Abstract: It is an object to provide an optical transparent member capable of maintaining a high-performance antireflection effect for a base over a long period of time, and an optical system using the same, specifically an optical transparent member including on a base a layer containing SiO2 as a main component, a layer containing Al2O3 as a main component, and a plate crystal layer formed from plate crystals containing Al2O3 as a main component, wherein the surface of the plate crystal layer has a shape of irregularities, and an optical system using the same.

Abstract: Polymerization of siloxane is improved using a gypsum-based slurry that includes stucco, Class C fly ash, magnesium oxide and an emulsion of siloxane and water. This slurry is used in a method of making water-resistant gypsum articles that includes making an emulsion of siloxane and water, then combining the slurry with a dry mixture of stucco, magnesium oxide and Class C fly ash. The slurry is then shaped as desired and the stucco is allowed to set and the siloxane polymerizes. The resulting product is useful for making a water-resistant gypsum panel having a core that includes interwoven matrices of calcium sulfate dihydrate crystals and a silicone resin, where the interwoven matrices have dispersed throughout them a catalyst comprising magnesium oxide and components from a Class C fly ash.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery. The rechargeable battery is constructed with a bare cell, a protective circuit board electrically connected to the bare cell, a lead plate located between the bare cell and the protective circuit board, and a combining case covering an upper end of the bare cell, the protective circuit board and the lead plate. The lead plate is constructed with a first plate electrically connected to the protective circuit board, a second plate electrically connected to the bare cell, and an inside bending part connected between the first plate and the second plate. The first plate of the lead plate is bent around the inside bending part at 180 degrees such that the bare cell is coupled with the protective circuit board in parallel. Therefore, a distance between the bare cell and the protective circuit is reduced, and the capacity per volume of the rechargeable battery is increased.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, an anode reactant source and a shut-off valve that selectively prohibits anode reactant flow from the anode reactant source to the fuel cell stack through a conduit. A control module initiates closure of the shut-off valve to prohibit anode reactant flow through the conduit and determines a shutdown schedule based on a residual mass of the anode reactant within the conduit. The control module operates the fuel cell system using the residual mass and based on the shutdown schedule.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for evaluating the properties of hydrogen to improve the safety of hydrogen fuel, and provides a method for selecting proper odorants for hydrogen. Odorized hydrogen containing suitable odorants in appropriate concentrations with hydrogen are also provided.

Abstract: A fuel cell has an anode and a cathode with anode enzyme disposed on the anode and cathode enzyme is disposed on the cathode. The anode is configured and arranged to electrooxidize an anode reductant in the presence of the anode enzyme. Likewise, the cathode is configured and arranged to electroreduce a cathode oxidant in the presence of the cathode enzyme. In addition, anode redox hydrogel may be disposed on the anode to transduce a current between the anode and the anode enzyme and cathode redox hydrogel may be disposed on the cathode to transduce a current between the cathode and the cathode enzyme.

Abstract: A power generator comprising a hydrogen generator and a fuel cell stack having an anode exposed to hydrogen from the hydrogen generator and a cathode exposed to an ambient environment. Hydrophobic and hydrophilic layers are used to promote flow of water away from the cathode. A diffusion path thus separates the fuel cell cathode from the hydrogen generator. In one embodiment, water vapor generated from the fuel cell substantially matches water used by the hydrogen generator to generate hydrogen.

Abstract: To provide a small-sized fuel cell system capable of providing a mode having a simple constitution preventing power generation of a fuel cell in an overload state, preventing a deterioration in the fuel cell system and providing a stable output from the fuel cell in the fuel cell system constituting a power source by the fuel cell. Overload states of all of single cells constituting a fuel cell are detected and an output of the fuel cell is controlled such that when the overload state is detected, the output of the fuel cell is cut or a cell in the overload state is recovered to a normal power generating state.

Abstract: An improved fuel cell is described. The invention addresses the problem of mechanical failure in thin electrolytes. One embodiment varies the thickness of the electrolyte and positions at least either the anode or cathode in the recessed region to provide a short travel distance for ions traveling from the anode to the cathode or from the cathode to the anode. A second embodiment uses a uniquely shaped manifold cover to allow close positioning of the anode to the cathode. Using the described structures results in a substantial improvement in fuel cell reliability and performance.

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane comprises a hybrid inorganic-organic polymer that includes implanted metal cations. Acid groups are bound to the hybrid inorganic-organic polymer through an interaction with the implanted metal cations. An example process for manufacturing a proton exchange membrane includes sol-gel polymerization of silane precursors in a medium containing the metal cations, followed by exposure of the metal-implanted hybrid inorganic-organic polymer to an acid compound.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane for a direct oxidation fuel cell includes a porous polymer supporter having a plurality of pores, and a hydrocarbon fuel diffusion barrier layer which is formed on the polymer supporter and contains an inorganic additive dispersed in a cation exchange resin.

Abstract: In order to create a fuel cell unit, comprising a cathode-anode-electrolyte unit and a contact plate which is in electrically conductive contact with the cathode-anode-electrolyte unit, which requires only small production resources and is thus suitable for large-scale production it is suggested that the fuel cell unit comprise a fluid guiding element which is connected to the contact plate in a fluid-tight manner, forms a boundary of a fluid chamber having fluid flowing through it during operation of the fuel cell unit and is designed as a shaped sheet metal part.

Abstract: In a lithium secondary battery of the present invention, the positive electrode includes a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material layer carried on the positive electrode current collector, the negative electrode includes a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material layer carried on the negative electrode current collector, a heat-resistant layer is formed on the negative electrode, and an insulating tape is attached onto at least a part of the exposed portion of the positive electrode current collector that is opposite to the end of the negative electrode active material layer. Thus, by forming the heat-resistant layer on the negative electrode and attaching the insulating tape onto a part of the exposed portion of the positive electrode current collector, it is possible to efficiently provide a lithium secondary battery exhibiting high safety.

Abstract: A cylindrical lithium ion secondary battery includes a center pin fabricated with an inexpensive material and having a coating layer formed on the outer surface of the center pin. The cylindrical lithium ion secondary battery includes an electrode assembly having the center pin inserted through the center of the electrode. A case is provided for housing the electrode assembly and an electrolyte. A cap assembly seals the case. The center pin includes a body formed from a metallic material and a coating layer is formed on the outer surface of the body.

Abstract: A battery cover assembly includes a battery cover (20), a housing (10), and a locking member (30). The battery cover has a receiving hole (16) defined therein. The receiving hole is located proximate one end of the battery cover. The housing has a locking groove (184) defined in one end thereof. The locking member has an operating portion (32) and a latching tab (34). The operating portion is rotatably mounted in the receiving hole of the battery cover. The latching tab extends from one side of the operating portion. The latching tab is configured so as to be releasably lockable in the locking groove of the housing.

Abstract: Cooling air intake port (52), cooling air exhaust port (55), and securing walls (86, 87), which contact and secure the side surfaces of one or more battery cells (72), may be defined within two battery pack housing halves (50, 80). When battery pack (99) is assembled, at least one cooling air passage (91, 92) is defined by the side surfaces of the battery cells, the interior surface of the battery pack housing, and the securing walls. The cooling air passage connects the cooling air intake port to the cooling air exhaust port. Further, the securing walls isolate or physically separate the cooling air passage from battery terminals (72a, 72b). By forcing cooling air through the cooling air passage, the battery cells can be effectively and efficiently cooled.

Abstract: The separator-electrode units comprise a porous electrode which is useful as a positive electrode (cathode) or negative electrode (anode) in a lithium battery and a separator layer applied to this electrode and are characterized in that the separator-electrode units comprise a purely inorganic separator layer which comprises at least two fractions of metal oxide particles which differ from each other in their average particle size and/or in the metal. More particularly, the separator layer comprises metal oxide particles having an average particle size (Dg) which is greater than the average pore size (d) of the pores of the porous positive electrode that are bonded together by metal oxide particles having a particle size (Dk) which is smaller than the pores of the porous electrode.

Abstract: A battery pack includes multiple power bus lines connecting a quantity of cell strings in parallel, wherein each cell string includes multiple cells connected in series. The battery pack further has multiple conductors providing electrical communication between the cell strings such that a cell in one cell string is connected in parallel with a cell in other battery strings.

Abstract: A microbattery has a support having a front face, a rear face, first and second current collectors arranged on the front face. A stack including a cathode and an anode separated by an electrolyte is arranged on the current collectors. The anode and cathode respectively contact the first and second current collectors. A protective layer covers the stack. The microbattery has connections in contact with the first and second current collectors, passing through the support from the front face to the rear face. The stack substantially covers of the front face of the support. A method for producing the mircobattery includes etching cavities, in the front face of the support, having a depth that is smaller than the thickness of the support, filing of the cavities with a conducting material and removing a layer of the rear face of the support to uncover the conducting material in the cavities.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The negative electrode contains a negative electrode active material. The negative electrode active material has a lithium ion insertion potential of 0.4V (vs. Li/Li+) or higher and a pore diameter distribution in which a median diameter is not smaller than 1 ?m and a mode diameter is not larger than 1/10 of the median diameter. The pore diameter distribution is measured by mercury porosimetry.

Abstract: A composition, method of its preparation, and zinc electrodes comprising the composition as the active mass, for use in rechargeable electrochemical cells with enhanced cycle life is described. The electrode active mass comprises a source of electrochemically active zinc and at least one fatty acid or a salt, ester or derivative thereof, or an alkyl sulfonic acid or a salt ester or derivative thereof. The zinc electrode is assumed to exhibit low shape change and decreased dendrite formation compared to known zinc electrodes, resulting in electrochemical cells which have improved capacity retention over a number of charge/discharge cycles.

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery includes a positive electrode that includes a current collector that includes a positive electrode comprising a current collector and an active material comprising a material selected from the group consisting of LiCoO2, LiMn2O4, LiNixCoyNi(1?x?y)O2, LiAlxCoyNi(1?x?y)O2, LiTixCoyNi(1?x?y)O2, and combinations thereof. The battery also includes a negative electrode that includes a current collector and an active material comprising a lithium titanate material. The current collector of the negative electrode includes a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, titanium, silver, and combinations thereof. The battery is configured for cycling to near-zero-voltage conditions without a substantial loss of battery capacity.

Abstract: A battery capable of improving the energy density and cycle characteristics is provided. A cathode active material layer contains a complex oxide containing Li and Co as a cathode active material. An anode active material layer contains a CoSnC containing material containing Sn, Co, and C as an element, in which the content of C is from 16.8 wt % to 24.8 wt %, and the ratio of Co to the total of Sn and Co is from 30 wt % to 45 wt % as an anode active material. The surface density ratio of the cathode active material layer to the anode active material layer (surface density of the cathode active material layer/surface density of the anode active material layer) is from 2.77 to 3.90.

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery includes a cathode that includes an active cathode material. The active cathode material includes a cathode mixture that includes a lithium cobaltate and a manganate spinel a manganate spinel represented by an empirical formula of Li(1+x1)(Mn1?y1A?y2)2?x2Oz1. The lithium cobaltate and the manganate spinel are in a weight ratio of lithium cobaltate:manganate spinel between about 0.95:0.05 to about 0.55:0.45. A lithium-ion battery pack employs a cathode that includes an active cathode material as described above. A method of forming a lithium-ion battery includes the steps of forming an active cathode material as described above; forming a cathode electrode with the active cathode material; and forming an anode electrode in electrical contact with the cathode via an electrolyte.

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery includes a cathode that includes an active cathode material. The active cathode material includes a cathode mixture that includes a lithium cobaltate and a manganate spinel a manganate spinel represented by an empirical formula of Li(1+x1)(Mn1-y1A?y2)2-x2Oz1 or Li(1+x1)Mn2Oz1. The lithium cobaltate and the manganate spinel are in a weight ratio of lithium cobaltate:manganate spinel between about 0.9:0.1 to about 0.6:0.4. A lithium-ion battery pack employs a cathode that includes an active cathode material as described above. A method of forming a lithium-ion battery includes the steps of forming an active cathode material as described above; forming a cathode electrode with the active cathode material; and forming an anode electrode in electrical contact with the cathode via an electrolyte.

Abstract: A negative electrode for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell includes a current collector an, formed on a surface or both surfaces thereof, an active material structure containing an electroconductive material with a low capability of forming a compound with lithium, and the active material structure includes 5% to 80% by weight of active material particles containing a material having a high capability for forming a compound with lithium. The active material structure can include an active material layer containing the active material particles and a surface-covering layer on the active material layer.

Abstract: A redox chemical shuttle comprising an aromatic compound substituted with at least one tertiary carbon organic group and at least one alkoxy group (for example, 2,5-di-tert-butyl-1,4-dimethoxybenzene) provides repeated overcharge protection in rechargeable lithium-ion cells.

Abstract: A method for forming a reinforced rigid anode monolith and fuel and product of such method.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fuel cell system according to the invention comprising; a material gas feeder (1); a reformer (3); a fuel cell (4); a combustor (5); communication passages (6A-6E); and a controller (20), wherein during a shutdown period of the fuel cell (4), the controller (20) determines whether the fuel cell system is in a normal condition where a shutdown operation of the fuel cell (4) is performed; and wherein if the controller (20) determines that the fuel cell system is not in the normal condition, the controller (20) controls the material gas feeder (1) to execute a material gas feed process before a next ignition of the combustor (5), the material gas feed process being performed such that the material gas is supplied to a hydrogen-containing gas flow path constituted by the reformer (3) and the communication passages (6A-6E) located between the reformer (3) and the combustor (5).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermal control of air flow in a fuel cell system, capable of accurately controlling the temperature of the air stream entering the water vapor transfer unit, maintaining a desired temperature set-point, and minimizing the time required for the air stream to reach the optimum operating temperature.

Abstract: A direct methanol fuel cell is described. The DMFC uses a solid electrolyte that prevents methanol crossover. Optional chemical barriers may be employed to prevent CO2 contamination of the electrolyte.

Abstract: An electrically conductive porous body for a fuel cell has a porous metal body and an electrically conductive layer that is disposed on one surface side of the porous metal body and that has gas permeability, wherein at least a part of the one surface side of the porous metal body is buried into one surface side of the electrically conductive layer, and wherein the flatness of the other surface side of the electrically conductive layer, into which the porous metal body is not buried, is higher than the flatness of the one surface side of the porous metal body. Sufficient contact surface area is obtained between the porous metal body and the membrane electrode assembly, without applying pressure to the porous metal body. It is therefore possible to achieve a low contact resistance with the membrane electrode assembly, without causing a change in the internal condition of the porous metal body.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprises: a cell plate (11; 110; 110A, 110B); an electroconductive gas separator (13; 130; 130A; 130B) which cooperates with the cell plate, to form a gas passage; and a holder member (15; 150; 150A; 150B) which holds a part of the cell plate. The cell plate includes a supporting body (37; 370; 370A; 370B), and a cell (39; 390; 390A; 390B) formed on the supporting body. The cell includes a solid electrolyte (43), a cathode substance layer (45) formed on one surface of the solid electrolyte, and an anode substance layer (41) formed on the other surface of the solid electrolyte.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrically conductive member for electrically connecting a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells in series and/or parallel to assemble a fuel-cell stack. The electrically conductive member according to the present invention comprises a metal sheet having a three-dimensional porous structure of a continuous skeleton. The electrically conductive member according to the present invention is three-dimensionally strong and is highly elastic and resilient. Therefore, the thickness of the electrically conductive member can be easily re-regulated in the regulation of spacing between the fuel cells. Further, even after baking or power generation, the electrically conductive member is not sintered, and separation easily takes place in the folded interface, and, thus, excellent maintainability can be realized.

Abstract: There is provided a fuel cell in which produced water can be efficiently conveyed to an upstream region of hydrogen gas flow, thereby quickly increasing the power generation performance of an electrolyte membrane after activation in a short period of time and giving a stable output for a long period of time and in which the directions of hydrogen gas flows in a first and a second fuel supply layers that share one oxygen supply layer are set to be opposite to each other.

Abstract: Proposed is a PEM fuel cell that comprises a separator plate assembly with a charging chamber, which is partitioned off by a partition wall and via charging spots has a fluid connection to an adjoining cathode chamber. The partition wall is designed so that the depths of the charging channels in the charging chamber and the depths of the distribution channels in the adjoining cathode chambers change in such a way that the quantity of oxidant that is charged at a charging spot from the charging chamber into the cathode chamber can be fixed in advance. As a result, the charging of oxidant, which has not been humidified or only slightly, into the cathode chamber can be improved with regard to the curve of the relative humidity along the cathode. Also proposed is a method for manufacturing a separator plate assembly suitable for a PEM fuel cell.

Abstract: A photomask set includes at least two masks that combine to form a device pattern in a semiconductor device. Orthogonal corners may be produced in a semiconductor device pattern to include one edge defined by a first mask and an orthogonal edge defined by a second mask. The mask set may include a first mask with compensation features and a second mask with void areas overlaying the compensation features when the first and second masks are aligned with one another, such that the compensation features are removed when patterns are successfully formed from the first and second masks. The compensation features alleviate proximity effects during the formation of device features.

Abstract: A mask for crystallizing silicon includes a first, a second, and a third pattern part arranged in a longitudinal direction, each of the first, second, and third pattern parts including a plurality of unit blocks for transmitting and blocking a portion of light. At least two of the first, second and third pattern parts have a corresponding pattern to each other. Advantageously, scans using the aforementioned mask effectively remove a boundary on the silicon formed by the difference in the amount of laser beam irradiation received by the silicon, thereby improving electronic characteristics of the silicon.

Abstract: A photomask comprises a transparent substrate, a peripheral pattern formed on the transparent substrate along a contour of a target pattern to be transferred onto a wafer, and an assist pattern disposed inside the peripheral pattern. The photomask has the assist pattern formed inside the target pattern, thereby preventing the assist pattern from being undesirably on the target pattern. In addition, the method can fabricate the assist pattern in a complicated structure which cannot be realized by the conventional technique, so that it can be applied to any kinds of patterns.

Abstract: A phase-shift mask for forming a pattern includes a glass substrate and a pattern, a first phase-shift region, a second phase-shift region and a third phase-shift region on the glass substrate. The first phase-shift region and the second phase-shift region are alternately arranged and the third phase-shift regions are formed at the terminal ends of the first phase-shift region.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a color filter layer is provided. First, an active device array substrate having an opaque metal pattern formed thereon is provided. Next, a back-side exposure process is performed on the active device array substrate using the opaque metal layer as a mask to form a black matrix defining a plurality of pixel regions. Next, a plurality of color filter patterns is formed in the pixel regions.

Abstract: A color filter substrate includes a transparent substrate, a first and second reflective layers, a spacer layer, and an interference layer. The spacer layer is interposed between the two reflective layers and includes a plurality of first, second and third regions that are distinguished from one another according to their respective thicknesses, where the first, second and third regions overlap red, green and blue pixel portions, respectively. An interference layer is formed on the second reflective layer at positions overlapping the red pixel portions.

Abstract: A photoresist composition includes a coloring agent, a binder resin, a cross-linker, a photo-polymerization initiator and a solvent. The coloring agent includes an anthraquinone-based dye and a pigment. A color filter formed from the photoresist composition has a relatively greater light-transmittance. Thus, a contrast of a display apparatus having the color filter may be improved.

Abstract: A method of determining an exposure dose for writing a pattern using an electron beam writer determines a target dose in the exposure region to obtain a predetermined energy deposition in a specific position of the exposure region, the predetermined energy deposition being larger than a reference energy deposition in the non-exposure region. The target dose is locally increased in a marginal region of the exposure region (the marginal region being adjacent the exposure boundary) to a value that obtains an energy deposition in the marginal region higher than the predetermined energy deposition. Optionally, the target dose can be locally decreased in an intermediate region of the exposure region (the intermediate region being adjacent the marginal region) to a value that obtains an energy deposition in the intermediate region smaller than the predetermined energy deposition. Also provided is an exposure device for carrying out the method.

Abstract: An imaging member including a substrate; thereover a charge generating layer; thereover a first charge transport layer comprising a small molecule charge transport material and a polymeric component selected from the group consisting of polyarylamine polyester, polyacylamine, and mixtures and combinations thereof; and a second charge transport layer disposed over the first charge transport layer, the second charge transport layer comprising a small molecule charge transport material and a binder, wherein the second charge transport layer is free of polyarylamine polyester and polyacylamine.

Abstract: Disclosed is an imaging member comprising a conductive substrate, a photogenerating layer comprising a photogenerating material in contact with the substrate, a first charge transport layer in contact with the photogenerating layer, the first charge transport layer comprising a charge transport material and a polymer containing carboxylic acid groups or groups capable of forming carboxylic acid groups, and a second charge transport layer in contact with the first charge transport layer, the second charge transport layer comprising a charge transport material and a hydroquinone antioxidant, wherein the first charge transport layer is situated between the second charge transport layer and the photogenerating layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an imaging member comprising a conductive substrate, a photogenerating layer comprising a photogenerating material in contact with the substrate, a first charge transport layer in contact with the photogenerating layer, the first charge transport layer comprising a charge transport material and an organic phosphate or organic phosphonite antioxidant, and a second charge transport layer in contact with the first charge transport layer, the second charge transport layer comprising a charge transport material and a hydroquinone antioxidant, wherein the first charge transport layer is situated between the second charge transport layer and the photogenerating layer.

Abstract: A photoconductive imaging member including at least a charge generating layer, a charge transport layer, and an overcoat layer. The overcoat layer includes a cured or substantially crosslinked product of at least a phenol compound and a charge transport compound.

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

Abstract: An electrostatic latent image toner in which the quantity within the toner of alkyl carboxylate esters formed from a carboxylic acid containing from approximately 3 to 5 carbon atoms and an alkyl group containing from approximately 3 to 5 carbon atoms is no more than approximately 4 ppm.