Abstract: A semiconductor device including: a semiconductor switch; an exterior body housing the semiconductor switch; a drain terminal that is electrically connected to a drain of the semiconductor switch and exposed through the exterior body; a plurality of voltage clamp devices that are cascade-connected between the drain terminal and a gate of the semiconductor switch; and a voltage clamp terminal that is electrically connected between two of the plurality of voltage clamp devices and exposed through the exterior body, is provided.

Abstract: In activating a motor, a gate voltage with which a power semiconductor element may supply a rush current of the motor is generated by a charge pump circuit, when a certain time (time until the rush current ends) has elapsed after activating the motor, a timer circuit operates a gate clamp circuit, which reduces the gate voltage of the power semiconductor element to reduce the current-carrying capability of the power semiconductor element. Subsequently, when the motor has caused a short-circuit failure, the power semiconductor element, because its gate voltage is reduced by the gate clamp circuit in advance, supplies only a load short current corresponding to the reduced gate voltage. Accordingly, the heat generation due to the short-circuit current is also small and an increase in temperature is also suppressed.

Abstract: In activating a motor, a gate voltage with which a power semiconductor element may supply a rush current of the motor is generated by a charge pump circuit, when a certain time (time until the rush current ends) has elapsed after activating the motor, a timer circuit operates a gate clamp circuit, which reduces the gate voltage of the power semiconductor element to reduce the current-carrying capability of the power semiconductor element. Subsequently, when the motor has caused a short-circuit failure, the power semiconductor element, because its gate voltage is reduced by the gate clamp circuit in advance, supplies only a load short current corresponding to the reduced gate voltage. Accordingly, the heat generation due to the short-circuit current is also small and an increase in temperature is also suppressed.

Abstract: A fuel cell system and a control method thereof are capable of preventing anode flooding due to a temperature difference between a stack and reformate upon starting a fuel cell system. The method of controlling a fuel cell system including steps of detecting a temperature of a fuel cell stack, detecting a temperature of reformate that is generated in a fuel reformer and then is supplied to the fuel cell stack through a heat exchanger, and setting the temperature of the reformate to be lower than the temperature of the fuel cell stack during a starting time of the fuel cell system.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack is disclosed. The fuel cell stack includes a membrane electrode assembly, separation plates on either side of the membrane electrode assembly, current collectors on either side of the separation plates and configured to electrically convey current to an outside circuit, first and second end plates sandwiching the current collectors and configured to apply a connecting pressure, and manifolds formed to pass through the membrane electrode assembly, at least one of the separation plates, at least one of the current collectors, and at least one of the end plates, the manifolds configured to conduct reaction gas, and cutoff blocks inserted into a portion forming manifolds of the end plates to separate the current collectors and the end plates on a passage in which the reaction gas is circulated.

Abstract: A fuel cell system for generating electrical energy by a chemical reaction between a fuel and an oxidizing agent. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, by using a hydrophobic porous membrane, an alkaline material such as sodium that is generated together with hydrogen gas in a hydrolysis reaction of a metal hydride compound can be eliminated effectively.

Abstract: A fuel supply device for a fuel cell and a fuel cell system using the same that prevent H2O, used in reforming from reaching and collecting in the fuel cell stack. The fuel supply device for a fuel cell includes a fuel reformer adapted to generate reformate via a reforming reaction, a gas-liquid separator coupled to an outlet of the fuel reformer, the gas-liquid separator being adapted to receive the reformate and control a moisture amount included within the reformate, a pipe coupled to an outlet of the gas-liquid separator, the pipe being adapted to pass the reformate and a condensed water removing device coupled with the pipe, the condensed water removing device being adapted to prevent condensed water within the reformate within the pipe from passing to an outside.

Abstract: A fuel cell system and a control method thereof are capable of preventing anode flooding due to a temperature difference between a stack and reformate upon starting a fuel cell system. The method of controlling a fuel cell system including steps of detecting a temperature of a fuel cell stack, detecting a temperature of reformate that is generated in a fuel reformer and then is supplied to the fuel cell stack through a heat exchanger, and setting the temperature of the reformate to be lower than the temperature of the fuel cell stack during a starting time of the fuel cell system.

Abstract: A fuel cell system for generating electrical energy by a chemical reaction between a fuel and an oxidizing agent. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, by using a hydrophobic porous membrane, an alkaline material such as sodium that is generated together with hydrogen gas in a hydrolysis reaction of a metal hydride compound can be eliminated effectively. Accordingly, the fuel cell system according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention can stably generate electrical energy for a time longer than a conventional fuel cell system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a methanol fuel cell system that utilizes solid methanol as a fuel. The fuel cell system according to the present invention includes a fuel cell stack for generating electricity through a chemical reaction of oxygen and hydrogen produced from solid methanol, a fuel supply tank containing solid methanol, and a recycle line that directs an effluent of the fuel cell stack back to the fuel supply tank.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel feeder housing having a mixing tank and a carbon dioxide remover supporting operation of a fuel cell are formed as a single body. A peripheral module having the fuel feeder housing and a pump are modularized, thereby consulting the compactness and the light weight and enhancing the efficiency of the fuel cell. The fuel feeder housing is coupled to a fuel cartridge storing hydrogen-containing fuel and to a fuel cell that generates electricity through an electrochemical reaction between the fuel and an oxidant. The fuel feeder includes a base member in which a chamber for recycling unreacted fuel discharged from the fuel cell and first and second connecting portions for flowing fluid in and out the chamber therethrough are internally formed as a single body and a gas-liquid separator installed in an opening of the chamber and discharging gas from the chamber.

Abstract: A pressure vessel liner includes a tubular trunk, and head plates for closing opposite end openings of the trunk. Provided inside the trunk is a reinforcing member integral with the trunk and extending longitudinally of the trunk for dividing the interior of the trunk into a plurality of spaces. The two head plates are joined respectively to opposite ends of the reinforcing member. The pressure vessel liner has an enhanced pressure resistant strength against longitudinal forces.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide remover includes: a channel member which has the shape of a pipe which allows the non-reactive fuel and the carbon dioxide to flow, which is connected to the fuel cell body, and which includes a plurality of vent holes for discharging the carbon dioxide; a filter member which is disposed in the channel member to block the vent holes, which separates the carbon dioxide from the non-reactive fuel, and which passes only the carbon dioxide to the vent holes; and one or more suction members which have porosity to suck the non-reactive fuel, and which are disposed inside the channel member.

Abstract: To prevent penetrating hydrogen of the hydrogen tank and occurring buckling phenomenon, High-pressure hydrogen tank 10 possesses a liner 11 made of high-density polyethylene. A shell 12 made by winding a fiber-reinforced material for hardening is formed outside of this liner 11 to enhance liner synthesis. Hydrogen barrier layer 14 is piled up inside of the liner 11. This hydrogen barrier layer 14 prevents hydrogen filled in liner 11 from penetrating to outside.

Abstract: An electrolytic apparatus which comprises effecting electrolysis of an electrolytic solution in an electrolytic chamber separated from a reaction chamber by a hydrogen-storing metal member with one surface of the hydrogen-storing metal member as a cathode opposing an anode so that hydrogen thus produced is adsorbed by the hydrogen-storing metal member while allowing hydrogen thus adsorbed and a material to be treated to undergo continuous catalytic reaction in the reaction chamber on the other surface of the hydrogen-storing metal member to cause hydrogenation or reduction reaction by hydrogen thus adsorbed, wherein an electrolytic apparatus having a porous catalyst layer provided on the catalytic reaction surface of the hydrogen-storing metal member is used.

Abstract: A method of reducing nitrous oxide which comprises introducing nitrous oxide into a reaction chamber disposed in contact with an electrolytic chamber having an anode and a cathode comprising a hydrogen-absorbing material, the cathode serving as a diaphragm separating the reaction chamber and the electrolytic chamber, and contacting the nitrous oxide with the diaphragm to thereby continuously reduce the nitrous oxide with hydrogen atoms electrolytically generated on the cathode, absorbed by the hydrogen-absorbing material and passing through the diaphragm. The cathode preferably has catalyst comprising a platinum group metal black deposited on the side of the cathode opposite the anode. Also disclosed is an electrolytic cell for the reduction of nitrous oxide partitioned with a diaphragm into an electrolytic chamber having an anode and a reduction reaction chamber, the diaphragm comprising a hydrogen-absorbing material, and the side of the diaphragm facing the electrolytic chamber serving as a cathode.

Abstract: A cathode for electrolysis comprising a hydrogen-occluding material for use in an electrolytic cell partitioned by the cathode into two chambers including a reaction chamber and an electrolysis chamber. The cell is arranged so that a reactant is reduced or hydrogenated in the reaction chamber. The cathode comprises an ion exchange membrane or porous membrane. A first layer made of a hydrogen-occluding metallic palladium or a palladium alloy is formed on the reaction chamber side of the membrane. A second layer which is a porous catalyst layer made of a platinum metal black or gold is formed on the first layer. Also disclosed is an electrolytic cell using the cathode for electrolysis.

Abstract: An electrolytic process which can operate in a hydrogen reaction chamber at a hydrogen reaction rate corresponding to the increase in the rate of production of hydrogen accompanying the increase in the electrolysis rate and maintain the current efficiency at a very high value with respect to the electrolytic current for producing hydrogen and a process for the production of an electrode for this purpose.

Abstract: An electrolytic process and apparatus which can operate in a hydrogen reaction chamber at a hydrogen reaction rate corresponding to the increase in the rate of production of hydrogen accompanying the increase in the electrolysis rate and maintain the current efficiency at a very high value with respect to the electrolytic current for producing hydrogen and a process for the production of an electrode for this purpose.

Abstract: A chemical substance-sensing element of the invention has a sensor film on a substrate, the sensor film containing a dye and a compound sensitive to a chemical substance such as water, for example, a hydrophilic compound. The sensor film contains a dye and a chemical substance sensitive compound in a common layer or is composed of a dye film and a film of a chemical substance sensitive compound laminated thereto. The light reflectance of the sensor film changes when the chemical substance sensitive compound bonds with a chemical substance to be detected. The chemical substance can be detected and quantitatively measured by directing light from a light-emitting element toward the sensor film and detecting the reflectance of the sensor film by means of a light-receiving element.