Abstract: The present invention is for facilitating a removal of water around the catalytic layers of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell and for providing a polymer electrolyte fuel cell which can prevent from drop in output performance caused by excessive wetting of electrode layers due to a long-hour operation or a large current ouputting operation. The polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the present invention uses an electrode layer having a water repellent porous base area and penetration areas which are higher in water permeability than in the base area. Such base area and penetration areas are formed as by imparting water repellency unevenly on a hydrophilic pore material, for example.

Abstract: When a polymeric electrolyte type fuel cell operating at about 60.degree. C. is used, heating with exhaust gas becomes difficult. Therefore, a polymeric electrolyte type fuel cell (PEM) is adopted as a fuel cell body, and a hydrogen storage vessel made of a metal containing hydrogen is connected to the PEM by a hydrogen supply piping via a humidifier for humidifying the electrolyte membrane of the PEM. The PEM and the hydrogen storage vessel are connected by a copper plate which is a conductor of heat. Heat generated in the PEM is transferred to the hydrogen storage vessel by this copper plate, and elevates the temperature and pressure in the vessel. By this, hydrogen is well supplied to the PEM.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon sensor of solid type has a pair of electrodes, and a proton conductive solid electrolyte of a barium-cerium oxide, for example, a rare earth element at least in the third element.

Abstract: A face shaped molding body of first electrode/solid electrolyte/second electrode composed of first and second electrodes on both the faces of the sold electrolyte layer is adapted to impress DC valve between the first electrode and second electrode in a condition where the solid electrolyte layer is heated to a given operation temperature. Atmosphere poor in oxygen or atmosphere rich in oxygen can be formed, by a gas pump which is selectively capable of discharging or feeding at least oxygen gas from the first atmosphere to the second atmosphere, so that atmosphere suitable for food preservation can be retained or chamber wherein oxygen is likely to be poor at heating can be retained in a condition rich in oxygen. Also, oxygen gas can be exchanged for steam when necessary so that the exchange ratio can be controlled by the controlling of the electrolysis voltage. Further, atmosphere is likely to be controlled, because the transportation amount of the oxygen gas and steam can be weighed by the current amount.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electrochemical device such as a fuel cell, oxygen sensor, oxygen pump or the like, in which a barium-cerium complex oxide is used as an electrolyte. This device comprises a cathode formed on one surface of a layer of the barium-cerium complex oxide and an anode formed on another surface of the layer, and at least one of the anode and the cathode is formed to have a layered structure comprising a first thin film electrode formed on the layer of the barium-cerium complex oxide and a second electrode formed on the first thin film electrode. Further, at least one electrode comprises a mixture of platinum and one element selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, copper and carbon.

Abstract: There are disclosed a catalyst material for removing carbon monoxide and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell device using the same catalyst material. This catalyst material comprises an A type zeolite carrying at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, Ru, Au, Rh and Ir, or an alloy of two or more metals. The catalyst material is capable of removing carbon monoxide in a reformed gas which is fed to the fuel cell by oxidation at a low temperature with good selectivity.

Abstract: In a molten carbonate fuel cell having an anode a cathode which are both porous gas-diffusion electrodes, and an electrolyte making contact with both the electrodes, the cathode includes a metal oxide represented by the formula Li.sub.x Ni.sub.1-x O (0.05.ltoreq..times.<0.5, preferably 0.05.ltoreq..times.<0.2), and at least one of the cathode and electrolyte contains an alkaline earth metal carbonate. The disclosed cathode has a small solubility in the electrolyte of alkali metal carbonate and a long service life.

Abstract: A vehicle using hydrogen absorbing alloys includes: a plurality of hydrogen absorbing alloy storing vessels for independently storing a plurality of hydrogen absorbing alloys with a different hydrogen equilibrium decomposition pressure; a connecting section for passing hydrogen to and fro among the plurality of hydrogen absorbing alloy storing vessels; and a heating section for heating a low pressure hydrogen absorbing alloy which has the lowest hydrogen equilibrium decomposition pressure among the plurality of hydrogen absorbing alloys, using the combustion heat from fuel of an internal combustion engine or an external combustion engine of the vehicle as a heat source. Heat of reaction generated by absorption or desorption of hydrogen is utilized for heating or cooling the air in a passenger compartment or a component of the vehicle. The connecting section includes a hydrogen gas storing vessel.

Abstract: A vehicle using hydrogen absorbing alloys includes: a plurality of hydrogen absorbing alloy storing vessels for independently storing a plurality of hydrogen absorbing alloys with a different hydrogen equilibrium decomposition pressure; a connecting section for passing hydrogen to and fro among the plurality of hydrogen absorbing alloy storing vessels; and a heating section for heating a low pressure hydrogen absorbing alloy which has the lowest hydrogen equilibrium decomposition pressure among the plurality of hydrogen absorbing alloys, using the combustion heat from fuel of an internal combustion engine or an external combustion engine of the vehicle as a heat source. Heat of reaction generated by absorption or desorption of hydrogen is utilized for heating or cooling the air in a passenger compartment or a component of the vehicle. The connecting section includes a hydrogen gas storing vessel.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage Ti-Fe alloy of the general formula, Ti.sub.1-x A.sub.x Fe.sub.y-z B.sub.z, in which A is Zr, Hf or a mixture thereof, B is a member selected from Cr, Cu, Co, Mo, V, Ni, Nb, Mn and a mixture thereof, and x, y and z are values of certain ranges, respectively. The alloy is predominantly comprised of an effective alloy phase of CsCl type body-centered cubic crystals. The alloy of the formula where z=O is within the scope of the invention. A process for making an alloy of this type is also disclosed.