Abstract: An electrochemical device is provided having a carboranyl magnesium electrolyte. Specifically the disclosure relates to an electrochemical device having a magnesium anode, a cathode, and a current collector made of non-noble metal, and a carboranyl magnesium electrolyte. In contact with the electrolyte, the non-noble metal cathode current collector has unusually high oxidative stability >3.0V vs. a magnesium reference. Processes for making the electrochemical device are additionally provided.

Abstract: A secondary battery includes a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate and a separator. The first electrode plate has a plurality of first active material coating portions formed by intermittently coating a first active material on a base material, and a first non-coating portion at which the first active material is not coated on the base material. The second electrode plate has a second active material coating portion formed by coating a second active material on a base material, and a second non-coating portion at which the second active material is not coated on the base material. The separator is interposed between the first and second electrode plates.

Abstract: Disclosed are a negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery including a silicon-based material and graphite, wherein an average particle diameter (D50) of the graphite may range from about 5 ?m to about 15 ?m, and a Raman peak intensity ratio (Id/Ig) of the graphite may range from about 0.1 to about 0.9, and a negative electrode and a rechargeable lithium battery including the same.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrode assembly including a plurality of alternately arranged cathode and anode plates, a separator interposed between the cathode plate and the anode plate, a plurality of cathode tabs respectively formed on the cathode plates, a plurality of anode tabs respectively formed on the anode plates, a cathode lead coupled to the cathode tabs, and an anode lead coupled to the anode tabs, wherein i) the cathode and anode tabs have different shapes and widths of the cathode tabs and the anode tabs are equal to 2 to 100% the length of electrode surfaces with the tabs formed thereon, or ii) the cathode tabs and the anode tabs are asymmetrically arranged with respect to electrode surfaces with the cathode and anode tabs formed thereon and widths of the cathode tabs and the anode tabs are equal to 5 to 45% the length of the electrode surfaces.

Abstract: An electrode for an electrochemical cell including a metal fluoride containing active electrode material and an intrinsically conductive coating wherein the coating is applied to the active electrode material by heating the mixture for a time and at a temperature that limits degradation of the cathode active material. The active material can be a hybrid material formed from the reaction of a metal fluoride and a metal complex.

Abstract: A composite particle is provided. The particle comprises a first particle component and a second particle component in which: (a) the first particle component comprises a body portion and a surface portion, the surface portion comprising one or more structural features and one or more voids, whereby the surface portion and body portion define together a structured particle; and (b) the second component comprises a removable filler; characterised in that (i) one or both of the body portion and the surface portion comprise an active material; and (ii) the filler is contained within one or more voids comprised within the surface portion of the first component.

Abstract: The presently disclosed and/or claimed inventive process(es), procedure(s), method(s), product(s), result(s), and/or concept(s) (collectively hereinafter referred to as the “presently disclosed and/or claimed inventive concept(s)”) relates generally to the composition of a binder for use in battery electrodes and methods of preparing such. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the presently disclosed and/or claimed inventive concept(s) relates to a binder composition containing an ionizable water soluble polymer and a redispersible powder containing a latex, a protective colloid, and an anticaking agent for use in the production and manufacture of electrodes of a lithium ion battery. Additionally, the presently disclosed and/or claimed inventive concept(s) relates generally to the compositions and methods of making electrodes, both anodes and cathodes, with a binder composition containing an ionizable water soluble polymer and a redispersible powder.

Abstract: A binder resin composition for secondary battery electrodes is described as containing a polymer (A) that has a structural unit represented by general formula (1) and a water-insoluble particulate polymer (B-1) and/or a water-soluble polymer (B-2) where (A), (B-1) and (B-2) are defined as described. A slurry for secondary battery electrodes contains the binder resin composition, an active material and a solvent. An electrode for secondary batteries is provided with a collector and an electrode layer that is arranged on the collector, where the electrode layer contains an active material and the binder resin composition. Alternatively, the electrode layer is obtained by applying the slurry for secondary battery electrodes to the collector, and drying the slurry thereon.

Abstract: A method of modifying the surface of carbon materials such as vapor grown carbon nanofibers is provided in which silicon is deposited on vapor grown carbon nanofibers using a chemical vapor deposition process. The resulting silicon-carbon alloy may be used as an anode in a rechargeable lithium ion battery.

Abstract: A secondary battery capable of obtaining superior battery characteristics is provided. The secondary battery of the present technology includes a cathode, an anode including an active material, and an electrolytic solution. The active material includes a core section and covering section, the core section being capable of inserting and extracting lithium ions, and the covering section being provided in at least part of a surface of the core section and being a low-crystalline or a noncrystalline. The core section includes Si and O as constituent elements, and an atom ratio x (O/Si) of O with respect to Si satisfies O?x<0.5. The covering section includes Si and O as constituent elements, and an atom ratio y (O/Si) of O with respect to Si satisfies 0.5?y?1.8. The covering section has voids, and a carbon-containing material is provided in at least part of the voids.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nonaqueous electrolyte battery that exhibits high energy density and excellent cycle characteristics, as well as a cathode for use in such a battery, and a cathode active material for use in such a cathode. The cathode active material of the present invention has a composition represented by the formula (1) and a crystallite size in the (110) plane of not smaller than 85 nm: LixCo1-y-zNbyMzO2 ??(1) wherein M stands for at least one element selected from Mg, Y, rare earth elements, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, B, Al, Ga, C, Si, Sn, N, S, F, and Cl; and 0.9?x?1.1, 0.0002?y?0.01, and 0?z?0.05.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery 10 of the present invention is a secondary battery provided with a positive electrode 30 having a positive electrode active material layer 34 on a positive electrode collector 32, and a negative electrode 50 having a negative electrode active material layer 54 on a negative electrode collector 52. The positive electrode active material layer 34 contains a positive electrode active material capable of reversibly storing and releasing lithium ions. The negative electrode active material layer 54 contains a negative electrode active material made up of lamellar graphite that is bent so as to have an average number of bends f per particle of 0<f?3, and an average aspect ratio of 1.8 or higher.

Abstract: Provided is a silicon oxide for an anode of a secondary battery, having a good mechanical lifespan and electrical properties, and a method for preparing the same and an anode of a secondary battery using the silicon oxide. According to the method, a mixture is prepared by mixing SiCl4 and ethylene glycol, a gel is manufactured by stirring the mixture, and the gel is heat treated to prepare silicon oxide for an anode of a secondary battery.

Abstract: A durable electrode material suitable for use in Li ion batteries is provided. The material is comprised of a continuous network of graphite regions integrated with, and in good electrical contact with a composite comprising graphene sheets and an electrically active material, such as silicon, wherein the electrically active material is dispersed between, and supported by, the graphene sheets.

Abstract: A fabricating method of an electrode assembly according to the present invention includes forming a radical unit having a four-layered structure obtained by stacking a first electrode, a first separator, a second electrode, and a second separator one by one, and stacking at least one radical unit one by one to form a unit stack part.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a microporous polyolefin film useable as a battery separator, which is easy to control strength, permeability and shrinking properties of the microporous film and embodies excellent quality uniformity and production stability in fabricating the microporous film.

Abstract: A separator arranged between a pair of electrode sheets includes a nonwoven fabric formed of thermoplastic resin fibers spun by a melt-blowing process. The fibers include fine fibers having fiber diameters of 0.1 ?m or more and 1 ?m or less, and thick fibers having fiber diameters of 8 ?m or more and 30 ?m or less. The fine fibers and the thick fibers are mixed over the entire thickness of the nonwoven fabric.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a propylene-based resin microporous film capable of forming a high-performance lithium ion battery. The method for producing a propylene-based resin microporous film includes an extrusion step of melt-kneading a propylene-based resin in an extruder, and extruding the resin to obtain a propylene-based resin film; a first stretching step of uniaxially stretching the propylene-based resin film at a surface temperature of ?20 to 100° C.; second stretching step of repeating, a plurality of times, a stretching basic step in which the propylene-based resin film after the first stretching step is uniaxially stretched at a surface temperature that is equal to or lower than a temperature lower than the melting point of the propylene-based resin by 10 to 100° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrolyte component containing one or more salts including lithium bis(oxalate)borate (LiBOB), a solvent, propylene carbonate (PC) and a crystallisable polymer wherein said LiBOB is present as a weight percentage of 0.5% or more, said propylene carbonate is present as a weight percentage of between 5% and 90% and the crystallisable polymer is present at a weight percentage of greater than 1%. It also provides a galvanic cell formed from the above and a process for forming same.

Abstract: The invention relates to solid-state electrolytes for use in lithium-air batteries or in lithium-water batteries. It is the object of the invention to provide solid electrolyte for use in lithium-air batteries or lithium-water batteries, with the solid electrolyte having sufficient strength, good conductivity for lithium ions, imperviousness for gas and water resistance and being inexpensive in manufacture. The solid-state electrolyte in accordance with the invention has an open-pore ceramic carrier substrate. In this respect, at least one layer which is conductive for lithium ions, which has an electrical conductivity of at least 10?5 Scm?1 and which is gas-impervious is formed on the surface facing the cathode. In this respect, the carrier substrate has greater mechanical strength and a larger layer thickness than the at least one layer.

Abstract: Provided are a non-aqueous electrolyte solution, which includes a non-aqueous organic solvent including propylene carbonate (PC) and an ester-based solvent, and lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI), and a lithium secondary battery including the non-aqueous electrolyte solution. According to the non-aqueous electrolyte solution of the present invention, since a robust solid electrolyte interface (SEI) may be formed on an anode during initial charge of a lithium secondary battery including the non-aqueous electrolyte solution, high-temperature cycle characteristics and capacity characteristics after high-temperature storage as well as low-temperature, room temperature, and high-temperature output characteristics may be simultaneously improved.

Abstract: An electrochemical device is provided having a carboranyl magnesium electrolyte. Specifically the disclosure relates to an electrochemical device having a carboranyl magnesium electrolyte which is compatible with a magnesium anode and a cathode, and on non-noble metal still having oxidative stability >3.0V vs. a magnesium reference.

Abstract: [TECHNICAL PROBLEM] The present invention relates to a method for highly efficiently decomposing and purifying biomass, organic/inorganic compounds, waste, waste fluids, and environmental pollutants, by harnessing a catalyst action without applying any light, and simultaneously generate electricity. [SOLUTION TO PROBLEM] In the invention, first provided a composite three-layered anode which has a constitution of conductive electrode base layer, porous semiconductor layer, and catalyst layer, and then immersed the composite anode in a liquid phase such as an aqueous solution or suspension that contains as the fuel at least one of or a mixture of biomass, biomass waste, and organic/inorganic compounds, and a counter cathode is disposed for oxygen reduction in the liquid phase, and oxygen is supplied into the liquid phase and thereby conducted the fuel cell reaction and the fuel is decomposed and electricity is generated without applying external energy.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes of operating a fuel cell at a first power output level that includes a plurality of operation parameters. Each operation parameter has a value to satisfy a first power demand. A change between the first power demand and a second power demand is determined. At least a first one of the operation parameters is maintained at a value corresponding to the first power output level or at an intermediate value while at least a second one of the operation parameters is changed to a value corresponding to a second power output level to satisfy the second power demand. The first operation parameter is delayed from changing to a value corresponding to the second power output level until a predetermined criterion is met.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a humidifying heat exchanger for a fuel cell. The humidifying heat exchanger includes a body comprising a gas inflow hole defined in one end thereof and a gas discharge hole defined in the other end thereof in a longitudinal direction, a first tube disposed within the body, the first tube being spirally wound along the longitudinal direction of the body, a second tube disposed within the body and spirally wound along the longitudinal direction of the body, the second tube being disposed outside the first tube to surround the first tube, a supply unit disposed at a side of the gas discharge hole to supply a mixture of a fuel and water into the first and second tubes, and a discharge unit disposed at a side of the gas inflow hole to discharge the mixture supplied from the first and second tubes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a carbon-free electrocatalyst for fuel cells, containing an electrically conductive substrate and a catalytically active species, wherein the conductive substrate is an inorganic, multi-component substrate material of the composition 0X1-0X2, in which 0X1 means an electrically non-conductive inorganic oxide having a specific surface area (BET) in the range of 50 to 400 mVg and 0X2 means a conductive oxide. The non-conductive inorganic oxide 0X1 is coated with the conductive oxide 0X2. The multi-component substrate preferably has a core/shell structure. The multi-component substrate material 0X1-0X2 has an electrical conductivity in the range>0.01 S/cm and is coated with catalytically active particles containing noble metal. The electrocatalysts produced therewith are used in electrochemical devices such as PEM fuel cells and exhibit high corrosion stability.

Abstract: An energy unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present application stores at least water and hydrogen. The energy unit includes an electrolysis component operable to provide hydrogen from the water, a hydrogen storage component operable to safely and stably store hydrogen in sold form and a fuel cell component operable to produce electricity from the hydrogen. The energy unit may be grouped with other like energy units to provide constant power for desired applications.

Abstract: A fuel cell system having compression retention features that functions dually to provide compression retention and to provide structural sealing and vehicle mounting capability, eliminating the bulk of an additional structural enclosure while retaining the balance of plant simplicity associated with the use of structural enclosures. The fuel cell system has fuel cells disposed between a dry end unit plate and a wet end unit plate and a compression retention system with a pair of opposing end caps and a pair of opposing side panels such that wet end unit plate is fixedly secured to the opposing end caps and the dry end unit plate is adjustably secured to the opposing end caps. Methods for eliminating the effect of stack height variance and balance of plant tolerances on fuel cell system installation are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are a heat recovery apparatus based on a fuel cell and an operating method thereof. In the fuel cell-based heat recovery apparatus and the operating method thereof, hot water and steam may be generated by using heat generated while a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) operates to supply the generated hot water or steam to buildings, thereby reducing a rate of operation in cooling/heating equipment using electricity so as to reduce air-conditioning costs.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell has at least one plate element which can be cooled by a liquid coolant, such as water. The plate element has a surface that can be wetted for the purpose of cooling with the coolant. The surface of the plate element in the electrochemical cell is configured such that a contact angle between the surface and the liquid coolant is less than 90°. In the method for producing the electrochemical cell an additional method step is carried out which influences the wettable surfaces of plate elements for cooling with coolant and by which a contact angle between the surface and the coolant is decreased.

Abstract: In a fuel cell system including a load and a fuel cell stack connected to the load and supplying an anode gas and a cathode gas to the fuel cell stack to generate power according to the load, the fuel cell system includes, a pressure setting unit configured to set a pressure of the anode gas higher when the load is high as compared with when the load is low, a stagnation point determination unit configured to determine, according to a state of power generation of the fuel cell stack, whether or not a nitrogen stagnation point is left in a reaction flow path within the fuel cell stack, and an operation control unit configured to performs an operation while preventing the pressure of the anode gas from being lowered when a required load is lowered in a state where the nitrogen stagnation point is left.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack has a first block having a first number of cells, a first fuel supply channel for supplying fuel gas to the first block, a collecting channel for collecting fuel gas which has passed through the first block, a second block having a second number of cells, the second number being smaller than the first number, a second fuel supply channel for supplying the second block with fuel gas which has been collected into the collecting channel, and a discharge channel for discharging fuel gas which has passed through the second block. A throttling section smaller in channel diameter than first and second fuel gas trunk channels, first and second branch channels, the collecting channel, and the discharge channel is provided downstream of the collecting channel and upstream of the second fuel supply channel.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to allow desirably installing a fuel cell stack in an installation site with a simple and compact configuration. The fuel cell stack comprises an end plate. A pair of mount parts are integrally disposed on the end plate protruding downward on both sides of the lower end part thereof by a depression part being disposed on the lower end part of the end plate. The mount parts are anchored in the installation site for installing the fuel cell stack. Some screws are positioned in the mount parts to anchor to the end plate manifold members which link to a fuel gas supply connector hole and an oxidant gas exhaust connector hole of the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises: an anode formed of graphene oxide from an acidic pH; a cathode from a pH greater than the acidic pH of the anode; and charge collectors deposited on the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an oxygen reduction catalyst comprising composite particles in which primary particles of a titanium compound is dispersed into a carbon structure, wherein the composite particles have titanium, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen as constituent elements, and with regard to a ratio of number of atoms of each of the elements when titanium is taken as 1, a ratio of carbon is larger than 2 and 5 or less, a ratio of nitrogen is larger than 0 and 1 or less, and a ratio of oxygen is 1 or more and 3 or less, and an intensity ratio (D/G ratio) of D band peak intensity to G band peak intensity in a Raman spectrum is in the range of 0.4 to 1.0. The oxygen reduction catalyst according to the present invention has satisfactory initial performance and excellent start-stop durability.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a method of fabricating a composite membrane includes: forming a first polymer solution from a first polymer and a second polymer solution from a second polymer, respectively, where the first polymer includes a charged polymer and the second polymer includes an uncharged polymer; electrospinning, separately and simultaneously, the first and second polymer solutions to form a dual fiber mat with first polymer fibers and second polymer fibers; and processing the dual fiber mat by softening and flowing one of the first or second polymer fibers to fill in the void space between the other of the first and second polymer fibers so as to form the composite membrane. In some embodiments, the composite membrane may be a proton exchange membrane (PEM) or an anion exchange membrane (AEM).

Abstract: A device for cooling and dehumidifying gases includes a first hollow body with a gas inlet, a gas outlet and a condensate drain; a second hollow body with a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet; and a drive unit. The first hollow body encloses the second hollow body at least in part. One of the first hollow body and the second hollow body is pivotally held relative to the other hollow body and includes at least one turbulence-generating body that extends in the direction of the other hollow body. For rotating the pivotally held hollow body the drive unit is couplable to the hollow body. In this manner a single-stage device for cooling and dehumidifying gases that include water vapor is implemented, which device requires little installation space and is of a particularly lightweight construction. Thus the device is particularly well suited for use in vehicles, in particular in aircraft.

Abstract: Electrochemical cell electrode (100) comprising a nanostructured catalyst support layer (102) having first and second generally opposed major sides (103,104). The first side (103) comprises nanostructured elements (106) comprising support whiskers (108) projecting away from the first side (103). The support whiskers (108) have a first nanoscopic electrocatalyst layer (110) thereon, and a second nanoscopic electrocatalyst layer (112) on the second side (104) comprising a precious metal alloy. Electrochemical cell electrodes (100) described herein are useful, for example, as a fuel cell catalyst electrode for a fuel cell.

Abstract: A composite electrode structure and methods of making and using thereof are disclosed. The structure has a metal substrate with a metal oxide layer. The average thickness of the metal oxide layer is less than 150 nm, and comprises at least a first metal and a second metal, wherein the first metal and the second metal are different elements. A plurality of carbon nanotubes is disposed on a first surface of the metal oxide layer. At least a portion of the carbon nanotubes are disposed such that one end of the carbon nanotube is positioned at least 5 nm below the surface of the metal oxide layer.

Abstract: A single cell ensuring appropriate bonding of the components while suitably enhancing the productivity, a producing method of the single cell, a fuel cell, and a producing method of the fuel cell are provided. The single cell is formed by stacking a plurality of components constituting the single cell of a fuel cell, wherein peripheral portions of at least some components among the plurality of components are molded with a resin along the circumferential direction to be molded integrally. The components to be molded are a MEA and a pair of separators sandwiching the MEA.

Abstract: A photosensitive material includes: a polymer matrix, a radical polymerization monomer and photo-radical polymerization initiator, wherein the polymer matrix has stable nitroxy radical at side chain thereof, wherein a molar ratio of the stable nitroxy radical to the radical polymerization monomer is set within a range of 0.03 to 0.25.

Abstract: According to embodiments, an exposure method is provided. In the exposure method, a transmittance of a pellicle is adjusted every position of a mask pattern included in a reflection type mask. And when adjusting the transmittance of the pellicle, a film thickness of the pellicle is adjusted on the basis of a transmittance correction amount. Thereafter, exposure is conducted onto a substrate by using the reflection type mask with the pellicle stuck thereon.

Abstract: Disclosed are a photosensitive resin composition for a color filter that includes (A) a squaraine dye including at least one selected from compounds represented by the following Chemical Formulae 1 and 2, (B) an alkali soluble resin, (C) a photopolymerizable monomer, (D) a photopolymerization initiator, and (E) a solvent, and a color filter using the same.

Abstract: There is provided an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition containing a compound capable of generating an acid upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation, represented by the formula (Z1), and the formula (Z1) is defined as herein, and a resist film formed using the actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition, a pattern forming method comprising a step of forming a film by using the actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition, a step of exposing the film, and a step of developing the exposed film, a method for manufacturing an electronic device, comprising the pattern forming method, and an electronic device manufactured by the method for manufacturing an electronic device.

Abstract: Provided is a photosensitive resin composition which comprises: (A-1) a resin containing a structure represented by general formula (1); and (B) a photo-acid generating agent. In general formula (1), X, R1 to R7, m1 to m4, n1, n2, Y and W are each as defined in the description.

Abstract: Provided is an actinic-ray- or radiation-sensitive resin composition including a compound that when exposed to actinic rays or radiation, generates any of acids of general formula (I) below.

Abstract: There is provided a pattern forming method comprising (1) a step of forming a film by using an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition containing (A) a resin containing an acid-decomposable repeating unit and being capable of decreasing the solubility for an organic solvent-containing developer by the action of an acid, (B) a compound capable of generating an acid upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation, (C) a compound capable of decomposing by the action of an acid to generate an acid, and (D) a solvent; (2) a step of exposing the film by using an actinic ray or radiation, and (4) a step of developing the exposed film by using an organic solvent-containing developer to form a negative pattern.

Abstract: There is provided a pattern forming method, including: (a) forming a film by an actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition containing: (A) a resin capable of increasing polarity by an action of an acid to decrease solubility in an organic solvent-containing developer, (B) a compound capable of generating an acid upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation, (C) a solvent, and (D) a resin, which contains substantially no fluorine atom and silicon atom and is other than the resin (A), (b) exposing the film; and (c) performing development using the organic solvent-containing developer to form a negative type pattern, wherein a receding contact angle of water on the film formed by (a) is 70° or more.

Abstract: Provided is an electrophotographic photosensitive member that improves the sensitivity characteristic and high-humidity deletion resistance, and achieves compatibility between a high image-resolving power and the suppression of an image memory. The electrophotographic photosensitive member comprises an electrophotographic photosensitive member, including: a photoconductive layer; and a surface layer comprising hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide on the photoconductive layer, in which: a ratio (C/(Si+C)) of a number of carbon atoms (C) to a sum of a number of silicon atoms (Si) and the number of the carbon atoms (C) in the surface layer is 0.50 or more and 0.65 or less; a sum of an atom density of the silicon atoms and an atom density of the carbon atoms in the surface layer is 6.60×1022 atoms/cm3 or more; and a defect density of the surface layer determined by electron spin resonance measurement is 9.0×1018 spins/cm3 or more and 2.2×1019 spins/cm3 or less.

Abstract: An organic photoconductor includes: a conductive substrate; a charge generation layer formed on the conductive substrate; a charge transport layer formed on the charge generation layer; and a protective coating formed on the charge transport layer. The protective coating comprises nanoparticles incorporated in an in-situ cross-linked polymer matrix. A process for increasing mechanical strength in an organic photoconductor is also provided.