Abstract: The bipolar secondary battery includes a power generation element including unit power generation elements stacked together and including bipolar electrodes stacked via separators, and current collecting plates arranged at both ends of the power generation element in the stacked direction of the unit power generation elements so as to be in contact with the power generation element, wherein the current collecting plates each include an electrically conductive layer and a resin film, the electrically conductive layer being formed on the resin film having a thermal shrinkage percentage of 2% or greater at a temperature of 150° C., and the separators have a higher thermal shrinkage start temperature than the resin films.

Abstract: A secondary battery is provided with a power generation element, an electroconductive member, an external short circuit, a current detector and an external discharge safety circuit. The power generation element has a unit cell layer that includes a positive electrode, a separator and a negative electrode stacked in that order. The electroconductive member is disposed on one outward side of the power generation element with an insulation member interposed therebetween. A lead wire connects the electroconductive member with the negative electrode tab. The current detector detects whether or not current is flowing to the lead wire. The external discharge safety circuit is provided to short-circuits a path between the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab outside the power generation element while current detector detects a current.

Abstract: The bipolar secondary battery includes a power generation element including unit power generation elements stacked together and including bipolar electrodes stacked via separators, and current collecting plates arranged at both ends of the power generation element in the stacked direction of the unit power generation elements so as to be in contact with the power generation element, wherein the current collecting plates each include an electrically conductive layer and a resin film, the electrically conductive layer being formed on the resin film having a thermal shrinkage percentage of 2% or greater at a temperature of 150° C., and the separators have a higher thermal shrinkage start temperature than the resin films.

Abstract: A short circuit detection device has a voltage sensor and a control unit. The voltage sensor detects a voltage of a secondary battery. The control unit determines whether a first voltage value of the voltage of the secondary battery discharging to a load is below a threshold value. Upon determining the first voltage value is below the threshold value, the control unit adjusts the load to reduce the current that flows from the secondary battery to the load. The control unit then determines whether a second voltage value of the voltage of the secondary battery after the adjustment of the load is less than the first voltage value. Upon determining the second voltage value is less than the first voltage value, control unit recognizes that an internal short circuit of the secondary battery has occurred.

Abstract: A short circuit detection device has a voltage sensor and a control unit. The voltage sensor detects a voltage of a secondary battery. The control unit determines whether a first voltage value of the voltage of the secondary battery discharging to a load is below a threshold value. Upon determining the first voltage value is below the threshold value, the control unit adjusts the load to reduce the current that flows from the secondary battery to the load. The control unit then determines whether a second voltage value of the voltage of the secondary battery after the adjustment of the load is less than the first voltage value. Upon determining the second voltage value is less than the first voltage value, control unit recognizes that an internal short circuit of the secondary battery has occurred.

Abstract: A secondary battery is provided with a power generation element, an electroconductive member, an external short circuit, a current detector and an external discharge safety circuit. The power generation element has a unit cell layer that includes a positive electrode, a separator and a negative electrode stacked in that order. The electroconductive member is disposed on one outward side of the power generation element with an insulation member interposed therebetween. A lead wire connects the electroconductive member with the negative electrode tab. The current detector detects whether or not current is flowing to the lead wire. The external discharge safety circuit is provided to short-circuits a path between the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab outside the power generation element while current detector detects a current.

Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell electrode catalyst layer which includes a catalyst carrier having a large specific surface area and a polymer electrolyte having a form in which at least a portion thereof is agglomerated, the fuel cell electrode catalyst layer exhibiting excellent power generation performance in a high-humidity environment (for example, 100% RH).

Abstract: A single cell C includes a membrane electrode assembly M in which an electrolyte membrane 1 is interposed between a pair of electrode layers 2, 3, and a pair of separators 4 that form gas channels C between the pair of separators 4 and the membrane electrode assembly M, wherein the electrode layers 2, 3 include first gas diffusion layers 2B, 3B of a porous material disposed at the side facing the electrolyte membrane 1 and second gas diffusion layers 2C, 3C that are composed of a metal porous body having arrayed many holes K, and a part of the first gas diffusion layers 2B, 3B penetrates the holes K of the second gas diffusion layers 2C, 3C to form protrusions T. Accordingly, the surface of the electrode layers 2, 3 has a fine uneven structure. As a result, an improvement in liquid water discharging function and an improvement in power generating function were achieved at the same time.

Abstract: A deformation absorbing member is stacked between an anode side separator and a cathode side separator assembled in pairs to absorb the deformations of the stacked members. The stacked members include a separator unit with the anode side separator and the cathode side separator and a membrane electrode assembly. The deformation absorbing member includes an absorbing portion for absorbing a variation in the in-plane distribution of stress caused by deformation along the stacking direction of the stacked members.

Abstract: A single cell C includes a membrane electrode assembly M in which an electrolyte membrane 1 is interposed between a pair of electrode layers 2, 3, and a pair of separators 4 that form gas channels C between the pair of separators 4 and the membrane electrode assembly M, wherein the electrode layers 2, 3 include first gas diffusion layers 2B, 3B of a porous material disposed at the side facing the electrolyte membrane 1 and second gas diffusion layers 2C, 3C that are composed of a metal porous body having arrayed many holes K, and a part of the first gas diffusion layers 2B, 3B penetrates the holes K of the second gas diffusion layers 2C, 3C to form protrusions T. Accordingly, the surface of the electrode layers 2, 3 has a fine uneven structure. As a result, an improvement in liquid water discharging function and an improvement in power generating function were achieved at the same time.