Abstract: A depth sensor includes a substrate that includes a first face and a second face opposite to each other in a first direction; a photoelectric conversion element disposed in the substrate; and first and second taps connected to the photoelectric conversion element. Each of the first and second taps includes: a floating diffusion area disposed in the substrate; a transfer transistor connected to the floating diffusion area; a photo transistor connected to the photoelectric conversion element; a tap transfer transistor connected to the photo transistor; and a storage transistor connected to the tap transfer transistor and the transfer transistor. The storage transistor includes a storage gate electrode. The storage gate electrode includes a first extension and a second extension that extend from the first face of the substrate toward the second face, and the first extension and the second extension are spaced apart from each other in a second direction.

Abstract: A technique is described herein for monitoring the operational state of a fuel cell stack by the detection of nonlinearity in such a manner that an external test signal for frequency response is generated and applied to the fuel cell stack during operation, the resulting signal output from the fuel cell stack is measured, and the harmonic content of the measured signal is analyzed, the method including: applying a multiple frequency test signal comprising at least two sinusoidal waves as the test signal for frequency response to the fuel cell stack; and analyzing the resulting current or voltage signal output from the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A stereo x-ray inspection apparatus and a method for forming a three-dimensional image through volume reconstruction of an image acquired from the same are disclosed. The apparatus includes one x-ray generator and two detectors to acquire two images. The x-ray generator and detectors are arranged in the form of a right-angled triangle, to easily achieve mathematical development and analysis. One of the detectors, which does not just oppose the x-ray generator, is movable and rotatable, to acquire images under the condition that only one detector is moved in accordance with the size of an object, and thus to simplify control operation for the apparatus, so that a more accurate image from an object moving at high speed is acquired.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell bipolar plate and a method for manufacturing the same, in which a carbon or metal fuel cell bipolar plate is surface-treated with a complex transition metal oxide, which is a main component of a variable resistance heating element having a negative temperature characteristic, so that the bipolar plate can ensure a sufficient amount of heat, required to prevent product water from freezing, by itself in a short time without any external energy, thus improving cold start performance of a fuel cell vehicle at a temperature below zero.

Abstract: A technique is described herein for monitoring the operational state of a fuel cell stack by the detection of nonlinearity in such a manner that an external test signal for frequency response is generated and applied to the fuel cell stack during operation, the resulting signal output from the fuel cell stack is measured, and the harmonic content of the measured signal is analyzed, the method including: applying a multiple frequency test signal comprising at least two sinusoidal waves as the test signal for frequency response to the fuel cell stack; and analyzing the resulting current or voltage signal output from the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A stereo x-ray inspection apparatus and a method for forming a three-dimensional image through volume reconstruction of an image acquired from the same are disclosed. The apparatus includes one x-ray generator and two detectors to acquire two images. The x-ray generator and detectors are arranged in the form of a right-angled triangle, to easily achieve mathematical development and analysis. One of the detectors, which does not just oppose the x-ray generator, is movable and rotatable, to acquire images under the condition that only one detector is moved in accordance with the size of an object, and thus to simplify control operation for the apparatus, so that a more accurate image from an object moving at high speed is acquired.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for determining deterioration of a fuel cell, the method including measuring in real time fluoride ion concentration or pH value of outflow water from a fuel cell stack during operation in a fuel cell vehicle, calculating a fluoride emission rate from the measured value and, if the calculated fluoride emission rate is out of a predetermined normal range, determining deterioration of an electrolyte membrane of the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for accelerated activation of fuel cells are disclosed. The apparatuses include a fuel cell stack; an air supplying means coupled to a cathode catalyst side of the fuel cell stack through a mass flow controller and a humidifier; a hydrogen supplying means coupled to an anode catalyst side of the fuel cell stack through a mass flow controller and a humidifier; and a cable coupled to both ends of the fuel cell stack for short-circuiting the cathode and the anode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sealing structure of a sealing portion for maintaining the airtightness of a coolant passage in two stacked separators of a fuel cell, wherein a groove in which an adhesive is to be filled is formed on a surface of one of two separators, and dam portions are formed on both sides of the groove to prevent the adhesive applied in the groove from overflowing into a connection passage and a coolant passage. Accordingly, the adhesive overflowing from the groove when the two separators are bonded to each other by applying a pressure is collected in the dam portions to form three sealing lines, thus improving the airtightness of the sealing portion. Moreover, it is possible to solve the problem that the performance of the fuel cell stack is deteriorated when an antifreeze/coolant leaks from the coolant passage to an MEA, in which the fuel cell reaction takes place, or the leaking coolant contaminates a catalyst of the MEA.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for accelerated activation of fuel cells are disclosed. The apparatuses include a fuel cell stack; an air supplying means coupled to a cathode catalyst side of the fuel cell stack through a mass flow controller and a humidifier; a hydrogen supplying means coupled to an anode catalyst side of the fuel cell stack through a mass flow controller and a humidifier; and a cable coupled to both ends of the fuel cell stack for short-circuiting the cathode and the anode.

Abstract: A separating plate for a fuel cell includes first and second plates, each provided with a hydrogen channel, an oxygen channel, and a coolant channel. The first and second plates are attached to one another to form a main plate such that the first and second hydrogen, oxygen, and coolant channels compose main hydrogen, oxygen, and coolant channels, respectively. The main hydrogen and oxygen channels are fluidly isolated from each other. Distal ends of the main channels each communicate with a manifold through a communication passageway configured to supply hydrogen, oxygen, or coolant to a corresponding one of the main channels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anode side hydrogen/oxygen interface formation inhibition structure of a fuel cell vehicle which prevents a high voltage field due to hydrogen/oxygen interface formation from being formed so that a stable stack driving may be realized when the fuel cell vehicle starts up or shuts down.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for determining deterioration of a fuel cell, the method including measuring in real time fluoride ion concentration or pH value of outflow water from a fuel cell stack during operation in a fuel cell vehicle, calculating a fluoride emission rate from the measured value and, if the calculated fluoride emission rate is out of a predetermined normal range, determining deterioration of an electrolyte membrane of the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell bipolar plate and a method for manufacturing the same, in which a carbon or metal fuel cell bipolar plate is surface-treated with a complex transition metal oxide, which is a main component of a variable resistance heating element having a negative temperature characteristic, so that the bipolar plate can ensure a sufficient amount of heat, required to prevent product water from freezing, by itself in a short time without any external energy, thus improving cold start performance of a fuel cell vehicle at a temperature below zero.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for accelerating activation of a fuel cell, which can significantly reduce the time required for the activation of the fuel cell and the amount of hydrogen used and facilitate the activation of the fuel cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a proton-conducting reinforced composite membrane, and more particularly, to a reinforced composite membrane which is manufactured by introducing an additive into a sulfonated hydrocarbon-based polymer as a proton-conducting material, and impregnating the additive-introduced polymer into a porous polymer having excellent dimensional stability.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for effectively preventing carbon corrosion from occurring at the cathode of a fuel cell.

Abstract: A separating plate for a fuel cell includes first and second plates, each provided with a hydrogen channel, an oxygen channel, and a coolant channel. The first and second plates are attached to one another to form a main plate such that the first and second hydrogen, oxygen, and coolant channels compose main hydrogen, oxygen, and coolant channels, respectively. The main hydrogen and oxygen channels are fluidly isolated from each other. Distal ends of the main channels each communicate with a manifold through a communication passageway configured to supply hydrogen, oxygen, or coolant to a corresponding one of the main channels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anode side hydrogen/oxygen interface formation inhibition structure of a fuel cell vehicle which prevents a high voltage field due to hydrogen/oxygen interface formation from being formed so that a stable stack driving may be realized when the fuel cell vehicle starts up or shuts down.

Abstract: The fuel cell stack includes: two end plates arranged to be opposite to each other with a predetermined interval therebetween; first current collectors respectively contacting insides of the end plates; second current collectors respectively contacting the first current collectors and having a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than that of the first current collectors; third current collectors selectively contacting the second current collectors depending on a surrounding temperature; separators respectively contacting an inside of the third current collectors; a membrane electrode assembly contacting the separators and disposed alternately with the separators so as to form a stack in which a plurality of cells are piled up; a connecting device encompassing the two end plates and elements arranged between the two end plates; and a bolt fixing the connecting device.