Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of chemically modifying a lithium-based oxide comprising at least one transition metal, which comprises, in succession: a step of bringing said oxide into contact with an aqueous solution comprising phosphate ions; a step of separating said oxide from the aqueous solution; and a step of drying said oxide. Use of the modified lithium transition metal oxide as active positive electrode material for a lithium secondary battery.

Abstract: A process for preparing an at least partially lithiated transition metal oxyanion-based lithium-ion reversible electrode material, which includes providing a precursor of said lithium-ion reversible electrode material, heating said precursor, melting same at a temperature sufficient to produce a melt including an oxyanion containing liquid phase, cooling said melt under conditions to induce solidification thereof and obtain a solid electrode that is capable of reversible lithium ion deinsertion/insertion cycles for use in a lithium battery. Also, lithiated or partially lithiated oxyanion-based-lithium-ion reversible electrode materials obtained by the aforesaid process.

Abstract: To operate a safety mechanism normally even when an accident happens. For this object, an electrochemical element includes an exhaust valve that operates when an internal pressure in a casing 4 reaches a predetermined pressure to release gas occurring in the casing to the outside, and a perforated plate 2 having holes 5a and 5b, which is provided between an electrode group 3 and the exhaust valve. The area of the perforated plate 2 excluding the holes 5a and 5b is 20% or more and 50% or less of the area of the opening of the casing. The perforated plate 2 is adapted for electrically insulating the electrode group 3 from the sealing member 1.

Abstract: In a fuel cell system, mixture fuel having a certain fuel concentration is supplied to an anode, electric power is output from between the anode and the cathode due to electrochemical reaction when the cathode makes contact with air, and unreacted fuel containing unreacted fuel is discharged from the anode. A fuel circulating path for circulating the unreacted fuel to the anode is connected to the power generating unit and fuel is supplied from the fuel supplying unit to the fuel circulating path depending on a reduction in pressure of the mixture fuel. The temperature of the power generating unit is controlled according to the concentration of the mixture fuel supplied to the anode. Consequently, a fuel cell system, which can achieve reduction of the size thereof without dropping fuel usage efficiency, can be provided.

Abstract: The membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of a PEM fuel cell can be recycled by contacting the MEA with a lower alkyl alcohol solvent which separates the membrane from the anode and cathode layers of the assembly. The resulting solution containing both the polymer membrane and supported noble metal catalysts can be heated under mild conditions to disperse the polymer membrane as particles and the supported noble metal catalysts and polymer membrane particles separated by known filtration means.

Abstract: A fuel cell power plant (9) includes a stack (10) of fuel cells, each including anodes (11), cathodes (12), coolant channels (13) and either (a) a coolant accumulator (60) and a pump (61) or (b) a condenser and cooler fan. During shutdown, electricity generated in the fuel cell in response to boil-off hydrogen gas (18) powers a controller (20), an air pump (52), which may increase air utilization to prevent cell voltages over 0.85 during shutdown, and either (a) the coolant pump or (b) the cooler fan. Operation of the fuel cell keeps it warm; circulating the warm coolant prevents freezing of the coolant and plumbing. The effluent of the cathodes and/or anodes is provided to a catalytic burner (48) to consume all hydrogen before exhaust to ambient. An HVAC in a compartment of a vehicle may operate using electricity from the fuel cell during boil-off.

Abstract: A secondary battery for electronic appliance to be accommodated in an electronic appliance, thereby feeding an electric power to the electronic appliance, is disclosed, which includes a battery cell in which a positive electrode, a negative electrode and an electrolyte are accommodated in a pack, and a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal from the positive electrode and the negative electrode, respectively are lead out from the same side face of the pack; a metallic battery can in which one opening from which the battery cell is inserted is formed and which accommodates the battery cell therein such that one side face from which the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal are lead out is faced towards the opening side; and a lid made of a synthetic resin in which a positive electrode terminal part and a negative electrode terminal part to be connected to the electrodes of the electronic appliance upon being connected to the positive electrode terminal and the n

Abstract: A battery system includes a metal oxygen battery. The metal oxygen battery includes a first electrode, an oxygen storage material, and a selective transport member separating the oxygen storage material and the first electrode.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes an electrode group 8 including a positive electrode 4 including a positive electrode current collector 4A and a positive electrode active material formed on the positive electrode current collector 4A, a negative electrode 5 including a negative electrode current collector 5A and a negative electrode active material formed on the negative electrode current collector 5A, and a porous insulating layer 6, the electrode group 8 being formed by winding or stacking the positive electrode 4 and the negative electrode 5 with the porous insulating layer 6 interposed. The positive electrode 4 has a tensile extension equal to or higher than 3.0%. The porous insulating layer 6 is made of a material containing aramid resin. Hence, even when the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery is destroyed by crush, occurrence of an internal short circuit in the battery can be prevented, thereby suppressing abnormal heat generation caused by an internal short circuit.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is connected to at least one energy storage cell of an energy storage device in a heat-conducting manner. The energy storage device is enclosed by a housing. The energy storage cells have at least one safety pressure release valve or burst opening for the release of gases to the outer environment. The heat exchanger at least partially forms at least one side of the housing and has holes that connect the safety pressure releases of the energy storage cells with the environment.

Abstract: The module comprises a reinforced sealing device at the outlet of stacked cells (10). It essentially comprises a distribution box (20), a collection box (30) and a concentric stack of elementary cells (10) intercalated with interconnectors (12). An upper seal (50) is placed at the outlet of the cells (10) into which penetrate the walls (38) of the collection box (30). Inner (44) and outer (45) ferrules form tanks at the outlet of the chambers and themselves open into cavities (37) formed by the walls (38). The invention applies to SOFC type fuel cells and SOEC type electrolysers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell stack which includes: a cell assembly formed of stacked unit cells, each composed of a membrane electrolyte assembly and separators which sandwich the membrane electrolyte assembly; a pair of collector plates A and B which sandwiches the cell assembly; a pair of end plates A and B which sandwiches the cell assembly and the collector plates; and an elastic member disposed between end plate A and collector plate A, wherein end plate A has a convexed portion and a concaved portion on a surface facing collector plate A, and the concaved portion of end plate A holds therein the elastic member, and a bottom surface of the concaved portion includes a second convexed portion and a second concaved portion.

Abstract: A primary cell having an anode comprising lithium or lithium alloy and a cathode comprising iron disulfide (FeS2), iron sulfide (FeS) and carbon particles. The electrolyte comprises a lithium salt dissolved in a solvent mixture. A cathode slurry is prepared comprising iron disulfide (FeS2) powder, iron sulfide (FeS) powder, carbon, binder, and a liquid solvent. The mixture is coated onto a conductive substrate and solvent evaporated leaving a dry cathode coating on the substrate. The anode and cathode can be spirally wound with separator therebetween and inserted into the cell casing with electrolyte then added.

Abstract: This invention provides a type of lithium iron phosphate cathode active material and its method of synthesis. Said cathode active material contains the sintering product of lithium iron phosphate and a mixture. Said mixture comprises of two or more metal oxides where the metal elements are selected from groups II A, III A, IV A, V A, III B, IV B, or V B, and where the weight of one metal oxide is 0.5-20% of the weight of the other metal oxide. Greatly increased capacity can be achieved in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries using the lithium iron phosphate cathode active material provided by this invention.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator, operative to provide molecular hydrogen to an anode of a fuel cell, including a catalyst and employing a water-based fuel including one of salts, bases and acids, as well as at least one of zinc, magnesium, iron and aluminum and a method for electrical power generation using a fuel cell and a hydrogen generator.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a cell stack, a temperature sensor which detects a temperature of the cell stack, an outside air temperature sensor which detects an outside air temperature, and a CPU which controls a process in the fuel cell system. When the temperature of the cell stack is lower than a predetermined temperature, the fuel cell system performs a temperature raising operation of the cell stack by making the concentration of aqueous methanol solution in an aqueous solution tank higher than in a normal operation and by making an output of an aqueous solution pump greater than in the normal operation. The CPU sets a run time for the temperature raising operation based on a detection result from the outside air temperature sensor, a detection result from the temperature sensor, and a run time setting table which is stored in a memory. The fuel cell system is capable of raising a temperature of the fuel cell quickly and stably to the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for exchanging heat in fuel cell systems (100) in which the anode and cathode off-gases are provided with separated flow paths. In one embodiment, where a fuel cell stack (110) has separate anode and cathode off-gas flow paths, separate anode off-gas from the at least one fuel cell stack (110) and at least one heat transfer fluid are passed through a first heat exchange element (126) to exchange heat between the anode off-gas and the heat transfer fluid. The cathode off-gas exiting the at least one fuel cell stack is then combined with the anode off-gas from the heat exchange element (126) in a burner and burned.

Abstract: An electrode including a conductive metal support and a paste including an electrochemically-active material and a binder. The binder includes a compound of silane type, and a polymer having at least one acrylic monomer, and representing at least approximately 0.15% of the weight of said paste. The use of this binder improves the calendar or cycle life of the battery at a temperature greater than or equal to 25° C., preferably at a temperature greater than or equal to 40° C.

Abstract: A primary cell having an anode comprising lithium and a cathode comprising iron disulfide (FeS2) and carbon particles. The electrolyte comprises a lithium salt dissolved in a nonaqueous solvent mixture which contains an additive, preferably iodine, suppressing voltage delay. A cathode slurry is prepared comprising iron disulfide powder, carbon, binder, and liquid solvent. The mixture is coated onto a conductive substrate and solvent evaporated leaving a dry cathode coating on the substrate. The anode and cathode can be spirally wound with separator therebetween and inserted into the cell casing with electrolyte then added.

Abstract: An electric vehicle with fuel cells mounted thereon has a fuel tank that stores a fuel therein, and a connector receptor that is connected to the fuel tank and is open to the surface of the vehicle body. A connector of a predetermined hydrogen supply device is fitted in and attached to the connector receptor, so that a supply of fuel is fed from the hydrogen supply device to the electric vehicle. The connector receptor is provided with a fuel lid for covering over the connector receptor. When it is determined that the fuel cells are in a working state, the fuel lid is not opened in response to input of an opening instruction of the fuel lid in the course of fuel supply. When it is determined that the fuel lid is open, on the other hand, operation of the fuel cells is not started in response to input of a starting instruction of the fuel cells in the electric vehicle. Such an arrangement enhances the safety of fuel supply to any system with fuel cells.