Abstract: The invention is a novel solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack comprising individual bi-electrode supported fuel cells in which a thin electrolyte is supported between electrodes of essentially equal thickness. Individual cell units are made from graded pore ceramic tape that has been created by the freeze cast method followed by freeze drying. Each piece of graded pore tape later becomes a graded pore electrode scaffold that subsequent to sintering, is made into either an anode or a cathode by means of appropriate solution and thermal treatment means. Each cell unit is assembled by depositing of a thin coating of ion conducting ceramic material upon the side of each of two pieces of tape surface having the smallest pore openings, and then mating the coated surfaces to create an unsintered electrode scaffold pair sandwiching an electrolyte layer.

Abstract: A seal composition includes a first alkaline earth metal oxide, a second alkaline earth metal oxide which is different from the first alkaline earth metal oxide, aluminum oxide, and silica in an amount such that molar percent of silica in the composition is at least five molar percent greater than two times a combined molar percent of the first alkaline earth metal oxide and the second alkaline earth metal oxide. The composition is substantially free of boron oxide and phosphorus oxide. The seal composition forms a glass ceramic seal which includes silica containing glass cores located in a crystalline matrix comprising barium aluminosilicate, and calcium aluminosilicate crystals located in the glass cores.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rechargeable battery and, more particularly, to a rechargeable battery for preventing detachment due to deformation of a resin member by strengthening the fixing force of the resin member connecting a bare cell with a protection circuit module. The rechargeable battery according to the present invention includes a bare cell provided with a cap plate; a protection circuit module; and a resin member, wherein the rechargeable battery further includes a reinforcing member composed of a support plate part connected to one side of the cap plate and provided with a rivet through-hole; a resin fixing part integrally formed with one end of the support plate part, and bent at a certain angle in the direction of the protection circuit module and protruded therefrom; and a rivet connecting part fixing the support plate part to the cap plate by perforating the rivet through-hole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an organic-inorganic composite comprising bacteria and transition metal oxides and a method of manufacturing the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to an organic-inorganic composite comprising bacteria and transition metal oxides manufactured by attaching cationic transition metal precursor to bacterial surface, wherein the bacteria with high negative charge on its surface is used as a template, refluxing the bacteria and transition metal ions at room temperature in the presence of sodium borohydride (NaBH4), and inducing reduction/spontaneous oxidation, thereby having an excellent high capacity electrochemical properties, and a method of manufacturing the same.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lithium secondary battery. The lithium secondary battery includes a cathode, an anode, a separator and a non-aqueous electrolyte solution. Either the cathode or the anode or both include metal oxide coating layers on electrode active material particles forming the electrode or a metal oxide coating layer on the surface of an electrode layer formed on a current collector. The non-aqueous electrolyte solution contains an ionizable lithium salt, an organic solvent, and a dinitrile compound having a specific structure. In the lithium secondary battery, degradation of the electrode is prevented and side reactions of the electrolyte solution are inhibited. Therefore, the lithium secondary battery exhibits excellent cycle life and output performance characteristics.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte battery includes a negative electrode and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The negative electrode comprises an active material having a lithium ion insertion potential of 0.4V (vs Li/Li+) or more, a conductive agent and a current collector. The nonaqueous electrolyte contains first sultones having an unsaturated hydrocarbon group. A diameter distribution of pores of the negative electrode when measured by mercury porosimetry has a first peak having a mode diameter of 0.01 to 0.2 ?m and a second peak having a mode diameter of 0.003 to 0.02 ?m. A volume of pores having a diameter of 0.01 to 0.2 ?m and a volume of pores having a diameter of 0.003 to 0.02 ?m, which are measured by the mercury porosimetery, are 0.05 to 0.5 mL and 0.0001 to 0.02 mL, respectively, per g of the negative electrode excluding the current collector.

Abstract: The invention proposes a composition comprising: a) a hydrogen-fixing alloy of formula R1-tMgtNis-zMz in which: R represents one or more elements chosen from the group comprising La, Ce, Nd and Pr; M represents one or more elements chosen from the group comprising Mn, Fe, Al, Co, Cu, Zr and Sn; 0.1?t?0.4; 3.0?s?4.3; z?0.5; b) a manganese compound in a proportion such that the mass of manganese represents from 1 to 5.5% of the mass of the alloy, c) an yttrium compound in a proportion such that the mass of yttrium represents from 0.1% to 2% of the mass of the alloy. The invention also relates to an anode comprising the composition according to the invention. The invention also relates to an alkaline electrolyte battery comprising said at least one anode.

Abstract: A starter battery and case assembly includes a rechargeable battery contained within a battery box and a lid constructed to releasably engage the battery box. An electrical connector is electrically attached to the battery. The battery and battery box define an upper surface with upwardly extending upper edges and the lid is constructed to extend over and downwardly around the upper edges of the battery box and to enclose the upper surface and the upper edges. The lid includes a handle for conveying the assembly. A mating electrical connector carried by the lid is positioned to engage the electrical connector of the battery with the lid engaged. Two opposite polarity cables are connected to the battery through the mating electrical connector and adapted to be connected to a remote electrical system. A recharge cord is attached to the battery and adapted to be attached to a source of power.

Abstract: A negative-electrode material is provided that can be produced at a low cost and yields a lithium secondary battery with an excellent balance of various battery characteristics even when used in high electrode densities. It has a graphite powder with a tap density of 0.80 g/cm3 or higher and 1.35 g/cm3 or lower, an amount of surface functional groups, O/C value, of 0 or larger and 0.01 or smaller, a BET specific surface area of 2.5 m2/g or larger and 70 m2/g or smaller, a Raman R value of 0.02 or larger and 0.05 or smaller.

Abstract: A material for contact components or battery components, which includes a metal sheet having a surface layer portion containing a first metal element, the metal sheet including a Cr-containing steel plate or a surface-treated steel plate, and at least a part of the first metal element on an outermost surface of the surface layer portion being substituted by a second metal element having a nobler standard electrode potential than the first metal element, the second metal element being deposited on the outermost surface in a state of a particulate metal, oxide, or hydroxide.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) interconnect comprises a metal sheet with an air side and a fuel side in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The metal sheet comprises a metallic composite having a matrix. The matrix comprises a first metal. The metal sheet also comprises a plurality of discontinuous, elongated, directional reinforcement wires. The reinforcement wires comprise a second metal that is immiscible in the first metal. An oxidation protection layer is disposed on the air side of the metal sheet.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) for fuel cells is provided, as well as a method for manufacturing the PEM by direct casting on the fuel cells electrodes. The PEM, consisting of an ionic liquid entrapped within polysiloxane-RTV matrix, is stable at high temperatures, in acidic and basic environments, and exhibits a high conductivity, without the crossover of methanol.

Abstract: A multi-layer microporous battery separator which comprises: a high molecular weight polypropylene layer having a melt flow index of ?1.2 measured at layer; a polyethylene layer; and a high molecular weight polypropylene layer having a melt flow index of ?1.2 measured at layer. The resulting microporous battery separator which is formed by a dry stretch process produces the microporous battery separator which has a porosity of ?37% while maintaining a gurley from 13-25 seconds and a thickness of ?25 microns.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack having a plurality of cassettes and a glass composite seal disposed between the sealing surfaces of adjacent cassettes, thereby joining the cassettes and providing a hermetic seal therebetween. The glass composite seal includes an alkaline earth aluminosilicate (AEAS) glass disposed about a viscous glass such that the AEAS glass retains the viscous glass in a predetermined position between the first and second sealing surfaces. The AEAS glass provides geometric stability to the glass composite seal to maintain the proper distance between the adjacent cassettes while the viscous glass provides for a compliant and self-healing seal. The glass composite seal may include fibers, powders, and/or beads of zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide, yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), or mixtures thereof, to enhance the desirable properties of the glass composite seal.

Abstract: A method for reducing the compression set of GDL during the fuel cell operation and a method for reducing the intrusion of the GDL into flow-field channels, both achieved by pre-compression preconditioning the GDL before placing it into the fuel cell. This preconditioning is performed in order to reduce the loss of compression during the life of the stack and the mal-distribution of reactant gases, and ultimately achieve the benefits of higher power output and more stable performance.

Abstract: A gas diffusion layer for a fuel cell is described. The gas diffusion layer includes a carbon fiber mat having a substantially open structure. Bloomed fibrillated acrylic pulp is added into a microporous layer ink. Alternatively, the bloomed fibrillated acrylic pulp can first be disposed on the carbon fiber mat, with the microporous layer ink added thereafter. When the microporous layer ink/bloomed fibrillated acrylic pulp mixture is coated on the carbon fiber mat, the ink penetrates through the open substrate, and is locked into place by the bloomed acrylic pulp fibers. This allows for a buildup of microporous layer ink on top of the substrate for added thickness when the bloomed fibrillated acrylic pulp sits on top of the mat.

Abstract: A battery capable of improving the storage characteristics and the cycle characteristics is provided. The battery includes a cathode, an anode, and an electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution is impregnated in a separator provided between the cathode and the anode. A solvent of the electrolytic solution contains a given sulfone compound such as bis(trimethylsilyl)methanedisulfonate. Compared to a case that a solvent contains other sulfone compound such as bis(methyl)methanedisulfonate, the chemical stability of the electrolytic solution is improved, and the decomposition reaction of the electrolytic solution is prevented.

Abstract: An electrode plate for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprises a current collector, and an electrode active material layer formed on at least part of the surface of the current collector. The electrode active material layer contains a particulate electrode active material and a binding material. The binding material is made of an amorphous metal oxide that does not cause alkaline metal ion intercalation and deintercalation reactions.

Abstract: An electrode plate for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a current collector, and an electrode active material layer formed on at least part of the surface of the current collector. The electrode active material layer contains a particulate electrode active material, a binding material, and carbonic matter distinct from conductive materials. The binding material is a amourphous metal oxide that does not cause alkaline metal ion intercalation and deintercalation reactions.

Abstract: An electrode plate for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a current collector, and an electrode active material layer formed on at least part of the surface of the current collector. The electrode active material layer contains a particulate electrode active material, a binding material, and carbonic matter distinct from conductive materials. The binding material is a crystalline metal oxide that does not cause alkaline metal ion intercalation and deintercalation reactions.