Abstract: An electrode comprises a current collector and a multi-layer active material formed on the current collector. The multi-layer active material includes at least one active composite unit having a first layer consisting essentially of a first carbon material having electrochemical activity and a binder and a second layer formed on the first layer comprising a high energy density material. A top layer is formed on the active composite unit consisting essentially of a second carbon material having electrochemical activity and a binder. The electrode provides even current distribution and compensates for particle volume expansion.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for discharging a Li—S battery having at least one battery unit comprising a lithium-containing anode and a sulfur-containing cathode with an electrolyte layer there between. One method comprises electrochemically surface treating the sulfur-containing cathode during discharge of the battery. A method of electrochemically surface treating a cathode of a lithium-sulfide battery comprises applying at least one oxidative voltage pulse during a pulse application period while the lithium-sulfur battery discharges and controlling pulse characteristics during the pulse application period, the pulse characteristics configured to affect a morphology of lithium sulfide forming on the sulfur-containing cathode during discharge.

Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatus for charging a lithium sulfur (Li—S) battery. The Li—S battery has at least one unit cell comprising a lithium-containing anode and a sulfur-containing cathode with an electrolyte layer there between. One method provides controlled application of voltage pulses at the beginning of the charging process. An application period is initiated after a discharge cycle of the Li—S battery is complete. During the application period, voltage pulses are provided to the Li—S battery. The voltage pulses are less than a constant current charging voltage. Constant current charging is initiated after the application period has elapsed.

Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatus for charging a lithium sulfur (Li—S) battery. The Li—S battery has at least one unit cell comprising a lithium-containing anode and a sulfur-containing cathode with an electrolyte layer there between. One method provides controlled application of voltage pulses at the beginning of the charging process. An application period is initiated after a discharge cycle of the Li—S battery is complete. During the application period, voltage pulses are provided to the Li—S battery. The voltage pulses are less than a constant current charging voltage. Constant current charging is initiated after the application period has elapsed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for discharging a Li—S battery having at least one battery unit comprising a lithium-containing anode and a sulfur-containing cathode with an electrolyte layer there between. One method comprises electrochemically surface treating the sulfur-containing cathode during discharge of the battery. A method of electrochemically surface treating a cathode of a lithium-sulfide battery comprises applying at least one oxidative voltage pulse during a pulse application period while the lithium-sulfur battery discharges and controlling pulse characteristics during the pulse application period, the pulse characteristics configured to affect a morphology of lithium sulfide forming on the sulfur-containing cathode during discharge.

Abstract: The positive electrode active material includes a compound represented by the following composition formula: [Li1.5][Li0.5(1-x)Mn1-xM1.5x]O3 (wherein x satisfies 0.1?x?0.5, and M is represented by Ni?Co?Mn? in which ?, ? and ? satisfy 0<??0.5, 0???0.33 and 0<??0.5, respectively), wherein a half width of the peak of a (001) crystal plane of the compound measured by X-ray diffraction is in a range from 0.14 to 0.33 inclusive, and an average primary particle diameter of the compound is in a range from 0.03 ?m to 0.4 ?m inclusive.

Abstract: A transition metal oxide containing solid solution lithium contains a transition metal oxide containing lithium, which is represented by a chemical formula: Li1.5[NiaCobMnc[Li]d]O3 where 0<a<1.4; 0?b<1.4; 0<c<1.4; 0.1<d?0.4; a+b+c+d=1.5; and 1.1?a+b+c<1.4. The transition metal oxide containing lithium includes: a layered structure region; and a region changed to a spinel structure by being subjected to charge or charge/discharge in a predetermined potential range. When a ratio of an entire change from Li2MnO3 with a layered structure in a region to be changed to the spinel structure to LiMn2O4 with the spinel structure is defined to be 1, a spinel structure change ratio of the transition metal oxide containing lithium is 0.25 or more to less than 1.0.

Abstract: An electrode material, including: catalyst particles formed by performing inclusion, by a porous inorganic material, for a conductive support and metal particles arranged on the conductive support and/or metal particles brought into contact with the conductive support.

Abstract: A positive electrode active material is provided for an electric device that contains a first active material comprising a transition metal oxide represented by formula (1): Li1.5[NiaCobMnc[Li]d]O3 (where a, b, c, and d satisfy the relationships: 0<d<0.5; a+b+c+d=1.5; and 1.0<a+b+c<1.5); and a second active material comprising a spinel transition metal oxide that has a crystal structure assigned to the space group Fd-3m, represented by formula (2): LiMa?Mn2?a?O4 (where M indicates at least one metal element having an atomic valence of 2-4, and a? satisfies the relationship 0=a?<2.0). The fraction content of the first and second active material by mass ratio satisfies the relationship (3): 100:0 A:MB A indicates the mass of the first active material and MB indicates the mass of the second active material).

Abstract: A fluid reforming apparatus of the present invention includes: a flow channel (30) in which a catalyst (1) is fixed to an inner wall; a fluid heating device (40) which heats a fluid to be reformed by the catalyst (1) and/or heats the catalyst (1) in the flow channel (30); catalyst temperature measuring devices (51, 52, 53, 54) which measure temperatures of the catalyst (1); and a pressure control device (10, 20, 60) which controls a pressure of the fluid in the flow channel so that the fluid can have a target pressure. The pressure control device (10, 20, 60) increases the target pressure when a difference between the temperatures of the catalyst (1) in a flow direction of the fluid exceeds a predetermined value during a period while the fluid in the flow channel (30) is being heated up to a target temperature.

Abstract: The positive electrode active material includes a compound represented by the following composition formula: [Li1.5][Li0.5(1-x)Mn1-xM1.5x]O3 (wherein x satisfies 0.1?x?0.5, and M is represented by Ni?Co?Mn? in which ?, ? and ? satisfy 0<??0.5, 0???0.33 and 0<??0.5, respectively), wherein a half width of the peak of a (001) crystal plane of the compound measured by X-ray diffraction is in a range from 0.14 to 0.33 inclusive, and an average primary particle diameter of the compound is in a range from 0.03 ?m to 0.4 ?m inclusive.

Abstract: A fluid heating apparatus heats fluid in a passage to a target temperature. The fluid heating apparatus includes a fluid heating unit that heats the fluid, a fluid temperature measuring unit that measures a temperature of the fluid, and a pressure control unit that controls a pressure in the passage such that the pressure becomes equal to a target pressure. While the fluid in the passage is heated to the target temperature and when a temperature estimated from the thermal conductivity and specific heat is not increased, the pressure control unit increases the target pressure. According to a fluid heating method, when the fluid is heated by the fluid heating apparatus, the pressure control unit controls the pressure of the fluid such that the pressure becomes equal to or higher than a critical pressure.

Abstract: A fluid heating apparatus heats fluid in a passage to a target temperature. The fluid heating apparatus includes a fluid heating unit that heats the fluid, a fluid temperature measuring unit that measures a temperature of the fluid, and a pressure control unit that controls a pressure in the passage such that the pressure becomes equal to a target pressure. While the fluid in the passage is heated to the target temperature and when a temperature estimated from the thermal conductivity and specific heat is not increased, the pressure control unit increases the target pressure. According to a fluid heating method, when the fluid is heated by the fluid heating apparatus, the pressure control unit controls the pressure of the fluid such that the pressure becomes equal to or higher than a critical pressure.

Abstract: An electrode material, including: catalyst particles formed by performing inclusion, by a porous inorganic material, for a conductive support and metal particles arranged on the conductive support and/or metal particles brought into contact with the conductive support.

Abstract: A fluid reforming apparatus of the present invention includes: a flow channel (30) in which a catalyst (1) is fixed to an inner wall; a fluid heating device (40) which heats a fluid to be reformed by the catalyst (1) and/or heats the catalyst (1) in the flow channel (30); catalyst temperature measuring devices (51, 52, 53, 54) which measure temperatures of the catalyst (1); and a pressure control device (10, 20, 60) which controls a pressure of the fluid in the flow channel so that the fluid can have a target pressure. The pressure control device (10, 20, 60) increases the target pressure when a difference between the temperatures of the catalyst (1) in a flow direction of the fluid exceeds a predetermined value during a period while the fluid in the flow channel (30) is being heated up to a target temperature.

Abstract: In a method of injecting a fluid with a liquid-to-gas phase transition, the fluid is injected via a specified path of a change in an isobaric specific heat capacity per volume [Cp/V] of the fluid, the specified path leading from a temperature-pressure condition (i) to a temperature-pressure condition (ii). The condition (i) realizes an equality [Cp/V]=[Cp/V]L, where [Cp/V]L denotes an isobaric specific heat capacity per volume of the fluid in the liquid phase. The temperature-pressure condition (ii) realizes an equality [Cp/V]=[Cp/V]J, where [Cp/V]J denotes an isobaric specific heat capacity per volume of the fluid at timing of injection. The value [Cp/V]J is less than the value [Cp/V]L and included in a temperature-pressure region extending in close proximity to a high-temperature side of a temperature-pressure region corresponding to a temperature-pressure condition (iii) that realizes an isobaric specific heat capacity per volume [Cp/V]C greater than the value [Cp/V]L.