Abstract: Objects of the present invention is to provide a carbon material having a superior reversibility in lithium intercalation-deintercalation reaction, and a non-aqueous secondary battery using the carbon material as an active material for a negative electrode, which has a high energy density and an excellent rapid charging and discharging characteristics.

Abstract: Objects of the present invention is to provide a carbon material having a superior reversibility in lithium intercalation-deintercalation reaction, and a non-aqueous secondary battery using the carbon material as an active material for a negative electrode, which has a high energy density and an excellent rapid charging and discharging characteristics.

Abstract: A system using a secondary cell having at least one of a heat source, motor, controlling circuit, driving circuit, LSI, IC and display element, each having a capacity of 0.5 to 50 kWh, and secondary cells, wherein at least one of the secondary cells includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode and has a discharge time of at least 15 minutes at a discharge of 580 W/l or more, and at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode containing a particle with cracks.

Abstract: A carbon material is provided having a superior reversibility in lithium intercalation-deintercalation reaction, and a non-aqueous secondary battery is provided which uses the carbon material as an active material for a negative electrode, which has a high energy density and an excellent rapid charging and discharging characteristics. Graphite powder having a maximum particle diameter of less than 100 &mgr;m and an existing fraction of rhombohedral structure in the crystalline structure of less than 20% is used as an active material for the negative electrode of the non-aqueous secondary battery. The graphite powder can be obtained by pulverizing raw graphite with a jet mill, and subsequently treating the powder at a temperature equal to or higher than 900° C.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery suitable for use as a power source for a secondary battery using system such as an electric automobile, motor bicycle or portable equipment includes a negative electrode (17) composed of a carbon material including carbon particles carrying fine particles of a metal which forms an alloy with lithium. The carbon particles have a face-to-face dimension which is 3.354 to 3.369 .ANG. and a crystal grain size in a C-axis direction which is equal to or greater than 300 .ANG.. The metal forming an alloy with lithium has a particle size which is equal to or smaller than 1000 .ANG.. With the use of the charge/discharge capacity of an alloy of the metal and lithium, a value exceeding the theoretical capacity 372 mAh/g of graphite can be obtained. The lithium secondary battery is capable of discharge with an output energy density equal to or higher than 350 W/kg.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery having a high energy density, a long life, a low cost, an improved safety and a high output density uses a high crystalline carbon or an amorphous carbon bearing fine particles of a metal which forms an alloy with lithium, and a metal which does not form any alloy with lithium, in the range of 5-10% by weight, as a material for the negative electrode thereof.

Abstract: A secondary battery having a large capacity, and a preferable characteristics in both rapid charging and rapid discharging comprises a positive electrode a negative electrode, and an electrolyte which separates said electrodes, in which any one of the positive electrode or negative electrode contains particles composed of a material contributing to a charge-discharge reaction, and the particles comprise at least two phases and fine pores which are formed by dissolving at least one of the phases.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a synthetic diamond thin film which comprises decomposing with microwave a raw material gas containing at least one compound selected from the group consisting of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and a hydrocarbon and hydrogen or hydrogen and oxygen to produce a plasma and contacting the plasma with the surface of a substrate held outside the area irradiated with the microwave to form a diamond thin film on the substrate.The present invention further provides an apparatus for producing a synthetic diamond thin film and a synthetic diamond thin film and devices in which the synthetic diamond thin film is used.

Abstract: The polymer electrolyte type hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell of the present invention comprises an oxygen electrode and a hydrogen electrode, a polymer electrolyte membrane provided between the oxygen electrode and hydrogen electrode and electron conductors provided on the side of the electrodes which is opposite to the electrolyte side and the oxygen electrode comprises a catalytically active component, a carrier for the catalytically active component and a binder and has such a gradient in water repellency across the thickness that the water repellency is highest in the area adjacent to the electrolyte and lowest in the area adjacent to the conductor. In this fuel cell, flooding of water at the interface between the oxygen electrode and the electrolyte can be prevented.

Abstract: Provided is a solid polymer electrolyte type fuel cell which is improved in cell output characteristics by preventing the flooding phenomenon at the interface between the oxygen electrode and the electrolyte membrane, accelerating the gas diffusion and effective utilization of the active surface of the catalyst. This solid polymer electrolyte type fuel cell comprises solid polymer electrolyte membrane 1 and gas diffusion electrodes 2 and 3 provided on both sides of the membrane, said gas diffusion electrodes comprising catalyst layers 6 and 8 and gas diffusion layers 7 and 9 being provided on the outer side of the respective catalyst layers and a hydrogen-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas being fed to the respective electrodes.

Abstract: A method for growing a thin film on a substrate of metal or ceramics by beam deposition comprising the steps of:(I) producing from starting gases ions of elements or compounds thereof to be deposited on the substrate;(II) irradiating the ions produced in step (I) with electromagneti waves to electronically excite at least one sort of said ions; and(III) impacting an ion beam comprising the ions excited in step (II) onto said substrate to deposit thereon, thereby growing a film, and an apparatus for practicing the method. The method enables the formation of thin films having a higher crystallinity by electronically exciting ions or neutral species to increase the internal energy thereof and then impacting a beam comprising the excited ions or neutral species onto the substrate.

Abstract: Mineral impurities can be effectively removed from coal by introducing oil droplets into an aqueous slurry of pulverized coal. Coal, which is lipophilic, attaches to the surface of the oil droplets and floats upwardly along with the oil droplets utilizing their buoyancy. On the other hand, mineral impurities, which are hydrophilic, are left in the aqueous slurry.