Abstract: A fuel cell catalyst layer includes a plurality of carbon particles, a plurality of catalyst particles, and at least one plate-shaped carbon member disposed between the plurality of carbon particles. The plurality of catalyst particles are supported on surfaces of the plurality of carbon particles. The plate-shaped carbon member may be replaced with a rod-shaped carbon member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gas-diffusion layer used for fuel cells, including: a porous material that includes as main ingredients conductive particles and a polymer resin, wherein said gas-diffusion layer internally possesses pores with a size from 0.01 ?m to 0.05 ?m, and hollows with a size from 1 ?m to 200 ?m. Further disclosed is a process for producing a gas-diffusion layer used for fuel cells, including: (i) kneading conductive particles, a polymer resin, a pore-forming agent, a surfactant, and a dispersion solvent; (ii) rolling the mixture obtained in Step (i) to shape said mixture into a sheet; (iii) baking the sheet-shaped mixture to sublime the pore-forming agent, thereby forming hollows therein, and to remove the surfactant and the dispersion solvent; and (iv) further rolling the baked mixture to adjust a thickness of the baked mixture.

Abstract: Provided is a membrane electrode assembly capable of keeping contact resistance between a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer (GDL) low. The membrane electrode assembly includes an electrolyte membrane and a pair of electrode layers disposed to sandwich the electrolyte membrane. The pair of electrode layers includes a pair of catalyst layers disposed to sandwich the electrolyte membrane, and a pair of GDLs disposed on opposite sides of the electrolyte membrane on the respective pair of catalyst layers. Each of the pair of GDLs includes a plurality of GDL protrusions that protrude on a catalyst layer side from the GDL and enter in the catalyst layer, and a gas flow path formed on an opposite side of the catalyst layer. Each of the pair of catalyst layers has a plurality of catalyst layer recesses in contact with the respective plurality of GDL protrusions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gas-diffusion layer used for fuel cells, including: a porous material that includes as main ingredients conductive particles and a polymer resin, wherein said gas-diffusion layer internally possesses pores with a size from 0.01 ?m to 0.05 ?m, and hollows with a size from 1 ?m to 200 ?m. Further disclosed is a process for producing a gas-diffusion layer used for fuel cells, including: (i) kneading conductive particles, a polymer resin, a pore-forming agent, a surfactant, and a dispersion solvent; (ii) rolling the mixture obtained in Step (i) to shape said mixture into a sheet; (iii) baking the sheet-shaped mixture to sublime the pore-forming agent, thereby forming hollows therein, and to remove the surfactant and the dispersion solvent; and (iv) further rolling the baked mixture to adjust a thickness of the baked mixture.

Abstract: A fuel cell catalyst layer includes a plurality of carbon particles, a plurality of catalyst particles, and at least one plate-shaped carbon member disposed between the plurality of carbon particles. The plurality of catalyst particles are supported on surfaces of the plurality of carbon particles. The plate-shaped carbon member may be replaced with a rod-shaped carbon member.

Abstract: A fuel cell gas diffusion layer includes: a porous layer containing conductive particles and binder resin as primary components; a groove-shaped fluid flow path provided on one of main surfaces of the porous layer; and a conductive wire portion extending along the one of the main surfaces and a surface of the fluid flow path, the conductive wire portion being a layered collection of a plurality of conductive fibers which has pores.

Abstract: A first porous layer includes a fluid flow path that has a groove-shape and has an opening in one main surface of the first porous layer. A second porous layer is disposed on the other main surface of the first porous layer. A proportion of an area occupied by conductive fibers per unit area in a cross-sectional surface of the first porous layer is smaller than a proportion of an area occupied by conductive fibers per unit area in a cross-sectional surface of the second porous layer. The second porous layer is exposed in a part of a surface of the fluid flow path.

Abstract: A work machine management device includes: a receiving unit that receives, from a work machine, sensor data indicating states of various sections of the work machine, and alarm data indicating that the work machine has determined that an abnormality has occurred in the work machine; and an operating level classifying unit that, based on the sensor data received by the receiving unit, classifies an operating state of the work machine as being any one of a plurality of predetermined operating levels.

Abstract: A work machine management device includes: a receiving unit that receives, from a work machine, sensor data indicating states of various sections of the work machine, and alarm data indicating that the work machine has determined that an abnormality has occurred in the work machine; and an operating level classifying unit that, based on the sensor data received by the receiving unit, classifies an operating state of the work machine as being any one of a plurality of predetermined operating levels.

Abstract: An electrode foil includes a substrate and a coarse film layer having a void therein and formed on the substrate. The coarse film layer includes at least a first coarse film layer formed on the substrate. The first coarse film layer is composed of arrayed first columnar bodies. Each of the first columnar bodies is composed of metallic microparticles stacked on a surface of the substrate and extending in a curve from the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An electrode foil including a substrate made of metal material, a first layer made of metal oxide and formed on the substrate, a second layer made of TiNxOy (x>y>0) and formed on the first layer, and a third layer made of TiNxOy (0<x<y) and formed on the second layer.

Abstract: Electrode foil includes an aluminum alloy having a composition in a region at least 10 ?m deep from a surface of the foil. The composition includes aluminum as a main component and zirconium of at least 0.03 at % and at most 0.5 at %.

Abstract: An electrode-foil includes a foil having a metal layer on the surface thereof, a first dielectric film formed on the metal layer, and a second dielectric film formed on the first dielectric film. The first dielectric film is composed of a metal oxide of a metal constituting the metal layer. The thickness of the first dielectric film is greater than 0 nm and less than 10 nm. The second dielectric film is predominantly composed of a metal compound different from the metal oxide of the first dielectric film.

Abstract: An electrode foil including a substrate made of metal material, a first layer made of metal oxide and formed on the substrate, a second layer made of TiNxOy (x>y>0) and formed on the first layer, and a third layer made of TiNxOy (0<x<y) and formed on the second layer.

Abstract: Electrode foil includes an aluminum alloy having a composition in a region at least 10 ?m deep from a surface of the foil. The composition includes aluminum as a main component and zirconium of at least 0.03 at % and at most 0.5 at %.

Abstract: An electrode-foil includes a foil having a metal layer on the surface thereof, a first dielectric film formed on the metal layer, and a second dielectric film formed on the first dielectric film. The first dielectric film is composed of a metal oxide of a metal constituting the metal layer. The thickness of the first dielectric film is greater than 0 nm and less than 10 nm. The second dielectric film is predominantly composed of a metal compound different from the metal oxide of the first dielectric film.

Abstract: An electrode foil includes a substrate and a coarse film layer having a void therein and formed on the substrate. The coarse film layer includes at least a first coarse film layer formed on the substrate. The first coarse film layer is composed of arrayed first columnar bodies. Each of the first columnar bodies is composed of metallic microparticles stacked on a surface of the substrate and extending in a curve from the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery of the present invention includes a nonaqueous electrolyte and a positive electrode 13 that occludes lithium ions reversibly. The positive electrode 13 includes active material layers 13b and a sheet-like collector 13a that supports the active material layers 13b. The collector 13a contains aluminum and at least one element other than aluminum. The average composition that is obtained by averaging the ratio of the elements composing the collector 13a in the direction of the thickness of the collector 13a is equal to the composition of an alloy whose liquidus temperature is 630° C. or lower. The present invention makes it possible to prevent heat from being generated due to an internal short circuit in the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery of the present invention includes a nonaqueous electrolyte and a positive electrode 13 that occludes lithium ions reversibly. The positive electrode 13 includes active material layers 13b and a sheet-like collector 13a that supports the active material layers 13b. The collector 13a contains aluminum and at least one element other than aluminum. The average composition that is obtained by averaging the ratio of the elements composing the collector 13a in the direction of the thickness of the collector 13a is equal to the composition of an alloy whose liquidus temperature is 630° C. or lower. The present invention makes it possible to prevent heat from being generated due to an internal short circuit in the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery.

Abstract: A method for testing a precursor of a secondary cell with high reliability and high efficiency to judge the precursor to be acceptable or defective. The current flowing when a test voltage is applied between a pair of electrodes is measured before an electrolyte is placed between the electrodes. If a current the current value of which exceeds a predetermined reference current value (13) is detected during the time from the start of application of a voltage to a normal secondary cell precursor until the current becomes constant, the precursor is determined to be defective.