Abstract: Lithium rich and manganese rich lithium metal oxides are described that provide for excellent performance in lithium-based batteries. The specific compositions can be engineered within a specified range of compositions to provide desired performance characteristics. Selected compositions can provide high values of specific capacity with a reasonably high average voltage. Compositions of particular interest can be represented by the formula, xLi2MnO3.(1?x)LiNiu+?Mnu??CowAyO2. The compositions undergo significant first cycle irreversible changes, but the compositions cycle stably after the first cycle.

Abstract: An electrode plate for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprises a current collector, and an electrode active material layer formed on at least part of the surface of the current collector. The electrode active material layer contains a particulate electrode active material and a binding material. The binding material is made of an amorphous metal oxide that does not cause alkaline metal ion intercalation and deintercalation reactions.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprises a current collector, and an electrode active material layer formed on at least part of the surface of the current collector. The electrode active material layer contains a particulate electrode active material and a binding material. The binding material is made of a crystalline metal oxide that does not cause alkaline metal ion intercalation and deintercalation reactions.

Abstract: An electrode plate for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a current collector, and an electrode active material layer formed on at least part of the surface of the current collector. The electrode active material layer contains a particulate electrode active material, a binding material, and carbonic matter distinct from conductive materials. The binding material is a crystalline metal oxide that does not cause alkaline metal ion intercalation and deintercalation reactions.

Abstract: An electrode plate for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a current collector, and an electrode active material layer formed on at least part of the surface of the current collector. The electrode active material layer contains a particulate electrode active material, a binding material, and carbonic matter distinct from conductive materials. The binding material is a amourphous metal oxide that does not cause alkaline metal ion intercalation and deintercalation reactions.

Abstract: Lithium salts with fluorinated chelated orthoborate anions are prepared and used as electrolytes or electrolyte additives in lithium-ion batteries. The lithium salts have two chelate rings formed by the coordination of two bidentate ligands to a single boron atom. In addition, each chelate ring has two oxygen atoms bonded to one boron atom, methylene groups bonded to the two oxygen atoms, and one or more fluorinated carbon atoms bonded to and forming a cyclic bridge between the methylene groups.

Abstract: A secondary battery capable of improving the cycle characteristics is provided. The secondary battery includes a cathode and an anode oppositely arranged with a separator in between, and an electrolytic solution. At least one of the cathode, the anode, the separator, and the electrolytic solution contains a sulfone compound having a carbonate group and a sulfonyl group.

Abstract: The sudden generation of heat being frequently caused in the case of the overcharge of a lithium secondary cell which have a positive electrode comprising a composite metal oxide of lithium and cobalt or a composite metal oxide of lithium and nickel, a negative electrode comprising metallic lithium, a lithium alloy or a material capable of occluding and releasing lithium, and a nonaqueous electrolyte solution comprising a nonaqueous solvent and an electrolyte dissolved therein can be efficiently prevented by the addition, to the nonaqueous electrolyte solution, of an organic compound which, when the lithium secondary cell is overcharged, decomposes into a decomposition product capable of dissolving out the cobalt or nickel contained in the positive electrode and depositing it ion the negative electrode (for example, a tert-alkylbenzene derivative).

Abstract: A system for a vehicle having an engine with an exhaust comprises a fuel cell coupled in the engine exhaust wherein the fuel cell has an output circuit; a battery coupled with the fuel cell; and a controller receiving a signal indicative of an electric output of the fuel cell output circuit, and adjusting one of the fuel amount and the air amount supplied to the engine in response to said signal to affect air-fuel ratio of the exhaust of the engine.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electrical power storage system using hydrogen includes a power generation unit generating power using hydrogen and oxidant gas and an electrolysis unit electrolyzing steam. The electrical power storage system includes a hydrogen storage unit storing hydrogen generated by the electrolysis and supplying the hydrogen to the power generation unit during power generation, a high-temperature heat storage unit storing high temperature heat generated accompanying the power generation and supplying the heat to the electrolysis unit during the electrolysis, and a low-temperature heat storage unit storing low-temperature heat, which is exchanged in the high-temperature heat storage unit and generating with this heat the steam supplied to the electrolysis unit.

Abstract: The present invention is a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Reforming Power System that utilizes adiabatic reforming of reformate within this system. By utilizing adiabatic reforming of reformate within the system the system operates at a significantly higher efficiency than other Solid Oxide Reforming Power Systems that exist in the prior art. This is because energy is not lost while materials are cooled and reheated, instead the device operates at a higher temperature. This allows efficiencies higher than 65%.

Abstract: The present invention includes a fuel cell (11), a fuel gas supplying device (16), an oxidizing gas supplying device (17) and a control apparatus (20) and further includes at least one of a temperature control device (19) which controls the temperature of the fuel cell (11) and a humidifying device (24) which humidifies at least one of the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas to be supplied to the fuel cell (11), wherein: the control apparatus (20) controls at least one of the temperature control device (19), the humidifying device (24), the fuel cell (11) and the fuel gas supplying device (16) to cause the temperature of the fuel cell (11) to be equal to at least one of the dew point of the fuel gas and the dew point of the oxidizing gas, before cutting off an electrical connection between the fuel cell (11) and a load; and then the control apparatus (20) cuts off the electrical connection between the fuel cell (11) and the load.

Abstract: A fuel cell system having a fuel cell for causing reactant gas to be electrochemically reacted to generate power, a reactant gas supply path for supplying reactant gas to the fuel cell, a reactant gas recirculation path for recirculating exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell and combining the recirculating exhaust gas with reactant gas flowing through the reactant gas supply path to the fuel cell, and a pump unit disposed in the reactant gas recirculation path to pump the recirculating exhaust gas through the reactant gas recirculation path. A pump-tempering apparatus increases the temperature of the pump unit and a controller controls the pump-tempering apparatus. After the controller receives a fuel cell system stop signal, the controller controls the pump-tempering apparatus such that the temperature of the pump unit becomes higher than the temperature of piping in the reactant gas recirculation path.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly is disclosed that utilizes a water transport structure extending from fuel cell plates of the assembly into fuel cell assembly manifolds, wherein the water transport structure facilitates the transport of liquid water from the fuel cell plates thereby minimizing the accumulation of liquid water and ice in the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A seal structure is disclosed for forming a substantially fluid tight seal between a UEA and a plate of a fuel cell system, the seal structure including a sealing member formed in one fuel cell plate, a seal support adapted to span feed area channels in an adjacent fuel cell plate, and a seal adapted to cooperate with a UEA disposed between the fuel cell plates, the sealing member, and the seal support to form a substantially fluid tight seal between the UEA and the one fuel cell plate. The seal structure militates against a leakage of fluids from the fuel cell system, facilitates the maintenance of a velocity of a reactant flow in the fuel cell system, and a cost thereof is minimized.

Abstract: To obtain a nonwoven fabric which is excellent in the heat resistance and the chemical resistance, of which the fiber diameter is small, and which is excellent in the mechanical strength at a temperature at which it is used; and an electrolyte membrane which is excellent in the dimensional stability when it is swollen by water, and of which an increase in the resistance by a reinforcing material is suppressed. A nonwoven fabric 28 containing fibers 26 of an ethylene/tetrafluoroethylene copolymer having a storage elastic modulus E? at 25° C. of at least 8×108 Pa and a melt viscosity measured at 300° C. of higher than 60 Pa·s and at most 300 Pa·s, wherein the average fiber diameter of the fibers is from 0.01 to 3 ?m; and an electrolyte membrane reinforced by the nonwoven fabric 28.

Abstract: A nano-patterned membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is provided, which includes an electrolyte membrane layer having a three-dimensional close-packed array of hexagonal-pyramids, a first porous electrode layer, disposed on a top surface of the electrolyte membrane layer that conforms to a top surface-shape of the three-dimensional close-packed array of hexagonal-pyramids, and a second porous electrode layer disposed on a bottom surface of said electrolyte membrane layer that conforms to a bottom surface-shape of the three-dimensional close-packed array of hexagonal-pyramids, where a freestanding nano-patterned MEA is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) for electrochemical devices, in particular for membrane fuel cells. The membrane-electrode assembly has a semi-coextensive design and comprises an ion-conducting membrane, two catalyst layers and gas diffusion layers of differing sizes on the front side and rear side. The first gas diffusion layer has smaller planar dimensions than the ion-conducting membrane, while the second gas diffusion layer has essentially the same planar dimensions as the ion-conducting membrane. As a result, the ion-conducting membrane has a surface which is not supported by a gas diffusion layer on the front side. The membrane-electrode assembly has, owing to the particular construction, a stable structure which can be handled readily and displays advantages in the sealing of the reactive gases from one another and also in terms of the electrical properties. In particular, the hydrogen penetration current is significantly reduced.

Abstract: A power system for an aircraft includes a solid oxide fuel cell system which generates electric power for the aircraft and an exhaust stream; and a heat exchanger for transferring heat from the exhaust stream of the solid oxide fuel cell to a heat requiring system or component of the aircraft. The heat can be transferred to fuel for the primary engine of the aircraft. Further, the same fuel can be used to power both the primary engine and the SOFC. A heat exchanger is positioned to cool reformate before feeding to the fuel cell. SOFC exhaust is treated and used as inerting gas. Finally, oxidant to the SOFC can be obtained from the aircraft cabin, or exterior, or both.

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 separator suction device for a fuel cell, having a suction plate and a suction pump. A fuel cell separator is placed on the suction plate. The fuel cell separator has flow paths formed as grooves and ridges on one side of thereof and also has a gasket that is a seal member placed around the flow paths. The suction plate attracts the fuel cell separator by suction. The suction pump sucks the fuel cell separator through suction openings formed in the suction plate. The suction plate has a suction groove which receives the gasket and which has a suction opening formed in it. Further, the suction plate preferably has the suction openings at positions where the ridges of the fuel cell separator are to be placed and is made of an elastic material.

Abstract: A membrane-electrode assembly constructed with an anode and a cathode facing each other, and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed therebetween. At least one of the anode and the cathode includes an electrode substrate that includes a carbon fiber based sheet coated with micro-carbons and a catalyst layer disposed on the electrode substrate with the micro-carbons contacting the catalyst layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a support for a planar fuel cell core, produced using a material permeable to the fuel of the cell, and sealed over at least one of its outer faces.

Abstract: A lithographic pellicle comprises a pellicle film (1), a pellicle frame (3), and a PSA layer (4). The pellicle film (1) is stretched across and mounted to the pellicle frame (3) at its top end. The PSA layer (4) is disposed on the bottom end of the frame (3) and is capable of attaching the frame (3) to a substrate (5). An inner PSA layer (8) made of a curable composition comprising a perfluoro compound having a perfluoro structure backbone is disposed on the inner wall of the frame (3).

Abstract: A reflection type photomask blank includes: a substrate; a multilayer reflection film formed on the substrate for reflecting exposure light; a protection film formed on the multilayer reflection film for protecting the multilayer reflection film; an absorber layer for absorbing the exposure light on the protection film; and a shock absorbing film formed between the absorber layer and the protection film, with a resistance to etching which is performed when an exposure transfer pattern of the absorber layer is formed, in which the protection film is: a compound including Zr and Si; a compound including Zr, Si, and at least either one of O and N; or a single element or a compound including at least any one of Ru, C, and Y.

Abstract: Provided are a coating liquid for forming an undercoat layer exhibiting high stability, a process for forming the coating liquid, a high-performance electrophotographic photoreceptor that is capable of forming a high-quality image under various use environments and exhibiting reduced image defects such as black spots and color spots, and an image-forming apparatus and electrophotographic cartridge including the electrophotographic photoreceptor. In the coating liquid for forming an undercoat layer of an electrophotographic photoreceptor containing metal oxide particles and a binder resin, the metal oxide particles have a number average particle diameter of 0.10 ?m or less and a 10% cumulative particle diameter of 0.060 ?m or less which are measured by a dynamic light-scattering method in the coating liquid for forming an undercoat layer.

Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to layer(s) that are useful in imaging apparatus members and components, for use in electrophotography, including digital, apparatuses. More particularly, the present embodiments provide the negatively charged electrophotographic imaging members with a novel cross-linked charge blocking undercoat layer, which is created to comprise of a binary composition of melamine and formaldehyde or a triple composition consisting of a hydroxyl functional acrylic polyol binder and a methylolation of melamine-formaldehyde, and methods for making the same. The charge blocking layer provides stabilized cyclic photo-electrical properties, enhanced mechanical adhesion bonding, and improved copy print out quality for service life extension.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides violet toners and methods for their production. In embodiments, methods of the present disclosure include systems which may be utilized to predict the color properties of a violet toner, thereby permitting adjustment of the pigment loading and/or target mass per unit area.

Abstract: Coated phosphorescent pigments are provided which may be utilized in toner compositions. In embodiments, the phosphorescent pigment may be coated by a powder coating process. The large pigment particles may be dry blended with dried resin latex particles, thereby coating the pigment surface, followed by heating and shearing in a rotary kiln or extruder to melt the toner resin and fuse it to the pigment surface. The resulting coated particles may be utilized with other toners, in embodiments color toners, to provide phosphorescent images.

Abstract: A chemical toner is described as well as methods of preparing the same.

Abstract: A polymerized toner is provided. The polymerized toner has cores containing polyvinylidene fluoride particles. The polyvinylidene fluoride particles have an average particle diameter of 1.1 to 1.5 ?m and a melting temperature (Tm) of 140 to 160° C. The polyvinylidene fluoride particles are distributed at a higher concentration near the surface of the cores. This distribution improves the affinity of the cores for silica as an external additive to achieve an increased amount of surface charge and improved transfer efficiency of the polymerized toner. Further provided is a method of producing the polymerized toner.

Abstract: A positively charged developer for development of electrostatic images, comprising positively charged toner particles and an external additive, wherein the positively charged toner particles are colored resin particles composed of aggregated and fusion-bonded particles of fine binder resin particles and fine colorant particles and having a shape factor SF-1 of 115 to 150 and a shape factor SF-2 of 110 to 140, and the external additive is an external additive containing positively charged inorganic particles subjected to a hydrophobization treatment with an amino group-containing compound, and a production process thereof.

Abstract: A toner composition with a novel surface additive package for developing images. The additive package includes sol-gel silica, a PDMS silica, an organic spacer such as PMMA and HMDS silica. The toner composition exhibits improved control of voltage, higher print density, lower toner amount remaining on the roll, lower toner usage, and reduced drum contamination. The toner composition also exhibits improved dry theological properties. These improved properties make this toner composition useful for higher speed printing while using less toner.

Abstract: There is provided a toner for electrostatic latent image developing, which includes a binder resin; a carbon black-surface treated with an isocyanate compound including a plurality of isocyanate groups which include one or more isocyanate groups that are not bonded to the carbon black; and a release agent having an acid value of about 5 mgKOH/g or higher and/or a hydroxyl value of about 5 mgKOH/g or higher.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides processes for producing resins suitable for use in forming toner compositions. In embodiments, the processes described herein comprise formation of latexes, including latexes for use in toners, produced without use of solvents.

Abstract: A resist composition for immersion lithography of the present invention includes a resin component (A) which exhibits changed alkali solubility under the action of acid; and an acid generator component (B) which generates acid on exposure, wherein the resin component (A) includes a resin (A1) containing a fluorine atom and no acid-dissociable group, and a resin (A2) containing a structural unit (a?) derived from an acrylic acid and no fluorine atom.

Abstract: A sulfonium salt has formula (1) wherein R1 is a monovalent hydrocarbon group except vinyl and isopropenyl, R2, R3, and R4 are alkyl, alkenyl, oxoalkyl, aryl, aralkyl or aryloxoalkyl or may bond together to form a ring with the sulfur atom, and n is 1 to 3. A chemically amplified resist composition comprising the sulfonium salt is capable of forming a fine feature pattern of good profile after development due to high resolution, improved focal latitude, and minimized line width variation and profile degradation upon prolonged PED.

Abstract: Methods of forming electronic devices are provided. The methods involve alkaline treatment of photoresist patterns and allow for the formation of high density resist patterns. The methods find particular applicability in semiconductor device manufacture.

Abstract: A substrate for use in a lithographic projection apparatus. The substrate includes a sealing coating that covers at least a part of a first interface between two layers on the substrate, or between a layer and the substrate, and does not extend to a central portion of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for reducing a photoresist critical dimension, the method comprising depositing a photoresist film on a substrate, wherein the photoresist film includes a thermal base generator; patterning the photoresist film to form a first patterned film possessing a first critical dimension; depositing a crosslinkable film over the first patterned film; heat-activating the first patterned film, either before or after depositing the crosslinkable film, to release a base in the first patterned film and cause crosslinking in the crosslinkable film in contact with the first patterned film; and developing the crosslinkable film to remove non-crosslinked soluble portions therein to form a second patterned film possessing a reduced critical dimension compared to the first critical dimension.

Abstract: Metrology systems and methods for lithography processes are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a mask having a plurality of corner rounding test patterns formed thereon. A first semiconductor device is provided, and a layer of photosensitive material of the first semiconductor device is patterned with a plurality of corner rounding test features using the mask and a lithography process. An amount of corner rounding of the lithography process is measured by analyzing the plurality of corner rounding test features relative to other of the plurality of corner rounding test features formed on the layer of photosensitive material of the semiconductor device. The lithography process or the mask is altered in response to the amount of corner rounding measured, and a second semiconductor device is provided. The second semiconductor device is affected using the altered lithography process or the altered mask.

Abstract: Environmentally friendly thick film layers for a micro-fluid ejection head and micro-fluid ejection heads are disclosed. The environmentally friendly thick film layer includes a negative photoresist layer derived from a composition comprising a multi-functional epoxy compound, a low molecular weight polymeric difunctional epoxy compound, a monomeric difunctional epoxy compound, a methide-based photoacid generator that does not contain antimony, a chromophore and an aryl ketone solvent. Optionally the photoresist layer contains an adhesion enhancer. The negative photoresist layer is environmentally friendly and provides good resolution, well defined critical dimensions, straight side walls, and a large processing window.

Abstract: The method of patterning a photosensitive layer includes providing a substrate including a first layer formed thereon, treating the substrate including the first layer with cations, forming a first photosensitive layer over the first layer, patterning the first photosensitive layer to form a first pattern, treating the first pattern with cations, forming a second photosensitive layer over the treated first pattern, patterning the second photosensitive layer to form a second pattern, and processing the first layer using the first and second patterns as a mask.

Abstract: In a chemically amplified resist composition comprising a base resin, an acid generator, and a solvent, 1,400-5,000 pbw of the solvent is present per 100 pbw of the base resin, and the solvent comprises at least 60 wt % of PGMEA and ethyl lactate, and 0.2-20 wt % of a high-boiling solvent. A resist pattern is formed by coating the resist composition on a substrate, prebaking, patternwise exposure, post-exposure baking, development, and heat treatment.

Abstract: A method of forming a resist pattern, including: forming a resist film on a substrate using a resist composition containing a base component (A) which exhibits decreased solubility in an organic solvent under action of an acid and an acid-generator component (B) which generates an acid upon exposure, conducting exposure of the resist film, and patterning the resist film by a negative tone development using a developing solution containing an organic solvent, wherein the base component (A) includes a resin component (A1) containing a structural unit (a1) derived from an acrylate ester containing an acid decomposable group which exhibits increased hydrophilicity by the action of an acid and a structural unit (a0) derived from an acrylate ester containing an —SO2— containing cyclic group.

Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming patterns in which a block copolymer-containing composition is formed over a substrate, and is then patterned to form a first mask. The block copolymer of the composition is subsequently induced into forming a repeating pattern within the first mask. Portions of the repeating pattern are then removed to form a second mask from the first mask. The patterning of the block copolymer-containing composition may utilize photolithography. Alternatively, the substrate may have regions which wet differently relative to one another with respect to the block copolymer-containing composition, and the patterning of the first mask may utilize such differences in wetting in forming the first mask.

Abstract: This invention relates, e.g., to a method for detecting the presence of lymph node metastases in a subject having papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), comprising measuring in a sample from the subject the amount of expression (e.g., the amount of protein, or the amount of mRNA encoding the protein) of one or more of the following proteins: (a) LIMD2, and/or (b) PTPRC, and/or (c) LTB, and/or (d) CD48, and/or (e) ABCC3, wherein a significant amount of over-expression of one or more of protein(s) (a)-(e), compared to the baseline value, indicates that lymph node metastases are likely to be present in the subject.

Abstract: Since FIV-vaccinated cats produce antibodies against FIV, distinguishing them from FIV-infected cats is difficult by serological diagnostic methods using FIV and FIV-derived substances. The present invention enables tests for determining the presence or absence of a FIV vaccination history in a cat by detecting antibodies that are produced as a result of vaccination of a cat with an FIV vaccine, but not as a result of FIV infection. Using the methods of the present invention, whether an anti-FIV antibody-positive cat is infected with FIV or has been vaccinated can be conveniently distinguished.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of fetal specific nucleic acids and fetal cell markers in maternal plasma or serum. In particular, the present invention relates to methods which rely on the analysis of polymorphic alleles of a population to determine an allele which is possessed by the fetus but absent from the mother. Fetal specific alleles identified using the methods of the invention can be used to quantify fetal DNA from maternal plasma or serum. In addition, antigens encoded by alleles identified using the methods of the invention can be targeted in methods of isolating or detecting fetal cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the diagnosis and prediction of multiple sclerosis (MS) in subject utilizing a unique a codon signature in VH4 expressing B cells that has now been associated with MS and not with any other autoimmune disease.