Abstract: The invention relates to a flattened tubular film (1) made of thermoplastic material, in which the inner faces are not welded or glued, and are in mutual contact only over a part of their surface, thus forming a plurality of cells (3) of determined shape, essentially hermetic, containing a gas. The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing such a film, by extruding a preform, introducing a gas into the preform and flattening using at least one cylinder (2) whose surface has a relief such that, during the flattening, the two inner faces of the film come into mutual contact only over a part of their surface, thus forming a plurality of cells of determined shape, substantially hermetic, in which the said gas is imprisoned.

Abstract: A towel made from a single sheet of material has a first set of pockets disposed at corners of the towel that are formed from folds so that the pockets are formed from multiple layers of the material. A second and third set of pockets are disposed between the first set of pockets on a first side and second side, respectively. At least one securing pocket is disposed on the bottom surface of the towel. The towel may be made from a single sheet of material by folding the top edge and bottom edge toward a middle line to form a first and second securing pocket; stitching the first and second securing pockets along the top edge and bottom edge, respectively, to form openings in the securing pockets; folding a first side and second side toward the centerline and sewing lines perpendicular to the centerline to form the pockets.

Abstract: A method for the production of ribbed board product, such as fiberboard, flakeboard, or waferboard, which resists fracturing during manufacture. The ribbed board product made according to the invention can be used as decking and in packaging and shipping components.

Abstract: Three-dimensional flexible adhesive film structures are described which exhibit tack on demand characteristics. The film is capable of showing minimal or no tack under normal handling conditions, but when pressed against a target surface, exhibits the desired adhesion.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to base webs that are creped after a bonding material has been applied to at least one side of the web according to a predetermined pattern. According to the present invention, the bonding material contains a creping adhesive mixed with composite particles. The composite particles generally have a median particle size of less than about 5 microns and a particle size distribution of less than about 10 microns.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of storing encoded data on an article comprising applying said data on a surface of the article, as an encodement invisible to the human eye under normal viewing conditions. The invention also provides materials for use in said method. This invention comprises an article having on a surface thereof data represented by a material applied to the article that forms a differential light pattern when illuminated which is capable of being read by a sensor capable of detecting said differential light pattern, said material being substantially invisible to the human eye under normal viewing conditions; wherein the light absorbance of at least a portion of the surface of the article underlying said data is different from the absorbance of the material comprising the data under the conditions in which the data is read.

Abstract: A printable laminate film having improved resistance to delamination or separation of the layers of the laminate. The printable laminate comprises a carrier film, a viscoelastic layer on the carrier film, and a single image recording layer on the viscoelastic layer. The viscoelastic materials can be selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, acrylics, vinyls, butadiene-styrene copolymers, isoprene-styrene copolymers, polychloroprenes, and olefinic polymers.

Abstract: An ink jet recording element comprising a resin-coated paper support having thereon an ink-retaining layer comprising voided cellulosic fibers in a polymeric binder, the ratio of the voided cellulosic fibers to the polymeric binder being from about 90:10 to about 50:50, the length of the voided cellulosic fibers being from about 10 &mgr;m to about 50 &mgr;m.

Abstract: An ink jet recording element comprising a support having thereon an image-receiving layer comprising porous polymeric particles in a polymeric binder, the porous polymeric particles having the formula: &Parenopenst;A&Parenclosest;x&Parenopenst;B&Parenclosest;y&Parenopenst;C&Parenclosest;z wherein: A represents units of an addition polymerizable monomer containing at least two ethylenically unsaturated groups; B represents units of a copolymerizable, &agr;, &bgr;-ethylenically unsaturated monomer; C represents styrenic or acrylic repeating units containing an ionic functionality; x is from about 27 to about 99 mole %; y is from 0 to about 72 mole %; and z is from about 1 to about 73 mole %

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium has a construction in which on a non-magnetic support member are successively stacked a seed layer made of a non-magnetic material that is mainly composed of Cr, a keeper layer made of an NiFe-type soft magnetic material, an intermediate layer made of a non-magnetic material that is mainly composed of Cr and a recording layer made of a magnetic material that is mainly composed of Co.

Abstract: This invention provides an expanded open-cell foam polymer composition comprising at least one linear or modified linear polyolefin, at least 50% of the cells being open, and the cells having an average size of at least 1 millimeter. It is desirable that the composition have a sound absorption coefficient as determined by ASTM D 1050 at 1,000 Hz which is greater than 0.15. In preferred foams the composition has an airflow resistivity of less than about 800,000 Rayls/m.

Abstract: A material provided for sealing leaks in water conveyance systems includes a porous hydrophilic rubber impregnated with a water reactive polyurethane resin. When the material comes into contact with water, the rubber and polyurethane swell and this results in increased adhesion and improved sealing.

Abstract: Nanoporous silicone resins and silicone resin films having low dielectric constants and a method for preparing such nanoporous silicone resins. The silicone resin comprises the reaction product of a mixture comprising (A) 15-70 mol % of a tetraalkoxysilane described by formula Si(OR1)4,  where each R1 is an independently selected alkyl group comprising 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, (B) 12 to 60 mol % of a hydrosilane described by formula HSiX3,  where each X is an independently selected hydrolyzable substituent, (C) 15 to 70 mole percent of an organotrialkoxysilane described by formula R2Si(OR3)3,  where R2 is a hydrocarbon group comprising about 8 to 24 carbon atoms or a substituted hydrocarbon group comprising a hydrocarbon chain having about 8 to 24 carbon atoms and each R3 is an independently selected alkyl group comprising 1 to about 6 carbon atoms; in the presence of (D) water, (E) hydrolysis catalyst, and (F) organic solvent for the reaction product.

Abstract: The process of the invention characterized in that to 100 parts by weight of a silicate powder having 2000-8000 m2/g specific surface, 1-10 parts by weight of gas-forming material with particle size of 10-100 &mgr;m and 0.5-15 parts by weight of montmorillonite, 0.5-2 parts by weight of alkali hydrogen phosphate or alkali dihydrogen phosphate or a mixture of alkali metal phosphate and sodium silicate in form of aqueous solution, 0.01-5 parts by weight of rare earth metal oxide or a mixture of such oxides were added, then the mixture obtained is homogenized, pre-dried, coated with 1-5 parts by weight of titanium oxide and/or titanium oxide hydroxide and/or aluminum oxide hydroxide, then subjected to heat treatment at 720-1000° C., and the mixture obtained is molded. The subject of the invention: also the product of the above process.

Abstract: Release coating formulations and release coatings derived therefrom that incorporate a blend of a silicone vinyl copolymer and a second polymer for which the release qualities are extremely stable over time. The silicone vinyl copolymer and the second polymer include complementary crosslinkable functionality allowing interpolymer crosslinks to be formed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a condensation polymer, as well as to a process for preparation said polymers, having at least one dialkylamide endgroup connected through the polymer backbone to a unit derived from an alkylamide, the connection comprising at least one ester linkage. The polymer according to the invention can be linear or branched. The condensation polymers can be very widely used in technically different fields, both in thermosetting and in thermoplastic applications. The invention also relates to a composition comprising the condensation polymer according to the invention, an active substance and a polymer, as well as to a process for incorporating an active substance in an object comprising at least of a polymer composition, by bringing the object into contact with the active substance. More in particular, the invention relates to the dying of polymer fibres.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polycrystalline hexagonal boron nitride compound comprising fine crystals of the order of nanometers. The present invention also provides a hexagonal boron nitride characterized in that the boron nitride is 20 to 200 nm in mean particle size and comprises at least 80 wt. % of particles having sizes in the range of the mean particle size±30%. The present invention further provides a fine hexagonal boron nitride powder characterized in that the powder comprises particles in the form of circular disks or elliptical disks having a minor axis La, a major axis Lb and a thickness t which satisfy the following expressions. 50 nm≦La≦Lb≦400 nm 20 nm≦t≦150 nm t≦La 0.5≦La/Lb≦1.0.

Abstract: Rare earth manganese oxides are used as pigments. The pigments are preferably of the formula (RexMn)Oy, where Re is at least one element selected from Y, La and Lanthanide elements, x is from 0.01 to 99, and y is the number required to maintain electroneutrality. Preferred rare earth elements include Y, La, Pr and Nd. The pigments are useful as colorants, and may possess improved reflectance characteristics in the infrared region, thereby reducing IR-induced heat buildup.

Abstract: Methods of making a silica-coated carbon product are described. In one method, an aqueous media or solution and a carbon product are contacted with a solution comprising a silicate substantially free of metal ions, for a sufficient time and temperature to form the silica-coated carbon product. A method of making a silica-coated product by contacting the aqueous media and a carbon product with a solution comprising monosilicic acid is also described as well as exchanging metal ions in a solution comprising metallic silicate for hydrogen ions and contacting an aqueous media and a carbon product with the solution to form silica-coated carbon products. Silica-coated carbon products resulting from these methods are also described and include a plurality of silica-coated products wherein each of the silica-coated products are substantially and uniformly coated with silica and in the substantial absence of free silica.

Abstract: Composite particles capable of forming a coating excelling in weatherability and, in particular, stain-proof characteristics, a composite particle dispersion composition containing the composite particles and excelling in film formability, and a method of preparing the composite particle dispersion composition. The composite particles contain (i) polymer particles having 2-70 wt % of a polymer phase (a) of the core and 98-30 wt % of a polymer phase (b) of the shell, and (ii) a polymer of at least either an organosilicon compound or organometallic compound present at least either on or near the surface of the polymer phase (b), wherein the polymer phase (a) and the polymer phase (b) have different monomer compositions.

Abstract: A metal-infiltrated polycrystalline diamond composite tool comprising a plurality of diamond grains forming a continuous polycrystalline diamond matrix, a metallic phase being substantially palladium-free and contiguous to the continuous polycrystalline diamond matrix, wherein the metallic phase interpenetrates the continuous polycrystalline diamond matrix and substantially wets an outer surface of the continuous polycrystalline diamond matrix; and a working surface. The metallic phase is formed from an infiltrant and a wetting-enhancement layer disposed on the outer surfaces of the diamond particles, with both the infiltrant and wetting-enhancement layer being substantially palladium-free and comprising at least one metal from the group consisting of cobalt, iron, and nickel.

Abstract: A method of providing a therapeutic, diagnostic or lubricious hydrophilic coating on an intracorporeal medical device and the coated device produced thereby, wherein the coating is durable. In one embodiment, the coating comprises a polymerized base coat and a top coat having a therapeutic, diagnostic or hydrophilic agent, where the base coat has a binding component which binds to the top coat, and a grafting component which binds to the binding component and adheres to the device. In another embodiment, the coating comprises a blend of an agent, a grafting component, and salt. In one embodiment, the therapeutic agent is superoxide dismutase or a superoxide dismutase mimic. The coating of the invention may be applied to a medical device with a polymeric surface such as a polymeric catheter, or a metal device such as a stent coated with a polymeric primer or without a primer.

Abstract: There is disclosed a silicon epitaxial wafer comprising an epitaxial layer formed on a silicon wafer wherein Erratic phenomenon does not occur in a MOS device fabricated on the silicon epitaxial wafer, a silicon epitaxial wafer having oxide dielectric breakdown voltage of 20 MV/cm or more, a silicon epitaxial wafer comprising an epitaxial layer formed on a silicon wafer wherein oxygen concentration at an interface between the epitaxial layer and the silicon wafer of the silicon epitaxial wafer is 1×1017 to 1×1018 atoms/cm3 or 5×1016 to 5×1017 atoms/cm3, a method for producing a silicon epitaxial wafer comprising subjecting a silicon wafer to heat treatment in a hydrogen atmosphere, and then growing an epitaxial layer on the silicon wafer wherein the initial oxygen concentration of the silicon wafer, the heat treatment temperature and the heat treatment time of the heat treatment are predetermined so that oxygen concentration at an interface between the epitaxial layer and the silicon w

Abstract: An insulator with a molding made of ceramic and a hydrophobic coating applied to the surface of the molding is disclosed, the hydrophobic coating comprising a plasma polymer having been applied directly to the ceramic. The previously customary glaze on the surface of the ceramic is replaced by the plasma polymer. Such an insulator has high long-term stability with regard to its electrical insulating capability. It is possible to dispense with complicated shaping of the molding to increase the leakage path over the surface of the ceramic and with the application of a glaze, which means a considerable cost saving.

Abstract: Multi-component composite coating compositions are provided which comprise a base coat deposited from a pigmented film-forming composition and a transparent top coat applied over the base coat in which the transparent top coat is deposited from a film-forming composition comprising one ore more ungelled chain-extended organic polysiloxanes having reactive functional groups, and one or more curing agents having functional groups reactive with the functional groups of the polysiloxane. Additionally provided is a process for applying the multi-component composite coatings described above to a substrate. Substrates coated with the above-described multi-component composite coating compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Aqueous, lead-free cathodically depositable (CDL) coating compositions containing binders and, optionally, crosslinking agents, pigments, and/or additives conventionally employed in lacquers, as well as one or more sulfonic acid salts of the metals vanadium, manganese, iron, zinc, zirconium, silver, tin, lanthanum, cerium and/or bismuth and/or of organometallic compounds in a total amount of from 0.2 to 2 wt. %, calculated as metal and based on the resin solids.

Abstract: A superconducting element comprising a high temperature superconducting film deposited on a stainless steel substrate that includes a composition of nickel; chromium; silicon; manganese; and iron. Optionally, carbon; phosphorous; sulfur; nitrogen; and unavoidable impurities will be present.

Abstract: A roll of a web composed of an aromatic polyimide composite film and a metal film in which the polyimide composite film is composed of a non-thermoplastic aromatic polyimide base film and a thermoplastic aromatic polyimide cover film, the polyimide composite film showing a heat shrinkage ratio of less than 0.1% at 300° C., can be produced by heating a corresponding roll of web composed of a metal film and an aromatic polyimide composite film having a heat shrinkage ratio of more than 0.1% at 300° C., at a temperature between 150° C. and a glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic aromatic polyimide cover film, for a period of at least one minute.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyolefin stretch packaging film, comprising at least one layer containing a component (A), and which has a storage modulus (E′) of from 5.0×108 dyn/cm2 to 5.0×109 dyn/cm2 and a loss tangent (tan&dgr;) of from 0.2 to 0.8, as measured by dynamic viscoelasticity measurement at a frequency of 10 Hz and at a temperature of 20° C., wherein said component (A) is a soft polypropylene resin which satisfies the following conditions (1) to (3), which has a sum of mesopentad percentage and racemopentad percentage (mmmm+rrrr) of from 30 to 70% as obtained from 13C-NMR spectrum, in which crystalline block and non-crystalline block portions co-exist in the molecular chain and of which the stereoregularity is controlled.

Abstract: A drill resistant plate, which presents a rough surface of hardened particles to drilling attack, and which tends to snap or destroy drill bits before they can began drilling. The plate is made by brazing hard particles into a matrix of brazing material attached to a steel plate. Nickel-Silver brazing material is used to form the matrix on the steel plate, and tungsten carbide particles of 8-10 mesh are secured within the matrix, with the hard particles of tungsten carbide partially exposed, presenting a roughened surface with angular pieces of tungsten carbide to the drilling attack.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a substrate, an underlayer provided on the substrate, a Co alloy magnetic film formed through the underlayer, and a protective film for protecting the magnetic film, wherein the underlayer has a two-layer structure of an lower underlayer contacted with the substrate and an upper underlayer contacted with the Co alloy magnetic film, the upper underlayer is a Co—Crx—My alloy film having a hexagonal close-packed structure, where 25 atomic %≦x+y≦50 atomic %, 0.5 atomic %≦y, nonmagnetic element M is one selected from the group of elements B, Si, Ge, C, Al, P, Ti, V, Nb, Zr, Hf, Mn, Rh, Os, Ir, Re, Pd, Pt, Mo, Ta, W, Ag and Au. Thereby the medium can be increased in its coercive force and can be improved in its thermal stability characteristics.

Abstract: To provide an electrodeposited copper foil with carrier, in which electrical connection holes such as through holes (PTH), interstitial via holes (IVH), and blind via holes (BVH) can be readily formed. The invention provides an electrodeposited copper foil with carrier comprising a carrier foil, an organic release interface layer formed on a surface of the carrier foil, and an electrodeposited copper foil layer deposited on the release interface layer, wherein copper microparticles are deposited on the surface of the carrier foil onto which the organic release interface layer and the electrodeposited copper layer are formed.

Abstract: In order to improve the wear resistance of the swash plate of a swash-plate type compressor, on which plate copper alloy is flame-sprayed, a composite material, which consists of copper or first copper alloy (for example Cu—Pb alloy) including at least unmelted phase and aluminum or first aluminum alloy (for example Al—Si alloy) including at least melted phase, is flame sprayed on the sliding surface with a shoe.

Abstract: An electroluminescent arrangement which contains a substrate, an anode, an electroluminescent element, a cathode, and said anode or said cathode is transparent in the visible spectral range and the electroluminescent element is a single layer containing an optionally substituted tris-1,3,5-(aminophenyl)benzene compound (A), a luminescent component B) or a electron-conducting charge-transporting substance.

Abstract: The invention is to provide an organic EL device having a long life time that can reduce the driving voltage of the organic EL device, and to provide a material having a small ionization potential and exhibiting a large hole mobility by using as a layer or a zone. The organic electroluminescence device comprises a pair of electrodes and an organic light emitting layer sandwiched in the electrodes, characterized in that a hole transporting zone provided between the electrodes comprises the phenylenediamine derivative represented by the specific structural formulae, and the phenylenediamine derivative has a hole mobility of 10−4 cm2/V·s or more upon using as a layer or a zone, with the organic light emitting layer containing a charge injection auxiliary.

Abstract: Disclosed is an organic electroluminescence multi-color display comprising a transparent electrode, a plurality of organic compound material layers including at least light emitting layers, a metal electrode, which are stacked on a transparent substrate in sequence, respectively, and a plurality of organic electroluminescence elements comprising the light emitting layers made of different organic compound materials and taking on different colors of light emission. Each of functional layers, having the same function, of the organic compound material layers excluding the light emitting layers are different in thickness corresponding to a color of emitted light.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium having a substrate and an annealed magnetic layer comprising boron on the substrate, the magnetic layer being a single film and having an L10 structure, and a process for manufacturing the perpendicular magnetic recording medium are disclosed.

Abstract: A high-capacity magnetic disk comprises a support, a non-magnetic layer and a magnetic layer having a thickness less than 0.15 &mgr;m and containing ferromagnetic powder selected from fine particles of ferromagnetic metal or fine particles of ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite dispersed in a binder, and the magnetic disk has a track width less than 5 &mgr;m and can record signals having a bit length less than 0.5 &mgr;m, wherein the ratio of the track width to the average major axis length or tabular diameter of ferromagnetic particles is from 50 to 100, the ratio of the shortest bit length to the average major axis length or tabular diameter of ferromagnetic particles is from 3 to 20, and the thickness of magnetic layer has a variation coefficient of 0.5 or below, expressed in terms of a ratio of the standard deviation to the average thickness of the magnetic layer.

Abstract: A layer stack for the surface coating of transparent substrates, in particular panes of glass, has at least one metal oxide composite layer produced by reactive cathodic sputtering and contains Zn oxide and Sn oxide. Relative to the total amount of metal, this metal oxide composite layer contains from 0.5 to 6.5% by weight of one or more of the elements Al, Ga, In, B, Y, La, Ge, Si, P, As, Sb, Bi, Ce, Ti, Zr, Nb and Ta. In a layer stack which has a silver layer as a functional layer, the metal oxide composite layer may be used as an upper and/or lower antireflection layer, as a diffusion barrier layer, as a sublayer of an antireflection layer and/or as an upper cover layer.

Abstract: A bond coating is applied between a ceramic matrix composite and a insulative and abradable top coat layer. The bond coating is a slurry layer of fine particles of silicon nitride and silicon carbide suspended in a colloidal silica or zircon binder. The ratio of these materials in the bond coating should match the ratio of these in the CMC. If the CMC is SiC fibers in a SiC matrix, the slurry should be composed of SiC particles with a colloidal silica binder. High surface roughness is achieved by entrapping coarse ceramic particles into the wet bond coating slurry. Thereafter the product is heat treated to maximize bond strength and verify oxidation resistance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cemented carbide wear part with a wear surface with improved friction and wear properties. This has been obtained by providing the wear surface with a surface layer with a thickness of 0.5 &mgr;m to 25 &mgr;m, preferably 1 to 10 &mgr;m with an average WC grain size of less than 500 nm. The surface layer is obtained by lapping the wear surface with an abrasive disc for at least 10 minutes at 1000 to 3000 rpm at a pressure of 0.1 to 0.5 MPa preferably without any grinding media.

Abstract: A superconductive structure including a dielectric oxide substrate, a thin buffer layer of a superconducting material thereon; and, a layer of a rare earth-barium-copper oxide superconducting film thereon the thin layer of yttrium-barium-copper oxide, the rare earth selected from the group consisting of samarium, gadolinium, ytterbium, erbium, neodymium, dysprosium, holmium, lutetium, a combination of more than one element from the rare earth group and a combination of one or more elements from the rare earth group with yttrium, the buffer layer of superconducting material characterized as having chemical and structural compatibility with the dielectric oxide substrate and the rare earth-barium-copper oxide superconducting film is provided.

Abstract: A dielectric film is formed on a free-standing conductive metal layer to form a multi-layer foil comprising a conductive metal layer, a barrier layer and a dielectric oxide layer. Such multi-layer foils are mechanically flexible, and useful for the manufacture of capacitors. Examples of barrier layers include Ni—P or Ni—Cr alloys. After a second layer of conductive metal is deposited on a dielectric oxide surface opposing the first conductive metal layer, the resulting capacitor foil is processed into a capacitor. The resulting capacitor is a surface mounted capacitor or is formed as a integrated or embedded capacitor within a circuit board.

Abstract: A method of preparing a stain resistant and water repellant textile fabric comprising: a) treating a textile fabric with an aqueous primary treatment composition comprising at least about 5 weight percent of a fluorochemical textile treating agent, based on the weight of the primary treatment composition; b) drying the treated fabric at an elevated temperature to obtain a primarily treated fabric; c) providing a polymeric film on one side of the primarily treated fabric, the film comprising an aqueous secondary treatment composition comprising at least about 4 weight percent of a fluorochemical textile treating agent, based on the weight of the secondary treatment composition; and d) drying the treated fabric with the film at an elevated temperature to obtain a secondarily treated fabric.

Abstract: A system for recapturing electrical energy from a waste stream is disclosed. Further, features of the invention can be used to reduce the energy required for waste stream processing. Various energy sources are identified within the waste stream, and source-specific modules are provided for converting the various sources into electrical energy.

Abstract: A secondary electrochemical cell comprising a medium rate electrode region intended to be discharged under a substantially constant drain and a high rate electrode region intended to be pulse discharged, is described. Both electrode regions share a common anode and are activated with the same electrolyte.

Abstract: A fuel cell has a proton exchange membrane. In known manner, the fuel cell includes inlets and outlets for flow of an oxidant and for flow of a fuel gas, commonly hydrogen. To deal with the issue of humidification, the invention provides a recirculation conduit including a pump connected between the anode inlet and the anode outlet. A water separator is provided in the recirculation conduit, for separating water from fuel gas exiting the anode. A main fuel inlet is connected to the recirculation conduit, for supply of fuel. A branch conduit can be provided, to enable purge cycles and other options to be provided.

Abstract: A fuel cell system having a methanol decomposition reactor that is used to solve cold startup and transient operating condition problems. Methanol is charged into a methanol decomposition reactor and heat is supplied to decompose methanol (an endothermic reaction) and to produce hydrogen molecules and carbon monoxide. Hot exhaust gas (effluent) from the methanol decomposition reactor is charged to a steam reformer to preheat the reformer. The hydrogen produced by methanol decomposition is used by a fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell system which has a fuel cell is described. Also provided is a device for producing/preparing the fuel, for example hydrogen, which is connected on its outlet side to a fuel supply line and on its inlet side to a device for supplying fuel. The device for supplying fuel has a dual pump, in which a starting material for the fuel, stored in the motor-fuel tank, and water fed in via a water supply line, which is for example process water produced during the fuel cell process, are mixed to form a fuel/water mixture. This fuel/water mixture is intermediately stored in an intermediate tank before it is fed to the device for producing/preparing the fuel.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a first electrolyte-electrode assembly which comprises a hydrogen ion-conductive electrolyte layer, and a fuel electrode and a hydrogen-generating electrode that sandwich the electrolyte layer; a second electrolyte-electrode assembly which comprises a hydrogen ion-conductive electrolyte layer, and a fuel electrode and an oxidant electrode that sandwich the electrolyte layer; a fuel supplying means for supplying a liquid or gas fuel to the fuel electrode of the first electrolyte-electrode assembly; a means for applying to the fuel electrode of the first electrolyte-electrode assembly a potential which is positive to the hydrogen-generating electrode; and a means for supplying to the fuel electrode of the second electrolyte-electrode assembly hydrogen generated in the hydrogen-generating electrode.