Abstract: A fuel cell electrode comprising a structure wherein fine particles of a noble metal or a noble metal element-containing alloy are supported on inner walls of fine pores of a porous graphite film having fine continuous pores, a fuel cell electrode having an ion-conducting electrolyte material coated on the inner walls of continuous pores of the electrode, a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) comprising the fuel cell electrode assembled onto at least one side of the ion-conducting electrolyte material, and a fuel cell comprising the membrane-electrode assembly as a constituent element thereof. It is thereby possible to obtain, by a simple fabrication process, a fuel cell electrode, membrane-electrode assembly and fuel cell having a support structure which allows effective use of noble metal catalysts, which reliably maintains paths for fuel gas, electrons, protons and water, and which consistently exhibits stable performance over extended periods.

Abstract: An electrolyte membrane having a porous base material having pores filled with a first polymer capable of conducting a proton, wherein the porous base material comprises at least one second polymer selected from the group consisting of polyimides and polyamides; and a fuel cell, particularly a solid polymer fuel cell, more specifically a direct methanol polymer fuel cell, using the electrolyte membrane. The electrolyte membrane is excellent in the inhibition of permeation of methanol, exhibits no or reduced change in its area, and is excellent in proton conductivity.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte solution useful in the fabrication of solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell electrodes, characterized by comprising a solvent containing a hydrophilic and high-boiling polar solvent, preferably a mixed solvent mainly comprising the polar solvent and water, having dissolved therein a perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid polymer.

Abstract: A porous insulating film comprising a highly heat resistant resin film having a fine porous structure with a mean pore size of 0.01-5 &mgr;m in at least the center of the film, and a porosity of 15-80%. A laminate is prepared by forming a heat resistant adhesive layer or a conductive metal layer or an inorganic or metal substrate on one or both sides of the porous insulating film or by forming an inorganic or metal substrate on one side of the porous insulating film and a conductive metal layer on the other side.

Abstract: A porous insulating film comprising a highly heat resistant resin film having a fine porous structure with a mean pore size of 0.01-5 &mgr;m in at least the center of the film, and a porosity of 15-80%. A laminate is prepared by forming a heat resistant adhesive layer or a conductive metal layer or an inorganic or metal substrate on one or both sides of the porous insulating film or by forming an inorganic or metal substrate on one side of the porous insulating film and a conductive metal layer on the other side.

Abstract: An electrode material for a secondary cell comprising as its essential component a powder of graphite having a crystallinity of 90% or more obtained by graphitizing a highly heat resistant polymer compact in an anaerobic atmosphere and crushing into a powder, and a process for the production of an electrode material for a secondary cell comprising heating and graphitizing a composition in which 0-10 wt % of a boron compound is added to a highly heat-resistant polymer to produce a powder of graphite having crystallinity of 90% or more contained as its essential component. An electrode material for a secondary cell having excellent charge/discharge cycle life and discharge voltage performance is provided.

Abstract: A porous carbonized film with fine continuous pores, obtained by carbonization of a highly heat-resistant resin porous film in an anaerobic atmosphere, and a process for its production.

Abstract: A porous insulating film comprising a highly heat resistant resin film having a fine porous structure with a mean pore size of 0.01-5 &mgr;m in at least the center of the film, and a porosity of 15-80%. A laminate is prepared by forming a heat resistant adhesive layer or a conductive metal layer or an inorganic or metal substrate on one or both sides of the porous insulating film or by forming an inorganic or metal substrate on one side of the porous insulating film and a conductive metal layer on the other side.

Abstract: A polyimide porous film obtained by drying and imidizing a polyimide precursor porous film which is substantially homogeneous on both sides, the polyimide porous film having pores on both sides wherein the pores all satisfy the conditions: 1) the difference in the mean pore size of both sides is less than 200% based on the smaller average value of the mean pore size, 2) the coefficient of variation for the pore size on each side is smaller than 70%, 3) the coefficient of variation for the pore centroid distance on each side is smaller than 50%, and 4) the mean pore size on each side is 0.05-5 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A polyimide porous film obtained by drying and imidizing a polyimide precursor porous film which is substantially homogeneous on both sides, the polyimide porous film having pores on both sides wherein the pores all satisfy the conditions: 1) the difference in the mean pore size of both sides is less than 200% based on the smaller average value of the mean pore size, 2) the coefficient of variation for the pore size on each side is smaller than 70%, 3) the coefficient of variation for the pore centroid distance on each side is smaller than 50%, and 4) the mean pore size on each side is 0.05-5 &mgr;m.

Abstract: Disclosed are a carbon porous membranous structure having fine interconnecting pores an average diameter of which is 0.05 to 10 &mgr;m and a porosity of 15 to 85% and a metal-dispersed carbon structure comprising that carbon porous membranous structure having dispersed therein fine particles of at least one kind of a metal and an alloy. The carbon porous membranous structures are useful as a component of fuel cells, particularly as an electrode base material of gas diffusion electrodes for solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells and phosphoric acid fuel cells.

Abstract: An electrode material for a secondary cell comprising as its essential component a powder of graphite having a crystallinity of 90% or more obtained by graphitizing a highly heat resistant polymer compact in an anaerobic atmosphere and crushing into a powder, and a process for the production of an electrode material for a secondary cell comprising heating and graphitizing a composition in which 0-10 wt % of a boron compound is added to a highly heat-resistant polymer to produce a powder of graphite having crystallinity of 90% or more contained as its essential component. An electrode material for a secondary cell having excellent charge/discharge cycle life and discharge voltage performance is provided.