Abstract: A fuel reformer is operated in one mode of operation to generate and supply a particular quantity and/or composition of reformate gas to a first component such as a NOX trap, and then is operated in a different mode of operation to generate and supply and different quantity and/or composition of reformate gas to a different component such as a soot particulate filter. In a similar manner, the fuel reformer is operated in one mode of operation to generate and supply a particular quantity and/or composition of reformate gas to a fuel cell, and then is operated in a different mode of operation to generate and supply and different quantity and/or composition of reformate gas to an emission abatement device. A method of operating a fuel reformer is also disclosed.

Abstract: Two co-catalysts selected from the transitional metals can be employed in proton exchange membrane fuel cells to catalyze a borohydride anolyte, such that diatomic hydrogen produced on the surface of a particle of a first catalyst is diffused to an adjacent surface of a particle of a second catalyst. At the second catalyst the diatomic hydrogen is catalyzed to produce hydrogen ions, which are employed as the mobile ion transported across the electrolyte concurrent with the generation of electrical current. The apparatus operates without the accumulation of hydrogen gas, except as adhered to the surface of the two catalysts.

Abstract: A fuel cell system in accordance with a present invention includes a fuel cell including at least one anode and a fuel supply apparatus that supplies a plurality of fuel droplets.

Abstract: A power system has a fuel reformer, an emission abatement device, and a fuel cell. The fuel reformer reforms hydrocarbon fuels so as to produce a reformate gas which is supplied to both the emission abatement device and the fuel cell. A method of operating a fuel reformer so as to generate and supply a reformate gas to both an emission abatement device and a fuel cell is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are various types of metal-air FCB-based systems comprising a Metal-Fuel Transport Subsystem, a Metal-Fuel Discharging Subsystem, and a Metal-Fuel Recharging Subsystem. The function of the Metal-Fuel Transport Subsystem is to transport metal-fuel material, in the form of tape, cards, sheets, cylinders and the like, to the Metal-Fuel Discharge Subsystem, or the Metal-Fuel Recharge Subsystem, depending on the mode of the system selected. When transported to or through the Metal-Fuel Discharge Subsystem, the metal-fuel is discharged by (i.e. electro-chemically reaction with) one or more discharging heads in order produce electrical power across an electrical load connected to the subsystem while H2O and O2 are consumed at the cathode-electrolyte interface during the electrochemical reaction.

Abstract: The power generation mode of fuel cells included in a fuel cells power generation system, the quantity of power generation by the fuel cells, the working power used for a load, the amount of hot water kept in a hot water tank, the time, the occurrence of an abnormality in the system, and a request for regular inspection are displayed on a display unit of an operation display panel as numerical values and stepwise-variable graphical expression representing variations in quantity. The user is accordingly informed of the current driving conditions of the system and the working power used for the load, and sets the power generation mode of the fuel cells based on these pieces of information. This enables the user to adequately and readily control the operations of the system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high temperature fuel cell power generation system that includes a high temperature fuel cell having an anode inlet and exhaust, and a cathode inlet and exhaust. The system also includes a gas separation means operable to recover hydrogen gas from the anode exhaust and to provide at least a portion of such hydrogen gas for recycle to the anode inlet. The system further includes energy recovery means operable to recover energy from the fuel cell exhaust gases and to provide at least a portion of such recovered energy to drive mechanical loads associated with the operation of the gas separation means, wherein a portion of the recovered hydrogen gas is provided for export from the generation system as hydrogen fuel.

Abstract: A device for generating electric power by means of a fuel cell, comprising: a fuel supply connection (2) for supplying substantially gasous fuel to the fuel cell (1); an air supply (3) connection for supplying to the fuel cell a gas which is at least partially formed by oxygen; an air discharge (4) connection for discharging from the fuel cell the part of the gas which is supplied via the air supply connection and not used in the fuel cell, and an outlet connection (5) for discharging from the fuel cell the reaction products of the fuel cell, wherein the device comprises: a separating device (9, 11) connected to the outlet connection of the fuel cell for separating the combustible gases from the gases supplied via the outlet connection; and a supply device for supplying to the fuel supply connection the combustible gases coming from the separating device.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a hollow main body. This main body is powered by a fuel cell which generates a vapor-containing gas during operation. The vapor-containing gas generated by the fuel cell is made to flow along a predetermined passage by a cooling fan and is discharged from a discharge port formed in the main body.

Abstract: A fuel cell metallic separator adapted to constitute a partition wall between single cells for a fuel cell stack, includes a metallic plate and a resin portion made of a thermoplastic or thermosetting resin. At least either upper and lower peripheral edge portions or left and right peripheral edge portions of the metallic plate are integrally formed with the resin portion. The metallic plate is provided with a passage for fuel gas, oxide gas or coolant for a fuel cell and the resin portion has communication ports provided for allowing fuel gas, oxide gas or coolant to pass therethrough. The metallic plate and the resin portion are formed integrally through injection molding.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a conductive member includes a first conductive sheet molding step by forming a conductive material to have a sheet-shaped structure, a second conductive sheet molding step by forming a conductive material to have a sheet-shaped structure, a resin sheet molding step for molding a resin sheet containing a thermoplastic resin. At least either the first conductive sheet or the second conductive sheet is porous. The method for manufacturing the conductive member further includes an adhering step for adhering the resin sheet, which is sandwiched by the first and second conductive sheets, to the first and second conductive sheets with a heat-press method. The conductive member is used as a separator for use in a fuel cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides conductive carbon nanotube (CNT) electrode materials comprising aligned CNT substrates coated with an electrically conducting polymer, and the fabrication of electrodes for use in high performance electrical energy storage devices. In particular, the present invention provides conductive CNTs electrode material whose electrical properties render them especially suitable for use in high efficiency rechargeable batteries. The present invention also provides methods for obtaining surface modified conductive CNT electrode materials comprising an array of individual linear, aligned CNTs having a uniform surface coating of an electrically conductive polymer such as polypyrrole, and their use in electrical energy storage devices.

Abstract: Methods are provided for easily obtaining a high performance electrode without using an organic solvent for making an ink of an electrode catalyst or a surfactant for making an ink of a water repellent carbon material. The methods of manufacturing an electrode for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprise (a) a step of adhering a polymer electrolyte or a water repellent material to fine electrically conductive particles, and granulating the electrically conductive particles to obtain multinary granules, and (b) a step of depositing the multinary granules in layer form to obtain a catalyst layer or a water repellent layer of an electrode. Apparatus for manufacturing the electrodes, as well as polymer electrolyte fuel cells using the electrodes are also provided.

Abstract: Devices include a plurality of batteries connectable in series and arranged in vertically stacked configurations. Each of the batteries includes opposite first and second lateral faces and a positive terminal and a negative terminal adjacent the first face. The first and second lateral faces each have nesting topography thereon. A first substantially vertically oriented sideplate has nesting topography thereon configured to receive the nesting topography of the first faces of the batteries and an electrical connector connected to a positive terminal of one battery and a negative terminal of an adjacent battery. A second substantially vertically oriented sideplate has nesting topography configured to receive the nesting topography of the second faces of the batteries.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing a high energy density (HED) electrolyte solution for use in an all-vanadium redox cell, a high energy density electrolyte solution, in particular an all-vanadium high energy density electrolyte solution, a redox cell, in particular an all-vanadium redox cell, comprising the high energy density electrolyte solution, a redox battery, in particular an all-vanadium redox battery, comprising the HED electrolyte solution, a process for recharging a discharged or partially discharged redox battery, in particular an all-vanadium redox battery, comprising the HED electrolyte solution, a process for the production of electricity from a charged redox battery, and in particular a charged all-vanadium redox battery, comprising the HED electrolyte, a redox battery/fuel cell and a process for the production of electricity from a redox battery/fuel cell.

Abstract: An air-hydrogen battery with high energy density and satisfactory cycle characteristics is provided.

Abstract: A sealed prismatic battery includes an electrode plate group having positive and negative electrode plates stacked upon one another with a separator interposed therebetween, collectors each connected to a lead portion on either side of the electrode plate group and having one or more connection bosses formed in a middle part thereof, and a battery case, generally rectangular in shape, for accommodating the electrode plate group connected with the collectors. The battery case has a through-hole for the connection boss of the collector to penetrate therethrough via a rubber seal. A battery module includes a plurality of the sealed prismatic batteries, the connection bosses of which are connected to each other.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a plurality of batteries interlocked linearly through a connector. The connector includes an inner peripheral portion to be welded to one battery, and an outer peripheral portion, provided outside the inner peripheral portion, to be welded to the other battery. The inner peripheral portion and the outer peripheral portion have a step in between, and the step places the inner peripheral portion in a concave portion of the connector. The inner peripheral portion of the connector is present inside a caulking convex strip provided to a battery end face of one battery, and connected to the battery end face through welding without coming in contact with the caulking convex strip. The outer peripheral portion is connected to an outer peripheral portion of a battery end face of the other battery through welding.

Abstract: An insulating sleeve 6 made of ceramic hermetically fixed into an opening in a terminal supporting plate 7 in a battery sheath made of metal, a positive terminal 4 made of an aluminum alloy or negative terminal 5 made of a copper alloy is inserted in the insulating sleeve, and a metallic ring is fitted over the positive terminal 4 or negative terminal 5. The inner edge of the metallic ring 11 and the positive terminal 4 or negative terminal 5 are hermetically fixed to each other by an aluminum-based brazing metal 8 or copper-based brazing metal 9, and the outer edge of the metallic ring 11 and the insulating sleeve 6 are hermetically fixed to each other by an aluminum-based brazing metal 8 or copper-based brazing metal 9.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of an electrode formed from at least one electrically conductive polymer having a lower polymerization potential than p-doping peak. The method of manufacture of the electrode including a conditioning step which results in remarkably high charge capacities and excellent cycling efficiency. The provision of these polymeric electrodes further permits the manufacture of an electrochemical storage cell which is substantially free of metal components, thereby improving handling of the storage cell and obviating safety and environmental concerns associated with alternative secondary battery technology.

Abstract: A positive electrode for a lithium-sulfur battery includes a positive active material including a sulfur-based compound, an electrically conductive material, an agent for increasing viscosity, and a binder. The agent is selected from a cellulose-based compound, an ionically conductive polymer, and a mixture thereof. The binder includes styrene-butadiene rubber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a carbon-based active material for a rechargeable lithium battery that is capable of increasing charge and discharge efficiency of the battery.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a powder material comprising a compound which electrochemically intercalates and deintercalates a lithium ion, wherein the powder material is comprised mainly of a compound containing at least an oxygen element, a sulfur element and at least one transition metal element.

Abstract: A cell which is not deteriorated in cell characteristics and which maintains a cell shape encapsulated in a laminate film even when overdischarged to a cell voltage of 0V. The cell includes a cathode containing a compound having the formula LixFe1-yMyPO4, where M is at least one selected from the group consisting of Mn, Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, V, Mo, Ti, Zn, Al, Ga, Mg, B and Nb, with 0.05≦x≦1.2 and 0≦y≦0.8, an anode and a solid electrolyte. An electrode member 1 comprised of the cathode and the anode, layered together with the interposition of a solid electrolyte, is encapsulated in a laminate film 2.

Abstract: The battery electrode plate includes a core member (1) which is densely coated with a mixture paste chiefly including an active material (2). The core member (1) is made of a metal sheet (3), which is formed with rows (8) of first and second bowed portions (4, 7) arranged along one direction (X) of the metal sheet so as to protrude alternately on the front and back sides of the metal sheet, the rows (8) of bowed portions arranged along the direction (Y) orthogonal to the direction (X) with flat parts (9) of a predetermined width interposed between each two rows. The battery electrode plate is produced by any of a reciprocating type continuous press method, a rotary type molding method, and an electrolytic deposition method.

Abstract: A composite electrolyte comprises an inorganic clay material and a dielectric solution having a dielectric constant ranging from about 50 to about 85. The composite electrolyte has an ion transference number ranging from about 0.80 to about 1.00. An electrode comprises a component selected from the group consisting of an inorganic clay filler, a polymer, and mixtures thereof. Batteries and electrochemical cells comprising the above composite electrolytes and electrodes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A photoresist layer is exposed two or more times. One exposure is conducted through a regular mask, and one exposure through a modified mask with a non-clear region extending beyond a convex boundary of the non-clear region of the regular mask. The exposure through the modified mask allows one to reduce the exposure dose used with the regular mask, and thus alleviates the resist overexposure near convex areas of the non-clear pattern of the regular mask. Other embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: A mask useable to direct an electron beam having a cone side and a grade side. The cone side includes a plurality of troughs that extend partially into the mask but do not extend to the grade side. Apertures are formed in the bottoms of the troughs that extend through to the grade side. The apertures are separated by both actual and virtual tie bars. In a preferred embodiment, some of the virtual tie bars extend from the grade side, through the trough to the cone side. The occurrence of these cone side virtual tie bars varies in concentration across the extent of the mask such that the concentration is heavy in areas where clipping is desired, and light in areas where clipping is not desired. In another preferred embodiment, the size, shape and location of the cone side virtual tie bars vary across the extent of the mask to accommodate for the angle of the electron beam travel and the necessity for localized clipping.

Abstract: A method for structuring photoresists and a corresponding photolithography mask utilize a principal structure and an auxiliary structure. In addition to the principal structure to be imaged, the photomask has an imaging auxiliary structure, which improves the imaging of the principal structure. The portions of the imaging auxiliary structure in the photoresist are exposed in a second exposure step and thereby likewise changed into a form that is soluble in a developer. Only the principal structure remains on the substrate after development.

Abstract: A member for a mask film comprising a substrate film transmitting ultraviolet light and a resin layer not transmitting ultraviolet light which is disposed on one face of the substrate film, allows elimination of color by irradiation with a laser beam, has a transmittance of ultraviolet light of 0.1% or smaller and has a thickness of 0.1 to 30 &mgr;m; a process for producing a mask film using the member; and a process for producing a printing plate of a photosensitive resin using the mask film. The mask is advantageously used for preparing a printing plate such as a photosensitive printing plate. The member for a mask provides the mask film by etching with a laser beam.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide manufacturing method of a photomask, the method enabling the provision of a resist pattern photomask which is free from the sticking of foreign matter and has high quality. The manufacturing method of a photomask comprises applying a photoresist directly to a substrate and patterning the photoresist to produce a photomask with a resist pattern, the method further comprising a process of attaching a pellicle to the substrate before inspection processs after forming the resist pattern by carrying out a process of applying the resist to the substrate, an exposure/drawing process and a developing process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photosensitive transfer material comprising a temporary support, a peelable layer, an alkali-soluble thermoplastic resin layer, an intermediate layer and a photosensitive resin layer that are disposed in this order, wherein the bonding strength between the peelable layer and the thermoplastic resin layer is the smallest of all the bonding strengths between neighboring layers.

Abstract: A method of preparing an imaged element useful in lithographic printing comprises:

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive member has a support and a photosensitive layer provided thereon. The photosensitive layer contains a carixarene compound having specific structure. Also disclosed are a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus which have the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

Abstract: A toner for a liquid developer and the like which have low cohesive force and excellent dispersion stability and storage stability and which enable formation of high-quality images and are highly reliable. The toner for a liquid developer comprises an epoxy compound whose epoxy equivalent weight is 1000 or less. An aspect in which the epoxy compound is at least one selected from bisphenol A epoxy resins, novalak epoxy resins, bisphenol F epoxy resins, biphenyl epoxy resins, isocyanate-modified epoxy resins, naphthalene epoxy resins, dicyclo epoxy resins, and brominated epoxy resins, and the like are preferable.

Abstract: A liquid developer and the like which have good storage stability and can enable formation of high-quality images stably over a long period of time. The liquid developer of the present invention comprises: an insulating carrier liquid; toner particles insoluble in the insulating carrier liquid, and containing a colorant and a binder resin; and at least one of a silane coupling agent and an alkoxy-modified silicone. The silane coupling agent has at least one functional group selected from amino groups, methacryloxy groups, epoxy groups, isocyanate groups, mercapto groups, and vinyl groups.

Abstract: A process for producing an electrophotographic light-receiving member having a conductive support and a light-receiving member having a photoconductive layer formed on the surface of the conductive support and composed of a non-single crystal material containing silicon atoms as a main component, hydrogen atoms and/or halogen atoms.

Abstract: A composition includes (A) an alkali-soluble resin having Mw of 1500 to 10000, (B) a quinonediazide ester of, for example, the following formula, and (C) a phenolic compound containing an acid-decomposable group. When a resin film 1 &mgr;m thick is prepared from the alkali-soluble resin (A), the resin film is completely dissolved in 2.38% by weight tetramethylammonium hydroxide aqueous solution at 23° C. within ten seconds.

Abstract: Provided is a polybenzoxazole precursor having a high purity which does not contain ionic by-products.

Abstract: An image forming material includes an image forming layer containing a water-insoluble and alkali-soluble resin, a light-heat converting agent and a compound represented by the following general formula (1). In general formula (1), R1 to R3 independently represent an organic group, where R1 represents a residue forming a ring containing a N1 atom, R2 and R3 may bond to each other to form a ring or at least one of R2 and R3 may bond to R1 to form a ring and X− represents a conjugate base of an organic acid or inorganic acid. The ring containing the N1 atom is preferably a piperidine ring.

Abstract: The negative resist composition comprises (1) a film-forming polymer which is itself soluble in basic aqueous solutions, and contains a first monomer unit with an alkali-soluble group in the molecule and a second monomer unit with an alcohol structure on the side chain which is capable of reacting with the alkali-soluble group, and (2) a photo acid generator which, when decomposed by absorption of image-forming radiation, is capable of generating an acid that can induce reaction between the alcohol structure of the second monomer unit and the alkali-soluble group of the first monomer unit, or protect the alkali-soluble group of the first monomer unit. The resist composition can form intricate negative resist patterns with practical sensitivity and no swelling.

Abstract: A resist material is made of a polymer or copolymer having a cyclic hydrocarbon as a skeletal structure and an alkali-soluble group to which a protective group is attached as a side chain. Because of the protective group, the resist material is insoluble in alkali solution. In addition, an acid generating agent is added to the resist material. When the acid generating agent is irradiated with a radiation ray, an acid is generated from the acid generating agent, and the protective group is detached from the alkali-soluble group by the function of the acid. Therefore, a resist film made of the resist material can be formed in a desired pattern by irradiating the resist film with the radiation ray.

Abstract: A photoresist contains a polymer that has no silicon-containing groups. Consequently, no expulsion of silicon-containing compounds in gaseous form occurs on exposure to short-wave radiation. The polymer is obtained by terpolymerization of a first comonomer having a group cleavable under acid catalysis, a second comonomer having an anchor group, and a monounsaturated hydrocarbon, in which individual carbon atoms of the carbon skeleton may also be replaced by oxygen, as a third comonomer. The polymer has a low glass transition temperature, and the photoresist therefore has a good layer quality on film formation and good structurability.

Abstract: A printing plate for computer-to plate lithography having a laser-ablatable member supported by a substrate. At least one portion of the laser-ablatable member is formed form an acrylic polymer containing laser-sensitive particles. The laser-sensitive particles absorb imaging radiation and cause the portion of the laser-ablatable member containing the laser sensitive particles and any overlying layers to be ablated.

Abstract: A photoreactive resin composition having high sensitivity and causing less gelation, and methods of manufacturing a circuit board and a ceramic multilayer substrate having a high-resolution wiring pattern and via holes by a photolithography process using the photoreactive resin composition are described. The photoreactive resin composition contains an inorganic powder containing a polyvalent metal powder and/or a polyvalent metal oxide powder, an alkali-soluble first polymer having an ethylenically unsaturated double bond, a monomer having an ethylenically unsaturated double bond, a photoreaction initiator, an organic solvent, and a second polymer having a pyrrolidone ring in a side chain.

Abstract: A method for preparing a lithographic printing plate which comprises imagewise exposing to light a presensitized plate useful for making a lithographic printing plate having an intermediate layer and a photosensitive layer on an aluminum substrate in this order and developing the imagewise exposed plate with a developer, wherein said intermediate layer comprises a polymer compound comprising at least a structure unit having an acid group and a structure unit having an onium group and said developer comprises an inorganic alkali salt and a nonionic surfactant having polyoxyalkylene ether group and pH of the developer ranges from 11.0 to 12.7. The method provides a lithographic printing plate, which shows good contrast between an image area and non-image area, no background contamination during printing, good stability with time and good printing durability.

Abstract: Method of on-press developing a thermosensitive lithographic printing member with ink and/or fountain solution is described. The printing member comprises on a substrate a thermosensitive layer soluble or dispersible in ink and/or fountain solution and capable of hardening upon exposure to an infrared radiation. The printing member can be a pre-coated plate or can be prepared on press by coating a thermosensitive layer onto a substrate that is a sheet material or a seamless sleeve mounted on a plate cylinder or is the surface of a plate cylinder of the lithographic press.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting pattern collapse using relacs (resist enhancement lithography assisted by chemical shrink) is disclosed herein. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of forming photoresist patterns by coating relacs material on an underlying layer before coating photoresist material thereon and then heating the layer to inhibit pattern collapse.

Abstract: A resist pattern thickness reducing material has at least one type selected from a water soluble resin and an alkali-soluble resin. A process for forming a resist pattern includes a step for coating the resist pattern thickness reducing material such that the surface of a first resist pattern formed is covered and forming a mixing layer of the resist pattern thickness reducing material and the material of the resist pattern, on the surface of the resist pattern.

Abstract: A developing apparatus for organic electroluminescent display panels comprises a developing unit for supplying a developing solution to be uniformly dispensed to the surface of an organic electroluminescent display panel by immersing the organic electroluminescent display panel into the developing solution or spreading the developing solution over the organic electroluminescent display panel, a cleaning unit having at least a bath connected to the end of the developing unit for spraying a recycled cleaning liquid or cleaning liquid over the organic electroluminescent display panel, a drying unit having at least an airflow driers, and a transporting unit for transporting the electroluminescent display panel; wherein the organic electroluminescent display panel is transported at a constant speed by the transporting unit of the developing apparatus.