Abstract: Provided is a lithium secondary battery having a higher capacity and a longer life. The lithium secondary battery includes: a positive electrode including a material capable of intercalation and deintercalation of a lithium ion; a lithium ion-conductive electrolyte including a salen-based metal complex; and a negative electrode including a material capable of occlusion and release of a lithium metal or a lithium ion. The salen-based metal complex is selected from (R,R)-(?)-N,N?-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)-1,2-cyclohexanediaminotitanium chloride (TiSl), VSl, CrSl, MnSl, FeSl, CoSl, and RuSl.

Abstract: A battery includes a cathode (101), an anode (102), and an electrolyte (103). The cathode (101) is made of a bicontinuous body having a three-dimensional network structure including a plurality of nanostructures. The electrolyte (103) is sandwiched between the cathode (101) and the anode (102) and made of a salt. The electrolyte (103) may be made of, e.g., an aqueous solution of one of potassium chloride and sodium chloride, or a mixture thereof. The anode (102) may contain, e.g., a metal selected from magnesium, zin, iron, and aluminum.

Abstract: Provided is an assembled battery in which a large number of flat batteries can be stacked easily. An assembled battery 1 includes stacked multiple flat batteries A, B, and C in the shape of an N-sided polygon (N is an integer of 3 or more). Each of the multiple flat batteries A, B, and C in the shape of the N-sided polygon has a positive-electrode terminal 21a and a negative-electrode terminal 61a that extend in different directions having 360°/N in between, and the multiple flat batteries A, B, and C are electrically connected in series. The assembled battery 1 also includes multiple N-sided polygonal separating films 71 and 72 disposed between each pair of adjacent ones of the stacked multiple flat batteries A, B, and C to insulate the flat batteries from one another.

Abstract: A biological tissue transdermal patch houses a battery part and an active ingredient such that they do not come into contact with each other. For the use of the biological tissue transdermal patch, the battery part and the active ingredient are brought into contact to start battery reaction of the battery part and the battery part is attached to a biological tissue. Carbonized bacterial cellulose or cellulose nanofiber carbon is used for a positive electrode of the battery part.

Abstract: The sheet mask includes multiple battery parts arranged such that electric currents flow along mimic muscles or flows of lymph. This allows an active ingredient to penetrate into in-body tissues more effectively and also allows the mimic muscles and the lymphatic vessels to be electrically stimulated. Forming the battery parts by using materials with low environmental load allows easy disposal of the sheet mask in everyday life.

Abstract: There is provided a method for manufacturing a bacterium-produced cellulose carbon having a sufficient specific surface area, and a high mechanical strength. The method manufactures a bacterium-produced cellulose carbon by carbonizing cellulose produced by thermally treating, and the method includes a cellulose forming step S1 of forming bacterium- produced cellulose whereby cellulose nanofibers are dispersed using a bacterium; an impregnating step S2 for impregnating the bacterium-produced cellulose with a supercritical fluid; a drying step S3 of vaporizing the supercritical fluid from the bacterium-produced cellulose containing the supercritical fluid and obtaining a dry product; and a carbonizing step S4 of heating and carbonizing the dry product in an atmosphere not causing combustion of the dry product.

Abstract: Provided is a rechargeable lithium-air battery that improves charge-discharge energy efficiency and has good charge-discharge cycle performance. The rechargeable lithium-air battery includes: an air electrode including carbon; a negative electrode including metallic lithium or a lithium-containing substance; and an electrolyte in contact with the air electrode and the negative electrode. The electrolyte includes a salen-based metal complex and a quinone. The quinone includes any one or more of anthraquinone, 2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone, 7,7,8,8-tetracyanodimethane, 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone, tetrahydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone, and 2,5-di-tert-butyl-1,4-benzoquinone.

Abstract: Provided are an easy-to-handle primary battery capable of spontaneous power generation and a moisture sensor including the same. The primary battery includes a separator that is disposed between a negative electrode and negative electrode current collector (a negative electrode) and a positive electrode and positive electrode current collector (a positive electrode), and sucks up electrolyte solution by the capillary phenomenon with an exposed portion of the separator 5 exposed from battery casings.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to improve the performance of a metal-air battery. The metal-air battery includes an air electrode, an anode, and an electrolyte sandwiched between the air electrode and the anode. The air electrode includes a co-continuous body having a three dimensional network structure formed by an integrated plurality of nanostructures having branches. A magnesium alloy is used for the anode, and a weak acidic salt containing no chloride ion or a salt considered to have a buffering capacity is used for the electrolyte. Consequently, the present invention can efficiently utilize electrons and suppress passivation and self corrosion of the anode, thereby improving the performance of the metal-air battery.

Abstract: Provided is an assembled battery in which a large number of flat batteries can be stacked easily. An assembled battery 1 includes stacked multiple flat batteries A, B, and C in the shape of an N-sided polygon (N is an integer of 3 or more). Each of the multiple flat batteries A, B, and C in the shape of the N-sided polygon has a positive-electrode terminal 21a and a negative-electrode terminal 61a that extend in different directions having 360°/N in between, and the multiple flat batteries A, B, and C are electrically connected in series. The assembled battery 1 also includes multiple N-sided polygonal separating films 71 and 72 disposed between each pair of adjacent ones of the stacked multiple flat batteries A, B, and C to insulate the flat batteries from one another.

Abstract: Cellulose-nanofiber carbon which can achieve a large specific surface area, and a method of producing the same are provided. The method for heat treating a cellulose nanofiber for carbonization includes: a freezing step of freezing a solution or gel containing the cellulose nanofiber to obtain a frozen product a drying step of drying the frozen product in a vacuum to obtain a dried product and a carbonizing step of heating and carbonizing the dried product in an atmosphere which does not burn the dried product to obtain the cellulose-nanofiber carbon.

Abstract: Provided is a rechargeable lithium-air battery that improves charge-discharge energy efficiency and has good charge-discharge cycle performance. The rechargeable lithium-air battery includes: an air electrode including carbon; a negative electrode including metallic lithium or a lithium-containing substance; and an electrolyte in contact with the air electrode and the negative electrode. The electrolyte includes a salen-based metal complex and a quinone. The quinone includes any one or more of anthraquinone, 2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone, 7,7,8,8-tetracyanodimethane, 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone, tetrahydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone, and 2,5-di-tert-butyl-1,4-benzoquinone.

Abstract: A lithium air secondary battery is allowed to operate as a high-capacity secondary battery, thereby implementing high output and a large discharge capacity. A lithium air secondary battery 100 includes an air electrode 102 using oxygen in the air as a positive electrode active material, a negative electrode 104 using metallic lithium or a lithium-containing material as a negative electrode active material, and an organic electrolyte 106 placed between the air electrode 102 and the negative electrode 104, and including a lithium salt. The organic electrolyte 106 includes a crown ether compound having an azo group as an additive.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to improve the performance of a metal-air battery. The metal-air battery includes an air electrode, an anode, and an electrolyte sandwiched between the air electrode and the anode. The air electrode includes a co-continuous body having a three dimensional network structure formed by an integrated plurality of nanostructures having branches. A magnesium alloy is used for the anode, and a weak acidic salt containing no chloride ion or a salt considered to have a buffering capacity is used for the electrolyte. Consequently, the present invention can efficiently utilize electrons and suppress passivation and self corrosion of the anode, thereby improving the performance of the metal-air battery.

Abstract: Provided is a lithium secondary battery improved in characteristics by reducing resistance of an electrode-electrolyte interface. The lithium secondary battery includes: a positive electrode made of a solid capable of intercalation and deintercalation of a lithium ion; a lithium ion-conductive electrolyte including a quinone which is an organic compound; and a negative electrode made of a solid capable of occlusion and release of a lithium metal or a lithium ion. The organic compound includes any one or more of anthraquinone (AQ), 2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone (DHBQ), 7,7,8,8-tetracyanodimethane (TCNQ), 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ), tetrahydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone (THBQ), and 2,5-di-tert-butyl-1,4-benzoquinone (DBBQ).

Abstract: Provided is a lithium secondary battery having a higher capacity and a longer life. The lithium secondary battery includes: a positive electrode including a material capable of intercalation and deintercalation of a lithium ion; a lithium ion-conductive electrolyte including a salen-based metal complex; and a negative electrode including a material capable of occlusion and release of a lithium metal or a lithium ion. The salen-based metal complex is selected from (R,R)-(?)-N,N?-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)-1,2-cyclohexanediaminotitanium chloride (TiSl), VSl, CrSl, MnSl, FeSl, CoSl, and RuSl.

Abstract: Cellulose-nanofiber carbon which can achieve a large specific surface area, and a method of producing the same are provided. The method for heat treating a cellulose nanofiber for carbonization includes: a freezing step of freezing a solution or gel containing the cellulose nanofiber to obtain a frozen product a drying step of drying the frozen product in a vacuum to obtain a dried product and a carbonizing step of heating and carbonizing the dried product in an atmosphere which does not burn the dried product to obtain the cellulose-nanofiber carbon.

Abstract: Proved is a method for manufacturing a bacterium-produced cellulose carbon having a sufficient specific surface area, and a high mechanical strength. The method is a method for manufacturing a bacterium-produced cellulose carbon by carbonizing cellulose produced by bacterium by thermally treating, and the method includes a cellulose forming step S1 of forming bacterium-produced cellulose that cellulose nanofibers are dispersed using a bacterium; an impregnating step S2 of impregnating the bacterium-produced cellulose with a supercritical fluid; a drying step S3 of vaporizing the supercritical fluid from the bacterium-produced cellulose containing the supercritical fluid and obtaining a dry product; and a carbonizing step S4 of heating and carbonizing the dry product in an atmosphere not causing combustion of the dry product.

Abstract: Provided is an assembled battery in which a large number of flat batteries can be stacked easily. An assembled battery 1 includes stacked multiple flat batteries A, B, and C in the shape of an N-sided polygon (N is an integer of 3 or more). Each of the multiple flat batteries A, B, and C in the shape of the N-sided polygon has a positive-electrode terminal 21a and a negative-electrode terminal 61a that extend in different directions having 360°/N in between, and the multiple flat batteries A, B, and C are electrically connected in series. The assembled battery 1 also includes multiple N-sided polygonal separating films 71 and 72 disposed between each pair of adjacent ones of the stacked multiple flat batteries A, B, and C to insulate the flat batteries from one another.

Abstract: Provided are an easy-to-handle primary battery capable of spontaneous power generation and a moisture sensor including the same. The primary battery includes a separator that is disposed between a negative electrode and negative electrode current collector (a negative electrode) and a positive electrode and positive electrode current collector (a positive electrode), and sucks up electrolyte solution by the capillary phenomenon with an exposed portion of the separator 5 exposed from battery casings.