Abstract: Methods of treating the surface of metals, such as aluminum, so that they can withstand the corrosive conditions in polymer electrolyte membrane, including those types known as proton exchange membrane, (PEM), fuel cells and similar electrochemical environments and still maintain a high level of electrical and thermal conductivity over extended periods of time, are disclosed. A conductive polymer outer layer used in combination with an intermediate layer between the conductive polymer and a core metal, that comprises a thin layer of silver, or other noble metal, at the interface between the conductive polymer and an underlying metal layer, are compatible with the requirements of PEM fuel cells.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack assembly includes a fuel cell component and at least one manifold positioned adjacent to the fuel cell component; and a cable disposed around the fuel cell stack assembly for securing the manifold to the fuel cell component, the cable having an adjustable securing member for adjusting tightness of the cable around the fuel cell assembly.

Abstract: A fuel-cell separator is formed with a mixture composition of a thermoplastic resin and graphite particles and is provided with grooves for moving fluid, and has a gas permeability coefficient in a range of not less than 1×10−16 mol/m·Pa·s and not more than 1×10−14 mol/m·Pa·s, a volume specific electric resistance in the thickness direction in a range of not less than 1 m&OHgr;·cm and not more than 50 m&OHgr;·cm, and a density in a range of not less than 1.8 g/cm3 and not more than 2.1 g/cm3, which is uniform throughout the grooves and ribs between the grooves.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes at least two stacked fuel cell units which are held together by a material which has sealing and fixing properties. A method for assembling a fuel cell stack is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a membrane electrode assembly that can increase durability by increasing the strength of an extending part of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and can also reduce cost by minimizing the volume of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane used.

Abstract: A method of making ceramic electrode materials comprising intimate mixtures of two or more components, including at least one nanoscale ionically conducting ceramic electrolyte material (e.g., yttrium-stabilized zirconia, gadolinium-doped ceria, samarium-doped ceria, etc.) and at least one powder of an electrode material, which may be an electrically conducting ceramic electrode material (e.g., lanthanum strontium manganite, praseodymium strontium manganese iron oxide, lanthanum strontium ferrite, lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite, etc.) or a precursor of a metallic electrode material (e.g., nickel oxide, copper oxide, etc.). The invention also includes anode and cathode coatings and substrates for solid oxide fuel cells prepared by this method.

Abstract: Fuel cell oxygen electrodes and instant startup fuel cells employing the oxygen electrode. The oxygen electrodes operate through the mechanism of redox couples which uniquely provide multiple degrees of freedom in selecting the operating voltages available for such fuel cells. Such oxygen electrodes provide the fuel cells in which they are used a “buffer” or “charge” of oxidizer available within the oxygen electrode at all times. The redox couple materials are modified to inhibit dissolution of the materials into the alkaline electrolyte of the fuel cell, and to match the gas phase kinetics of the active redox couple material with its electrochemical kinetics.

Abstract: The PEM fuel cell has a membrane-electrode assembly with an anode and a cathode and associated bipolar plates. The anode, which forms a hydrogen electrode of the PEM fuel cell, is formed with a substrate of a metal and/or an alloy that is corrosion-resistant within the operational potential range of the hydrogen electrode. That is, the substrate is a good electrical conductor, instead of the poorly conducting carbon powder, and the flow of current within the cell is improved. A catalyst, which is active for the oxidation, is provided at least on the surface of the anode substrate.

Abstract: A protection apparatus for storage battery for storing and feeding power comprises an anomaly detection unit for detecting an anomalous state in at least one of the voltage, a current flow, and the frequency in at least one of an input power and an output power of the storage battery, the temperature and the pressure in the storage battery, and an external force applied to the storage battery, and a short-circuit unit for shorting both electrodes of the storage battery when an anomaly is detected in at least one of the input power, the output power, and the storage battery.

Abstract: A cordless power tool has a housing which includes a mechanism to couple with a removable battery pack. The battery pack includes one or more battery cells as well as a vent system in the battery pack housing which enables fluid to move through the housing. A mechanism is associated with the battery pack to dissipate heat from the battery pack.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a hermetically sealed electrical feedthrough for use with a metal battery case. The apparatus includes a ceramic-metal feedthrough subassembly, a metal case of low melt point material, and a clad metal case cover comprising a first layer of high melt point material and a second layer of low melt point material. The first layer is hermetically sealed to the case and the second layer is hermetically sealed to a collar on the feedthrough subassembly. In another embodiment, the case body, clad cover, and feedthrough pin are made of metals that can withstand the temperatures required for hermetically sealing the ceramic cylinder directly to the cover. The cover comprises a first material suitable for installing the feedthrough subassembly and a second material matched to the case body for forming a reliable weld thereto.

Abstract: A battery pack containing a plurality of battery modules, said modules comprising a plurality of individual battery units, said battery units comprising a plurality of bicells with opposing terminals. The battery modules are connected in series by use of a flexible circuit and by opposing positive and negative terminals of each battery unit. The terminals of each battery unit contain a region of apertures which allow the adhesive of the packaging material to seal more effectively, thereby eliminating or reducing the amount of leakage from an individual battery unit.

Abstract: A cell includes an electrode plate group which is formed by laminating a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate with a separator interposed between them, and includes leads protruding toward directions opposite to each other from one side of the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate, collectors which are joined to the leads on both sides of the electrode plate group, and include connection protrusions formed so as to protrude outside, and a bag-shape battery case containing the electrode plate group joined to the collectors such that only the connection protrusions of the collectors are protruded outside. A battery module is constituted by placing a plurality of the cells in a prismatic battery case while the connection protrusions of the collectors of the cells are connected with each other, thereby making the current-carrying path between the electrode plate groups straight and short and increasing the output.

Abstract: In a prismatic sealed battery module which includes a plurality of electrode plate groups, collectors joined to leads on both sides of the electrode plate group, and a prismatic battery case for storing the plurality of electrode plate groups, a connected-electrode-plate-group body is constituted by connecting the plurality of electrode groups with collectors interposed between them. A sheet covering both side surfaces and a bottom surface of the peripheral surfaces of the connected-electrode-plate-group body is provided. After gaps between the sheet and outer edges of the collectors are sealed, the connected-electrode-plate-group body is placed in the prismatic battery case. Thereby, the current-carrying paths between the electrode plate groups are short and straight, resulting in reduced internal resistance.

Abstract: A closed type battery case comprises a lower base, an upper lid, and a battery plate device. The lower base provides two opposite lateral walls, a front wall and a rear wall, and each of the lateral walls at the upper edge thereof has a base rib and at both ends thereof connect with the front wall and the rear wall respectively. The front wall and the rear wall provide at least a lock tenon and a lock hole respectively. At least a separator is disposed in the lower base parallel to the lateral walls. The lateral walls at end parts thereof extend an elongated side grooved locator respectively, and the separator at an end part thereof extends an elongated intermediate grooved locator. The battery plate device has at least a positive-negative plate, a negative plate and a positive plate being attached to the intermediate locator and the side locators respectively so as to be located in place in accordance with the principle of series circuit.

Abstract: A battery pack containing a plurality of battery modules, said modules comprising a plurality of individual battery units, said battery units comprising a plurality of bicells with opposing terminals. The battery modules are connected in series by use of a flexible circuit and by opposing positive and negative terminals of each battery unit. The terminals of each battery unit contain a region of apertures which allow the adhesive of the packaging material to seal more effectively, thereby eliminating or reducing the amount of leakage from an individual battery unit.

Abstract: A prismatic sealed battery module includes: a prismatic battery case; an electrode plate group constituted by alternately layering positive and negative electrode plates with a separator arranged therebetween; and an electrolyte. The positive or negative electrode plates protruding from each end face of the electrode plate group are bonded to a collector member. A metal connector is fixed to the central part of the collector member facing the inner surface of the side end wall of the battery case. The collector member is connected, at the metal connector, to an external terminal using an externally connecting bolt.

Abstract: In a lithium polymer secondary battery comprising: a positive electrode comprising a lithium-containing complex oxide; a negative electrode comprising a material capable of intercalating and deintercalating lithium ions; and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, the weight Wp of the polymer material constituting the polymer electrolyte contained in the positive electrode, the weight Wn of the polymer material constituting the polymer electrolyte contained in the negative electrode, and the weight Ws of the polymer material constituting the polymer electrolyte contained in the separator satisfy all of the following: Ws<Wn<Wp, 20≦100Wp/(Wp+Wn+Ws)≦50, 20≦100Wn/(Wp+Wn+Ws)≦50, and 20≦100Ws/(Wp+Wn+Ws)≦50; so that a lithium polymer secondary battery which is excellent in cycle stability and high in reliability is provided.

Abstract: A lithium secondary cell, in which a water-soluble polymer having a superior resistance to organic solvents is used as a binder, the capacity is high, the charge-discharge cycle is superior, and the increase of the internal resistance is suppressed, is disclosed. The lithium secondary cell according to the invention comprises a positive electrode and an electrolytic solution, wherein the positive electrode includes a positive electrode active material having a LiNiO2 compound expressed as LixNi1−yMyO2 (M is at least one element selected from a group including Co, Mn, Al, B, Ti, Mg and Fe, 0<x≦1.2, 0<y≦0.25) and a binder for binding the positive electrode active material. The BET specific surface area of the LiNiO2 compound is not more than 0.65 m2/g. The binder has a water-soluble polymer not swollen with the electrolytic solution. The surface of the positive electrode active material is covered by the water-soluble polymer. The reduction of the cell capacity is suppressed.

Abstract: According to the process of this invention, first a manganese oxide seed is prepared, which is then grown to obtain manganese oxide having large particle diameters. The manganese oxide thus obtained is reacted with a lithium compound, whereby lithium manganate having large particle diameters can be obtained. Since the lithium manganate has large particle diameters and gives a high packing density, lithium batteries with a high energy density can be provided by using the lithium manganate.

Abstract: A cathode composition for a lithium-ion battery having the formula Li[M1(1-x)Mnx]O2 where 0<x<1 and M1 represents one or more metal elements, with the proviso that M1 is a metal element other than chromium. The composition is in the form of a single phase having an O3 crystal structure that does not undergo a phase transformation to a spinel crystal structure when incorporated in a lithium-ion battery and cycled for 100 full charge-discharge cycles at 30° C. and a final capacity of 130 mAh/g using a discharge current of 30 mA/g.

Abstract: from Groups 2, 3, 12, 13, or 14 of the Periodic Table. Preferred embodiments include those having where c=1, those where c=2, and those where c=3. Preferred embodiments include those where a ≦1 and c=1, those where a=2 and c=1, and those where a≧3 and c=3. This invention also provides electrodes comprising an electrode active material of this invention, and batteries that comprise a first electrode having an electrode active material of this invention; a second electrode having a compatible active material; and an electrolyte.

Abstract: In an electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery which includes a current collector and a thin film composed of active material that has the capability to store and release lithium either electrochemically or chemically and deposited on the current collector, the current collector comprises a copper alloy and has a tensile strength of 400 N/mm2 or higher, a proportional limit of 160 N/mm2 or higher, an elastic coefficient of 1.1 N/mm2 or higher and a surface roughness Ra of 0.01-1 &mgr;m at its surface that carries the thin film of active material thereon.

Abstract: An economical manufacturing method and structure of electrodes for lithium based electrochemical devices, such as batteries and capacitors, which method results in the electrodes having various metal foil or grid current collectors embedded in the middle of their thickness by continuous dipping of said collectors in an electrode slurry, which is then solidified. The electrodes have superior performance and low resistance, due to short electron's travel to the collector, excellent adhesion of the electrode material to the grid, and uniform thickness at unlimited width. The method also includes additional steps and treatments to produce high quality electrodes.

Abstract: An electrolyte comprising a cationic species disposed in a polyoxometalate network. A composition comprising cationic species and polyoxometalate anionic species, wherein the polyoxometalate anionic species are coupled through a network of bridge ligands. An apparatus comprising a first electrode and a second electrode; a current collector coupled to one of the first and the second electrode; and an electrolyte disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the electrolyte comprising a cationic species disposed in a polyoxometalate network.

Abstract: A photolithography mask for use with extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) irradiation is disclosed. The mask comprises a multilayer stack that is substantially reflective of said EUV irradiation, a supplemental multilayer stack formed atop the multilayer stack, and an absorber material formed in trenches patterned into the supplemental multilayer stack. The absorber material being substantially absorptive of the EUV irradiation.

Abstract: A method of making fused silica includes generating a plasma, delivering reactants comprising a silica precursor into the plasma to produce silica particles, and depositing the silica particles on a deposition surface to form glass.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a photomask material includes delivering a powder containing silicon dioxide into a plasma to produce silica particles and depositing the silica particles on a deposition surface to form glass.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of patterning a mass of material. A beam of activated particles is formed proximate the mass of material, and a pattern of deposit is formed on a surface of the mass with the beam of activated particles. The mass is then etched while using the deposit as an etch mask. The mass of material can be associated with a radiation-patterning tool, such as, for example, a photomask, or can be associated with a semiconductor substrate. The invention also encompasses a photomask construction comprising a substrate, and a patterned material over the substrate. The patterned material covers some regions of the substrate, and leaves other regions not covered. A carbon-containing layer is on the patterned material, but not over the regions of the substrate that are not covered by the patterned material.

Abstract: An alternating phase shift mask (400) and method of manufacturing thereof including assist edges (450) and (452) surrounding a main phase edge (420). Assist edges (450) and (452) improve the resolution of the alternating phase shift mask (400), thus enabling the patterning of smaller size features on a semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A stencil mask layout pattern data division processing system, a method thereof and a program have a scheme of optimally dividing a complicated layout pattern. Plural pieces of divided layout pattern segment data are generated by reading stencil mask layout pattern data stored in a layout pattern data memory module and dividing the layout pattern data along line segments in horizontal and vertical directions. Then, plural pieces of complementary mask data are generated by allocating the plural pieces of divided layout pattern segment data to plural pieces of complementary mask data, and are stored in a complementary mask data memory module.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a mask includes, inter alia, producing first spacers in between masking structures that have been produced beforehand. The masking structures are subsequently removed, while the first spacers remain. The remaining first spacers thus serve as a hard mask during the patterning of underlying layers during the fabrication of a semiconductor device. One advantage of this method is the reduction of feature sizes that can be fabricated. In one embodiment variant of the method, after the removal of the masking structures, second spacers are produced between the first spacers. This allows for the fabrication of the smallest possible periodic structures.

Abstract: A negative photoresist for transferring a photomask to a semiconductor wafer includes a passivated component that is activated by an exposure radiation, the activated component being configured to interact with the uppermost layer of the semiconductor wafer at the interface, the interaction ensuring increased adhesion between the negative photoresist and the substrate. Alternatively, a positive photoresist for transferring a photomask to a semiconductor wafer includes a component that is passivated by an exposure radiation, the activated component being configured to interact with the uppermost layer of the semiconductor wafer at the interface, the interaction ensuring increased adhesion between the positive photoresist and the substrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to new photoacid generator compounds and photoresist compositions that comprise such compounds. In particular, the invention relates to photoacid generator compounds that generate an &agr;,&agr;-difluoroalkyl sulfonic acid upon exposure to activating radiation. Positive- and negative-acting chemically amplified resists that contain such PAGs are particularly preferred.

Abstract: A method of producing a high resolution image on a substrate using an electrostatic printer by providing an electrostatic printer having a plurality of toner fountains and a set of color toners, the set having at least one reduced density toner having a color density less than that of a standard toner of the same color; and applying the reduced density toner in at least two passes of a substrate through the electrostatic printer to develop a desired image for that color. With the method of the invention, at least two toners of the same color, but different color density, may be provided to one toner fountain, thereby allowing the toner fountain to function in the manner of a plurality of toner fountains without requiring a flushing step.

Abstract: A three dimensional optical data storage and retrieval system that includes a three dimensional optical data storage medium and an apparatus for providing access to data stored on the medium. The data storage medium includes an optical data storage material which either a low molecular weight or polymeric glassy solid that are capable of undergoing multi-photon excitation that are energetically different in the write and read cycles. The optical data storage materials provide substantially higher storage capacities relative to conventional materials, and show high robustness in that written and stored data can undergo multiple read cycles without erasure or overwriting. An apparatus for data recording and accessing stored data on the medium includes a controllable variable energy photo-emitting excitation source and an emission photo-detector.

Abstract: An exposure method for correcting dimension variations in a pattern resulting from the fogging effect occurring during electron beam exposure and/or the loading effect occurring during dry etching, and a recording medium for recording the same are provided. According to the exposure method, dimension variations can be minimized by calculating the loading effect and/or fogging effect causing dimension variations in a pattern, correcting mask pattern dimension data in advance based on a calculated result and making exposure according to the corrected pattern data. Further, the loading effect and/or fogging effect can be easily calculated because the above-described method can be realized as a computer program and the computer program can be included in an exposure tool, thereby enabling exposure based on a corrected value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mask for measuring an optical aberration, the mask including at least a measuring pattern comprising plural pattern parts being separated from each other, wherein the plural pattern parts provide individual widths which are simply increased on first and second directional axes non-parallel to each other and vertical to a plane of the mask, provided that the width of each of the plural pattern parts is unchanged at least on the first and second directional axes.

Abstract: A toner composition including toner particles, wherein the toner particles are prepared by a method in which toner constituents including at least a binder resin and a colorant are kneaded upon application of heat to prepare a toner constituent mixture; the toner constituent mixture is dissolved or swelled in an organic solvent capable of dissolving or swelling at least the binder resin to prepare an oil phase liquid; the oil phase liquid is emulsified in an aqueous liquid to prepare an emulsion; the emulsion is coagulated; and then the coagulated emulsion is dried to prepare the toner particles.

Abstract: In a magnetic one-component toner containing at least a binder resin, a charge control resin, and a magnetic powder, the charge control resin has a weight-average molecular weight of 1.5×104 or less, contains 8 to 15% by weight of functional groups, and is added in 5 to 20 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. This makes the toner highly safe for humans and the environment and excellent in fixability and electric chargeability.

Abstract: Toners and developers are disclosed. The toner of the present invention contains at least one toner resin, at least one charge control agent, at least one surface treatment agent, and optionally at least one release agent and/or colorant. The toners of the present invention have excellent triboelectric stability over a wide range of temperatures and relative humidity environmental conditions. Further, the toners of the present invention have excellent charge to mass stability over long periods of time. Development systems and methods for developing electrostatic images with toner are further disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a toner for MICR suitable for use in a printer for a non-magnetic monocomponent developing system, which does not produce scratches on a developing sleeve when used in the printer for the non-magnetic monocomponent developing system and has a resistance against sliding friction with a magnetic head, and also causes no reading errors because of a proper signal strength and imparts satisfactory image characteristics (for example, with respect to image density and fogging). The toner comprises a binder resin, a magnetic material and a wax, and has a BET specific surface area within a range from 0.70 to 1.00 m2/g.

Abstract: A toner for electrostatic image development, which comprises a binder resin, a colorant and a charge control resin, wherein the charge control resin is a copolymer composed a vinyl monomer unit and a quaternary ammonium salt group-containing (meth)acrylate monomer unit and has a glass transition temperature of 40 to 75° C., and a production process thereof.

Abstract: A coloring agent for use in toners which comprises coloring particles modified with a surface modifier having in one molecule a hydrophilic moiety, a hydrophobic moiety, and a reactive moiety between the hydrophilic moiety and the hydrophobic moiety. Also disclosed is a toner comprising toner particles containing at least a binder resin and a coloring agent comprising the above surface-modified coloring particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrostatic image developing toner comprising a coloring agent and toner particles, said toner particles have a matrix-domain structure, and the average of the area of a Voronoi polygon formed by the perpendicular bisecting line between the centers of gravity of domains adjacent to each other in said matrix-domain structure is from 20,000 to 120,000 mm2, and the variation coefficient of the area of said Voronoi polygon is less than or equal to 25 percent.

Abstract: An image forming method makes the warming-up time short, enables the formation of high-quality images even when fixing is performed continuously at high speed, and restrains degradations of the image quality, such as non-uniformity of gloss and non-uniformity of coloration even under high-temperature and high-humidity conditions. The method uses a toner that is wide in fixing range and is especially excellent in low-temperature fixing property. The method contains a process of melting and thereby fixing a toner image formed by unfixed toner, by heating a heating member that is in contact with the toner image. The surface of the heating member or its vicinity that is in contact with the toner image generates heat, and the toner contains at least a colorant and a binder resin having a crystalline resin with a number average molecular weight of 1500 or more as the main component.

Abstract: A method of fixing toner in a belt fixing unit having a fixing roller; a heating roller; an endless fixing belt binding the heating roller and the fixing roller under tension therebetween; a pressure roller disposed to face the fixing roller intervening the fixing belt; and a fixing heater disposed inside one of the pressure roller and the heating roller, the method of fixing includes: a step for fixing a toner image on an image fixing material by conveying the toner image on the image fixing material in between a portion of the fixing belt not touching the fixing roller and the pressure roller; featured by the toner particle being spherical having a roundness of 0.96 or more and contains a colorant and resin component containing a modified polyester resin.

Abstract: The invention includes new polymers and methods for providing such polymers and photoresists that comprises the polymers. Methods of the invention include those that comprise providing a reaction mixture and adding over the course of a polymerization reaction one or more polymerization reagents to the reaction mixture to provide the polymer. Photoresists containing a polymer of the invention can exhibit significantly improved lithographic properties.

Abstract: Disclosed are photoresist compositions suitable for imaging with sub 200 nm wavelength radiation including as polymerized units one or more monomers having an electronegative substituent and an ester group containing certain leaving groups. Also disclosed are methods of providing photoresist relief images using the photoresist compositions.

Abstract: New photoresists are provided that are suitable for short wavelength imaging, including sub-200 nm such as 157 nm. In one aspect, resists of the invention comprise a fluorine-containing polymer, a photoactive component, and one or more additional components of an amine or other basic composition, a dissolution inhibitor compound, a surfactant or leveling agent, or a plasticizer material. In another aspect, resists of the invention contain a fluorine-containing resin and one or more photoacid generator compounds, particularly non-aromatic onium salts and imidosulfonates, and other non-ionic photoacid generator compounds.