Abstract: A fuel cell system for directly converting chemical energy of a fuel into electric energy electrochemically. A fuel cell has a cathode and an anode. A main hydrogen absorbing alloy supplies hydrogen gas to the anode of the fuel cell during steady-state operation of the system. An auxiliary hydrogen absorbing alloy originally having a higher hydrogen gas absorbing/desorbing equilibrium pressure than the main hydrogen absorbing alloy at an equal temperature supplies hydrogen gas to the anode until the equilibrium pressure of the main hydrogen absorbing alloy, which is supplied an exhaust gas from the fuel cell is equal to a hydrogen gas absorbing/desorbing equilibrium pressure of the auxiliary hydrogen absorbing alloy, the auxiliary hydrogen absorbing alloy receiving the hydrogen gas from the main hydrogen absorbing alloy during steady-state operation.

Abstract: A fuel cell system for directly converting chemical energy of a fuel into electric energy electrochemically. A fuel cell has a cathode and an anode. A main hydrogen absorbing alloy supplies a hydrogen gas to the anode of the fuel cell during steady-state operation of the system. An auxiliary hydrogen absorbing alloy originally having a higher hydrogen gas absorbing/desorbing equilibrium pressure than the main hydrogen absorbing alloy at an equal temperature supplies a hydrogen gas to the anode until the equilibrium pressure of the main hydrogen absorbing alloy, which is supplied an exhaust gas from the fuel cell is equal to a hydrogen gas absorbing/desorbing equilibrium pressure of the auxiliary hydrogen absorbing alloy, the auxiliary hydrogen absorbing alloy receiving the hydrogen gas from the main hydrogen absorbing alloy during steady-state operation.

Abstract: An automotive knee bolster for supporting a knee of a vehicle occupant in case of a frontal vehicle crash, comprising: a deformable, energy absorbing member adapted to be placed opposite to a knee of a vehicle occupant; and a substantially rigid, load spreading member attached thereto to spread an impact force applied thereto by the knee to a large area of the energy absorbing member. Since the impact load from the knee is spread over the entire energy absorbing member without producing any localized deformation which would give rise to buckling deformation, the energy absorbing member can absorb a maximum amount of energy at a controlled rate without applying excessive resistance to the knee.

Abstract: A chip mounting substrate which comprises inserting holes formed in a substrate for inserting chips in, a sheet provided on the top surface of the substrate to cover the holes and having adhesivity on the inner surface covering the holes, and wiring pattern provided on the back surface of the substrate so as to be associated with electrode portions of the chips inserted in the inserting holes, so that after inserting the chips in the inserting holes to thereby temporarily adhere and fix them by the sheet, the electrode portion of each chip and the associated wiring pattern are soldered and connected together.