Abstract: A lithium secondary battery has small internal resistance and has good charge-discharge cycle characteristics, with a lithium transition metal compound being used as a positive active material. A portion of transition element Me in a lithium transition metal compound LiMeXOY to be used as a positive active material is substituted by not less than two substitution elements M selected from the group consisting of Li, Fe, Mn, Ni, Mg, Zn, B, Al, Co, Cr, Si, Ti, Sn, P, V, Sb, Nb, Ta, Mo, and W. To provide LiMZMeN-ZOY wherein M≠Me .

Abstract: A fuel cell system and process using an organic Rankine cycle to produce shaft work to operate a fuel cell system component such as an air compressor. The air compressor delivers compressed air to a fuel cell stack. The steps of the Rankine cycle include pumping a liquid working fluid to an elevated pressure, heating the fluid to a gas, expanding the high temperature and high-pressure gas through an expander to produce shaft work used to drive a fuel cell system component such as an air compressor, and then removing energy from the cooling fluid to change the gas back to a liquid, and repeating the cycle. The liquid fluid can be heated by an external boiler, or one of the components of the fuel cell system such as the combustor and/or the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: Methods and kits for removing contaminants from fuel cells are disclosed. The methods include passing a removal substance through a flow channel in the cell, where the substance is selected to remove the contaminant. The contaminants can be, e.g., metallic ions or organic compounds, and the removal substance can be, e.g., acidic or alkaline solutions, chelating agents, or oxidants.

Abstract: The invention relates to a battery which, for maintenance or in a danger situation, can be simply and reliably transferred from an operative state into a safe, inoperative state, whilst avoiding a short circuit. This is either brought about in that a controlled operable draining device for the rapid draining of the electrolyte is provided and that following the draining of the electrolyte all power-generating processes are stopped. Alternatively a battery with such characteristics is created in that in the danger situation a line introduces a deactivating substance into the electrolyte, which stops all power-generating, electrolytic processes.

Abstract: A metal-air cell having a cell casing, an air electrode positioned within the cell casing, and means for providing air to the air electrode when a predetermined load is placed on the cell and for substantially isolating the air electrode when the load is not placed on the cell.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a container with a closed bottom end, an open top end, and side walls extending between the top and bottom ends has a pressure relief mechanism formed in the bottom end, and positive and negative electrodes disposed in the container. The pressure relief mechanism is a stress concentrator formed in the container for providing pressure relief to vent high pressure gases. The stress concentrator includes first and second crossing grooves and third and fourth arcuate grooves to provide for multiple stress concentration points which offers increased reliability of venting, reduced space required for the vent opening, and results in significant reduction of bulging in the closed bottom end of the container.

Abstract: A thermal electrochemical cell having a LiAl anode with a salt additive in the range of 10% to 40%, a transition metal fluoride cathode and an alkali metal fluoride salt mixture electrolyte. Preferably, the cathode is CuF2 and the electrolyte is selected from the group consisting of LiF—KF, LiF—KF—NaF, LiF—RbF, LiF—KF—RbF, LiF—NaF—RbF, and LiF—KF—RbF.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembling machine for Ni-MH batteries and an assembly process thereof, more particularly, to an automated assembling machine for a negative electrode plate Ni-MH battery wherein the negative electrode plate for Ni-MH batteries can be made through an automated on-line production process so that cost, time, and reject rate of production thereof can be substantially reduced, and hence production efficiency can be maximized.

Abstract: A gasket for an electrochemical cell is formed of a styrenic polymer blend including a styrenic polymer and an impact modifying agent which increases the toughness of the styrenic polymer. The styrenic polymer based gasket has several advantages over conventional nylon gaskets, including better processability, and improved chemical resistance to alkaline medium.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte for use in an electrochemical cell comprising: (a) at least one organic solvent; (b) at least one electrolytically active salt represented by the formula: M′+m(ZRnXq−n)m in which: M′ is selected from a group consisting of magnesium, calcium, aluminum, lithium and sodium; Z is selected from a group consisting of aluminum, boron, phosphorus, antimony and arsenic; R represents radical selected from the following groups: alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, phenyl, benzyl, and amido; X is a halogen (I, Br, Cl, F); m=1-3; and n=0-5 and q=6 in the case of Z=phosphorus, antimony and arsenic, and n=0-3 and q=4 in the case of Z=aluminum and boron. Rechargeable, high energy density electrochemical cells containing an intercalation cathode, a metal anode, and an electrolyte of the above-described type are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sealed secondary battery assembly in which electricity-generating elements (1) are accommodated in battery cases (3) formed in rectangular tubular shape having a bottom, a plurality of cells (2a to 2j) constituted by sealing the apertures of battery cases (3) by covers (4) are arranged in series, and these are electrically connected by means of electrical connecting elements (9), wherein the battery cases (3) of the individual cells (2a to 2j) are constituted by a unitary battery case (51) and electrical connection elements (9) are arranged so as to pass through partition sections (53, 54) that define the space for the individual cells (2a to 2j), and coolant passages (55, 56) that communicate with the outside are formed in the partition sections (53, 54).

Abstract: A seal for a galvanic cell is formed of a styrenic polymer blend including a styrenic polymer and an impact modifying agent which increases the toughness of the styrenic polymer. The styrenic polymer based seal has several advantageous over conventional galvanic cell seals, including better processability, and improved chemical resistance to alkaline medium.

Abstract: A planar type solid oxide electrolyte fuel cell which is composed of power generation films in which an oxygen electrode is constituted on one side of each solid electrolyte having dimples almost all over its surface and a fuel electrode on the other side thereof, interconnectors sandwiched between the said power generation films, and seal materials which surround the four sides of the said power generation films, wherein oxidant gases and fuel gases react electrochemically via the said power generation films in order to obtain electric energy, wherein on the fuel electrode side of one the four sides of the cell a fuel inlet aperture is provided over nearly the entire length thereof, and a fuel outlet aperture is provided on the side facing the said one side over nearly the entire length thereof, and an air inlet aperture is provided on the oxygen electrode side of one of the remaining two sides, the said air inlet aperture being located in that half of the said side which is closer to the fuel gas inlet aper

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack includes a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells juxtaposed to one another, with at least two of the cells having a substantially flat configuration; and each of the two cells having an anode layer, an electrolyte layer, and a cathode layer. The fuel stack also includes at least one interconnect disposed among the plurality of cells, with the interconnect being capable of providing an electrical connection between the cells, and the interconnect comprising a plurality of first extensions on a first surface of the interconnect and a plurality of second depressions on a second surface of the interconnect. The first extensions and second depressions are integrally formed with one another to provide a plurality of oxidant passageways and fuel passageways.

Abstract: A fuel cell power generating apparatus includes a stack of a plurality of fuel cell units each having a cathode and an anode disposed on opposite sides of an electrolyte membrane. A fuel gas supply system supplies fuel gas to the anode, an air supply system supplies air to the cathode and a water supply system supplies liquid water to the cathode. A control unit ensures that, when the apparatus starts up, the cathode is first supplied with air, followed by supply of the liquid water. In a preferred embodiment, the water supply system intermittently sprays the liquid water onto the cathode when the temperature of the fuel cell stack monitored by a temperature sensor falls below a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell stack comprising a fuel cell unit and separators which are stacked with each other. The separator is provided with a cooling medium supply port corresponding to a central portion of an electrode power-generating section and a cooling medium discharge port corresponding to an outer circumferential portion of the electrode power-generating section. The cooling medium supply port communicates with the cooling medium discharge port via a cooling medium flow passage having a spiral configuration. Accordingly, the entire fuel cell unit can be uniformly cooled, and the power-generating function can be effectively improved.

Abstract: A positive active material for a rechargeable lithium battery is provided. The positive active material is characterized by formulas 1 or 2. The positive active material exhibits good cycle life characteristics and high capacity. LiaNi1−(x+y+z)CoxMyNzOb  (1) (where 0.95≦a≦1.05, 0.01≦x+y≦0.5, 0<y≦0.1, 0≦z≦0.05, 1.7≦b ≦2.3, M is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of La and Ce, and N is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Mg and Sr.) LiaNbNi1−(x+y)CoxMyOz  (2) (where 0.95≦a+b≦1.05, 0≦b≦0.5, 0.01≦x+y≦0.5, <0≦0.1, 1.7≦z ≦2.3, M is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of La and Ce, and N is Mg.

Abstract: An IC card comprising an electronic device and a battery within a plastic card for electrically energizing the electronic device. The battery is comprised of a monolithic electrochemical cell having a lithium-containing cathode, a carbon anode, and a porous polymer separator infused with electrolyte solution. The cell has a thickness of less than 0.7 mm. A package containing the cell formed of a sheet of flexible laminate material having at least one metal foil layer and a layer of an adhesive-like polymeric material. The battery has an overall thickness of less than 0.8 mm.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving water management in a PEM fuel cell power supply are disclosed. The fuel cell power supply includes a combustion unit that combusts anode exhaust, producing combusted exhaust that includes water. The combusted exhaust is recycled to the anode input and/or the cathode input. The recycling system can include additional devices, for example, a CO removal device for removing CO from the combusted exhaust prior to recycling to the anode. A fuel processor can be thermally coupled to the combustion unit that combusts the anode exhaust. One advantage of the invention is that the condenser typically employed for recovering water from combusted exhaust can be eliminated, of reduced capacity or operated less frequently, thereby reducing the cost and/or the complexity of the fuel cell power supply.

Abstract: A method for producing an electrolyte comprising a salt of an organofluorosilicon compound containing silicon, fluorine and carbon, which comprises the step of reacting an organosilane compound containing at least silicon and carbon, with a fluorine compound in a solvent comprising a nonaqueous solvent as a main component.