in the reservoir portion is guided into the fuel tank, and a second recovery line through which the water produced in the cathode line is guided into the reservoir portion between the cooler and the exhaust filter.

Abstract: An adhesive composition-supporting separator for a battery includes a porous substrate supporting thereon a thermally cross-linkable adhesive composition comprising a multi-functional isocyanate and a reactive polymer having a functional group capable of reacting with an isocyanato group of the multi-functional isocyanate; an electrode/separator laminate is obtained by contact pressing the adhesive composition-supporting separator for a battery against electrodes; and an electrode/separator bonded material having a cross-linked adhesive composition is obtained by heating the electrode/separator laminate to thereby react the multifunctional isocyanate with the reactive polymer for causing cross-linking.

Abstract: A hydrophilic cross-linked polymer obtainable by copolymerization of hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers that give a cross-linked hydrophilic polymer on polymerization; a monomer including a strongly ionic group; and water is useful as the membrane in an assembly that can be used in an electrolyter or fuel cell. More generally, a membrane electrode assembly comprises electrodes and an ion-exchange membrane which comprises a hydrophilic polymer including a strongly ionic group. A method for producing a membrane electrode assembly comprising electrodes and an ion-exchange membrane, comprises introducing between the electrodes a material or materials from which the membrane can be formed, and forming the membrane in situ.

Abstract: The present teachings are directed toward electrocatalyst compositions of platinum, titanium, a third, fourth and possibly fifth metal for use in fuel cells. The electrocatalyst composition is composed essentially of platinum present in an atomic percentage ranging between about 30 percent and about 85 percent, titanium present in an atomic percentage ranging between about 5 percent and about 30 percent, a third metal present in an atomic percentage ranging between about 1 percent and about 30 percent, a fourth metal present in an atomic percentage ranging between about 1 percent and about 30 percent, and a possible fifth metal present in an atomic percentage ranging between about 1 percent and about 30 percent. The third metal can be at least one member selected from the group consisting of nickel, vanadium, molybdenum, copper, manganese, iron, cobalt, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, silver, osmium, iridium and gold.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly including a membrane electrode assembly, an anode plate, a cathode plate, a removable fuel cartridge, and a fuel delivery system. The assembly includes an anode, a cathode, and a polymer electrolyte membrane having a fuel side and an oxygen side. The fuel cartridge includes an expandable fuel bladder for receiving liquid fuel, an expandable pressure member in contact with the bladder for maintaining a positive pressure on the bladder, and a sealable exit port in fluid communication with the bladder. The fuel delivery system delivers fuel from the cartridge to the fuel side of the membrane. The removable fuel cartridge includes a rigid fuel container having a first container portion and a second container portion permanently enclosing the expandable fuel bladder and the expandable pressure member. The first container portion and the second container portion may be permanently affixed to one another with an adhesive.

Abstract: An airbreathing fuel cell comprising a power generating cell stack constituted by laminating a plurality of cell parts together, which cell part comprises a polymer electrolyte membrane, an oxygen electrode and a fuel electrode, which are provided on both sides of the polymer electrolyte membrane to be opposed to each other, an oxygen passage plate provided adjacent to the oxygen electrode, and separator plates provided adjacent to an outside of the oxygen passage plate and an outside of the fuel electrode, and a cell stack for removal of moisture, connected to the power generating cell stack and comprising at least one cell, which is constructed in the same manner as the cell part, and to which resistances are connected to be capable of power generation, and wherein moisture generated in the power generating cell stack due to an operation over a long period of time is conducted to the cell stack for removal of moisture together with a fuel, and removed through natural evaporation to outside and around the fu