Abstract: Water disposal systems, apparatuses and methods that employ same, and methods for disposing water produced during power generation are provided. A separator of a fuel cell has an air supply groove formed therein for supplying air as an oxidizer gas to a cathode. The separator is also provided with water-absorbing cloths on the midway portion of the air supply groove. More specifically, the water-absorbing cloth is provided on the separator (110), as a water absorbing member for absorbing the water, so as to cover at least a part of the surface on which the air supply grooves is formed and the water-absorbing clothes is provided along the sidewall of the air supply grooves. Water generated during power generation by the power generator of the present invention is disposed in efficient and reliable manners, under a simple configuration.

Abstract: A gas diffusing electrode, an electrochemical device, such as fuel cell, employing same and methods of manufacturing same are provided. The gas diffusing electrode at least includes layers made of at least electro-conductive carbon powder or granule and sputtered platinum layers made of platinum laid alternately to form a multilayer structure. The electrochemical device can be down-sized while maintaining a relatively high power generating capacity.

Abstract: A gas diffusive electrode, an electrochemical device employing same, and methods of manufacturing and using same are provided. The gas diffusive electrode includes platinum powder and carbon powder or grain, to which carbon powder or grain whose particles are provided with a water-repellent film is further mixed. The gas diffusive electrode maintains an enhanced gas permeability.

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: Processes and methods for producing a gas diffusion electrode are provided. The process of the present invention includes the steps of forming a sheet or other suitable structure of carbonaceous material and forming a catalyst layer on the carbonaceous material by vapor deposition.

Abstract: An electrochemical device and a method for the preparation thereof, the electrochemical device having a high catalyst utilization efficiency including a gas diffusion electrode formed of a carbonaceous material and having a catalyst formed on at least a portion of its surface, and a proton conducting film provided in contact with one surface of the gas diffusion electrode, wherein the amount of the catalyst formed on the surface of the carbonaceous material contacting the proton conducting film is lesser in amount than on the surface of the carbonaceous material that is not contacting the proton conducting film, thereby appreciably increasing catalyst utilization efficiency and rendering it possible to elevate the energy efficiency of the electrochemical device.

Abstract: A fuel cell that includes a proton conductor film with a catalyst layer having a metal component formed thereon is provided. The metal catalyst layer can be formed directly onto the proton conductor film by one of a sputtering process, a vacuum deposition process, a chemical vapor deposition process of the like.

Abstract: A fuel cell that has a fuel electrode and an oxygen electrode facing each other with a proton conductor disposed therebetween is provided. The fuel electrode and the oxygen electrode can include current collectors containing carbon nano-tubes to facilitate the manufacture of the fuel cell and the performance thereof.

Abstract: A fuel cell in which optimum proton conductivity is maintained even in a dry atmosphere and in which the output is not lowered is provided. The fuel cell of the present invention includes a fuel electrode, an oxygen electrode and a proton conductor film disposed therebetween. The fuel electrode and the oxygen electrode are formed of powders of a carbonaceous material as an electrode material. A proton conductor composed of a carbonaceous material mainly composed of carbon and proton dissociative groups introduced into the carbonaceous material is present on the surfaces of the fuel and/or oxygen electrodes. The proton conductor can exhibit optimum proton conductivity without humidification.

Abstract: A gas diffusing electrode body can suitably be used for an electrochemical device such as fuel cell. It comprises at least layers (22) made of at least electro-conductive carbon powder or granule (1) and sputtered platinum layers (19) made of platinum laid alternately to form a multilayer structure. The electrochemical device can be down-sized while maintaining a relatively high power generating capacity.

Abstract: A gas diffusive electrode comprises platinum powder (6) and carbon powder or grain (1), to which carbon powder or grain whose particles are provided with a water-repellent film (26) is further mixed. The gas diffusive electrode according to the invention maintains an excellent gas permeability.

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: An electrochemical device and a method for the preparation thereof, the electrochemical device having a high catalyst utilization efficiency including a gas diffusion electrode formed of a carbonaceous material and having a catalyst formed on at least a portion of its surface, and a proton conducting film provided in contact with one surface of the gas diffusion electrode, wherein the amount of the catalyst formed on the surface of the carbonaceous material contacting the proton conducting film is lesser in amount than on the surface of the carbonaceous material that is not contacting the proton conducting film, thereby appreciably increasing catalyst utilization efficiency and rendering it possible to elevate the energy efficiency of the electrochemical device.

Abstract: A fuel cell that includes a proton conductor film with a catalyst layer having a metal component formed thereon is provided. The metal catalyst layer can be formed directly onto the proton conductor film by one of a sputtering process, a vacuum deposition process, a chemical vapor deposition process of the like.

Abstract: A fuel cell that has a fuel electrode and an oxygen electrode facing each other with a proton conductor disposed therebetween is provided. The fuel electrode and the oxygen electrode can include current collectors containing carbon nano-tubes to facilitate the manufacture of the fuel cell and the performance thereof.

Abstract: A fuel cell in which optimum proton conductivity is maintained even in a dry atmosphere and in which the output is not lowered is provided. The fuel cell of the present invention includes a fuel electrode, an oxygen electrode and a proton conductor film disposed therebetween. The fuel electrode and the oxygen electrode are formed of powders of a carbonaceous material as an electrode material. A proton conductor composed of a carbonaceous material mainly composed of carbon and proton dissociative groups introduced into the carbonaceous material is present on the surfaces of the fuel and/or oxygen electrodes. The proton conductor can exhibit optimum proton conductivity without humidification.

Abstract: Processes and methods for producing a gas diffusion electrode are provided. The process of the present invention includes the steps of forming a sheet or other suitable structure of carbonaceous material and forming a catalyst layer on the carbonaceous material by vapor deposition.

Abstract: A powder sealing device of a powder beam processing machine including a processing chamber for processing a workpiece by jetting powder beams to the workpiece, includes: a thin film cylinder member for sealing a space between an operating shaft passing through an opening portion formed in a peripheral surface of the processing chamber and the opening portion; and a substantially cylindrical mounting bracket having a small chamber communicated to the processing chamber and mounted to the opening portion. The thin film cylinder member is formed of a flexible thin film material into a substantially conical shape, and has one end mounted to one end of the mounting bracket on the opening portion side and the other end mounted to the outer peripheral side of the operating shaft.