Abstract: A separator for an electrochemical fuel cell provides a path for a fuel gas or an oxidative gas to an electrode and functions as a wall of a unit cell of the electrochemical fuel cell. The separator comprises a conductive metal plate, a conductive coating membrane, and a tight coating membrane. The conductive coating membrane coats the conductive metal plate where the separator contacts the electrode. The tight coating membrane coats the conductive metal plate where the conductive coating membrane does not coat the conductive metal plate. A conductivity of the conductive coating membrane is higher than the tight coating membrane, and the tight coating membrane has a tighter adhesion to the conductive metal plate than the conductive coating membrane. The conductive coating membrane comprises carbon, a precious metal, or an alloy of nickel and chromium. The tight coating membrane comprises a close-grained resin.

Abstract: An electrode for a rechargeable lithium-ion battery is formed by mixing stanous oxide (SnO) and lithium nitride (Li3N) in a stoichiometric ratio of 2 moles of Li3N to 3 moles of SnO to form a mixture, milling the mixture to obtain a milled powder, and processing the milled powder in accordance with an electrode-forming technique. The electrode forming technique can be any one of die pressing, spraying, doctor-blading and rolling. Conductive additives, such as carbon and binders (PVDF, cellulose and Teflon), can be introduced during the processing step. Preferably, the method is carried out in a dry, inert atmosphere of argon or helium. As a result of the invention, a smaller, lighter and more efficient lithium-ion battery is produced.

Abstract: A process for the production of an insulating component from a ceramic material for a high temperature fuel cell includes the following steps: In a first step, a ceramic material is converted into a dispersion by wet preparation with a water-soluble binder. In a second step, the dispersion is poured to form a water-containing layer. In a third step, the water-containing layer is converted at elevated temperature to form a rubbery layer. In a fourth step, the binder is burnt off from the rubbery layer at elevated temperature. In a fifth step, the layer from which the binder has been burnt off is set at elevated temperature. In a sixth and a seventh step, the layer which has been set is processed in accordance with the dimensions of the insulating component and consolidated by sintering.

Abstract: A carbon-air fuel cell defined by an enclosed heat insulating container, a cathode supported in the container and arranged to form an air space about the inside thereof, an anode basket positioned inside the cathode, spaced-apart from the container, and containing therein a charge of carbon, a charge of molten electrolyte, in the form of a hydroxide that is selected from the group consisting of Aluminum, Calcium, Cesium, Potassium, Sodium, Rubidium, Strontium and mixtures thereof, filling the space between the cathode and the charge carbon; and, a bubbler for passing an oxygen-containing stream of gas through the cathode into the molten electrolyte where the oxygen ionizes and diffuses through to the anode basket into contact with the carbon to produce an electrical charge at the anode basket.

Abstract: In one aspect, a first (flow field) plate of a fuel cell assembly includes a first flow channel(s) thereon. Fluid is conducted to the flow channel through an opening extending through the first plate. An adjacent second plate cooperates in providing surface(s) for a flow path between a manifold and the opening. Additional surface(s) may cooperate in providing the flow path and/or structural support therefor. A formation on the first plate may impede fluid communication from the manifold plate on a plate face including the first flow channel. The formation may provide structural support in a (e.g., PEM-type) fuel cell assembly, and/or a clamping and/or gasketing function for a membrane electrode assembly. A second flow path may similarly be provided for humidification of the (e.g., reactant) fluid. The second flow path may include flow regulator(s) and/or metering orifice(s). The second plate may include a second flow channel thereon.

Abstract: A battery having an array of rectangular cells with cylindrical ends housed in a rectangular battery container and a battery having a single rectangular electrochemical cell with a cylindrical end. Each cell has a rectangular section substantially housing the active cell materials and a cylindrical end with a round cover/seal assembly assembled thereto.

Abstract: An alcohol and water recovery system for a direct aqueous alcohol fuel cell power plant includes at least one direct aqueous alcohol fuel cell for producing electrical energy, and a direct alcohol and water transfer device for recovering alcohol and water leaving the plant and transferring the recovered alcohol and water back into the plant. The direct alcohol and water transfer device passes a process oxidant stream upstream of the plant in mass transfer relationship with a plant exhaust stream that includes aqueous alcohol fuel and process oxidant fluid streams that have passed through the fuel cell, so that alcohol and water in the plant exhaust stream transfer directly through a mass transfer medium of the device to the process oxidant stream entering the fuel cell. The device includes a separator housing for supporting the transfer medium and for preventing bulk mixing of the streams.