Abstract: In a membrane electrode assembly of the present invention, at least one of a catalyst layer of an oxygen electrode and a catalyst layer of a fuel electrode includes a supported catalyst supporting a metal catalyst containing a platinum group element, a proton conductive polymer electrolyte, and at least one selected from (a) a complex-forming agent having a ligand that forms coordinate bonds with ions of the platinum group element and forms a complex, the ligand containing oxygen as a coordinating atom, (b) a complex of the platinum group element, a ligand of the complex containing oxygen as a coordinating atom, and (c) carbon that has a BET specific surface area of 100 m2/g or greater, satisfies at least one of (i) an R value of Raman spectrum of 0.5 or less and (ii) a lattice spacing d002 between (002) planes of 0.35 nm or less, and does not support the metal catalyst.

Abstract: A hydrogen producing apparatus according to the present invention includes a hydrogen-generating-material containing vessel 1 for containing a hydrogen generating material, a water containing vessel 2 for containing water, a water supply portion for supplying water from the water containing vessel 2 to the hydrogen-generating-material containing vessel 1, a hydrogen outflow portion for leading out hydrogen from the hydrogen-generating-material containing vessel 1, a gas-liquid separating part 7 for separating water from a mixture of hydrogen and water discharged from the hydrogen-generating-material containing vessel 1, and a water collecting portion for collecting water separated by the gas-liquid separating part 7 into the water containing vessel 2.

Abstract: A liquid fuel cell comprising a plurality of unit fuel cells each having a positive electrode (8) for reducing oxygen, a negative electrode (9) for oxidizing liquid fuel, and an electrolyte layer (10) interposed between the positive electrode (8) and the negative electrode (9), and a section (3) for storing liquid fuel (4), wherein power can be generated stably while reducing the size by arranging the plurality of unit fuel cells on the substantially same plane. Each electrolyte layer of the unit fuel cell preferably constitutes a continuous integrated electrolyte layer.

Abstract: In a membrane electrode assembly of the present invention, at least one of a catalyst layer of an oxygen electrode and a catalyst layer of a fuel electrode includes a supported catalyst supporting a metal catalyst containing a platinum group element, a proton conductive polymer electrolyte, and at least one selected from (a) a complex-forming agent having a ligand that forms coordinate bonds with ions of the platinum group element and forms a complex, the ligand containing oxygen as a coordinating atom, (b) a complex of the platinum group element, a ligand of the complex containing oxygen as a coordinating atom, and (c) carbon that has a BET specific surface area of 100 m2/g or greater, satisfies at least one of (i) an R value of Raman spectrum of 0.5 or less and (ii) a lattice spacing d002 between (002) planes of 0.35 nm or less, and does not support the metal catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell power generation system that includes: a fuel cell including a first membrane electrode assembly including a positive electrode for reducing oxygen, a negative electrode for oxidizing hydrogen, and a solid electrolyte membrane disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; and a fuel channel for supplying hydrogen to the fuel cell. The fuel cell includes a plurality of the first membrane electrode assemblies, and a hydrogen eliminating apparatus capable of eliminating at least part of the hydrogen that is present in the system is connected to the fuel channel.

Abstract: A hydrogen producing apparatus according to the present invention includes a hydrogen-generating-material containing vessel 1 for containing a hydrogen generating material, a water containing vessel 2 for containing water, a water supply portion for supplying water from the water containing vessel 2 to the hydrogen-generating-material containing vessel 1, a hydrogen outflow portion for leading out hydrogen from the hydrogen-generating-material containing vessel 1, a gas-liquid separating part 7 for separating water from a mixture of hydrogen and water discharged from the hydrogen-generating-material containing vessel 1, and a water collecting portion for collecting water separated by the gas-liquid separating part 7 into the water containing vessel 2.

Abstract: An exemplary information processing apparatus of the present invention includes: a body portion having a control device; and a display portion having a display panel connected to the body portion via a hinge so as to be swingably opened or closed. A power generation portion of a fuel cell, having positive electrodes, negative electrodes, and electrolyte layers placed between the positive electrodes and the negative electrodes is provided in a housing of the display portion. The positive electrodes of the power generation portion are disposed on a back side or a display panel side of the display portion. Air holes for supplying air to the positive electrodes are provided on at least one selected from a back side of the housing and a display panel side of the housing. A fuel cartridge for supplying liquid fuel to the power generation portion is incorporated in the body portion. Thus, the information processing apparatus can be decreased in thickness and miniaturized.

Abstract: A liquid fuel cell includes a positive electrode (8) for reducing oxygen, a negative electrode (9) for oxidizing fuel, a solid electrolyte (10) placed between the positive electrode (8) and the negative electrode (9), and liquid fuel (4), wherein the positive electrode (8) and the negative electrode (9) respectively include catalyst layers (8b), (9b) with a thickness of 20 ?m or more, at least one of the respective catalyst layers (8b), (9b) has a pore with a pore diameter in a range of 0.3 ?m to 2.0 ?m, and a pore volume of the pore is 4% or more with respect to a total pore volume. Because of this configuration, a liquid fuel cell with a high output density can be provided in which the pore configuration in the catalyst layer is optimized, and catalyst performance is exhibited sufficiently.

Abstract: An air-hydrogen battery with high energy density and satisfactory cycle characteristics is provided. The air-hydrogen battery includes: a positive electrode made of an air electrode; a negative electrode provided with a hydrogen-absorbing alloy; and a cation-exchange film or an anion-exchange film formed as an electrolyte between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, wherein a periphery of the hydrogen-absorbing alloy of the negative electrode is covered with an anion-exchange resin, whereby the contact area between the anion-exchange resin that functions as an electrolyte and the hydrogen-absorbing alloy is increased, and the utilization factor and resistance to corrosion of the hydrogen-absorbing alloy are enhanced.

Abstract: A liquid fuel cell comprising a plurality of unit fuel cells each having a positive electrode (8) for reducing oxygen, a negative electrode (9) for oxidizing liquid fuel, and an electrolyte layer (10) interposed between the positive electrode (8) and the negative electrode (9), and a section (3) for storing liquid fuel (4), wherein power can be generated stably while reducing the size by arranging the plurality of unit fuel cells on the substantially same plane. Each electrolyte layer of the unit fuel cell preferably constitutes a continuous integrated electrolyte layer.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus of the present invention includes: a body portion having a control device; a display portion; and a power generation portion of a fuel cell. The display portion is connected to the body portion so that it can be opened or closed, or the body portion includes a lid that can be opened and closed with respect to the display portion. Supply of fuel to a negative electrode of the power generation portion is controlled in connection with an opening/closing operation of the display portion or the lid. With this configuration, the fuel supply can be adjusted depending on the status of use of the display portion so that the fuel can be used efficiently. Accordingly, the apparatus can be operated for a long time. Moreover, since the fuel can be used efficiently, a fuel cartridge may be small, which allows the information processing apparatus to be made thinner and smaller.

Abstract: An electric power generating element for a fuel cell includes a positive electrode for reducing oxygen, a negative electrode for oxidizing a fuel, and a solid electrolyte provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The positive electrode and the negative electrode include a laminate of two or more electrode layers containing a catalyst. Each of the electrode layers has a thickness of 50 &mgr;m or less, and an adhesive layer is disposed between the electrode layers. In this way, it is possible to provide an electric power generating element for a fuel cell that can both thicken an electrode layer and achieve a porous structure and a structural flawlessness of the electrode layer.

Abstract: An exemplary information processing apparatus of the present invention includes: a body portion having a control device; and a display portion having a display panel connected to the body portion via a hinge so as to be swingably opened or closed. A power generation portion of a fuel cell, having positive electrodes, negative electrodes, and electrolyte layers placed between the positive electrodes and the negative electrodes is provided in a housing of the display portion. The positive electrodes of the power generation portion are disposed on a back side or a display panel side of the display portion. Air holes for supplying air to the positive electrodes are provided on at least one selected from a back side of the housing and a display panel side of the housing. A fuel cartridge for supplying liquid fuel to the power generation portion is incorporated in the body portion. Thus, the information processing apparatus can be decreased in thickness and miniaturized.

Abstract: An air-hydrogen battery with high energy density and satisfactory cycle characteristics is provided.