Abstract: There is provided a method of controlling a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell, a tank that is configured to store a fuel gas filled through a filler port of fuel gas provided in an outer plate of a vehicle, and a main stop valve that is configured to change over between opening and closing to open and close a fuel passage arranged from the tank to the fuel cell. The method comprises controlling the main stop valve to change over from opening to closing in response to detection of an operation for gas filling to fill the fuel gas into the tank, when a control accompanied with opening of the main stop valve is performed during a stop of the vehicle.

Abstract: Secondary batteries capable of improving cycle characteristics are provided. The secondary battery includes a cathode, an anode, and an electrolytic solution. A separator provided between the cathode and the anode is impregnated with the electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution contains a solvent and an electrolyte salt. The solvent contains a cyclic compound having a disulfonic acid anhydride group (—S(?O)2-O—S(?O)2-) and at least one of a nitrile compound. Compared to a case that the solvent does not contain both the cyclic compound having the disulfonic acid anhydride group and succinonitrile or a case that that the solvent contains at least one thereof, chemical stability of the electrolytic solution is improved. Thus, even if charge and discharge are repeated, electrolytic solution decomposition is inhibited.

Abstract: In an example of a method for making an electrode active material, a sacrificial layer is formed on a nanomaterial. Carbon is coated on the sacrificial layer to form a carbon layer. Titanium dioxide is coated on the carbon layer to form a titanium dioxide layer. The sacrificial layer is removed to form a void between the nanomaterial and the carbon layer.

Abstract: A lithium battery comprises at least one battery cell on a support, the battery cell comprising a plurality of electrodes about an electrolyte. A protective casing comprises a cover spaced apart from and covering the battery cell to form a gap therebetween with a polymer filling the gap. In one version, the polymer comprises polyvinylidene chloride polymer. First and second terminals extend out of the protective casing, the first and second terminals being connected to different electrodes of the battery cell.

Abstract: The fabrication method of a lithium microbattery provides for use of a substrate successively covered by: a cathode, a solid electrolyte, and a first electrically conducting layer made from a material configured to combine with the lithium atoms. The first layer is devoid of contact with the cathode. The method further includes formation of a second electrically conducting layer configured to form a diffusion barrier for the lithium atoms. The second layer is electrically connected to the first layer and leaves at least a part of the first layer uncovered, the part being facing the electrolyte. Electrochemical deposition of a lithium anode is then performed from germination from the first and second electrically conducting layers.

Abstract: A gas separator has an adsorbent, a circulation-passage constituting member, a circulator, an adsorption facilitator, and a desorption facilitator. The adsorbent adsorbs or desorbs carbon dioxide, and the adsorbent is made of a liquid. The circulation-passage constituting member therein has a space that defines a circulation passage in which the adsorbent flows. The circulator circulates the adsorbent in the space. The adsorption facilitator facilitates an adsorption of carbon dioxide to the adsorbent filling the space. The desorption facilitator facilitates a desorption of carbon dioxide from the adsorbent filling the space.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a nickel-titanium alloy comprising nickel, titanium, and at least one rare earth element. The nickel-titanium alloy comprises from about 34 at. % to about 60 at. % nickel, from about 34 at. % to about 60 at. % titanium, and from about 0.1 at. % to about 15 at. % at least one rare earth element. The nickel-titanium alloy may further include one or more additional alloying elements. In addition to radiopacity, the nickel-titanium alloy preferably exhibits superelastic or shape memory behavior. Medical devices comprising the nickel-titanium alloy and a method of making them are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a hydrogen storage alloy which is characterized in that two or more crystal phases having different crystal structures are layered in a c-axis direction of the crystal structures. The hydrogen storage alloy is further characterized in that a difference between a maximum value and a minimum value of a lattice constant a in the crystal structures of the laminated two or more crystal phases is 0.03 ? or less.

Abstract: A carbon composite material, including a plurality of spaced graphene sheets, each respective sheet having opposed generally planar surfaces, and a plurality of functionalized carbonaceous particles. At least some functionalized carbonaceous particles are disposed between any two adjacent graphene sheets, and each respective at least some functionalized carbonaceous particle is attached to both respective any two adjacent graphene sheets. Each respective graphene sheet comprises at least one layer of graphene and at least portions of respective any two adjacent graphene sheets are oriented substantially parallel with one another.

Abstract: A battery assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a battery array and a foam shell that surrounds the battery array.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to waterproofing of a removable battery configured to prevent seeping of water into the battery component through the use of a rubber waterproof frame.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery pack which includes a plurality of battery modules housed in a housing. The battery modules are connected in series to each other via connecting members that connects external terminals of the battery modules to each other. The battery modules are classified into groups, each being comprised of at least two of the battery modules, two terminal ones of which have a potential difference of at most V or less between themselves. A first connecting member connects the external terminals of the battery modules to each other between two adjacent ones of the groups. A second connecting member connects the external terminals of the battery modules to each other within an identical one of the groups. If water penetrates into the housing, the first connecting member is electrically cut off, preferentially relative to the second connecting member.

Abstract: There are provided a separator for a fuel cell and a fuel cell including the same able to enhance the horizontal distribution of fuel or an oxidizing agent and secure an effective flow area, the separator including: a separator body; a first intake manifold provided at one end portion of the separator body; a second intake manifold provided at the other end portion of the separator body to be partitioned from the first intake manifold; a first exhaust manifold provided outwardly of the second intake manifold at the other end portion of the separator body; and a second exhaust manifold provided outwardly of the first intake manifold at one end portion of the separator body to be partitioned from the first exhaust manifold.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide batteries, electrodes, and methods of making the same. According to one embodiment, a battery may include a positive plate having a grid pasted with a lead oxide material, a negative plate having a grid pasted with a lead based material, a separator separating the positive plate and the negative plate, and an electrolyte. A nonwoven glass mat may be in contact with a surface of either or both the positive plate or the negative plate to reinforce the plate. The nonwoven glass mat may include a plurality of first coarse fibers having fiber diameters between about 6 ?m and 11 ?m and a plurality of second coarse fibers having fiber diameters between about 10 ?m and 20 ?m.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a metal alloy resistant to aqueous corrosion consists essentially of or consists of niobium with additions of tungsten, molybdenum, and one or both of ruthenium and palladium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ?-type titanium alloy that includes, by mass %, when Al: 2 to 5%, 1) Fe: 2 to 4%, Cr: 6.2 to 11%, and V: 4 to 10%, 2) Fe: 2 to 4%, Cr: 5 to 11%, and Mo: 4 to 10%, or 3) Fe: 2 to 4%, Cr: 5.5 to 11%, and Mo+V (total of Mo and V): 4 to 10% in range, and a balance of substantially Ti. These include Zr added in amounts of 1 to 4 mass %. Furthermore, by making the oxygen equivalent Q 0.15 to 0.30 or leaving the alloy in the work hardened state or by applying both, the tensile strength before aging heat treatment can be further increased.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a lithium mixed metal oxide, a lithium mixed metal oxide and a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery. The method includes a step of calcining a mixture of one or more compounds of M wherein M is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt and manganese, and a lithium compound, in the presence of one or more inactive fluxes selected from the group consisting of a fluoride of A, a chloride of A, a carbonate of A, a sulfate of A, a nitrate of A, a phosphate of A, a hydroxide of A, a molybdate of A and a tungstate of A, wherein A is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Na, K, Rb, Cs, Ca, Mg, Sr and Ba. The lithium mixed metal oxide contains nickel, cobalt and manganese, has a BET specific surface area of from 3 m2/g to 15 m2/g, and has an average particle diameter within a range of 0.1 ?m or more to less than 1 ?m, the diameter determined by a laser diffraction scattering method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ?-type titanium alloy keeping the content of the relatively expensive ?-stabilizing elements such as V or Mo down to a total of 10 mass % or less and reducing the effects of composition segregation of Fe and Cr and thereby able to keep the Young's modulus and density relatively low. The ?-type titanium alloy of the present invention comprises, by mass %, when Al: 2 to 5%, 1) Fe: 2 to 4%, Cr: 6.2 to 11%, and V: 4 to 10%, 2) Fe: 2 to 4%, Cr: 5 to 11%, and Mo: 4 to 10%, or 3) Fe: 2 to 4%, Cr: 5.5 to 11%, and Mo+V (total of Mo and V): 4 to 10% in range, and a balance of substantially Ti. These include Zr added in amounts of 1 to 4 mass %. Furthermore, by making the oxygen equivalent Q 0.15 to 0.30 or leaving the alloy in the work hardened state or by applying both, the tensile strength before aging heat treatment can be further increased.

Abstract: A fuel cell plate assembly (400) comprising: a bipolar plate (102) having a port (104) for receiving a fluid; a fluid diffusion layer (210); and an electrode defining an active area (105). The fluid diffusion layer is configured to communicate a fluid received at the port (104) to the active area (105).

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the present invention, a secondary battery includes: an electrode assembly including a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate; a case accommodating the electrode assembly and including a top opening; a cap plate sealing the top opening of the case and including a short-circuit hole; a first electrode terminal electrically coupled to the first electrode plate and protruding to an upper portion of the cap plate; an inductive element electrically coupled to the first electrode terminal and having self-inductance; a first connection plate electrically coupled to the inductive element and separated from the cap plate; and an inversion plate in the short-circuit hole.