Abstract: A structural insulated panel, which includes a carbon foam core having a high ratio of compressive strength to density, desirable fire retardant properties, and resistance to environmental stress. The carbon foam structural insulated panel also includes a first layer and a second layer bound to a first surface and second surface of the carbon foam core. Applications of the carbon foam structural insulated panel include structural and fire retardant elements of residential and commercial buildings, aircraft and also watercraft.

Abstract: Disclosed is an active energy ray-curable coating composition containing (A) 10 to 70% by mass of a poly(meth)acrylate of a mono- or polypentaerythritol; (B) 5 to 50% by mass of (B-1) a polyester type aliphatic urethanedi(meth)acrylate compound which is obtained by reacting an aliphatic isocyanate compound, a caprolactone-modified polyester diol, and an acrylate having a hydroxyl group, (B-2) a compound represented by formula (2), or (B-3) a polyether type urethane di(meth)acrylate compound having two (meth)acryloyloxy groups in a molecule, wherein, in the case that component (B) is component (B-3), component (A) contains at least one caprolactone-modified (meth)acryloyloxy group; (C) 5 to 70% by mass of a poly[(meth)acryloyloxyalkyl](iso)cyanurate represented by formula (3) or (4); and (D) 0.1 to 10% by mass of a photopolymerization initiator. The active energy ray-curable coating composition can form a cured film excellent in weatherability, mar resistance, and adhesion to a base material.

Abstract: An extreme low resistivity light attenuation anti-reflection coating structure with a surface protective layer includes a substrate, a coating module, and a composed protection coating layer. The coating module is formed on a front surface of the substrate. The coating module is composed of a plurality of silicon carbide compound coating layers and a plurality of metal coating layers that are alternately stacked with each other. The composed protection coating layer is formed on the coating module.

Abstract: A light-shielding paste which contains a thermoplastic resin and an inorganic member as essential components or which contains a thermosetting resin and an inorganic member as essential components is provided. A curable composition and light-shielding paste comprising the composition are provided which contains, as essential components, (A) an organic compound comprising an organic main chain containing at least two carbon-carbon double bonds reactive with a SiH group in each molecule, (B) a silicon compound having at least two SiH groups in each molecule, (C) a hydrosilylation catalyst, (D) a silane coupling agent and/or an epoxy group-containing compound, (E) a silanol condensation catalyst, and (F) an inorganic member. The curable composition can further contain (G) silica. Also provided is a method of forming a light-shielding resin layer on a LED package having an aperture comprising a bottom and sidewalls. The curable composition is excellent in light-shielding ability.

Abstract: A bearing apparatus includes a coil spring having a center portion in which a wire is wound at a predetermined pitch, and end turn portions arranged at both end portions of the center portion. Each of the end turn portions is formed by winding the wire at least three turns with a pitch which is smaller than the predetermined pitch of the center portion. A bearing member has a main body with an opening for supporting a shaft, and a connecting portion for connecting the coil spring to the main body. The main body and the connecting portion are integrally formed from a resin material by molding, and the end turn portion of the coil spring is connected to the connecting portion through molding of the main body and the connecting portion. The connecting portion of the bearing member has an inner connecting portion which protrudes into an inside of the end turn portion of the coil spring, and an outer connecting portion which surrounds an outside area of the end turn portion of the coil spring.

Abstract: A fluorescent ink composition comprising functionalized fluorescent nanocrystals, an aqueous-based ink carrier comprising water or a water-based solution, and a binder. Also provided are methods of providing an image or a security mark on a substrate for subsequent identification by applying a fluorescent ink composition onto the substrate.

Abstract: An organic EL device which drives over a wide range from low brightness to high brightness for light source applications, operates stably over a wide range of brightness and has excellent life property is provided. The device comprises at least one pair of electrodes 2 and 5, and a plurality of functional layers disposed between the electrodes 2 and 5, the functional layers comprising a layer 4 having the light emitting function, which is composed of at least one polymeric material and contains an organic solvent and a charge injection layer 3 composed of at least one inorganic material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluorene compound having a novel substituent, and the fluorene compound is represented by the following formula [1]:

Abstract: Disclosed is an organic light emitting device. The organic light emitting device comprises a first electrode, organic material layer(s) comprising a light emitting layer, and a second electrode. The first electrode, the organic material layer(s), and the second electrode form layered structure and at least one layer of the organic material layer(s) include the compound of Formula 1 or the compound of Formula 1 into which a thermosetting or photo-crosslinkable functional group is introduced.

Abstract: A layer system that filters sun and heat can be applied to glass by a vacuum coating process. The system comprises at least one series of metal layers in addition to a respective series of lower dielectric layers and a respective series of upper dielectric layers. At least one series of metal layers and one series of upper and lower dielectric layers are configured as a sandwich system, wherein one metal layer is encapsulated by an upper and a lower intermediate layer consisting of hypostoichiometrically nitrided or oxidized metal of the metal layer and sandwich systems of the series of layers contain individual sandwich layers of a stoichiometric and hypostoichiometric oxide or nitride of a metal or semiconductor. An oxygen or nitrogen deficit of the sandwich layers increases towards a neighboring sandwich system and the oxide and nitride layers are produced in a vacuum coating process.

Abstract: A turbine engine component is provided which has a substrate and a thermal barrier coating applied over the substrate. The thermal barrier coating comprises alternating layers of yttria-stabilized zirconia and a molten silicate resistant material. The molten silicate resistant outer layer may be formed from at least one oxide of a material selected from the group consisting of lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, scandium, indium, zirconium, hafnium, and titanium or may be formed from a gadolinia-stabilized zirconia. If desired, a metallic bond coat may be present between the substrate and the thermal barrier coating system. A method for forming the thermal barrier coating system of the present invention is described.

Abstract: A battery device includes a battery set, and a casing; the casing includes a right covering part and a left covering part, which are joined together to provide a holding room for the battery set; the battery set include at least two batteries, and are held in the casing with positive and negative poles thereof being exposed through front and tail ends of the casing respectively; a socket is held in the casing, and electrically connected with the positive and the negative poles of the battery set; thus, after a plug of a charger is inserted in the socket, the single-part batteries together will be charged through the charger without the battery device being located on the charger.

Abstract: (EN) The inventive system for thermal control of a fuel cell system mounted on a motor vehicle comprises a fluid heat carrier flow loop (BC) for thermally controlling a fuel cell (PAC), means for supplying said fuel cell (PAC) with oxygen (GCA) and hydrogen (R) and an electronic control unit (UCE) which is provided with an estimator (EST) for the temperature (Ts) of the fuel cell solid elements.

Abstract: In a solid-oxide fuel cell assembly comprising a plurality of components having electrically-conductive mating surfaces therebetween, the surfaces are sealed by an electrically insulating gasket that include a mineral composition comprising about 66 mol % MgO and about 33 mol % SiO2, the mineral composition being known mineralogically as forsterite. A brazing alloy may be applied to enhance bonding of the gasket into place. The gasket composition may include additions of Al2O3 to enhance electrical resistivity while having little to no impact of matching expansion coefficients of the gasket and metal mating surfaces. Also, additions such as titania or zirconia to inhibit glassy phase grain boundaries and the formation of impurities and pores in the ceramic grain boundaries may be used. A recommended particle size distribution of precursor powders is disclosed that leads to an optimum microstructure of the sintered gasket.

Abstract: Polymer ion-exchange membranes having outstanding electrical conductivity, water retention and oxidation resistance are produced by the steps of uniformly mixing an organic high-molecular weight resin with functional inorganics having the abilities to promote graft polymerization of polymerizable monomers, adsorb water and conduct protons, irradiating the resulting functional inorganics/polymer membrane to initiate graft polymerization or graft copolymerization of polymerizable monomers having functional groups, and then introducing sulfonic acid groups into the graft chains.

Abstract: A valve mechanism is disclosed, the valve mechanism including a rotor and stator adapted for selectively providing a flow of hydrogen to and selectively bleeding the hydrogen from a plurality fuel cell stacks.

Abstract: A direct organic fuel cell includes a fluid fuel comprising formic acid, an anode having an electrocatalyst comprising palladium nanoparticles, a fluid oxidant, a cathode electrically connected to the anode, and an electrolyte interposed between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: A battery pack capable of sufficiently exhibiting performance of each secondary battery constituting the battery pack and its producing method are provided. The battery pack producing method of the invention comprises an obtaining process for obtaining a charge amount voltage curve C during charging and a charge amount voltage curve D during discharging, a selecting process for selecting more than one of the used secondary batteries close to each other in curves C and D from a group of the used secondary batteries whose curves C and D have been obtained, and an assembling process for combining the selected used secondary batteries to constitute the battery pack.

Abstract: Electrode protection in electrochemical cells, and more specifically, electrode protection in both aqueous and non-aqueous electrochemical cells, including rechargeable lithium batteries, are presented. In one embodiment, an electrochemical cell includes an anode comprising lithium and a multi-layered structure positioned between the anode and an electrolyte of the cell. A multi-layered structure can include at least a first single-ion conductive material layer (e.g., a lithiated metal layer), and at least a first polymeric layer positioned between the anode and the single-ion conductive material. The invention also can provide an electrode stabilization layer positioned within the electrode, i.e., between one portion and another portion of an electrode, to control depletion and re-plating of electrode material upon charge and discharge of a battery.

Abstract: A power disconnection apparatus includes a soft-shell Li ion battery and a power disconnection device. The soft-shell Li ion battery includes anode pin and a cathode pin and a soft shell enclosing the soft-shell Li ion battery. The power disconnection device includes a panel attaching to the surface of the shell of the soft-shell Li ion battery and a separation unit arranged at topside of the panel and corresponding to one of the anode pin and the cathode pin. The shell has expansion when the soft-shell Li ion battery is over-charged and the panel is move away from the soft-shell Li ion battery. Therefore, the separation unit disconnects power to the anode pin or the cathode pin.

Abstract: Lithium rechargeable batteries having functional center pins are provided. A lithium rechargeable battery has a center pin whose top and bottom ends are blocked by a thermal cut-off composition to reduce the void volume inside a bare cell during initial overcharge. The thermal cut-off composition melts at a temperature within a specific temperature range, e.g. between about 80 and about 250° C. This prevents the battery from exploding and igniting. Thus, the inventive lithium rechargeable batteries have improved thermal stability.

Abstract: A battery having an electrode with at least one nanostructured surface is disclosed wherein the nanostructured surface is divided into cells and is disposed in a way such that an electrolyte fluid of the battery is prevented from contacting the portion of electrode associated with each cell. When a voltage is passed over the nanostructured surface associated with a particular cell, the electrolyte fluid is caused to penetrate the nanostructured surface of that cell and to contact the electrode, thus activating the portion of the battery associated with that cell. The current/voltage generated by the battery is controlled by selectively activating only a portion of the cells. Multiple cells can be active simultaneously to produce the desired voltage. The more cells that are active, the higher the current/voltage and the lower the overall life of the battery. The life of the battery can be extended by activating fewer cells simultaneously.

Abstract: Disclosed is a secondary battery. The secondary battery includes a battery can serving as a positive electrode terminal or a negative electrode terminal of the secondary battery, an electrically conductive substrate provided at an outer portion of the battery can, and a nonconductive film interposed between the battery can and the electrically conductive substrate in order to insulate the electrically conductive substrate from the battery can, wherein the electrically conductive substrate is electrically connected to an electrode terminal having polarity opposite to that of the battery can. Safety of the secondary battery is ensured even if the secondary battery is subject to external parameters, such as penetration of a sharp tool (e.g. a nail or a drill tip), pressing force of a tool (e.g. a nipper), external impact, and exposure to the high temperature.

Abstract: A microporous composite membrane comprising a microporous polyolefin membrane and a polypropylene-based coating layer formed on at least one surface of the microporous polyolefin membrane, the polypropylene having a mass-average molecular weight within a range of 5,000-500,000, and solubility of 0.5 g or more in 100 g of toluene at a temperature of 25° C., and the microporous composite membrane having air permeability (converted to the value at 25-?m thickness) of 50-10,000 seconds/100 cc.

Abstract: An electrode assembly including a first electrode strip having a first electrode collector coated with at least a first electrode active material, an exposed portion of the first electrode collector attached with a first electrode tab; a second electrode strip having a second electrode collector coated with at least a second electrode active material and is rolled together with the first electrode strip, an exposed portion of the second electrode collector is attached with a second electrode tab; and at least one inter-electrode strip separator is positioned between the first and second electrode strips, wherein at least one sheet of protective separator, which is extended from the inter-electrode strip separator, is further positioned on a side of the first electrode strip attached with the first electrode tab.

Abstract: A sequence or array of electrochemical cells storing both digital and analog data. Both binary code and codes having a higher base may be stored in the memory device to increase information density. Such battery arrays could also provide power for the micro or nanodevice. Devices are microscale and nanoscale in size and utilize an electrical crossbar system to record and read data stored in the device.

Abstract: The lithium-ion secondary battery has a portion where a thickness of a sealing member from a surface of an outer package to a surface of a lead in a laminating direction of electrode bodies on one side of the lead differs from that on the other side of the lead such that two leads connected to each electrode body are arranged within the same plane perpendicular to the laminating direction of the electrode bodies. The electrode bodies are laminated in the outer package such as to yield portions where only one of the planar leads of a first electrode body overlaps one of the planar leads of a second electrode body in the laminating direction of the electrode bodies in the opening part of the outer package.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in a cell which is normally susceptible to damage from overcharging comprised of a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and an electrolyte comprised of an overcharge protection salt carried in a carrier or solvent. Representative overcharge protection salts are embraced by the formula: MaQ where M is an electrochemically stable cation selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, tetraalkylammonium, or imidazolium groups, and Q is a borate or heteroborate cluster and a is the integer 1 or 2.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell, comprising: a first electrode structure formed from a sheet of electrode material folded along a plurality of spaced apart intervals to form a U-fold structure having a plurality of spaced apart double-layer sections; and a second electrode structure spaced apart from and operatively disposed between the plurality of spaced-apart double layer sections of the first electrode structure.

Abstract: Coagulated particles of nickel-cobalt-manganese hydroxide wherein primary particles are coagulated to form secondary particles are synthesized by allowing an aqueous solution of a nickel-cobalt-manganese salt, an aqueous solution of an alkali-metal hydroxide, and an ammonium-ion donor to react under specific conditions; and a lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese-containing composite oxide represented by a general formula, LipNixMn1-x-yCoyO2-qFq (where 0.98?p?1.07, 0.3?x?0.5, 0.1?y?0.38, and 0?q?0.05), which is a positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary cell having a wide usable voltage range, a charge-discharge cycle durability, a high capacity and high safety, is obtained by dry-blending coagulated particles of nickel-cobalt-manganese composite oxyhydroxide formed by making an oxidant to act on the coagulated particles with a lithium salt, and firing the mixture in an oxygen-containing atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and devices for humidifying the proton exchange membranes of fuel cells with water obtained from the exhaust of the fuel cells. Humidifying methods include the following steps: cooling the hot and humid exhaust of the fuel cell to condense the water in the exhaust with the intake gas for the fuel cell; separating the water from the rest of the exhaust, and, delivering the water to the intake gas of the fuel cell. Humidifying devices include an outer shell containing a rotating inner shell. The inside of the inner shell forms a chamber where the exhaust is collected and cooled, and water is condensed and separated by the rotation of the inner shell. Openings on the inner shell allow the condensed water to pass through to one or more chambers containing the intake gas. The chambers are formed by the inside of the outer shell and the outside of the inner shell.

Abstract: A water purification system includes a fuel cell stack, a steam generator, and a water purification unit. The fuel cell stack is adapted to provide heat to the steam generator and the steam generator is adapted to provide steam to the water purification unit.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a fuel cell apparatus includes a cell stack of an active direct methanol type, and a DC-DC converter configure to receive output voltage of the cell stack and to control an output current of the cell stack so that the output voltage of the cell stack becomes greater than a lower-limit threshold Vt and the output current of the cell stack lies in a range of I1 to I2 (<I1).

Abstract: A fuel cell having an anode, a cathode and an ion exchange membrane is supplied by hydrogen fuel through an anode fuel delivery conduit. A recirculation loop is provided to recycle gases in the fuel delivery conduit to a mixing point where a controlled flow rate of fuel is supplied and mixed therewith. Any oxidant species remaining in the fuel delivery conduit are thereby combusted in a controlled manner to avoid damage to the fuel cell membrane-electrode assembly. Small quantities of oxidant may be deliberately introduced into the fuel delivery conduit to generate water vapor and heat to pre-condition the fuel delivered to the anode. Such preconditioning assists in hydration control of the membrane, and temperature control of the membrane-electrode assembly for optimum fuel cell performance.

Abstract: A fuel cell unit includes an array of solid oxide fuel cell tubes having porous metallic exterior surfaces, interior fuel cell layers, and interior surfaces, each of the tubes having at least one open end; and, at least one header in operable communication with the array of solid oxide fuel cell tubes for directing a first reactive gas into contact with the porous metallic exterior surfaces and for directing a second reactive gas into contact with the interior surfaces, the header further including at least one busbar disposed in electrical contact with at least one surface selected from the group consisting of the porous metallic exterior surfaces and the interior surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods for producing a nano-porous gas diffusion media, compositions thereof, and devices comprising the same. The nano-porous gas diffusion media of the invention is produced using photolithographic techniques to create a solid substrate comprising a plurality of nano-scale (1 nm-300 ?m) pores or holes that allow for the diffusion or exchange of molecules, gases, and/or liquids through the substrate. The nano-porous diffusion media of the invention also displays superior electro- and thermal conductivity, and increased durability and performance. In some embodiments, the nano-porous diffusion media of the invention is also coated with a self-assembling monolayer (SAM) of organic molecules to further improve its physical characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a manufacturing method of an anode for a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), an anode, and a SOFC, in which an anode is formed by stacking sheets having a plurality of holes, and the holes are used as gas diffusion paths through which fuel gas can be facilely diffused, and some of the holes are filled with a reinforcement member or a current collecting member, thereby improving a cell strength and increasing a current collecting performance and thus an efficiency of the SOFC.

Abstract: The present invention provides solid alkaline fuel cells comprising anion exchange membranes which comprise diamines or polyamines coupled to a support polymer via a sulfonamide linkage. At least one nitrogen atom of the diamine or polyamine is a quaternized nitrogen atom acting as an anion exchange group. The anion exchange membrane exhibits favourable properties that render it suitable for use in a solid alkaline fuel cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrolyte membrane which enables a fuel cell to have a high maximum output when used therein since it has high proton conductivity and high hydrogen gas impermeability. Also disclosed are a method for producing such an electrolyte membrane, and a solid polymer fuel cell using such an electrolyte membrane. A method for producing an electrolyte membrane including a step for impregnating a porous base with a solution containing a sulfonic acid group-containing vinyl monomer and then polymerizing the monomer is characterized in that 80% by mole or more of vinyl sulfonic acid having purity of 90% or more, and/or a salt thereof is contained as the sulfonic acid group-containing vinyl monomer, and the concentration of the vinyl sulfonic acid and/or a salt thereof in the solution is set at 35% by weight or more.

Abstract: A fuel cell electrode having excellent power generation capability which includes a catalyst layer, a gas diffusion layer and a water-repellent layer interposed therebetween. The water-repellent layer has a uniform thickness. One surface of the water-repellent layer is bonded to the catalyst layer. The other surface of the water-repellent layer faces the gas diffusion layer. The catalyst layer and the water-repellent layer are in intimate contact with each other and have substantially no interstice therebetween.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for processing a two layer mask for use in fabrication of semiconductor devices whereby the critical dimension (CD) of a semiconductor device being fabricated with the mask can be controlled. After forming a carbon mask layer and a silicon containing photoresist layer on the carbon mask, a two-step process forms openings in the carbon mask layer, as required for subsequent device fabrication. The structure is placed in a plasma processing chamber, and an oxygen plasma is employed to partially etch the carbon layer. The oxygen plasma reacts with silicon in the photoresist to form a hard silicon oxide layer on the surface of the photoresist. A hydrogen plasma is then employed to complete the etch through the carbon layer with a reduced critical dimension. Damage to the silicon containing photoresist layer is kept to a minimum during the plasma etch process by limiting the low frequency RF power.

Abstract: A method of repairing a photomask with a depression defect includes providing a photomask including a depression defect on a transparent substrate, forming a protection layer which covers the depression defect, etching a predetermined depth of the transparent substrate of the photomask with the protection layer as the etch mask, and removing the protection layer and the transparent substrate under the unetched protection layer, wherein a defect free photomask is produced.

Abstract: An exposure system includes a exposure tool for projecting an image of a mask pattern onto a first resist with test values of a dose to form test resist patterns, a microscope for defining coordinates of mask positions along the mask pattern in a scan direction, measuring actual values of a mask line width of the mask pattern at the coordinates, and measuring actual values of a resist line width of each of the test resist patterns at projected positions, a collection module for collecting a relationship among the mask line width, the resist line width, and the dose at the coordinates, and a tool controller for controlling the exposure tool to project the image of the mask pattern onto a second resist with changing the dose depending on the coordinates to make the resist line width constant, based on the relationship.

Abstract: A photoconductor containing an optional supporting substrate, a containing photogenerating layer, at least one thiophosphate containing charge transport layer, and a top overcoating crosslinked polymer layer in contact with and contiguous to the charge transport layer.

Abstract: A photoconductor containing a thiophosphate photogenerating layer, and at least one charge transport layer, and a top polymeric overcoating layer in contact with and contiguous to a charge transport layer.

Abstract: A photoconductor comprising a supporting substrate, a photogenerating layer, and at least one charge transport layer comprised of at least one charge transport component, and where the photogenerating layer contains a triazole.

Abstract: A photoconductor that includes, for example, a supporting substrate, a photogenerating layer, and at least one charge transport layer containing at least one charge transport component, and wherein the charge transport layer also contains a thiadiazole.

Abstract: A toner is provided including a binder resin, a colorant, and a release agent, which has a volume average particle diameter (Dv) of from 3 to 9 ?m, and wherein the binder resin and the release agent form a sea-island structure in which the island formed of the release agent is dispersed in the sea formed of the binder resin in a cross-sectional image of the toner obtained by a transmission electron microscope (TEM), and the following relationships are satisfied: IB>IA and IB>IC, wherein each of IA, IB, and IC represents an area ratio (%) of the island in an outermost region (A) of the cross-sectional image of the toner, an intermediate region (B) thereof located under the outermost region (A), and an innermost region (C) thereof located under the intermediate region (B); and a method of preparing the toner.

Abstract: A transparent toner to be used for a transparent toner image formed with a color toner image, wherein a thermoplastic resin constituting the transparent toner is made of a resin obtained by melt-mixing a crystalline polyester resin and an amorphous resin under the conditions such that supposing that T0 (° C.) is the temperature at which the visual reflectance Y of 20 ?m thick film formed by the resin obtained by melt-mixing the crystalline polyester resin and the amorphous resin for a period of time t0 (minute) is 1.5%, the melt-mixing temperature is T (° C.) and the melt-mixing time is t (minute), T (° C.) is predetermined to be from T0 to (T0+30), t (minute) is predetermined to be from t0 to (10×t0) and the temperature T? at which the viscosity of the thermoplastic resin is 103 Pa·s is from 70° C. to 110° C.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image bearing member for bearing a latent electrostatic image including a substrate, an intermediate layer containing a metal oxide, a photosensitive layer including a charge transport layer and a charge generating layer containing an organic charge genetrating material, an image forming device for forming the latent electrostatic image on the image bearing member, a developing device for developing the latent electrostatic image with a toner to form a visualized image, a transfer device for transferring the visualized image to a recording medium, a fixing device for fixing the transferred image on the recording medium; and a discharging device including a light source that provides light having a wavelength shorter than 500 nm for optically discharging the image bearing member to remove remaining charges thereon by irradiating the image bearing member with light having a wavelength shorter than 500 nm which is absorbed by the metal oxide in the intermediate layer.