Abstract: An anodizing system for forming a anodized coating on at least a portion of a substrate thereby creating an anodized substrate is disclosed. The anodizing system includes a bath, a coating thickness monitor, at least one probe and at least one controller. The coating thickness monitor includes at least one radiation source directed at at least a portion of the anodized substrate; at least one probe for capturing at least a portion of the radiation reflected and refracted by the anodized coating on the anodized substrate, the captured radiation being at least a portion of the radiation directed the anodized substrate from the radiation source; and at least one detector in communication with the at least one probe, the at least one detector capable of processing the captured radiation to allow a determination of at least the thickness.

Abstract: A continuous process of forming a highly smooth surface on a metallic tape by passing a metallic tape having an initial roughness through an acid bath contained within a polishing section of an electropolishing unit over a pre-selected period of time, and, passing a mean surface current density of at least 0.18 amperes per square centimeter through the metallic tape during the period of time the metallic tape is in the acid bath whereby the roughness of the metallic tape is reduced. Such a highly smooth metallic tape can serve as a base substrate in subsequent formation of a superconductive coated conductor.

Abstract: C60 and C70 carbon atom compounds are prepared by evaporating graphite in an inert quenching gas. The vapor of carbon is collected and is selectively extracted with an organic non-polar solvent.

Abstract: An electrode structure having a pair of electrode catalyst layers and a polymer electrolyte membrane held between both the electrode catalyst layers is provided. The polymer electrolyte membrane is a sulfonate of a hydrocarbon-based polymer comprising a main chain in which two or more benzene rings are bound together directly or through a divalent group. The membrane includes 5% or more by weight of water coordinated to protons of sulfonic acid groups. The polymer electrolyte membrane may include a fluorine-containing ion conducting polymer such that the ratio of fluorine content in the polymer electrolyte membrane to the fluorine content in the electrode catalyst layers is in the range of from 0.2 to 2.0. The electrode structure constitutes a fuel cell, which generates power when oxidizing gas is supplied to the one side of the electrode structure and reducing gas to the other side.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery comprises an electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed therebetween. The battery further comprises a case for housing the electrode assembly, a cap assembly coupled with the case, and a collecting plate having a first fixing portion coupled with the positive electrode or the negative electrode and a second fixing portion coupled with the case. A buffer portion is provided between the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion to alleviate forces exerted on the collecting plate.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a negative electrode including a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material layer that is formed on a first region of the negative electrode current collector, a negative electrode terminal connected to an edge section of a second region of the negative electrode current collector, a positive electrode including a positive electrode active material layer positioned to face the negative electrode active material layer and the second region, and a stress imparting member which imparts a tensile stress or a shearing stress to the second region.

Abstract: A rechargeable lithium battery including a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a nonaqueous electrolyte, said positive or negative electrode being an electrode which has, on a current collector, a thin film of active material that stores and releases lithium, the thin film of active material being divided into columns by gaps formed therein in a manner to extend in its thickness direction, and the columnar portions being at their bottoms adhered to the current collector, the rechargeable lithium battery being characterized in that the nonaqueous electrolyte includes a mixed solvent consisting of two or more different solvents and containing at least ethylene carbonate and/or vinylene carbonate as its constituent.

Abstract: The electrolyte includes a cyclic polysiloxane having one or more side chains that each includes a poly(alkylene oxide) moiety and a spacer. Each spacer is positioned between the poly(alkylene oxide) moiety and a silicon on the main chain of the polysiloxane.

Abstract: C60 and C70 carbon atom compounds are prepared by evaporating graphite in an inert quenching gas. The vapor of carbon is collected and is selectively extracted with an organic non-polar solvent.

Abstract: A temperature control system and method for a fuel cell stack cooling system is disclosed. The temperature control system includes a coolant circulation line for circulating a coolant to and from a fuel cell stack. A coolant pump is provided in the coolant circulation line, and a pump ?P sensor is provided in fluid communication with the coolant circulation line on inlet and outlet sides of the coolant pump. The pump ?P sensor measures a change in pump pressure between the inlet and outlet sides of the coolant pump. A pump map is provided having correlated values of pump speed, change in pump pressure and coolant flow rate for correlating the coolant flow rate with the pump speed and the change in pump pressure to attain a desired coolant flow rate for optimum fuel stack cooling.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical energy source comprising at least one fuel cell, which fuel cell comprises: a first current collector coupled to a negative electrode, a fuel source connected to said negative electrode, a second current collector coupled to a positive electrode, an oxidant source connected to said positive electrode, and an ion-conducting electrolyte located between said negative electrode and said positive electrode. The invention also relates to an electronic device incorporating such an electrochemical energy source.

Abstract: A lid of a battery case is supported on a shaft fixed on a battery box. The lid comprises a cover portion and a support arm for attaching the cover portion to the shaft. A hook formed on the cover portion engages with a hook receiver provided on the battery box, so as to retain the lid in a closed position. The hook is disengaged by sliding the lid from the closed position along the axial direction of the shaft, and the lid is subsequently rotated about the shaft to an open position. During rotation of the lid, a stopper abuts a side surface of the support arm to prevent sliding movement of the lid. When the lid is being rotated to be closed, the abutting stopper prevents jamming of the hook on top of the hook receiver.

Abstract: A bipolar plate assembly for a fuel cell having a pair of stamped plates joined together to define a coolant volume therein. Each of the pair of stamped plates have a flow field arranged to maximize the contact area between the plates while allowing coolant to distribute and flow readily within the coolant volume. The bipolar plate assembly further includes a seal arrangement and integral manifold to direct gaseous reactant flow through the fuel cell.

Abstract: Using aqueous electrolytes containing complex fluorides or oxyfluorides such as fluorozirconates and fluorotitanates, ferrous metal articles and non-metallic articles having a first coating containing aluminum may be rapidly anodized to form a second protective surface coating. White coatings may be formed on articles using pulsed direct current or alternating current.

Abstract: A disclosed form of mechanically assisted electroplating leads to a flat, thin, overburden. In one example, an accelerator is deposited on a copper surface and mechanically removed in a simplified CMP-like apparatus. The wafer is then plated in an electrolyte containing little or no accelerating additives.

Abstract: In a battery pack including a battery case containing therein a battery cell, a wiring circuit board, and a liquid-absorbing element capable of absorbing the electrolyte leaking out from the battery cell, the liquid-absorbing element is inserted with looseness allowing for expansion in a gap formed by a retaining element on the inner wall surface of the battery case or retaining element on the wiring circuit board. Alternatively, a liquid-absorbing element consisting of a non-absorbent porous retaining element partially holding a liquid absorbent is used and the porous retaining element is fixed to the inner wall surface of the battery case or the wiring circuit board at an absorbent-free zone.

Abstract: An electrode structure for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprises a pair of electrode catalyst layers and a polymer electrolyte membrane held between the electrode catalyst layers. The polymer electrolyte membrane is a sulfonation product of a polymer which comprises a main chain wherein two or more divalent aromatic residues are bound to one another directly or through oxy groups or divalent groups other than aromatic residues and side chains comprising aromatic groups to be sulfonated. The number of divalent aromatic residues comprised in the main chain of the above polymer is denoted by X, and the number of oxy groups comprised in the main chain of the above polymer is denoted by Y, and the value X/Y is within the range of from 2.0 to 9.0.

Abstract: A copper electroplating bath composition and a method of copper electroplating to improve gapfill are provided. The method of electroplating includes providing an aqueous electroplating composition, comprising copper, at least one acid, at least one halogen ion, an additive including an accelerating agent, a suppressing agent, and a suppressing-accelerating agent, and the solution and mixture products thereof; contacting a substrate with the plating composition; and impressing a multi-step waveform potential upon the substrate, wherein the multi-step waveform potential includes an entry step, wherein the entry step includes a first sub-step applying a first current and a second sub-step applying second current, the second current being greater than the first current. The accelerating agent is provided in concentration of greater than 1.

Abstract: An apparatus which can control thickness uniformity during deposition of conductive material from an electrolyte onto a surface of a semiconductor substrate is provided. The apparatus has an anode which can be contacted by the electrolyte during deposition of the conductive material, a cathode assembly including a carrier adapted to carry the substrate for movement during deposition, and a conductive element permitting electrolyte flow therethrough. A mask lies over the conductive element and has openings permitting electrolyte flow. The openings define active regions of the conductive element by which a rate of conductive material deposition onto the surface can be varied. A power source can provide a potential between the anode and the cathode assembly so as to produce the deposition. A deposition process is also disclosed, and uniform electroetching of conductive material on the semiconductor substrate surface can additionally be performed.

Abstract: A fuel compression assembly includes a carnage unit having at least two opposing side walls maintained in spaced relation by a base member extending between the opposing side walls at a lower position on the opposing side walls. The opposing side walls and the base member define a cradle for receiving fuel cell plates. The opposing side walls each includes at least one engagement member on an internal face for engaging with at top of member that forms a top of the carriage unit.