Abstract: A pressure management system that balances pressure between first and second fluid circuits of a fuel cell system includes a first fluid reservoir associated with the first fluid circuit and a second fluid reservoir associated with the second fluid circuit. The second fluid reservoir is in fluid communication with the first fluid reservoir. A fluid is transferred from the first fluid reservoir to the second fluid reservoir during an over-pressure condition within the first fluid circuit.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery which comprises a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and disposed therebetween a polymer electrolyte comprising an ionically conductive polymer. The polymer electrolyte has a two-layer structure composed of a positive-electrode-side layer and a negative-electrode-side layer. The polymer electrolyte on the positive-electrode side contains a nonaqueous electrolytic solution containing a lithium salt in a higher concentration than that in the polymer electrolyte on the negative-electrode side. The battery is improved in charge/discharge cycling characteristics and high-load discharge characteristics.

Abstract: High temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and fuel cell stacks incorporating metallic bipolar separators with integral edge seals are provided. The electrochemical cells include reactant manifolds and flow passages, and may have either cathode or anode supported structures. The bipolar separators are thin metallic sheets that minimize thermal expansion stress in the electrochemical cells. The tubular bead edge seals are formed as an integral part of the bipolar separator by a low-cost sheet metal stamping process.

Abstract: A sealed prismatic battery has a battery case made of a plurality of prismatic cell cases coupled together via partition walls. Electrode plate groups are accommodated together with liquid electrolyte in each of the cell cases. Each electrode plate group consists of alternately stacked-up positive and negative electrode plates with separators interposed therebetween, lead portions of positive and negative electrode plates being protruded on opposite sides. Collectors are bonded to these lead portions. Between the collectors and end walls (and/or partition walls) of the battery case are provided conductive plates that are connected to the collectors one or more than one location in their middle part so as to decrease the resistance between connection terminals and the electrode plate groups.

Abstract: Ozone is made by exposure of oxygen to ultraviolet light and is supplied to a fuel cell to increase its efficiency.

Abstract: In order to reduce an assembling man hour of the constituting part for the fuel battery and prevent wrinkles from being generated in an electrolyte membrane, in a constituting part for a fuel battery having electrodes with catalyst in both pole sides of an electrolyte membrane and provided with gas diffusion layers for promoting diffusion of gas in both outer sides thereof, an integrated product between the gas diffusion layers and the gasket, the gas diffusion layers being made of a carbon fiber or the like and impregnated with a rubber, and forming gaskets is bonded to an integrated product of the electrolyte membrane and the electrodes with catalyst by using a hot press.

Abstract: Hydrogen storage alloy has: (1) a main composition expressed by the formula of Mm-(Ni—Al—Co—Mn—Mo); (2) a ratio of the number of atoms expressed by the formula of (Ni—Al—Co—Mn—Mo) is 5.7<(Ni+Al+Co+Mn+Mo)?8, and 3.5?Ni, when Mm is set at 1 in a ratio of the number of atoms; and (3) an internal structure having hydrogen storage alloy phase expressed by the general formula of AB5, and a second phase existing in the hydrogen storage alloy phase.

Abstract: A fuel cell with a gas diffusion media having a hydrophobic layer adjacent a flow field plate and a hydrophilic layer adjacent the membrane electrode assembly of the fuel cell. The two layers enable balanced humidification of reactant gas along with a basis for managing capillary water addition into the gas diffusion media. The combination of balanced moisture flux (via the hydrophobic layer) and the retention of water (via the hydrophilic layer) for humidifying reactant gas sustains hydration of the proton exchange membrane while preserving the catalyst at full activity.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to hybrid monolithic fuel cells. In one embodiment, the fuel cells comprise a monolithic substrate composed of a metal material and an electrolyte material, the substrate defining a fuel channel and an oxidant channel that are separated by the electrolyte material. The disclosure also relates to methods for manufacturing hybrid monolithic fuel cells. In one embodiment, the methods comprise preparing a metal material, preparing an electrolyte material, and forming a hybrid monolithic fuel cell substrate comprising the metal and electrolyte materials in a one-step fabrication process.

Abstract: A flat panel DMFC (direct methanol fuel cell) includes an integrated cathode electrode sheet; a membrane electrode assembly (MBA) unit; an intermediate bonding layer; an integrated anode electrode sheet; and a fuel container. The integrated cathode/anode electrode sheets are manufactured by using printed circuit board (PCB) compatible processes.

Abstract: Acidic groups such as those in the sulfonic acid family have been successfully linked onto the surface of carbon used as catalyst support. Electrodes made using such sulfonated catalysts as used in electrochemical cells improve the performance of the cells, more so than cells fabricated from electrodes using an unsulfonated electrode.

Abstract: A method is used to start up a fuel cell electrically in a fuel cell installation, especially a fuel cell for use in a motor vehicle, with a gas-generating system producing a hydrogen-containing gas flow. The gas flow from the gas-generating system and an oxygen-containing gas flow are brought together and combusted after the fuel cell. The fuel cell is started up electrically as a function of a temperature course existing in the region of combustion of the gas flows.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell is formed by arranging a fuel electrode layer and an air electrode layer on both surfaces of a solid electrolyte, respectively, a fuel electrode current collector and an air electrode current collector outside the fuel electrode layer and the air electrode layer, respectively, and separators outside the fuel electrode current collector and the air electrode current collector. In a first embodiment, a fuel gas and an oxidant gas are supplied from the separators to the fuel electrode layer and the oxidant electrode layer, respectively, through the fuel electrode current collector and the air electrode current collector, respectively. Each separator is formed by laminating a plurality of thin metal plates at least including a thin metal plate in which a first gas discharge opening is arranged in a central part and second gas discharge openings are circularly arranged in a peripheral part, and a thin metal plate with an indented surface.

Abstract: A fuel cell wherein reactive gas or coolant flow directions within single-cell internal passages may be changed by switching the positions of flow control means such as electromagnetic valves in order to alter flow directions and flow velocities in accordance with fuel cell operating states. Altering flow to different directions within the internal passages, such as to a second flow direction perpendicular to a first flow direction, permits control of gas flow to combat fuel cell flooding, wherein the altered reactant gas flow causes accumulated water to be discharged from the cell. Such flow control further permits control of gas and coolant temperatures to optimize cell moisture distribution and control.

Abstract: A manganese dry battery with excellent leak-proof property is provided, in which electrolyte leakage does not occur even if the size of a positive electrode material mixture is increased to meet a demand for improvement in discharge property. In a sealing part, a first circular projection, a second circular projection and a third circular projection are arranged at the bottom in sequence from the center to the outside, and a positive electrode carbon rod supporting part is provided in an innermost periphery portion to have an interval from the first circular projection. A groove between the first projection and the carbon rod is formed to have a substantially rectangular vertical section, kraft board is pressed by flat bottom surfaces of the first and second projections and an opening of the zinc can is fitted between the second and third projections.

Abstract: A metal-air cell having an anode/electrolyte and a cathode includes a container having an upper interior surface and a lower interior surface for housing the anode/electrolyte and the cathode; a spring disposed on the upper interior surface; a cover electrically connected to the cathode, and having at least one recess; and at least one o-ring disposed on the lower interior surface facing the at least one recess. The spring is compressed when a force is applied so that the at least one o-ring and the at least one recess are separated, thereby forming an inlet to introduce air for electrochemical reaction. The spring is expanded when the force is removed so that the at least one o-ring is inserted within the at least one recess to obstruct the air.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for improved control of the operating temperature of a fuel cell (32) utilizing an improved temperature control system (30) that varies the flow rate of inlet air entering the fuel cell (32) in response to changes in the operating temperature of the fuel cell (32). Consistent with the invention an improved temperature control system (30) is provided that includes a controller (37) that receives an indication of the temperature of the inlet air from a temperature sensor (39) and varies the heat output by at least one heat source (34, 36) to maintain the temperature of the inlet air at a set-point Tinset. The controller (37) also receives an indication of the operating temperature of the fuel cell (32) and varies the flow output by an adjustable air mover (33), within a predetermined range around a set-point Fset, in order to maintain the operating temperature of the fuel cell (32) at a set-point Topset.

Abstract: An apparatus for humidifying and controlling the temperature of a process gas stream; has a first humidification unit for super-saturating and heating the process gas stream at a first pre-set temperature; and a first heat exchanger for cooling the process gas stream until it reaches a second pre-set temperature, and for removing excess condensed water from the process gas stream. The apparatus can include a heater for heating the process gas stream until it reaches a third pre-set temperature.

Abstract: In a rechargeable battery in which an electrode plate group (10) obtained by superimposing a positive electrode plate (1), in which positive electrode material (1a) is attached to a positive electrode current collector (1b), and a negative electrode plate (2), in which negative electrode material (2a) is attached to a negative electrode current collector (2b), with a separator (3) therebetween is accommodated in a battery container (4) together with electrolyte, the current collectors (1b, 2b) of the electrode plates (1, 2) are respectively projected at opposite ends of the electrode plate group (10), forming by themselves flat planes (11, 12) by being pressed, and current collecting plates (8, 9) are joined to these flat planes (11, 12).

Abstract: On the opposite end walls of a flat, prismatic battery case of a battery module where electrode terminals are attached, protruding components are formed such as to protrude further than the electrode terminals. Terminal holes are formed in the end walls in which the electrode terminals are fitted, and the thickness of the end walls of the integral battery case in the vicinity of the terminal holes is not the same on both sides of each of the terminal holes. Also, one or a plurality of vertical and horizontal ribs are formed on the end walls between the electrode terminals and the protruding components. Further, a sealing structure is included for a battery.