Abstract: An electrochernical cell comprising an anode of a Group IA metal and a cathode of a mixed phase metal oxide prepared from a combination of starting materials comprising vanadium oxide and a mixture of at least one of a decomposable silver-containing constituent and a decomposable copper-containing constituent is described. The starting materials are mixed together to form a homogeneous admixture that is not further mixed once decomposition heating begins. The resulting cathode material is particularly useful for implantable medical applications.

Abstract: An electrochemical conversion system (70) is disclosed having a housing divided by a hydrogen concentration cell (76) so as to define a first chamber (71) and a second chamber (72). A first mass of hydride material (84) is contained within the first chamber while a second mass of hydride material (85) 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 (71) is tapered so that the housing easily pierces the ground upon impact from an elevated position.

Abstract: A charging element device comprises a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal which are located at one end of a cylindrical battery case having a positive electrode and a negative electrode equipped therein and which are respectively connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode, with an electrolyte solution charging opening being formed at the other end of the battery case. The electrolyte solution charging opening is sealed by a plug having a safety valve, and the safety plug reduces an inner pressure of the battery case when the inner pressure is not less than a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A unitary, porous, electrically conductive pressure pad is employed in an electrochemical cell stack. The pressure pad includes integral mixture of electrically conductive material and polymeric material, generally formed of materials compatible with the electrochemical cell. The electrically conductive pressure pad is preferably in at least in partial fluid communication with the first electrode, the second electrode, or both the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A method of controlling the temperature within an electrochemical fuel cell stack comprises introducing a reactant fluid stream comprising both a heat transfer liquid and a reactant into a fuel cell assembly such that the reactant fluid stream contacts an electrode. The heat transfer liquid is other than water. Preferably, the method further comprises recirculating heat transfer liquid which is in the reactant exhaust stream, typically via a heat exchanger, and re-introducing it into the fuel cell assembly in the reactant fluid stream. The recirculated heat transfer liquid may be directed to a reservoir which in turn supplies heat transfer liquid to the reactant fluid stream as it is needed. In a further embodiment, the method may comprise using the heat transfer liquid to heat a fuel cell stack to a desired operating temperature rather than cooling the stack.

Abstract: A method includes combining a solid first material and a solid second material and melting at least a portion of the first material sufficient to coat the second material and any remaining first material. An approximately homogenous distribution of the second material can be formed throughout the liquid phase of the first material. The first material liquid phase can then be solidified to define a composite target blank exhibiting an approximately homogenous distribution of the solid second material in a matrix of the solidified first material. The first material can comprise Se and the second material can comprise Ge. The composite target blank can include at least about 50 vol % matrix. The first and second materials can be powdered metals. Accordingly, a physical vapor deposition target can include a matrix of a first material and an approximately homogenous distribution of particles of a second material throughout the first material matrix.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a negative material and a secondary battery in which a belt-shaped positive electrode and a belt-shaped negative electrode are wound together with a separator in between them to form a wound electrode body. The wound electrode battery is then inserted inside a battery can. Preferably, the negative electrode is produced with crushed silicon or a silicon compound in an oxygen partial pressure atmosphere within a value from higher than 10 Pa to lower than an oxygen partial pressure of air.

Abstract: A device for starting up a fuel cell includes: two valves (17 and 18) mounted in the inlet and the outlet of the hydrogen circuit of the anode compartment; and a controlled bridge circuit (24) between the inlet of the hydrogen circuit to the anode compartment and either the anode compartment or the ambient.

Abstract: The invention provides for an apparatus and method for making a flexible battery that is electrolyte-tight by ensuring that electrolyte does not contact the unsealed portion of the battery enclosure when electrolyte is injected into the battery enclosure and before it is sealed. The apparatus for assembling a flexible battery comprises a support body adapted to support a battery enclosure having an electrode pouch and a fill opening located in an upper portion of the electrode pouch. The apparatus comprises a dispensing element having a discharge orifice that directs the flow of electrolyte inside the electrode pouch and away from the unsealed surfaces of the battery enclosure when the dispensing element is in the fill position. The method of assembling a pouch battery comprises arranging the battery enclosure so that the fill opening is located in an upper portion of the electrode pouch and dispensing the electrolyte into the electrode pouch.

Abstract: A sealless, planar fuel cell stack system, including a continuous bottom plate, a first permeable or interconnect layer, a continuous cell, a second permeable or interconnect layer, a continuous top plate, a fuel supply member, and an oxidant gas supply member, is provided. The fuel cell system of the present invention does not require glass-based sealants to seal its planar components. In the present system, the continuous cell of the system is supported by the first permeable layer. The second permeable layer is supported by the continuous cell. The fuel supply member supplies fuel into the first permeable layer. The fuel supply member extends between an outer edge and a center region of the first permeable layer and allows distribution of the fuel in a radial fashion. Further, the fuel supply member is connected to an external fuel manifold adjacent the outer edge. The oxidant gas supply member supplies oxidant gas into the second permeable layer.

Abstract: A cooling system for a fuel cell includes a heat exchanger for cooling coolant discharged from the fuel cell and a heat regulator for adjusting a temperature of coolant to be supplied to the fuel cell after mixing coolant that has been cooled by the heat exchanger with coolant that has bypassed the heat exchanger together. The cooling system also includes an ion exchanger for removing ions from the coolant with the use of ion exchange resin, and a supply control means for controlling coolant to be supplied to the ion exchanger. The supply control means supplies the ion exchanger with coolant that has bypassed the heat exchanger when the heat regulator operates beyond a coolant temperature adjustable range, and the supply control means supplies the ion exchanger with coolant that has been cooled by the heat exchanger when the heat regulator operates within the coolant temperature adjustable range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a network communication system and method to enable the real time buying and selling of electricity generated by fuel cell powered vehicles between a fuel cell powered vehicle and a consumer. The method comprises: providing connections to the vehicle for the supply of a fuel and for transfer of electricity; determining the current cost of fuel and price paid for generating electricity; based at least on the cost of fuel and price paid for generating electricity, determining whether to make the fuel cell powered vehicle available for generation of electricity; when fuel is consumed by the vehicle and electricity generated by the vehicle, collecting data on the quantity of fuel consumed and amount of electricity generated, calculating the cost of the fuel and the value of the electricity generated, providing a debit charge for the cost of fuel consumed and a credit charge for the value of electricity generated.

Abstract: A reformer (2) produces a reformate gas by partial oxidation of vaporized fuel with air supplied through a first air supply passage (10A). A hydrogen-rich gas is produced by removing carbon monoxide from the reformate gas with a carbon monoxide oxidizer (3) and thereafter is supplied to the fuel cell stack (1). A second air supply passage (8A) which has a smaller cross sectional area than the first air supply passage (10A) is also provided to supply air to the reformer (2). When substantially no load is applied to the fuel cell stack (1), the first air supply passage (10A) is cut off with a valve (7A) and a minute amount of air is supplied to the reformer (2) from the second air supply passage (8A) to maintain a standby operation of the power plant in order to prevent reductions in the temperature of the fuel cell stack (1).

Abstract: A conventional battery has a problem that a large short-circuit current was generated with temperature rise due to internal short-circuit or the like, and therefore, the temperature of the battery further increases due to exothermic reaction to increase the short-circuit current. The present invention has been carried out in order to solve the above problems. The battery of the present invention is a battery wherein at least one of a positive electrode 1 and a negative electrode 2 comprises an active material layer 6 containing an active material 8 and an electronically conductive material 9 contacted to the active material 8, wherein a solid electrolytic layer 3 is interposed between the above positive electrode 1 and the negative electrode 2, and wherein the above electronically conductive material 9 comprises an electrically conductive filler and a resin so that resistance increases with temperature rise.

Abstract: The present invention provides fuel cells and fuel cell systems that include a non-aqueous electrolyte. Fuel cells according to the present invention include an anode region adapted to receive a hydrogen stream, a cathode region adapted to receive a stream containing oxygen, and an electrolytic barrier that separates the anode region from the cathode region and which contains a non-aqueous electrolyte. The non-aqueous electrolyte is preferably acidic or basic, with the electrolyte having an acid ionization constant (Ka) greater than 5×10−6 at 25° C. if the non-aqueous electrolyte is an acid and a base ionization constant (Kb) greater than 5×10−6 at 25° C. if the non-aqueous electrolyte is a base. The fuel cell has an operating temperature of less than 300° C., and may operate at temperatures above, at, and below 100° C.

Abstract: A high temperature fuel cell has a cathode which comprises at least a first layer and a second layer disposed on one side of the first layer, in which the first layer contains 30 to 60% by weight of a first electrolyte made up of zirconium oxide ZrO2 and at least one proportion of scandium oxide Sc2O3, and the second layer comprises substoichiometric lanthanum strontium manganate having the formula LaxSryMnO3 in which the sum of x and y is less than 1. By means of this, a high ionic conductivity is achieved for the cathode (6). The ionic conductivity further remains substantially constant as a function of the operating time t.

Abstract: In a fuel cell system and a method of controlling the same, a fuel cell stack 1 is connected at its downstream side with a hydrogen control valve 11 and a hydrogen draw pump 12. A control unit 5 controls the hydrogen draw pump 12 such that hydrogen drawing power is increased to a level larger than that required for normal operation and controls the hydrogen control valve 11 such that opening degree is decreased. After that, the control unit 5 controls the hydrogen control valve 11 such that the opening degree is increased to purge moisture in the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A thermally energized fuel-cell pressurization system and humidity control system utilizing a compressor-expander, an ejector, and a steam generator is disclosed. The system can be more compact and energy efficient than comparable electrically-based pressurization systems when incorporated into the fuel cell reformation and water management systems as a whole.

Abstract: A fuel cell arrangement consisting of several fuel cells, arranged at least essentially in parallel, with cooling gaps formed between neighboring cells extending between an inlet and an outlet and through which a coolant flows, characterized by the fact that the specific surface, i.e. the area of the cooling surfaces emitting heat to the coolant, increases in the direction from the inlet to the outlet and/or that the local heat transfer coefficient of the cooling areas emitting heat to the coolant increases in the direction of flow from the inlet to the outlet and/or that the support materials of the fuel cells, i.e. the membrane-electrode assemblies, exhibit a coefficient of thermal conductivity above 200 W/(m·K). In this way, a uniform temperature in the fuel cells can be assured to that the power density can be increased while avoiding hot spots and/or the service life can be increased.

Abstract: A sealant system 13 for a manifold 10 of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell includes low temperature cured or heat cured silicone rubber bridges 14, 14a, 14c between the end plates 9 to compensate for the uneven edges of various fuel cell component layers, and a layer 15 of silicone rubber foam or sponge, or a molded silicone rubber gasket 15a, extending across the bridges and along the end plates, around the entire contact perimeter surfaces of the manifold, to seal the manifold to the fuel cell. The cured silicone rubber may extend along the end plates between the bridges. A rubber strip 20 may be adhered to the silicone rubber bridges and end plates. The bridges may comprise a first layer 22 of low shrinkage self-leveling RTV liquid rubber with viscosity in the range of 10,000-20,000 cps and a second layer 14 of RTV liquid rubber.