Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for an intact evaluation of the unit cells in a fuel cell stack. Since the degradation of the unit cells can be detected intactly, i.e. without disassembly of the stack, the time required for the detection and analysis thereof can be greatly reduced.

Abstract: Provided is a method for preparing nickel-aluminum alloy powder at low temperature, which is simple and economical and is capable of solving the reactor corrosion problem. The method for preparing nickel-aluminum alloy powder at low temperature includes: preparing a powder mixture by mixing nickel powder and aluminum powder in a reactor and adding aluminum chloride into the reactor (S1); vacuumizing the inside of the reactor and sealing the reactor (S2); and preparing nickel-aluminum alloy powder by heat-treating the powder mixture in the sealed reactor at low temperature (S3).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for preparing nanosized metal or alloy nanoparticles by depositing metal or alloy nanoparticles with superior size uniformity on the surface of a powder as a base material by vacuum deposition and then dissolving or melting the base material using a solvent or heat. The method solves the problems of the existing expensive multi-step synthesis method based on chemical reduction and allows effective synthesis of metal or alloy nanoparticles with very uniform size and metal or alloy catalyst nanoparticles supported on carbon at low cost.

Abstract: Provided is a catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction comprising an alloy comprising at least one selected from Pt, Pd and Ir supported on a carbon carrier functionalized with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM). The catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction has electronic ensemble effects by virtue of the carbon carrier functionalized with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), and thus shows improved oxygen reduction activity and durability as compared to conventional catalysts supported on carbon.

Abstract: Disclosed is a non-precious metal based water electrolysis catalyst represented by CoX/C (X is at least one selected from the group consisting of P, O, B, S and N) for evolution of hydrogen and oxygen at a cathode and anode, respectively, at the same time, the catalyst including a cobalt-containing compound fixed to a carbon carrier.

Abstract: Disclosed are a platinum (Pt)-free, palladium (Pd)-yttrium (Y) alloy catalyst having superior oxygen reduction reaction activity and stability, a method for preparing the same, and a fuel cell including the catalyst. Since the Pt-free Pd—Y catalyst is inexpensive, it may be usefully applicable for fuel cells, particularly polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a core-shell structured electrocatalyst for a fuel cell. The method includes uniformly supporting nano-sized core particles on a support to obtain a core support, and selectively forming a shell layer only on the surface of the core particles of the core support. According to the method, the core and the shell layer can be formed without the need for a post-treatment process, such as chemical treatment and heat treatment. Further disclosed is a core-shell structured electrocatalyst for a fuel cell produced by the method. The core-shell structured electrocatalyst has a large amount of supported catalyst and exhibits superior catalytic activity and excellent electrochemical properties. Further disclosed is a fuel cell including the core-shell structured electrocatalyst.

Abstract: Provided are a ceria-based composition having an undoped or metal-doped ceria and an undoped or metal-doped bismuth oxide, wherein the undoped or metal-doped bismuth oxide is present in an amount equal to or more than about 10 wt % and less than about 50 wt % based on the total weight of the ceria-based composition, and at least one selected from the ceria and the bismuth oxide is metal-doped. The ceria-based composition may ensure high sintering density even at a temperature significantly lower than the known sintering temperature of about 1400° C., i.e., for example at a temperature of about 1000° C. or lower, and increase ion conductivity as well.

Abstract: Provided is poly(benzimidazole-co-benzoxazole) having polybenzimidazole to which benzoxazole units are introduced, as a polymer electrolyte material. The polymer electrolyte material has both high proton conductivity and excellent mechanical properties even when it is obtained by in-situ phosphoric acid doping. The polymer electrolyte material may substitute for the conventional phosphoric acid-doped polybenzimidazole in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell, particularly in a high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell.

Abstract: By forming a structure wherein an oxygen ionic conductor or a mixed ionic-electronic conductor (MIEC) on a cathode surface is not covered by a molten carbonate electrolyte using an oxygen ionic conductor or a mixed ionic-electronic conductor having poor wettability on the molten carbonate electrolyte, a new electrochemical reaction site may be provided in addition to that provided by the molten carbonate electrolyte. As a result, cell performance, particularly cathode performance, can be improved even at low operation temperatures (e.g., 500-600° C.).

Abstract: Provided are cardo copolybenzimidazoles, a gas separation membrane using the same and a method for preparing the same. More particularly, provided are cardo copolybenzimidazoles obtained by introducing cardo groups and aromatic ether groups to a polybenzimidazole backbone, a gas separation membrane having significantly improved oxygen permeability by using the same, and a method for preparing the same. The cardo copolybenzimidazoles have improved solubility as compared to the polybenzimidazole polymers according to the related art, show excellent mechanical properties while maintaining thermal stability so as to be formed into a film shape, and provide a gas separation membrane having significantly improved gas permeability, particularly, oxygen permeability.

Abstract: In a complex system including a desalination plant and a reverse electrodialysis equipment, a concentrated sea water discharged from the desalination plant having a salt concentration of about 50 to 75 g/L or about 50 to 60 g/L is provided as a high-concentration salt solution of the reverse electrodialysis equipment while low salinity water having a salt concentration of about 0.01 to 2 g/L, most preferably about 0.01 to 1 g/L, is provided as a low-concentration salt solution of the reverse electrodialysis equipment. Thereby, a recycling degree of a concentrated sea water may be enhanced as well as a power density produced by the complex system is significantly improved.

Abstract: Low power water filter monitoring systems and methods of operation thereof are provided. An example water filter includes a water flow signal receiver configured to receive a water flow signal from a refrigeration appliance. The refrigeration appliance provides the water flow signal whenever water is flowing through the water filter. The water filter can monitor its lifespan based on a total amount of time the water flow signal has been received. Another example water filter includes an ambient light sensor and one or more water filter status indicators. The one or more water filter status indicators are only operated when the ambient light sensor is receiving ambient light.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a PtAu nanoparticle catalyst heat-treated in the presence of carbon monoxide (CO) and a method for preparing same. Since the PtxAuy nanoparticle catalyst heat-treated under CO atmosphere has high Pt surface area and superior oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity, a high-efficiency, high-quality fuel cell can be achieved by applying the catalyst to a fuel cell.

Abstract: Low power water filter monitoring systems and methods of operation thereof are provided. An example water filter includes a water flow signal receiver configured to receive a water flow signal from a refrigeration appliance. The refrigeration appliance provides the water flow signal whenever water is flowing through the water filter. The water filter can monitor its lifespan based on a total amount of time the water flow signal has been received. Another example water filter includes an ambient light sensor and one or more water filter status indicators. The one or more water filter status indicators are only operated when the ambient light sensor is receiving ambient light.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus of a home appliance which meets standby power regulation of 0.5 watts using one SMPS. As compared with a general circuit which meets the standby power regulation using two or more SMPSs, it may be possible to curtail expenses required for addition of a separate standby only SMPS and miniaturize a PCB, resulting in a reduction in cost. Further, in a washing machine employing a motor, a circuit is provided to bypass a back EMF generated in the motor even if AC power is not supplied to the washing machine due to occurrence of a power failure or unplugging of the washing machine. Therefore, it may be possible to prevent a PCBA from being damaged due to the back EMF.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus for portable fuel cell and an operation method thereof, wherein stabilization state after initial operation can be determined using OCV.

Abstract: Provided is a method for preparing nickel-aluminum alloy powder at low temperature, which is simple and economical and is capable of solving the reactor corrosion problem. The method for preparing nickel-aluminum alloy powder at low temperature includes: preparing a powder mixture by mixing nickel powder and aluminum powder in a reactor and adding aluminum chloride into the reactor (S1); vacuumizing the inside of the reactor and sealing the reactor (S2); and preparing nickel-aluminum alloy powder by heat-treating the powder mixture in the sealed reactor at low temperature (S3).

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell is provided. The polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell includes a phosphoric acid-doped polyimidazole electrolyte membrane and a complex catalyst. In the complex catalyst, an alloy or mixture of a metal and a chalcogen element is supported on a carbon carrier. The polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell exhibits further improved long-term operation, power generation efficiency, and operational stability at high temperature. The complex catalyst can be produced by a simple method.

Abstract: Provided are a method of preparing an electrocatalyst for fuel cells in a core-shell structure, an electrocatalyst for fuel cells having a core-shell structure, and a fuel cell including the electrocatalyst for fuel cells. The method may be useful in forming a core and a shell layer without performing a subsequent process such as chemical treatment or heat treatment and forming a core support in which core particles having a nanosize diameter are homogeneously supported, followed by selectively forming shell layers on surfaces of the core particles in the support. Also, the electrocatalyst for fuel cells has a high catalyst-supporting amount and excellent catalyst activity and electrochemical property.