Abstract: A totally-solid lithium secondary battery can be improved in charge and discharge characteristics by adding to the negative electrode a first transition metal chalcogenide or lithium•transition metal chalcogenide which acts as the active material for negative electrode and a second transition metal chalcogenide or lithium•transition metal chalcogenide which inhibits precipitation of metallic lithium.

Abstract: Disclosed are a molded solid electrolyte and molded electrode having excellent electrochemical properties and high procesability. As a binder for these molded articles, a hydrogenated block copolymer is used which is obtained by hydrogenating a straight chain or branched block copolymer containing a block (A) comprising polybutadiene whose 1,2-vinyl bond content is 15% or less and a block (B) comprising a butadiene (co)polymer consisting of 50 to 100% by weight of butadiene and 0 to 50% by weight of other monomers in which 1,2-vinyl bond content of butadiene portion is 20 to 90%, wherein (A)/(B)=5 to 70/95 to 30% by weight.

Abstract: A battery excellent in high temperature storage characteristic is presented. It comprises a positive electrode having a positive electrode active material containing an transition metal complex oxide containing lithium , a negative electrode containing a negative electrode material capable of storing and releasing a lithium ion, and an electrolytic solution containing a nonaqueous solvent, an electrolyte, and an organic compound expressed in formula 1. ##STR1## where R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, and R.sub.6 have individually at least one of H and a group containing a vinyl group, and the number of H substituent is four or less.

Abstract: A solid-state secondary lithium battery with excellent charge and discharge cycle characteristics, using a negative electrode active material which shows discontinuous change of potential caused by the lithium ion insertion and extraction reactions, wherein the amount of the lithium ion inserted, until discontinuous change of potential of the negative elctrode takes place, is equal to or smaller than the maximum amount of extraction of lithium ions within the range where lithium ions are inserted and extracted into or from the lithium transition metal oxide reversibly, and a battery assembly using these batteries.

Abstract: A solid-state secondary lithium battery with excellent charge and discharge cycle characteristics, using a negative electrode active material which shows discontinuous change of potential caused by the lithium ion insertion and extraction reactions, wherein the amount of the lithium ion inserted, until discontinuous change of potential of the negative elctrode takes place, is equal to or smaller than the maximum amount of extraction of lithium ions within the range where lithium ions are inserted and extracted into or from the lithium transition metal oxide reversibly, and a battery assembly using these batteries.

Abstract: A method for producing an electrochemically advantageous lithium ion-conductive solid electrolyte with high ionic conductivity, low electronic conduction and electrochemical stability is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of synthesizing lithium sulfide by reacting lithium hydroxide with a gaseous sulfur source at a temperature of not less than 130.degree. C. and not more than 445.degree. C., thermally melting plural compounds containing at least silicon sulfide and the synthesized lithium sulfide, and cooling the molten mixture. The silicon sulfide is synthesized by the steps of adding a silicon powder to molten sulfur while stirring to disperse the silicon powder in the molten sulfur and heating the silicon powder-dispersed sulfur in a reaction chamber under reduced pressure.

Abstract: A solid-state lithium secondary battery having a high safety and being free from the formation and growth of lithium dendrites is disclosed. It comprises a cathode having as an active material at least one compound selected from the group consisting of oxides and sulfides of a transition metal, a lithium ion-conductive solid electrolyte of a glass comprising Li.sub.2 S, and an anode having as an active material a metal capable of forming an alloy with lithium, wherein at least one of the cathode active material and anode active material contains lithium.

Abstract: An ion conductive, fibrous solid electrolyte having a high ion conductivity, a distinguished mechanical strength and a good processability is provided by making an ion conductive solid electrolyte fibrous and glassy and shaping the resulting fibrous glassy solid electrolyte alone or together with thermoplastic resin fibers, and the shaped product is used in a cell as a solid electrolyte layer.

Abstract: An ignition system for an internal combustion engine that has at least two spark plugs for each of the cylinders. The number of spark plugs ignited is controlled in accordance with the operational condition of the engine. The system includes an ignition control means for controlling the ignition in such a manner that an all-point ignition in which all the spark plugs are ignited is carried out in a condition where the temperature of the engine is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, and so that a decreased number-point ignition in which the ignition of at least one of the spark plugs is discontinued is carried out in a condition where the temperature of the engine is higher than the predetermined value.

Abstract: An air pump apparatus having a cylinder extending from a pump casing. The cylinder comprises a cylinder liner positioned within the walls of the cylinder and a piston is mounted for reciprocating movement within the cylinder liner. The pump chamber is formed between the front of the piston and the front portion of the cylinder wherein an annular gap is formed between the piston and the inner wall of the cylinder liner, wherein the piston has a plurality of annular grooves formed on the outer circumferential surface thereof, the annular gap and annular grooves forming a labyrinth path extending from the pump chamber.