Abstract: A fuel cell (10) which comprises a membrane electrode assembly (16) composed of a fuel electrode, an air electrode, and an electrolyte membrane (15) sandwiched between the fuel electrode and the air electrode; and an oxidant gas blocking mechanism (25) superposed on the air electrode side and capable of blocking an oxidant gas to be supplied to the air electrode. The oxidant gas blocking mechanism (25) comprises fixed plates and, sandwiched therebetween, a frame having a movable plate disposed therein.

Abstract: A fuel battery (1) includes a fuel tank (3) containing a methanol fuel F as a liquid fuel, and an electromotive unit (fuel cell unit) (2) performing an electric generation operation by being supplied with the methanol fuel F from this fuel tank (3). The fuel tank (3) is formed by a transparent resin having methanol resistance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a fungicide selected from the group consisting of (i) a strobilurin or strobilurin-type fungicide or (ii) a triazole or an insecticide selected from the group consisting of (i) an avermectin, (ii) an organophosphate, (iii) a benzoylurea or (iv) a neonicotinoid in the production of a crop plant having raised levels of anti-oxidants.

Abstract: Disclosed is a small-sized, light-weighted, low-cost cartridge for methanol fuel cells which has excellent permeation-preventing performance (barrier properties) against methanol and oxygen. This cartridge is suitably used as a fuel tank or refill container for a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC). Specifically disclosed is a cartridge for methanol fuel cells comprising at least one methanol impermeable layer having a methanol vapor permeability coefficient of not more than 15 ?g·mm/m2·hr at 40° C. The methanol impermeable layer of the cartridge is preferably made of a cyclic olefin resin, a polyester resin, a resin coated with an inorganic film or the like.

Abstract: There is disclosed a coupler which is constituted by a nozzle 10, and a socket 20. The nozzle 10 is constituted by a nozzle body 11, a movable pin 14, a first supporting member 15, etc. The movable pin 14 is made retractably movable in the axial direction in a nose portion 12 to open and close the channel inside the nozzle. The socket 20 is constituted by a housing 21, a collar 23, a ring-like packing 24, a valve stem 25, a valve head 26, a second supporting member 27, etc. The valve stem 25 is made retractably movable in the socket 20 in the axial direction to open and close the channel inside the socket. All portions or components which contact liquid fuel in the coupler are formed solely of rubber and/or plastics.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided with an electronic device main unit, a power supply unit which has a power generator having a fuel cell unit, and supplies electric power to the main unit, and a switching unit which is connected between the main unit and the power supply unit, and controls turning on and off of the electric power supplied from the power generator to the main unit. The electronic device is provided with a power supply control signal detection unit to detect an external power supply control signal, and a control unit to control turning on and off of the power supply with the switching unit by detection of the power supply control signal with the power supply control signal detection unit.

Abstract: The structure includes protrusions 30, 62, 63 provided in either injection ports 20, 20A, 20B or cartridge nozzles 6, 6A, 6B, and grooves 6g, 32, 33 formed in either the injection ports or the cartridge nozzles so as to be fitted with the protrusions, fitted with the protrusions when the cartridge nozzles are inserted into the injection ports, and guiding the protrusions when the cartridge nozzles are further pushed in an axial direction.

Abstract: In electronic equipment using a fuel cell as a power source, an antenna and a fuel cell, which are provided in a lower case of a main body receiving electronic parts, are arranged at a given distance from each other. An acceptable communication state can be established in the electronic equipment.

Abstract: A fuel cell is characterized by including a cartridge 3 having a fuel outlet 2 for ejecting a liquid fuel 1 held in the cartridge 3 and a fuel cell main body 5 having a fuel receiving hole 4 for receiving the liquid fuel 1 from the cartridge 3, the fuel cell having a configuration in which the fuel outlet 2 of the cartridge 3 is detachably connected to the fuel receiving hole 4 of the fuel cell main body 5, wherein the cartridge 3 includes a first valve body 6 for opening and closing the fuel outlet 2 and a first elastic member 7 for applying an elastic force to the first valve body 6 so as to normally close the fuel outlet 2, the fuel cell main body 5 includes a second valve body 8 for opening and closing the fuel receiving hole 4 and a second elastic member 9 for applying an elastic force to the second valve body 8 so as to normally close the fuel receiving hole 4, and in the configuration, the elastic force of the elastic member 7 is specified to be larger than the elastic force of the second elastic membe

Abstract: A fuel cartridge to be connected to a direct methanol fuel cell power generating device includes a spare fuel tank which stores a liquid fuel and is to be connected to the direct methanol fuel cell power generating device and a harmful substance trap member. The spare fuel tank stores a liquid fuel and is to be connected to the direct methanol fuel cell power generating device. The harmful substance trap member is fixed to the spare fuel tank and is to be connected to the direct methanol fuel cell power generating device. The harmful substance trap member contains a harmful substance trap material which traps gaseous harmful substances exhausted from the direct methanol fuel cell power generating device.

Abstract: A fuel cartridge (1) for a fuel battery includes a cartridge body (2) storing a liquid fuel for a fuel battery, a connection unit (3) provided at the cartridge body (2), and an identifier (4) containing information on the liquid fuel stored in the cartridge body (2). A fuel battery includes a liquid fuel supply system having a fuel battery-side connection unit for detachable connection with the cartridge-side connection unit of the fuel cartridge (1), a power generation section for generating power by being supplied with the liquid fuel from the liquid fuel supply system, and a detection unit for detecting the identifier (4) of the fuel cartridge (1).

Abstract: A PDA, which functions as an electronic unit, includes power supply which includes a fuel cell unit and an auxiliary power supply which is charged by an output of the fuel cell unit. A non-use state of the PDA is detected by non-use detection unit. Upon detection of the non-use state by the non-use detection unit, the output from the fuel cell unit is stopped and an output of the auxiliary power supply is shut off.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell comprising: a cathode catalyst layer 2; an anode catalyst layer 3; a membrane electrode assembly 1 including a proton conductive membrane 6 disposed between the cathode catalyst layer 2 and the anode catalyst layer 3; an outer case 15 having an air intake port 14 for supplying an air to the cathode catalyst layer 2; a cathode conductive layer 7a provided to a side of the cathode catalyst layer 2 of the membrane electrode assembly 1; an anode conductive layer 7b provided to a side of the anode catalyst layer 3 of the membrane electrode assembly 1; and a liquid fuel tank 9 for storing a liquid fuel and supplying a vaporized component of the liquid fuel to the anode catalyst layer 3; wherein a supporting projection 16 for supporting the anode conductive layer 7a and the membrane electrode assembly 1 and for pressing the anode conductive layer 7a and the membrane electrode assembly 1 to a side of the outer case 15 is provided to the liquid fuel tank 9 so as to project fr

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell including a plurality of catalyst layer electrodes disposed as each catalyst layer electrode of an anode and a cathode in parallel on substantially the same plane and each having a shape with a specified aspect ratio, a liquid fuel impregnation layer laminated on the liquid fuel receiving chamber side of a vapor-liquid separating membrane, and a liquid fuel supply frame laminated on the liquid fuel receiving chamber side of the liquid fuel impregnation layer and formed with single or a plurality of fuel supply ports which supply the liquid fuel to the liquid fuel impregnation layer that is formed at the position corresponding to substantially the same position of the anode catalyst layer electrode.

Abstract: A nozzle part 9 provided in a fuel cartridge is inserted in a socket part 6 provided in a fuel cell body, and the nozzle part 9 and the socket part 6 are coupled. The nozzle part 9 has a nozzle head 12 provided on the cartridge body 8 and a valve mechanism arranged in this nozzle head 12. On a tip of the nozzle head 12, a spherical portion 15 is provided so as to detach from the socket part 6 without being interfered when a bending load is applied to the fuel cartridge 5 coupled to the fuel cell body.

Abstract: The valve of the fuel cartridge nozzle is constituted by a valve body, a valve seat, a first compression spring urging the valve body to move toward the valve seat, a seal ring interposed between the valve body urged by the first compression spring and the valve seat, a valve stem disposed inside flow channel which is communicated with the liquid delivery port, and an inside plug supporting the first compression spring, and the valve of the inlet member of fuel cell is constituted by a valve body, a valve seat, a second compression spring urging the valve body to move toward the valve seat, a seal ring interposed between the valve body urged by the second compression spring and the valve seat, a valve stem disposed inside flow channel which is communicated with the liquid-receiving port, and a lower member supporting the second compression spring.

Abstract: A fuel cartridge to be connected to a direct methanol fuel cell power generating device includes a spare fuel tank which stores a liquid fuel and is to be connected to the direct methanol fuel cell power generating device and a harmful substance trap member. The spare fuel tank stores a liquid fuel and is to be connected to the direct methanol fuel cell power generating device. The harmful substance trap member is fixed to the spare fuel tank and is to be connected to the direct methanol fuel cell power generating device. The harmful substance trap member contains a harmful substance trap material which traps gaseous harmful substances exhausted from the direct methanol fuel cell power generating device.

Abstract: The invention provides a fuel cartridge for supplying methanol aqueous solution to a direct methanol fuel cell system, comprising a memory which stores at least a concentration of the methanol aqueous solution.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a cathode catalyst layer, an anode catalyst layer, a proton-conductive membrane provided between the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer, and a fuel transmitting layer that supplies a vaporized component of a liquid fuel to the anode catalyst layer. Water generated in the cathode catalyst layer is supplied to the anode catalyst layer via the proton-conductive membrane. The liquid fuel is one of a methanol aqueous solution having a concentration of over 50% by molar and liquid methanol.

Abstract: A system includes a liquid-type fuel electromotive unit which outputs a first power, a fuel supply unit which supplies liquid fuel to this liquid-type fuel electromotive unit, an auxiliary power supply unit which is charged with the first power output from the liquid-type fuel electromotive unit and which outputs a charged second power, and a control circuit which controls the supply of the fuel. Moreover, this control circuit monitors a charged state of the auxiliary power supply unit, and controls the supply of the liquid fuel from the fuel supply unit to the liquid-type fuel electromotive unit based on the monitoring result.