Abstract: An electrochemical active material contains a lithiated zirconium, titanium, or mixed titanium/zirconium oxide. The oxide can be represented by the formula LiM′M″XO4, where M′ is a transition metal, M″ is an optional three valent non-transition metal, and X is zirconium, titanium, or a combination of the two. Preferably, M′ is nickel, cobalt, iron, manganese, vanadium, copper, chromium, molybdenum, niobium, or combinations thereof. The active material provides a useful composite electrode when combined with a polymeric binder and electrically conductive material. The active material can be made into a cathode for use in a secondary electrochemical cell. Rechargeable batteries may be made by connecting a number of such electrochemical cells.

Abstract: Unit cell 1 comprises a pair of counterposed separators 2 and 3 and a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) provided between the separators, MEA comprising polymeric electrolyte membrane 5 having a predetermined thickness and two reactor electrode layers 4 and 4′ each with a catalyst layer sandwiching the polymeric electrolyte membrane, where the polymeric electrolyte membrane and spacer sheet 5a having a predetermined thickness are vertically sandwiched by a pair of counterposed elastic resin gasket sheets 6 and 7, thereby supporting MEA, and gaskets 8 and 9 of inverted V shape made from cured rubber are integrally formed on the outer surfaces of the gasket sheets, respectively, and brought into tight contact with inner surfaces 2a and 3a of separators 2 and 3, respectively, thereby attaining desired sealing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composite electrolyte membranes for fuel cells and methods of making same. More specifically, the present invention is directed to proton-conducting membranes for fuel cell applications. The present invention further describes materials which reach high intrinsic proton conductivity and are suitable for use as electrolytic membranes in methanol fuel cells.

Abstract: A solid, gel type non-aqueous electrolyte for use in an electrochemical cell, the electrolyte including: (a) at least one polymer compound; (b) at least one organic solvent, and (c) at least one electrolytically active salt represented by the formula: M′(ZRnXq-n)m in which: M′ is selected from the group consisting of magnesium, calcium, and aluminum; Z is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, phosphorus, antimony and arsenic; R represents radicals selected from the following groups: alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, phenyl, benzyl, and amido; X is a halogen (I, Br, Cl, F); m=2-3; n=0-5 and q=6 for Z=phosphorus, antimony, and arsenic, and n=0-3 and q=4 for Z=aluminum and boron, wherein the polymer compound, organic solvent, and electrolytically active salt interact to form a non-aqueous electrolyte having a solid, gel type structure.

Abstract: A multifuel fuel cell system includes a hydrogen production unit; at least one fuel cell; means for heating a first catalytic converter element in the hydrogen production unit to an operating temperature which can be preset; means for metering liquid fuel, air, and optionally water to the catalytic converter element to produce a synthetic gas mixture containing hydrogen or a reformate; and means for passing the synthetic gas or reformate to further components of the hydrogen production unit which are connected between the catalytic converter element and the at least one fuel cell. The fuel cell system also contains means for switching the fuel cell system between a first and a second operating mode.

Abstract: A tube having a passage for passage of a temperature-regulating medium therethrough has a surface covered with an elastic insulating layer which is coated with an insulating lubricant. The tube is inserted in a through hole which is defined in a fuel cell stack in the direction in which generator cells are stacked.

Abstract: A secondary battery is characterized by using an organic material including carbon having a conjugate electron cloud and coupled with an electron attractive group; or a material obtained by baking a fluorocarbon polymer or graphite fluoride in an inert atmosphere at a temperature in the range of from the decomposition start temperature to 1000° C., as a positive electrode active material for the secondary battery.

Abstract: An electrochemical conversion system (70) is disclosed having a housing divided by a hydrogen electrochemical cell (79) so as to define a first chamber (73) and a second chamber (74). A first mass of hydride material (90) is contained within the first chamber while a second mass of hydride material (91) is contained within the second chamber. The hydrogen concentration cell has a first gas diffusion electrode (20), a second gas diffusion electrode (21) and a proton conductive membrane (22) therebetween. The release of hydrogen from one of the masses of hydride material and its redox reaction creates an electrical potential across the cell. The housing first chamber (73) is adapted to transfer from the skin of a wearer.

Abstract: The ejector includes a diffuser, a nozzle, a needle, and a drive section. A throat portion and an increasing diameter portion are formed in a third conduit of the diffuser, and the nozzle and the needle are arranged coaxially with the third conduit. A first taper section of the needle is inserted into an aperture portion of the nozzle, and a second taper section is housed in the increasing diameter portion. A gap between the aperture portion and the first taper section constitutes a first fluid conduit, and a gap between the increasing diameter portion and the second taper section constitutes a second fluid conduit. The needle is provided so as to be shiftable in its axial direction by the drive section, and, by shifting the needle in its axial direction, it is possible to change both the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit simultaneously.

Abstract: A cylindrical lithium-ion battery 20 accommodates a winding group 6, is structured by winding a positive electrode using lithium manganate (Li1+xMn2−xO4 or Li1+xMn2−x−yAlyO4) having an average particle diameter of primary particles in a range of from 0.1 &mgr;m to 2 &mgr;m as a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode using amorphous carbon as a negative electrode active material via a separator, and a non-aqueous electrolytic solution within a battery container 7.

Abstract: The present invention is a secondary battery having a high specific capacity and good cycleability, and that can be used safely. The secondary battery is manufactured to include an anode formed from a host material capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium in an electrochemical system such as a carbonaceous material, and lithium metal dispersed in the host material. The freshly prepared anodes of the invention are combined with a positive electrode including an active material, a separator that a separates the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and an electrolyte in communication with the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The present invention also includes a method of preparing a freshly prepared anode and a method of operating a secondary battery including the anode of the invention.

Abstract: Provided are anodes for use in electrochemical cells, wherein the anode comprises an anode active layer comprising lithium and a polymer anode substrate comprising a polymer film layer and a protective crosslinked polymer layer, in which the protective crosslinked polymer layer is in contact with the anode active layer on the side opposite to the surface in contact with the polymer film layer. The present invention also pertains to methods for forming such anodes and electrochemical cells comprising such anodes.

Abstract: This invention relates to bipolar plates for electrochemical cells, particularly low-temperature fuel cells, with surface modification to enhance through-plate conductivity, processes for improving the surface properties of those bipolar plates, and fuel cell assemblies made with such plates. Graphite-polymer composite bipolar plates with high bulk conductivity are subjected to an abrasive surface treatment to improve the surface contact as well as the reactant transfer to the adjacent gas diffusion electrodes.

Abstract: Reforming fuel and oxidizing agent are first supplied to the reformer when the system is started, and a rise in temperature by a partial oxidation reaction is begun. Furthermore, the reforming fuel and the oxidizing agent are supplied to a combustor, and a rise in temperature of the combustor is begun simultaneously with the rise in the temperature of the reformer.

Abstract: A fuel cell having an electrode and/or catalyst formed from a nano-carbon material, such as fullerene, carbon nanotube, carbon nanohorn, carbon nano-fiber or metal encapsulated fullerene. Such fuel cells may not use platinum in the electrode or catalyst, or may use platinum in small amounts. The efficiency of the fuel cell may be increased by applying external energy to the electrode and/or catalyst. A cationic membrane may be positioned between the cathode and anode of the fuel cell. Also disclosed is an improved method for generating electricity from a fuel cell having at least one electrode formed from a nano-carbon material. To increase the efficiency of the fuel cell, the electrode or catalyst containing nano-carbon material may be irradiated with blue color diode light, or an electric current may be directed to the nano-carbon material.

Abstract: In case of a conventional battery having a laminated sheet material as a battery case for storing a battery body, the metal foil on the laminated sheet does not contact to either a positive electrode or a negative electrode and electric potential is unstable. Therefore, there was a problem that it was impossible to obtain electrical shielding effect. In order to maintain the function of the sealed part in the battery case, an extended part extended from the sealed part is disposed at a position where it overlaps with the positive electrode lead or the negative electrode lead, and by jointing the lead and the extended part with the conductive material piercing therethrough, the metal foil on the laminated sheet material of the battery case is electrically connected to the lead to maintain the electric potential of the battery case to the electric potential of the positive electrode or the negative electrode.

Abstract: An infrared detecting device possible to improve SN ratio, which is provided with a semiconductor substrate, a diaphragm set on the semiconductor substrate, a thermopile formed on the diaphragm by arranging a plurality of thermocouples composed of p-type polysilicon and n-type polysilicon in a row and electrically connecting them each other in series, and a heat absorption film formed on the central portion through an insulation layer, and sectional areas of the p-type and n-type polysilicons between hot and cold junctions of each of the thermocouples are made different from each other.

Abstract: A power tap device for use in a fuel cell stack having a plurality of stackable items including separator plates, and membrane electrode assemblies each having an anode and cathode and configured to be respectively stacked between pairs of separator plates, comprises first and second major outer surfaces, the first major outer surface being electrically conductive, the second major outer surface being electrically conductive; and a dielectric separating the first major outer surface from the second major outer surface, wherein the power tap device is sized and arranged to be interposed between stackable items in the stack.

Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.

Abstract: An electrical power generating device having a plurality of ceramic composite cells, each cell having a cathode and an anode. A thermal shell in which the ceramic composite cells are stacked or arranged in electrical series and gas parallel surrounded by shock absorbing and insulating materials, respectively, is preferably included. Also provided are an exhaust fan, thermocouple sensors, a fuel supply, a programmable computer controller with user interface, and a container supporting the assembly and having passageways for providing air ingress and egress to the device, and power output terminals for the electrical power from the device. Methods for manufacturing the ceramic composite cells are also provided, including a method for manufacturing stabilized zirconia and for use in the ceramic materials used within the ceramic composite cell.