Abstract: An illustrative embodiment provides an apparatus comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator, a first conductor, and a second conductor. The positive electrode and the negative electrode are separated by the separator. The first conductor is configured to transmit a first electrical current from the positive electrode. Also, the second conductor is configured to transmit a second electrical current from the negative electrode. A direction of the first electrical current transmitted through the first conductor is substantially opposite to a direction of the second electrical current transmitted through the second conductor. A magnitude of the first electrical current is substantially equal to a magnitude of the second electrical current.

Abstract: A battery having high output voltage, high energy density and excellent charge and discharge cycle characteristics is achieved through the use of one of the following negative electrode base members as a negative electrode base member for lithium ion secondary batteries: a negative electrode base member where a metal film is formed on a support having an organic film; such a negative electrode base member where the surface layer of the organic film is covered with a metal oxide film; a negative electrode base member where a metal film is formed on a support having a composite film formed from a composite film-forming material containing an organic component and an inorganic component; and a negative electrode base member where a silica coating is formed, on a support having a photoresist pattern, from a silica film-forming coating liquid and a metal film is formed on the support after removing the photoresist pattern.

Abstract: A power storage device including a positive electrode in which a positive electrode active material is formed over a positive electrode current collector and a negative electrode which faces the positive electrode with an electrolyte interposed therebetween is provided. The positive electrode active material includes a first region which includes a compound containing lithium and one or more of manganese, cobalt, and nickel; and a second region which covers the first region and includes a compound containing lithium and iron. Since a superficial portion of the positive electrode active material includes the second region containing iron, an energy barrier when lithium is inserted into and extracted from the surface of the positive electrode active material can be decreased.

Abstract: There is provided a negative electrode for a lithium-ion secondary battery, including a conductive substrate, a negative electrode active material layer containing a negative electrode active material capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ions and a conductive member having a lower elastic modulus than that of the conductive substrate, wherein at least part of the negative electrode active material is connected to the conductive substrate via the conductive member. There is also provided a lithium-ion secondary battery with such a negative electrode.

Abstract: A rechargeable lithium battery includes a binder for a rechargeable lithium battery, and a positive active material composition. The binder for the rechargeable lithium battery includes a nitrile-based polymer nanoparticle and a fluorine-containing polymer nanoparticle.

Abstract: A binder composition for electrodes with greater binding strength that does not inhibit the formation of a stable electrode interface (SEI) on the surface of an active substance is provided. The binder composition for electrodes includes at least one type of tetracarboxylic acid ester compound, at least one type of diamine compound, and an organic solvent. Furthermore, the organic solvent preferably has a boiling point that is 250° C. or less. In addition, the organic solvent preferably has a highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) that is ?10 eV or less.

Abstract: Provided is a binder for an electrode of a lithium rechargeable battery including a copolymer of Chemical Formula 1, which increases adhesion between the electrode and an active material by employing a copolymer based on polyacrylamide, while having excellent heat resistance and mechanical strength, an electrode for a rechargeable battery including the same, and a rechargeable battery including the electrode. The binder and electrode can improve charge and discharge cycle life characteristics of the rechargeable battery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cathode active material for lithium secondary batteries with high safety, a method of preparing the same and lithium secondary batteries comprising the same. The cathode active material of the present invention comprises a lithium metal oxide secondary particle core portion formed by aggregation of lithium metal oxide primary particles; and a shell portion formed by coating the secondary particle core portion with an olivine-structured lithium iron phosphate oxide. The cathode active material of the present invention allows to manufacture lithium secondary batteries with improved safety, especially overcharge characteristics.

Abstract: A spherical primary particle of a lithium titanium oxide of which average diameter is in the range of about 1 to about 20 ?m, a method of preparing the spherical primary particle of the lithium titanium oxide, and a lithium rechargeable battery including the spherical primary particle of the lithium titanium oxide.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, an electrolyte, and a porous protective film formed on either one or both surfaces of the positive and negative electrodes. The porous protective film includes a binder, fine particles, and a surfactant.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention relates to a power storage device which includes a positive electrode having a positive-electrode current collector with a plurality of first projections, a first insulator provided over each of the plurality of first projections, and a positive-electrode active material provided on a surface of the first insulator and the positive-electrode current collector with the plurality of first projections; a negative electrode having a negative-electrode current collector with a plurality of second projections, a second insulator provided over each of the plurality of second projections, and a negative-electrode active material provided on a surface of the second insulator and the negative-electrode current collector with the plurality of second projections; a separator provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; and an electrolyte provided in a space between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and containing carrier ions.

Abstract: Provided is a condensed polycyclic aromatic compound, having lithium ion responsivity and is suitable for lithium ion secondary battery applications, a production process thereof, a positive electrode active material containing that condensed polycyclic aromatic compound, and a positive electrode for a lithium ion secondary battery provided therewith, and further provided is a lithium ion secondary battery, having high capacity and cycling adaptability, that has the positive electrode as a constituent thereof. The condensed polycyclic aromatic compound has at least four imino groups in a molecule thereof.

Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a positive electrode having a positive-electrode active material, a negative electrode having a negative-electrode active material, and a nonaqueous electrolytic solution having a nonaqueous solvent dissolving a solute. The negative-electrode active material includes powdered silicon and/or a silicon alloy, the nonaqueous electrolytic solution includes additives composed of at least one fluorinated lithium phosphate selected from the group consisting of lithium monofluorophosphate, lithium difluorophosphate, and lithium trifluorophosphate and a diisocyanate compound, and the nonaqueous solvent includes a chain carbonate compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides non-aqueous electrolyte solution for a lithium secondary battery, comprising an ester-based compound having a branched-chain alkyl group and an ester-based compound having a straight-chain alkyl group; and a lithium secondary battery using the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pentacyclic anion salt and to the use thereof in electrolyte compositions. The compound comprises an inorganic, organic or organometallic cation M of valency m (1?m?3) and m anions corresponding to the formula (I) in which Rf is a —CFZ?Z? group in which Z? is F or a perfluoroalkyl group having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and Z? is an H, F or Cl group, an optionally fluorinated or perfluorinated alkoxy group having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an optionally fluorinated or perfluorinated oxaalkoxy group having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms or an optionally fluorinated or perfluorinated alkyl group having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms; Z? being other than F when Z? is F. An electrolyte composition comprises said salt in solution in a liquid solvent or a polymer solvent.

Abstract: A fuel cell system including an ejector that merges a hydrogen gas to be supplied from a hydrogen tank to a fuel cell with a hydrogen-off gas exhausted from the fuel cell and supplies the resulting gases to the fuel cell. A hydrogen pump that pressurizes the hydrogen-off gas in a hydrogen circulation flow path and sends the hydrogen-off gas toward a hydrogen supply flow path and a control unit that controls, when the pressure of the hydrogen-off gas in the hydrogen circulation flow path is increased by the ejector and the hydrogen pump, the pressure of the hydrogen gas to be supplied to the ejector and the pressure increase of the hydrogen-off gas realized by the hydrogen pump so that the pressure increase of the hydrogen-off gas realized by the ejector is 0 or higher.

Abstract: The present invention comprises fuel cells 84 disposed within a fuel cell module 2, a reformer 20, a reformer temperature sensor 148 for detecting a reforming state temperature, and a control section 110 for controlling the operation of the fuel cell module. The control section prohibits the normal startup POX and executes a restart control different from the normal startup POX when the reforming state temperature is at least in a high temperature region within the POX temperature band in a state in which the operation of the solid oxide fuel cell module is stopped.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus for portable fuel cell and an operation method thereof, wherein stabilization state after initial operation can be determined using OCV.

Abstract: Even in a fuel cell system which performs scavenging processing after the power generation of a fuel cell is stopped, the operation time for when a battery is being operated can be increased. When determining that the condition of running out of gas occurs based on a sensor value of a pressure sensor, a control unit stops the power generation of the fuel cell. The control unit, for example, shortens the time required for scavenging processing and then performs the scavenging processing. On the other hand, when determining that the condition of running out of gas does not occur and when the power generation of the fuel cell should be stopped, the control unit stops the power generation and then performs normal scavenging processing.

Abstract: A method for controlling relative humidity (RH) of a cathode side of a fuel cell stack in a fuel cell system that includes an RH sensor on a cathode inlet line for providing an RH signal indicative of the RH of cathode inlet air. If the RH sensor is providing a valid RH signal, the RH signal is calculated as an RH average of the cathode inlet air. When the RH sensor is not providing a valid RH signal, the calculated RH average is utilized to control the cathode inlet air RH. If the RH sensor is not providing a valid signal during start-up, then the stack power is temporarily set at an optimum level for a known cathode inlet air RH.

Abstract: Provided is a method for shutting down an indirect internal reforming SOFC, in which a hydrocarbon-based fuel is reliably reformed, and the oxidative degradation of the anode can be prevented by a reformed gas.

Abstract: A method of driving a fuel cell system according to embodiments of the present invention includes supplying a first amount of oxidizer (which is less than a normal amount of oxidizer) to a fuel cell stack while continuously supplying fuel to the fuel cell stack, supplying a second amount of oxidizer (which is more than the normal amount) to the fuel cell stack, and supplying a third amount of oxidizer (which is the normal amount of oxidizer supplied in a normal driving state) to the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell system including: a fuel cell which generates power by an electrochemical reaction between an oxidant gas supplied to an oxidant gas flow path and a fuel gas supplied to a fuel gas flow path; and a controller which adjusts an amount of the oxidant gas supplied to the fuel cell and a voltage of the fuel cell. The controller has an obstruction degree determining unit which determines a degree of obstruction of the oxidant gas flow path based on a stoichiometric ratio of the oxidant gas and the voltage of the fuel cell during a low-efficiency operation in which the stoichiometric ratio of the oxidant gas is reduced from the stoichiometric ratio of the oxidant gas during a normal operation and heat discharged from the fuel cell is increased from that during the normal operation. This improves stability of the low-efficiency operation of the fuel cell system.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell system and a mobile body capable of restraining freeze in an air cleaner. The fuel cell system includes an air cleaner for cleaning the air to be supplied to a fuel cell and a heater for heating the air cleaner. The air cleaner can be alternatively heated by supplying a refrigerant in a refrigerant piping system to the air cleaner instead of using the heater.

Abstract: The pressure drop associated with the coolant flow in the coolant transition regions of a typical high power density, solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack can be significant. This pressure drop can be reduced by enlarging the height of the coolant ducts in this region of the associated flow field plate so that the ducts extend beyond the plane of the plate. The height change can be accommodated by offsetting the ducts in adjacent cells in the stack and by employing non planar MEAs in this region. By reducing the pressure drop, improved coolant flow sharing is obtained.

Abstract: A method and system for preventing gas pressure in a pressure vessel from dropping below a minimum allowable pressure. Pressure readings from a pressure sensor downstream of a pressure regulator are monitored by a processor as they vary within a steady fluctuation band under normal regulated pressure conditions. When the pressure regulator reaches a fully open position in low vessel pressure conditions, the processor detects a drop in the pressure reading to a value below the recent fluctuation band, and recognizes that the pressure is dropping below the regulation pressure value. The processor can use this information to shut off flow of gas from the vessel, thus preventing the vessel from dropping below its minimum allowable pressure, regardless of the actual magnitude of the pressure reading from the sensor—which can vary through a wide range due to tolerances.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a flat-tubular solid oxide cell stack. The cell stack includes a plurality of unit cells which are stacked one on top of another. Each unit cell includes a flat-tubular electrode support made of a porous conductive material. A first-gas flow channel is formed in the electrode support in a longitudinal direction thereof. First gas flows along the first-gas flow channel. A second-gas flow channel is formed on the outer surface of the electrode support. Second-gas flows along the second-gas flow channel. A connection hole is formed on each of opposite ends of the first-gas flow channel of each of the unit cells and communicates with the first-gas flow channel of the adjacent unit cell so that the first gas flows along the unit cells in a zigzag manner in the longitudinal directions of the unit cells.

Abstract: Provided is a porous electrode substrate having high mechanical strength, good handling properties, high thickness precision, little undulation, and adequate gas permeability and conductivity. Also provided is a method for producing a porous electrode substrate at low costs. A porous electrode substrate is produced by joining short carbon fibers (A) via mesh-like of carbon fibers (B) having an average diameter of 4 ?m or smaller. Further provided are a membrane-electrode assembly and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell that use this porous electrode membrane. A porous electrode substrate is obtained by subjecting a precursor sheet, in which short carbon fibers (A) and short carbon fiber precursors (b) having an average diameter of 5 ?m or smaller have been dispersed, to carbonization treatment after optional hot press forming and optional oxidization treatment.

Abstract: A sealing structure of a fuel cell has a first gasket made of an elastomer and provided integrally on a separator, and a second gasket made of an elastomer and provided integrally on other separator. A membrane-electrode assembly is sandwiched or pinched by the first and second gaskets. The first gasket has a main lip in which a top portion brought into close contact with the membrane-electrode assembly is formed flat. The second gasket has a flat seal portion and a sub lip protruding from this flat seal portion at a position opposing the main lip. The flat seal portion and the sub lip are brought into close contact with the membrane-electrode assembly. The width of the top portion of the main lip is narrower than the width of the flat seal portion, and larger than the width of the sub lip.

Abstract: A pump has a shaft, an impeller arranged on the shaft, and a labyrinth seal which is arranged between stationary and moving parts of the pump. A plurality of blades are arranged on the rotor and a labyrinth seal extends at least between the shaft and a rear portion of the blades. A gap in the labyrinth seal is designed such that liquid water can be actively carried away, with the labyrinth seal for this purpose being designed at least in places with a channel in the form of a spiral and/or a staircase. The invention also relates to a fuel cell system having such a pump.

Abstract: Collector plates made of bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys, the bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys providing ruggedness, lightweight structure, excellent resistance to chemical and environmental effects, and low-cost manufacturing, and methods of making such collector plates from such bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys are provided.

Abstract: A carbon black sheet with a thin layer of metal nanoparticles is provided by pulse electroplating, which allows metal nanoparticles such as platinum to be uniformly dispersed on a carbon black layer and is very thin, enhancing the efficiency of a metal catalyst such as platinum. The process is also used to form a polymer membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for a fuel cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a polymeric relief structure by a) coating a substrate with a first coating composition comprising one or more radiation-sensitive ingredients, d) locally treating the coated substrate with electromagnetic radiation having a periodic or random radiation-intensity pattern, forming a latent image, e) polymerizing and/or crosslinking the resulting coated substrate to a first coating. This process is improved by applying a second coating composition on top of the first coating composition, said second coating composition comprising either an organic compound (Co) of a monomeric nature and wherein Co is also polymerized during the process, or wherein said second coating comprises a dissolved polymer (Cp). As a result a polymeric relief structure is obtained, where a substrate is coated with a functional, stacked, bi-layer, in which each layer exhibits a specific, and from each other differing function.

Abstract: There are provided an EUV optical member, in which deterioration in the reflectivity due to oxidation of the Ru protective layer is prevented, a functional film-equipped substrate to be employed for production of the EUV optical member, and a process for producing the functional film-equipped substrate. A reflective layer-equipped substrate for EUV lithography comprising a substrate, and a reflective layer for reflecting EUV light and a protective layer for protecting the reflective layer, formed in this order on the substrate, wherein the reflective layer is a Mo/Si multilayer reflective film, the protective layer is a Ru layer or a Ru compound layer, and an intermediate layer containing from 0.5 to 20 at % of oxygen and from 80 to 99.5 at % of Si is formed between the reflective layer and the protective layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a mask may include forming initial ribs and removing edge portions of the initial ribs to form final ribs, each of which has a top width smaller than that of the initial rib. A space between the initial ribs may be smaller than a width of a slit limited by the final ribs.

Abstract: To provide a reflective mask blank for EUV lithography having an absorber layer having optical constants suitable for reducing the thickness. A mask blank for EUV lithography comprising a substrate, and a reflective layer for reflecting EUV light and an absorber layer for absorbing EUV light formed in this order on the substrate, wherein the absorber layer contains tantalum (Ta) and palladium (Pd), and in the absorber layer, the content of tantalum (Ta) is from 10 to 80 at %, the content of palladium (Pd) is from 20 to 90 at %, and the total content of Ta and Pd is from 95 to 100 at %.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photosensitive resist composition comprising a colorant. More specifically, it relates to a photosensitive resist composition which is advantageously used for the production of a color filter for use in electronic paper displays devices, color image pick-up elements and the like.

Abstract: A photoreceptor including an electroconductive substrate; a photosensitive layer, which is located overlying the electroconductive substrate and which includes a charge generation material, a charge transport material having no radical polymerizability, a binder resin having no radical polymerizability, and a crosslinked polymer including a unit obtained from a first radically polymerizable monomer having three or more functional groups and no charge transport structure and a unit obtained from a second radically polymerizable monomer having a charge transport structure; and an outermost layer, which is located on the photosensitive layer and which includes a crosslinked polymer including a unit obtained from a third radically polymerizable monomer having three or more functional groups and no charge transport structure and a unit obtained from a fourth radically polymerizable monomer having a charge transport structure. An image forming method and apparatus, and a process cartridge using the photoreceptor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member using a dispersion solution that shows high liquid stability in long-period storage and hardly causes aggregation of charge-transporting pigment particles during drying a coating. The method of producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a charge-transporting layer comprises a step of forming a coating film by applying a dispersion solution comprising polyolefin polymer particles and charge-transporting pigment particles as dispersoids and comprising a dispersion medium, and then forming the charge-transporting layer by heating the coating film and melting the polyolefin polymer particles, wherein the particles consisting of the polyolefin polymer particles and the charge-transporting pigment particles in the dispersion solution have a number average particle diameter of 50 nm or more and 300 nm or less and a degree of dispersion (standard deviation/number average particle diameter) of 1.

Abstract: The present invention provides a toner having superior color development property and a method of producing a toner having favorable particle size distribution and color development property, in which the toner containing a binder resin and a colorant that contains a phthalocyanine pigment represented by general formula (1), and the method for producing the toner.

Abstract: A toner for use in developing an electrostatic latent image is provided. The toner includes a colored particulate material including at least a binder resin and a colorant; and an external additive present on a surface of the colored particulate material and including a particulate crystalline hydroxyapatite. The particulate crystalline hydroxyapatite has an average aspect ratio of not less than 3 and less than 30.

Abstract: A cyan toner comprising toner particles, each of which contains a binder resin, a compound in which a polymer portion is bound to an azo skeleton structure, and a phthalocyanine pigment serving as a colorant.

Abstract: A method of producing a magnetic carrier, having a coating process step in which a surface of a magnetic carrier core is coated with particles of a resin composition by a mechanical impact force. The coating process step has a first coating process step of mixing, dispersing, and fixing the particles on the surface of the core, and a second coating process step, which is performed after the first coating process step, of carrying out a film-forming coating process on the particles. In the first and second coating process steps, the peripheral velocity of the outermost end of stirring members, the coating process time, the product temperature at the end of the coating process, and the glass-transition temperature of the resin component satisfy specific relationships.

Abstract: A photoresist composition including a binder resin including a novolac resin represented by Chemical Formula 1, a diazide photosensitive initiator, and a solvent including a base solvent and an auxiliary solvent, wherein the base solvent includes propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, and the auxiliary solvent includes dimethyl-2-methylglutarate and ethyl beta-ethoxypropionate, wherein in Chemical Formula 1, R1 to R9 are each independently a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, “a” is an integer number from 0 through 10, “b” is an integer number from 0 through 100, and “c” is an integer number from 1 through 10.

Abstract: New nitrogen-containing compounds are provided that comprise multiple hydroxyl moieties and photoresist compositions that comprise such nitrogen-containing compounds. Preferred nitrogen-containing compounds comprise 1) multiple hydroxyl substituents (i.e. 2 or more) and 2) one or more photoacid-labile groups.

Abstract: A resist composition including a base component (A) which exhibits changed solubility in a developing solution under action of acid and an acid-generator component (B) which generates acid upon exposure, wherein the base component (A) includes a polymeric compound (A1) having a structural unit (a5) represented by general formula (a5-1). In the formula (a5-1), R represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a halogenated alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms; each of Ra and Rb independently represents a hydrocarbon group which may have a substituent, and Ra and Rb may be mutually bonded to form a ring.

Abstract: A production method of a resist composition for lithography, including, at least: a filtering step for filtering a resist composition for lithography by a filter therethrough, wherein in the filtering step, the resist composition for lithography is passed through the filter after an interior of a vessel having the filter installed therein is kept under reduced pressure. There can be provided a resist composition for lithography capable of decreasing occurrences of defects such as coating defects and pattern defects.

Abstract: To provide a coloring photosensitive composition and a lithographic printing plate precursor, ensuring that coloring stability after exposure by infrared laser exposure is good and high coloring is obtained even when exposed after the elapse of time. These can be a coloring photosensitive composition containing a microgel encapsulating (A) a polymer having a glass transition temperature of 50° C. or more, (B) a photoinitiator, and (C) an infrared absorbing dye, and a lithographic printing plate precursor having an image-recording layer containing the composition.

Abstract: A chemical amplified photoresist composition containing a resin, an acid generator, and a compound of formula (X): wherein R1a, R2a, R3a, R6a, R7a and R8a each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a carboxy group, —SO3, —NH2, a halogen atom, a mercapto group, a C1-C12 alkyl group optionally having a substituent, a C6-C30 aryl group optionally having a substituent, a C3-C12 cycloalkyl group optionally having a substituent, and R4a and R5a each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a carboxy group, —SO3, —NH2, a halogen atom, a mercapto group, a C1-C12 alkyl group optionally having a substituent, a C6-C30 aryl group optionally having a substituent, or a C3-C12 cycloalkyl group optionally having a substituent, or R4a and R5a are bonded each other to form a ring together with carbon atoms binding R4a and R5a and with the carbon atoms forming the bond between the pyridine rings.

Abstract: A photosensitive composition includes (A) a polyurethane obtained by reacting a diol component including a compound represented by the following Formula (I) with a polyisocyanate component; and (B) a photosensitive component. In Formula (I), A represents a single bond, or a divalent linking group including an atom selected from the group consisting of a carbon atom, a hydrogen atom, and an oxygen atoms; B represents a monovalent organic group; each of R1 to R5 independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; m represents an integer from 0 to 3; n represents an integer from 0 to 3; and m+n is not zero.