Abstract: In order to enhance charge and discharge efficiency and to improve cycle characteristics by increasing a facing area between a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material, in a negative electrode for lithium secondary battery having a current collector and an active material layer carried on the current collector, the active material layer includes a plurality of columnar particles. The columnar particles include an element of silicon, and are tilted toward the normal direction of the current collector. Angle ? formed between the columnar particles and the normal direction of the current collector is preferably 10°??<90°.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thin film manufacturing method which realizes stable, highly-efficient film formation using a nozzle-type evaporation source while avoiding unnecessary scattering and deposition of a film formation material before the start of the film formation. Used is a film forming apparatus including: an evaporation chamber 16; a film forming chamber 17 in which a substrate 21 is provided; an evaporation source 19 holding a film formation material 15 and including an opening surface 14; a moving mechanism 35 configured to cause the evaporation source 19 to move; and a conductance variable structure 34. The film forming chamber 17 and the evaporation chamber 16 are evacuated. In a state where the differential pressure between these chambers can be secured by the conductance variable structure 34, the nonreactive gas is introduced to the evaporation chamber 16 to adjust the pressure in the evaporation chamber 16 to predetermined pressure or more.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thin film manufacturing method which realizes stable, highly-efficient film formation using a nozzle-type evaporation source while avoiding unnecessary scattering and deposition of a film formation material after the termination of the film formation. Used is a film forming apparatus including: an evaporation chamber 16; a film forming chamber 17 in which a substrate 21 is provided; an evaporation source 19 holding a film formation material 15 and including an opening surface 14; a moving mechanism 35 configured to cause the evaporation source 19 to move; and a conductance variable structure 34.

Abstract: A negative electrode 100 for a nonaqueous electrolytic secondary cell includes a current collector 1 and a plurality of active material bodies 2 formed on a surface of the current collector 1 at intervals; each active material body 2 contains a material for occluding or releasing lithium; and a plurality of projections 3 are formed on a part of a side surface of each active material body 2.

Abstract: A substrate-conveying roller includes a first shell, a second shell, an internal block, a manifold, and a clearance. The first shell has a plurality of first through holes serving as supply paths for a gas. The internal block is disposed inside the first shell. The manifold is formed in the internal block so as to guide the gas to the first through holes within the region of a specific angle. The clearance is formed so as to guide the gas to the first through holes outside the region of the specific angle. The second shell has second through holes for guiding the gas from the manifold to the first through holes, and is disposed between the first shell and the internal block. The central axes of the first through hole are offset from the central axes of the second through holes.

Abstract: In a purifying method for metal grade silicon, metal grade silicon with a silicon concentration not less than 98 wt % and not more than 99.9 wt % is prepared. The metal grade silicon contains aluminum not less than 1000 ppm and not more than 10000 ppm by weight. The metal grade silicon is heated at a temperature not less than 1500° C. and not more than 1600° C. in an inert atmosphere under pressure not less than 100 Pa and not more than 1000 Pa, and maintained at the temperature in the atmosphere for a predetermined period.

Abstract: A substrate-conveying roller includes a first shell, a second shell, an internal block, a manifold, and a clearance. The first shell has a plurality of first through holes serving as supply paths for a gas. The internal block is disposed inside the first shell. The manifold is formed in the internal block so as to guide the gas to the first through holes within the region of a specific angle. The clearance is formed so as to guide the gas to the first through holes outside the region of the specific angle. The second shell has second through holes for guiding the gas from the manifold to the first through holes, and is disposed between the first shell and the internal block. The central axes of the first through hole are offset from the central axes of the second through holes.

Abstract: A vacuum apparatus (100) includes: a vacuum chamber (11); a heat source (12) disposed inside the vacuum chamber (11); a cooling device (20) that cools the heat source (12) by circulation of a cooling gas; a gas feed line (1) connected to the cooling device (20) and extending outside the vacuum chamber (11); a cooling gas feeder (14) that feeds the cooling gas to the cooling device (20) through the gas feed line (1) when the heat source (12) is to be cooled; and a vacuum pump (13) that evacuates the cooling device (20) when the heat source (12) is to be used.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electricity storage device which can be charged/discharged at high rate and have high output, high capacity and excellent repeating charge/discharge characteristics, although it uses a non-carbon material as a negative electrode active material. Specifically disclosed is an electricity storage device comprising: a positive electrode collector; a positive electrode disposed on the positive electrode collector and including a positive electrode active material which can reversibly absorb/desorb at least anions; a negative electrode collector; and a negative electrode disposed on the negative electrode collector and including a negative electrode active material which can substantially absorb/desorb lithium ions reversibly.

Abstract: A substrate-conveying roller 6A is configured to convey a substrate under vacuum, and includes a first shell 11, an internal block 12, and a shaft 10. The first shell 11 has a cylindrical outer circumferential surface for supporting the substrate, and can rotate in synchronization with the substrate. The internal block 12 is disposed inside the first shell 11, and is blocked from rotating in synchronization with the substrate. The shaft 10 extends through, and supports the internal block 12. A clearance 15 is formed between the inner circumferential surface of the first shell 11 and the internal block 12. A gas is introduced into the clearance 15 from the internal block 12 toward the inner circumferential surface of the first shell 11.

Abstract: A negative electrode active material layer 3 containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of silicon, germanium, and tin is formed on a negative electrode collector 1. A negative electrode 11 is prepared by forming a lithium metal layer on the negative electrode active material layer 3. Also prepared is a positive electrode 11 having a configuration in which a positive electrode active material layer 6 containing a composite oxide represented by a general formula Li1-xMO2, where 0.2?x?0.6, and M includes at least one transition metal selected from the group consisting of cobalt, nickel, and manganese, is formed on a positive electrode current collector 5. A lithium secondary battery 100 is assembled from the negative electrode 13, the positive electrode 11, and a separator 4.

Abstract: Provided is a heating apparatus including: an object to be heated under vacuum; a heating body separable from the object to be heated, the heating body being configured so that a gap is formed between the heating body itself and the object to be heated; and a gas introduction channel for introducing a heat transfer gas into the gap. The object to be heated is heated by the heating body via the heat transfer gas. An example of the heating apparatus is a deposition apparatus 30. An example of the object to be heated is a storage container 9 that holds a deposition material and that has an opening for allowing the deposition material that has been vaporized to pass therethrough. An example of the heating body is a heating container 10 that detachably accommodates the storage container 9 and that has a heater 20 for heating the deposition material in the storage container 9. An example of the gas introduction channel is the gas introduction tube 11.

Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery including: a positive electrode current collector; a positive electrode active material layer that is provided in contact with the positive electrode current collector; a separator layer that is provided on a side of the positive electrode active material layer on which the positive electrode current collector is not provided; a negative electrode active material layer that is provided on a side of the separator layer on which the positive electrode active material layer is not provided, that primarily contains silicon or tin, and that includes a opposing portion opposing the positive electrode active material layer and a non-opposing portion not opposing the positive electrode active material layer, the opposing portion and the non-opposing portion containing lithium produced by a thin film-forming method; and a negative electrode current collector that is provided on a side of the negative electrode active material layer on which the separator layer is not provided.

Abstract: A method for forming a thin film includes the steps of: supplying a deposition material in the form of a liquid onto a heated surface; heating and vaporizing the deposition material on the heated surface while the deposition material is undergoing movement; and depositing the deposition material onto a deposition surface. The deposition material is supplied onto a position of the heated surface where the vaporized deposition material does not reach the deposition surface.

Abstract: Arnold (13) includes a recessed portion (21) for receiving a melt (2). The recessed portion (21) is constituted by an inner wall surface (29) for converting the melt (2) into a solidified portion when the inner wall surface (29) contacts the melt (2), and opens in a withdrawal direction (D1) of the solidified portion. A curved line formed by a first contour (23p) and a second contour (25p) has a cusp at a position of start points (43 and 45). The distance between the first contour (23p) and the second contour (25p) in a width direction (D2) increases continuously from an upstream side to a downstream side of the withdrawal direction (D1). The shape of the inner wall surface (29) of the recessed portion (21) is determined so that a cast rod (3) can be rotationally displaced clockwise or counterclockwise about an axis passing through a first end point (33) or a second end point (35) and perpendicular to a section of the mold 13.

Abstract: This invention provides a negative electrode and a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including the negative electrode. The negative electrode includes a Li-absorbing element as a negative electrode active material, is free from deformation, separation of the negative electrode active material layer from the negative electrode current collector, and deposition of lithium on the negative electrode current collector, and is excellent in cycle characteristic, large-current discharge characteristic, and low-temperature discharge characteristic. The negative electrode of this invention includes: a current collector having depressions and protrusions on a surface in the thickness direction thereof; and a negative electrode active material layer that includes a plurality of columns containing a negative electrode active material that absorbs and releases lithium ions, the columns being grown outwardly from the surface of the current collector.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of the present invention includes ejecting a melt 61 of a solid electrolyte onto at least one electrode plate selected from a positive electrode plate 20 and a negative electrode plate 30, thereby depositing the melt 61 onto the at least one electrode plate, and compressing the positive electrode plate 20 and the negative electrode plate 30 while sandwiching the melt 61, thereby forming a layered body including the positive electrode plate 20, an electrolyte layer 62 including the solid electrolyte, and the negative electrode plate 30. In accordance with this manufacturing method, a thin lithium secondary battery having excellent characteristics can be manufactured in a highly productive manner.

Abstract: A battery comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, a separator interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an electrolyte having lithium ion conductivity. The first electrode and the second electrode are wound with the separator interposed therebetween to form an electrode assembly. The first electrode includes a current collector and an active material layer carried on one face of the current collector. The active material layer includes columnar particles having a bottom and a head, the bottom of the columnar particles being adhered to the current collector. The head of the columnar particles is positioned at an outer round side of the electrode assembly than the bottom.

Abstract: A vapor deposition device including an evaporation source for evaporating a vapor-depositing material; a transportation section including first and second rolls for holding the substrate in the state of being wound therearound and a guide section for guiding the substrate; and a shielding section, located in a vapor deposition possible zone, for forming a shielded zone which is not reachable by the vapor-depositing material from the evaporation source. Vapor deposition zones include a planar transportation zone for transporting the substrate such that the surface of the substrate to be subjected to the vapor-depositing material is planar; and the transportation section is located with respect to the evaporation source such that the vapor-depositing material is not incident on the substrate in a direction of the normal to the substrate in the vapor deposition possible zone excluding the shielded zone.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a negative electrode includes: a first step of forming a plurality of columnar active material blocks capable of electrochemically storing and releasing lithium ions on the surface of a current collector; and a second step of disposing particulate lithium in the gaps between the active material blocks.