Abstract: A proton conductor, a method for manufacturing the same, and an electrochemical device using the proton conductor are provided. The proton conductor includes a carbon derivative which has a carbon material selected from the group consisting of a fullerene molecule, a cluster consisting essentially of carbon, a fiber-shaped carbon and a tube-shaped carbon, and mixtures thereof; and at least a proton dissociative group, the proton dissociative group being bonded to the carbon material via a cyclic structure of tricyclic or more. The method includes the steps of obtaining the carbon derivative, hydrolyzing the derivative with alkali hydroxide, subjecting the hydrolyzed product to ion exchange, and forming a group with proton-dissociating properties.

Abstract: A proton conducting electrode is provided. The proton conducting electrode includes a mixture of a fullerene derivative and an electron conducting catalyst, wherein the fullerene derivative is composed of carbon atoms that can form fullerene molecules and one or more proton (H+) dissociating groups introduced into said carbon atoms. The proton conducting electrode can be manufactured by coating a mixture containing the fullerene derivative and the electron conducting catalyst on a gas transmitting current collector. The proton conducting electrode can be used in a variety of applications, such as in electrochemical devices, including fuel cells.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for producing hydrogen and a method for producing hydrogen which effectively produce hydrogen in the low humidity atmosphere without humidifier or dehumidifier, and an electrochemistry device and a method for generating electrochemistry energy which generate electrochemistry energy by an oxidation-reduction reaction using hydrogen. A fullerene derivative where a proton (H+) dissociating group is introduced into a fullerene, is used as a composition material of a proton conductor 3, water is supplied to an anode 1 in a vapor or gas state and is electrolyzed, and produced protons (H+) are conducted to a cathode 2 through the proton conductor 3 and converted into hydrogen here. Moreover, hydrogen produced in such a way is decomposed into protons (H+) at the cathode 2, the protons are conducted to the anode 1 through the proton conductor 3 and converted into water there, and then, electrochemistry energy is extracted between the cathode 2 and the anode 1.

Abstract: A proton conductor mainly contains a carbonaceous material derivative, such as, a fullerene derivative, a carbon cluster derivative, or a tubular carbonaceous material derivative in which groups capable of transferring protons, for example, —OH groups or —OSO3H groups are introduced to carbon atoms of the carbonaceous material derivative. The proton conductor is produced typically by compacting a powder of the carbonaceous material derivative. The proton conductor is usable, even in a dry state, in a wide temperature range including ordinary temperature. In particular, the proton conductor mainly containing the carbon cluster derivative is advantageous in increasing the strength and extending the selection range of raw materials. An electrochemical device, such as, a fuel cell, that employs the proton conductor is not limited by atmospheric conditions and can be of a small and simple construction.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a photoelectric charging secondary battery durable enough to be repeatedly used which is obtained by combining a photoelectric conversion sheet including a photoelectric conversion element formed having a flexibility and a durability with a storage battery. The photoelectric charging secondary battery includes a cylindrical coil core part (2), a photoelectric conversion element (11) having a flexibility coiled and disposed so as to be freely withdrawn out relative to the coil core part, a storage battery (4) capable of being charged and discharged, and a control circuit part (5) for controlling the charge and discharge of the storage battery. While the photoelectric conversion element is coiled on the coil core part, the photoelectric charging secondary battery is entirely formed in a substantially cylindrical form. The storage battery is detachably attached to the coil core part. The photoelectric conversion element is folded along a direction to be withdrawn.

Abstract: A proton conductor mainly contains a carbonaceous material derivative, such as, a fullerene derivative, a carbon cluster derivative, or a tubular carbonaceous material derivative in which groups capable of transferring protons, for example, —OH groups or —OSO3H groups are introduced to carbon atoms of the carbonaceous material derivative. The proton conductor is produced typically by compacting a powder of the carbonaceous material derivative. The proton conductor is usable, even in a dry state, in a wide temperature range including ordinary temperature. In particular, the proton conductor mainly containing the carbon cluster derivative is advantageous in increasing the strength and extending the selection range of raw materials. An electrochemical device, such as, a fuel cell, that employs the proton conductor is not limited by atmospheric conditions and can be of a small and simple construction.

Abstract: An electrochemical device (or a fuel cell) which comprises a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a proton conducting portion held between these two electrodes, said proton conducting portion being a fullerenol electrolyte, said negative electrode having a fuel supply port through which methanol and water are fed. The electrochemical device is based on combination of the solid electrolyte and the direct methanol method (in which methanol is directly oxidized with water). It generates a high electric power without cross-over, it achieves improved fuel efficiency, and it permits selection from a broad range of electrode catalysts.

Abstract: An ionic conductor, such as a proton conductor, a process for production thereof, and an electrochemical device, such as fuel cell, that includes the ionic conductor is provided. The ionic conductor of the present invention is formed from a polymer in which carbon clusters having ion dissociating functional groups are bonded to each other through connecting groups which can also include one or more ion dissociating functional groups. In this regard, the polymer is less water-soluble and more chemically stable than a derivative composed solely of carbon clusters, thus displaying enhanced ionic conduction properties.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for producing hydrogen and a method for producing hydrogen which effectively produce hydrogen in the low humidity atmosphere without humidifier or dehumidifier, and an electrochemistry device and a method for generating electrochemistry energy which generate electrochemistry energy by an oxidation-reduction reaction using hydrogen. A fullerene derivative where a proton (H+) dissociating group is introduced into a fullerene, is used as a composition material of a proton conductor 3, water is supplied to an anode 1 in a vapor or gas state and is electrolyzed, and produced protons (H+) are conducted to a cathode 2 through the proton conductor 3 and converted into hydrogen here. Moreover, hydrogen produced in such a way is decomposed into protons (H+) at the cathode 2, the protons are conducted to the anode 1 through the proton conductor 3 and converted into water there, and then, electrochemistry energy is extracted between the cathode 2 and the anode 1.

Abstract: A proton conductor, a method for manufacturing the same, and an electrochemical device using the proton conductor are provided. The proton conductor includes a carbon derivative which has a carbon material selected from the group consisting of a fullerene molecule, a cluster consisting essentially of carbon, a fiber-shaped carbon and a tube-shaped carbon, and mixtures thereof; and at least a proton dissociative group, the proton dissociative group being bonded to the carbon material via a cyclic structure of tricyclic or more. The method includes the steps of obtaining the carbon derivative, hydrolyzing the derivative with alkali hydroxide, subjecting the hydrolyzed product to ion exchange, and forming a group with proton-dissociating properties.

Abstract: A proton conducting electrode useful for a fuel battery. The proton conducting electrode is comprised of a mixture including a fullerene derivative and an electron conducting catalyst, wherein the fullerene derivative is composed of carbon atoms forming fullerene molecules and a proton (H+) dissociating group introduced into said carbon atoms. This proton conducting electrode is manufactured by coating mixture containing the fullerene derivative and the electron conducting catalyst on a gas transmitting current collector.

Abstract: A proton conductor mainly contains a carbonaceous material derivative, such as, a fullerene derivative, a carbon cluster derivative, or a tubular carbonaceous material derivative in which groups capable of transferring protons, for example, —OH groups or —OSO3H groups are introduced to carbon atoms of the carbonaceous material derivative. The proton conductor is produced typically by compacting a powder of the carbonaceous material derivative. The proton conductor is usable, even in a dry state, in a wide temperature range including ordinary temperature. In particular, the proton conductor mainly containing the carbon cluster derivative is advantageous in increasing the strength and extending the selection range of raw materials. An electrochemical device, such as, a fuel cell, that employs the proton conductor is not limited by atmospheric conditions and can be of a small and simple construction.

Abstract: A proton conductor mainly contains a carbonaceous material derivative, such as, a fullerene derivative, a carbon cluster derivative, or a tubular carbonaceous material derivative in which groups capable of transferring protons, for example, —OH groups or —OSO3H groups are introduced to carbon atoms of the carbonaceous material derivative. The proton conductor is produced typically by compacting a powder of the carbonaceous material derivative. The proton conductor is usable, even in a dry state, in a wide temperature range including ordinary temperature. In particular, the proton conductor mainly containing the carbon cluster derivative is advantageous in increasing the strength and extending the selection range of raw materials. An electrochemical device, such as, a fuel cell, that employs the proton conductor is not limited by atmospheric conditions and can be of a small and simple construction.

Abstract: A proton conductor mainly contains a carbonaceous material derivative, such as, a fullerene derivative, a carbon cluster derivative, or a tubular carbonaceous material derivative in which groups capable of transferring protons, for example, —OH groups or —OSO3H groups are introduced to carbon atoms of the carbonaceous material derivative. The proton conductor is produced typically by compacting a powder of the carbonaceous material derivative. The proton conductor is usable, even in a dry state, in a wide temperature range including ordinary temperature. In particular, the proton conductor mainly containing the carbon cluster derivative is advantageous in increasing the strength and extending the selection range of raw materials. An electrochemical device, such as, a fuel cell, that employs the proton conductor is not limited by atmospheric conditions and can be of a small and simple construction.

Abstract: A proton conductor mainly contains a carbonaceous material derivative, such as, a fullerene derivative, a carbon cluster derivative, or a tubular carbonaceous material derivative in which groups capable of transferring protons, for example, —OH groups or —OSO3H groups are introduced to carbon atoms of the carbonaceous material derivative. The proton conductor is produced typically by compacting a powder of the carbonaceous material derivative. The proton conductor is usable, even in a dry state, in a wide temperature range including ordinary temperature. In particular, the proton conductor mainly containing the carbon cluster derivative is advantageous in increasing the strength and extending the selection range of raw materials. An electrochemical device, such as, a fuel cell, that employs the proton conductor is not limited by atmospheric conditions and can be of a small and simple construction.

Abstract: An electrochemical device (or a fuel cell) which comprises a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a proton conducting portion held between these two electrodes, said proton conducting portion being a fullerenol electrolyte, said negative electrode having a fuel supply port through which methanol and water are fed.

Abstract: A photovoltaic-charged secondary battery device has a cylindrical core, a flexible photoelectric transducer sheet extractably rolled on the core, a chargeable/dischargeable storage battery, and a control circuit for controlling the charging and discharging operations of the storage battery. The photovoltaic-charged secondary battery device with the photoelectric transducer sheet fully rolled on the core generally exhibiting a substantially cylindrical form. The photovoltaic-charged secondary battery device further has a polymeric cover film formed on the light-receiving surface of the photoelectric transducer sheet. The polymeric cover film improves the durability of the photoelectric transducer sheet against repeated bending and sliding actions caused on the photoelectric transducer sheet. The photoelectric transducer sheet may be so arranged that, when the photoelectric transducer sheet is rolled on the core, the light-receiving surface faces outward of the roll.

Abstract: A carbonaceous material for hydrogen storage capable of storing hydrogen in the form of protons is provided. The carbonaceous material is composed of molecules having structural curvatures and has a work function of 4.9 eV or more. The carbonaceous material can be produced by an arc discharge process using a carbon based electrode. Examples of these carbonaceous materials include a baked body composed of a polymer produced from fullerenes by baking thereof, a polymer produced from fullerenes by electrolytic polymerization, a carbonaceous derivative produced by introducing groups allowing hydrogen bonding with protons to a carbonaceous material, and a carbonaceous material composed of molecules having structural bending portions. The carbonaceous materials for hydrogen storage are used for electrochemical devices, such as an alkali battery, air cell, and a fuel cell.

Abstract: Light energy is to be utilized as the power source for a customary electrical equipment. A flexible photo-electric transducer 3 is arranged so as to be wound about a cylindrically-shaped winding core 2. When charging the storage battery 4, housed on the winding core 2, the photo-electric transducer 3 wound about the winding core 2 is pulled out to receive the light.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a first electrode that can be kept in a transparent state in a visible light region, and a second electrode electrically separated from the first electrode. A space is provided between the first and second electrodes. A certain function is used to provide a driving potential to the first and second electrodes. An electrolyte is poured into the space between the electrodes. The electrolyte is composed of a solution prepared by dissolving a silver salt in at least one type of solvent selected from a group consisting of dimethylformamide, diethylformamide, N, N-dimethylacetamide, N-methylpropionamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, 2-ethoxyethanol, and 2-methoxyethanol. By use of this electrolyte, silver is precipitated and dissolved under driving control over the first and second electrodes. As a result, color-developing and color-fading are effected by precipitation and dissolution of silver, respectively.