Abstract: An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes a composite structure of materials that are formed together in a way which gives the composite structure improved yield strength and thermal conduction capabilities.

Abstract: A transparent conductive film which is amorphous, has a high transmittance of light in the visible region of short wavelengths, and is hard to beak with respect to bending is provided. The transparent conductive film is an amorphous oxide film composed of Ga, In, and O, in which a Ga content ranges from 35 at. % to 45 at. % with respect to all metallic atoms, a resistivity ranges 1.2×10?3 ?·cm to 8.0×10?3 ?·cm a film thickness is 500 nm or less, and a transmittance of light at a wavelength of 380 nm is 45% or more.

Abstract: Multi-ply composite cookware consisting of different metal combinations to include the beauty of copper on the exterior coupled with its excellent heat distribution/conductivity properties within the interior to provide thermally efficient, durable and cosmetically pleasing cookware. In several embodiments of the present invention, a layer of silver is also preferably employed in the interior thereof between adjacent aluminum layers to further improve thermal conductivity.

Abstract: There is provided a high-strength hot rolled steel sheet excellent in phosphatability, wherein a maximum depth (Ry) of pits and bumps, existing on a surface thereof, is not less than 10 ?m, and an average interval (Sm) of the pits and the bumps is not more than 30 ?m, meeting either a requirement for a load length ratio (tp40) of the pits and the bumps on the surface at not more than 20%, or a requirement for a difference between a load length ratio (tp60) and the load length ratio (tp40), at not less than 60%, or both thereof. The high-strength hot rolled steel sheet is capable of exhibiting stable and excellent phosphatability even if Mo highly effective for reinforcement in strength is added thereto in expectation of a higher strength.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and method of manufacturing the semiconductor structure, and more particularly to a semiconductor structure having reduced metal line resistance and a method of manufacturing the same in back end of line (BEOL) processes. The method includes forming a first trench extending to a lower metal layer Mx+1 and forming a second trench remote from the first trench. The method further includes filling the first trench and the second trench with conductive material. The conductive material in the second trench forms a vertical wiring line extending orthogonally and in electrical contact with an upper wiring layer and electrically isolated from lower metal layers including the lower metal layer Mx+1. The vertical wiring line decreases a resistance of a structure.

Abstract: A thin film device and compound having an anode, a cathode, and at least one light emitting layer between the anode and cathode, the at least one light emitting layer having at least one carbon nanotube and a conductive polymer.

Abstract: The light emitting element includes a first electrode and a second electrode, between which a light emitting layer, a hole transporting layer provide in contact with the light emitting layer, an electron transporting layer provided in contact with the light emitting layer, and a mixed layer provided between the electron transporting layer and the second electrode. The mixed layer includes an electron transporting substance and a substance showing an electron donating property with respect to the electron transporting substance. The light emitting layer includes an organometallic complex represented in General Formula (1) and a host. R1 and R2 each represent an electron-withdrawing substituent group. R3 and R4 each represent any of hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. L represents any of a monoanionic ligand having a beta-diketone structure, a monoanionic bidentate chelating ligand having a carboxyl group, or a monoanionic bidentate chelating ligand having a phenolic hydroxyl group.

Abstract: An amino compound for an organic light-emitting device of general formula [1]: wherein X1 is bonded to the pair of fluorenyl groups at meta-positions to each other and is substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring, fused polycyclic ring, or heterocyclic ring; Y1 and Y2 are each substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl, or heterocyclic and are the same or different; Z1 to Z4 are each hydrogen, halogen, or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aralkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, aryl, or heterocyclic and are the same or different; R1 to R4 are each hydrogen, halogen, or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl, or heterocyclic and are the same or different; a and d are each 1 to 4; and b and c are each 1 to 3.

Abstract: An organic electroluminescence device comprising at least an organic layer between a pair of electrodes, wherein the organic electroluminescence device further includes at least an interlocked compound. An organic electroluminescence device exhibiting a high light emission efficiency and excellent driving durability is provided.

Abstract: There are provided a novel fused ring aromatic compound and an organic light-emitting device which has an optical output with extremely high efficiency and luminance, and also has extremely high durability. The organic light-emitting device includes an anode, a cathode, and a layer including an organic compound interposed between the anode and the cathode, wherein the layer comprises a fused ring aromatic compound represented by the general formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, R12, R13, R14, R15, and R16 each represent, independently of one another, a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, a substituted amino group, or a halogen atom.

Abstract: Paving blocks for photocatalytic paving comprising at least a base layer in cementitious material and a surface layer based on a cementitious composition comprising: at least a hydraulic binder, a photocatalyst capable of oxidizing organic and inorganic polluting substances present in the environment in the presence of environmental light, air and humidity, at least an aggregate, water and, optionally, a water reducing additive.

Abstract: Methods and articles are disclosed in which a substrate is provided with a photo-induced hydrophilic surface by forming a photo-induced hydrophilic coating on the substrate by spray pyrolysis, chemical vapor deposition, or magnetron sputter vacuum deposition. The coating can have a thickness of 50 ? to 500 ?, a root mean square roughness of less than 5, preferably less than 2, and photocatalytic activity of less than 3.0×10?3 cm?1 min?1±2.0×10?3 cm?1 min?1. The substrate includes glass substrates, including glass sheets and continuous float glass ribbons.

Abstract: A patterned perpendicular magnetic recording disk has a pre-patterned disk substrate with pillars and trenches arranged in data regions and servo regions. In the data regions, the height of the data pillars is equal to or greater than the spacing between the data pillars, while in the servo regions the height of the servo pillars is less than the spacing between the servo pillars. A magnetic recording material with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy is deposited over the entire disk substrate, which results in magnetic material on the tops of the data pillars and servo pillars and in the servo trenches. The material in the data trenches is either nonmagnetic or discontinuous. After the application of a high DC magnetic field in one perpendicular direction and a low DC magnetic field in the opposite direction, the resulting disk has patterned servo sectors with servo pillars all magnetized in the same perpendicular direction and servo trenches magnetized in the opposite perpendicular direction.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention relates to a magnetic recording medium comprising a coating layer on a nonmagnetic support, wherein the coating layer comprises a nonmagnetic layer comprising a nonmagnetic powder and a binder and a magnetic layer comprising a ferromagnetic powder and a binder in this order, the nonmagnetic support comprises a main component in the form of a resin obtained by mixing and/or copolymerizing a polyester and a polymer having compatibility with the polyester, has a glass transition temperature of equal to or higher than 80° C. but less than 125° C., and has a heat absorption peak, based on enthalpy relaxation, ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 J/g. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: A process for preparing a polymer comprising sulfonating a perfluorocyclobutane polymer with a sulfonating agent to form a sulfonated perfluorocyclobutane polymer, wherein the sulfonating agent comprises oleum, SO3 or a combination thereof is provided. A process for preparing proton exchange membranes and fuel cells comprising the proton exchange membrane are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring and controlling at least one electrochemical cell is disclosed and described, having a cell management device in electrical communication with the electrochemical cell. The cell management device monitors the electrochemical cell and controls electrical input into and output from the electrochemical cell based on a predetermined set of conditions.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for a lithium ion secondary battery and a lithium ion secondary battery using the same are provided. In a sealing tape attached to the outer circumference of the electrode assembly in order to prevent the wound electrode assembly from being unwound, the sealing tape is formed of the material having an affinity for the electrolyte to absorb the electrolyte and to swell or the external or internal surface of the conventional sealing tape is coated with such a material so that, when the sealing tape is impregnated with the electrolyte, the sealing tape swells to attach the electrode assembly and the can to each other and to thus prevent the welding parts of the electrode tabs from being disconnected due to the rotation or floating of the electrode assembly.

Abstract: A rechargeable lithium battery including an electrode assembly having a positive electrode including a positive current collector partially coated with a positive active material to form a positive coated region and a positive uncoated region, a negative electrode including a negative current collector partially coated with a negative active material to form a negative coated region and a negative uncoated region and a separator between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The electrode assembly is spirally wound a plurality of times with the positive uncoated region and the negative uncoated region together forming a core central to the spirally-wound electrode assembly and wound from 3 to 15 times.

Abstract: A secondary battery includes an electrode group 5 formed by winding a positive electrode plate 1 and a negative electrode plate 2 with a separator 3 interposed therebetween. Each of the positive and negative electrode plates 1 and 2 includes a current collector 1 and mixture layers 8 and 9 each containing an active material and formed on the surface of the current collector 1. A plurality of trenches 30 are formed in the surfaces of the mixture layers 8 and 9 of at least one of the positive electrode plate 1 and the negative electrode plate 2. The trenches 30 have curvature portions at side edges 30b and bottom centers 30a thereof.

Abstract: A holding member attached to outer peripheries of a plurality of adjacent cylindrical cell modules which are arranged parallel along axes thereof. Each cell module is formed by a plurality of unit cells serially connected, and the holding member is positioned in the middle of the cell modules along the axes thereof so that a gap is secured between the cell modules. The holding member has a plurality of circular holding portions for respectively holding the cell modules, wherein the holding portions are coupled with each other, and the coupled holding portions have a plurality of divided portions at which the coupled holding portions are divided into two holding bodies, each being fit over the cell modules; and a coupling device for coupling the divided portions positioned between adjacent two of the holding portions.

Abstract: A battery module is provided with a plurality of batteries (10) joined in a straight-line configuration, insulating caps (30) that insulate the series connected batteries (10), and connecting hardware (20, 40) disposed between connected batteries (10) that connect those batteries in series. The insulating cap (30) has an outer insulating region (31) that covers outer surfaces of adjacent batteries (10) connected in series. The connecting hardware (20, 40) has a first welding section (21, 41) that is welded to the end-plane electrode (19) of one battery, a second welding section (22, 42) that is disposed outside the first welding section and is welded to the end-plane electrode of another battery (10), and welding terminals (23, 43) that are disposed outside the outer insulating region (31) of the insulating cap (30) at battery outer surfaces in a manner insulated by the outer insulating region (31).

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a sealed battery having superior performance due to favorable welding of a terminal of a seal cover and a current collector body provided below the seal cover, and a manufacturing method for the sealed battery. In the sealed battery, one of a positive-electrode plate and a negative-electrode plate is electrically connected, via a current collector body, to a terminal of a seal cover which seals an outer can. The current collector body is a single-piece plate member that has a main body and a tab extending from the main body. The tab passes through an insulating ring and bends back such that part of the insulating ring lies between a tip of the tab and the main body of the current collector body. The main body is resistance welded to the electrode assembly, and the bent back tab is resistance welded to the terminal.

Abstract: A packaged battery (60) is provided having a thin film lithium battery cell (62) sealed with a packaging foil or layer (67). The battery cell (60) includes a substrate (61) and an active cell (62) with an anode current collector (65) and a cathode current collector (64). The packaged battery is produced by heat sealing a packaging foil (67) to the exterior surfaces of the active cell (62).

Abstract: A secondary battery including an electrode assembly having a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and a can housing the electrode assembly, the can having an opening on one end. The secondary battery further includes a cap assembly having a cap plate having a terminal hole, the cap plate coupled to the opening of the can, an electrode terminal inserted through the terminal hole, and a terminal plate coupled with an interior end of the electrode terminal. The terminal plate has a placement recess located on an interior-facing surface, the placement recess preventing the interior end of the electrode terminal from protruding past the interior-facing surface of the terminal plate.

Abstract: Provided is a binder for an electrode mix containing a semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) of polyvinyl alcohol and polyurethane, wherein the polyurethane is mixed to crosslink with the polyvinyl alcohol to form semi-IPN, and a lithium secondary battery comprising the same. The binder has superior adhesion to the electrode, excellent electrolyte resistance and improved elongation percentage, and therefore it is possible to prevent exfoliation or separation of electrode active materials from current collectors which occurs during repeated charge/discharge cycles. As a result, the capacity or power out of secondary batteries can be maintained at a constant level.

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery comprises a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and an electrolyte including a molten salt. The positive electrode comprises an electroactive compound including phosphorus, oxygen, lithium, and at least one other metal or semi-metal. The combination of such electrode compositions and a molten salt electrolyte provides a battery with very high thermal stability. Other ions, such as alkal metal ions, may be used in place of lithium ions for applications in other battery technologies.

Abstract: The invention relates to materials for use as electrodes in an alkali-ion secondary (rechargeable) battery, particularly a lithium-ion battery. The invention provides transition-metal compounds having the ordered-olivineor the rhombohedral NASICON structure and the polyanion (PO4)3? as at least one constituent for use as electrode material for alkali-ion rechargeable batteries.

Abstract: Methods for producing an electrode active material precursor, comprising; a) producing a mixture comprising particles of lithium hydrogen phosphate, having a first average particle size, and a metal hydroxide, having a second average particle size; and b) grinding said mixture in a jet mill for a period of time suitable to produce a generally homogeneous mixture of particles having a third average size smaller than said first average size. The precursor may be used as a starting material for making electrode active materials for use in a battery, comprising lithium, a transition metal, and phosphate or a similar anion.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ion-conducting material containing an oligoether sulfate. The material comprises an ionic compound dissolved in a solvating polymer. The ionic compound is a mixture of a lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide and of at least one lithium oligoether sulfate chosen from the lithium oligoether monosulfates corresponding to the formula R—[O—CH2—CH2)]n—O—SO3?Li+(I) in which R is a group CmH2m+1 with 1?m?4 and 2?n?17, and the lithium oligoether disulfates corresponding to the formula Li+O?SO2—O—CH2—[CH2—O—CH2]p—CH2—O—SO2—O?Li+(II) in which 3?p?45; the overall ratio Ot/Lit is less than or equal to 40, Ot representing the total number of O atoms provided by the solvating polymer and by the oligoether; the content of LiTFSI is such that the Ot/LiTFSI ratio is greater than or equal to 20.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrolyte composition consisting of an ionic liquid, a conducting salt, a film former and a viscosity modifier and also to the use of the electrolyte composition of the present invention as an electrolyte material for electrochemical energy storage systems, especially for lithium-metal and lithium-ion batteries.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is described having a fuel cell stack including a PEM fuel cell having an anode and a cathode, the fuel cell stack further including an anode outlet and an anode inlet, a hydrogen storage device in communication with the anode inlet and configured to supply a hydrogen gas to the fuel cell stack, and an accumulation reservoir in communication with the anode outlet of the fuel cell stack. The accumulation reservoir is configured to accumulate a quantity of water and an exhaust stream including the hydrogen gas during a purge event and resupply the exhaust stream to the fuel cell stack after the purge event is complete. The accumulation reservoir can be a second fuel cell stack. A method of operating the fuel cell system is also provided.

Abstract: A novel thermochemical cycle for the decomposition of water is presented. Along with water, hydrogen, and oxygen, the cycle involves an alkali or alkali earth metal based process intermediate and a variety of reaction intermediates. The cycle is driven by renewable energy sources, and can have a maximum operating temperature below 1173 K (900° C.). The kinetics of the cycle are based on the reactant behavior as well as the separability characteristics of the chemicals involved.

Abstract: A catalytic combustion unit for a fuel cell system is provided. The catalytic combustion unit includes a reactor having a porous medium with a catalyst deposited thereon. The reactor is disposed adjacent a heat exchanger and adapted to receive an air stream and a hydrogen stream. The reactor is further adapted to promote an exothermic reaction and modulate a temperature of a fuel cell stack. A fuel cell system and method employing the catalytic combustion unit are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a separator for a fuel cell comprising a resin and a conductive material as constituting components, and sulfonic acid groups imparted to at least one portion at the surface of gas channels by a treatment using a sulfuric acid-containing gas, wherein the resin and the sulfonic acid groups, which are on the surface of the gas channels, are bonded, and a ratio of sulfur atoms in the sulfonic acid groups at the surface of the gas channels as determined by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy is in a range from 0.1 to 4.0 at %, and a method for producing the separator. The separator for a fuel cell of the present invention is excellent in the wettability to water, since sulfonic acid groups are imparted to the resin at the surface of gas channels in the sulfuric acid-containing gas.

Abstract: There is provided a fuel cell system including a supply port, a supply-side main flow path, a discharge-side main flow path, a plurality of branch flow paths, and a discharge port, wherein with respect to each of the branch flow paths, the magnitudes of flow path resistances of predetermined portions of the flow paths satisfy specified mutual relationships. Thereby, a fuel cell system is provided that can effectively expel impurity gas that resides/accumulates in a power generation cell, even at a small flow rate of low-pressure hydrogen gas.

Abstract: A direct oxidation fuel cell (DOFC) system, comprises at least one fuel cell assembly including a cathode and an anode with an electrolyte positioned therebetween; a source of liquid fuel in fluid communication with an inlet of the anode; an oxidant supply in fluid communication with an inlet of the cathode; a liquid/gas (L/G) separator in fluid communication with outlets of the anode and cathode for: (1) receiving unreacted fuel and liquid and gaseous products, and (2) supplying a solution of fuel and liquid product to the anode inlet; and a control system for measuring the amount of liquid product and controlling oxidant stoichiometry of the system operation in response to the measured amount of liquid product. Alternatively, the control system controls the concentration of the liquid fuel in the solution supplied to the anode inlet, based upon the system operating temperature or output power.

Abstract: A conductive and tabular separator is inserted into the gap between the fuel electrode layer of an i-th power generating cell and the oxidizer electrode layer of an (i+l)-th power generating cell adjacent to the fuel electrode layer. A fuel supply passage is so formed on one face of each of these separators that a fuel gas flows radially from almost the center of the fuel electrode layer to its edge. An oxidizer supply passage is so formed on the other face that an oxidizer gas outgoes almost uniformly in a shower toward the oxidizer polar layer. Thus, all of the surfaces of the power generating cells contribute to power generation to increase the frequency of collision between the fuel gas and the fuel electrode layer and that between the oxidizer gas and the oxidizer electrode layer, and to improve the generation efficiency.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is disclosed a high temperature composite insulation assembly for a fuel cell that includes a core portion having inner and outer surfaces. A temperature stable sealant is disposed on the outer surface of the core portion forming a gas retaining mechanically robust insulation assembly. In another aspect, there is disclosed a high temperature composite insulation assembly for a fuel cell that includes a core portion having inner and outer surfaces, and a reinforcing material disposed on the outer surface of the core portion. A temperature stable sealant is disposed on the outer surface of the core portion forming a gas retaining mechanically robust insulation assembly. In another aspect, there is disclosed a high temperature composite insulation assembly for a fuel cell that includes a core portion having inner and outer surfaces and a high temperature refractory material disposed on the inner surface of the core portion.

Abstract: An electrocatalyst for ethanol oxidization includes an elemental mixture containing platinum and ruthenium and at least one element, wherein the foregoing at least one element is selected from the group of tungsten, tin, molybdenum, copper, gold, manganese, and vanadium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a separator for a fuel cell made of a metal plate comprising both a cooling water flow field and a gas flow field formed on each surface thereof, wherein the separator consists of the joined metal plates for the cooling water flow fields to face each other, the surfaces of the joined metal plates are coated with TiN, a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell comprising the separator and a method for manufacturing the separator.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprising an ionically conductive membrane with an electrode. The electrode is disposed adjacent the ionically conductive membrane and an electrically conductive member is disposed adjacent the electrode. The fuel cell further comprises a group of catalyzed particles that is capable of catalyzing a gas phase oxidation reaction and an electrochemical oxidation reaction. The catalyzed particles are disposed on at least one of the electrode and electrically conductive member.

Abstract: The membrane-electrode assembly of the present invention includes an anode and a cathode facing each other, and a polymer electrolyte membrane interposed therebetween. At least one of the anode and the cathode includes an electrode substrate and a metal catalyst layer disposed thereon. The metal catalyst layer includes a metal catalyst and a liquid crystal material.

Abstract: A method of generating a photolithography patterning device for transferring a pattern formed in the patterning device onto a substrate utilizing a lithographic projection apparatus includes defining features within the pattern formed in the device, wherein the features have dimensions and orientations chosen to create a desired image on the substrate during pattern transfer; and adjusting the dimensions of the features to compensate the desired image for displacement and dimension errors introduced by the effective shadow angle of the radiation on the features during pattern transfer or correlated to the position of the features within the exposure slit during pattern transfer.

Abstract: A photomask unit includes a mask substrate having patterns arranged at a pitch P; and a pellicle which protects the mask substrate, wherein the pellicle is configured so that transmittance of incident light of an incident angle ? (0°<?<90°) is higher than transmittance of incident light of an incident angle 0°.

Abstract: A reflective-type mask having a main surface including a pattern region in the main surface, the pattern region including a multilayer reflective film which reflects the exposure light and a first absorber pattern on the multilayer reflective film, the first absorber pattern including a pattern which absorbs the exposure light and corresponds to a pattern to be formed on a wafer, a light shielding region in the main surface for preventing a region on the wafer excluding a predetermined region from being irradiated with the exposure light when the main surface is irradiated with the exposure light for transferring the first absorber pattern to the predetermined region, the light shielding region including a second absorber pattern having a lower reflectivity to the exposure light than the first absorber pattern and being provided in a position differing from a position in which the first absorber pattern is provided.

Abstract: A reflective mask blank for EUV lithography including a substrate having a front surface and a rear surface, a reflective layer formed over the front surface of the substrate, an absorbing layer formed over the reflective layer, and a chucking layer formed on the rear surface of the substrate and positioned to chuck the substrate to an electrostatic chuck. The substrate has a non-conducting portion which eliminates electrical conduction between the reflective layer and the chucking layer and electrical conduction between the absorbing layer and the chucking layer, and the non-conducting portion is formed by forming a portion of the substrate covered with one or more covering members and preventing formation of the reflective layer and the absorbing layer.

Abstract: A method includes forming a resist film on an etching target layer disposed on a test substrate, and performing sequential light exposure with a predetermined test pattern on the resist film sequentially at a plurality of areas, while respectively using different combinations of a light exposure amount and a focus value, along with subsequent development, thereby forming resist patterns at the plurality of areas; then etching the etching target layer, removing the resist patterns, and measuring shapes of etched patterns at the plurality of areas by means of a scatterometory technique; and determining a management span of combinations of a light exposure amount and a focus value admissible to obtain an etched pattern with a predetermined shape, with reference to the light exposure amounts and focus values used in the sequential light exposure, the line widths of the resist patterns, and the line widths of the etched patterns.

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

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 an oxadiazole.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photoreceptor, including an electroconductive substrate; an intermediate layer, located overlying the electroconductive substrate; and a photosensitive layer, located overlying the intermediate layer, wherein the intermediate layer includes a N-alkoxymethylated nylon including a component having a molecular weight not greater than 5,000 in an amount of from 3 to 10% by weight.