Abstract: Disclosed is a lithium secondary battery, which is low in capacity loss after overdischarge, having excellent capacity restorability after overdischarge and shows an effect of preventing a battery from swelling at a high temperature.

Abstract: Provided is a cathode material for a lithium ion secondary battery that includes a composite grain formed of lithium iron silicate crystals or lithium manganese silicate crystals and a carbon material. The composite grain has a sea-islands structure in which the lithium iron silicate crystals or lithium manganese silicate crystals are scattered like islands in the carbon material, and the islands have an average value of circle-equivalent diameter of smaller than 15 nm.

Abstract: A positive electrode mixture for nonaqueous batteries, is formed by adding 0.5 to 10 wt. parts of an organic acid per 100 wt. parts of an electroconductive additive, to a mixture of a composite metal oxide as a positive electrode active substance, a higher order-structured carbon black as the electroconductive additive, a binder of a fluorine-containing copolymer of at least three comonomers including vinylidene fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene and a flexibility-improving fluorine-containing monomer, and an organic solvent. Further, the mixture is applied on at least one side of an electroconductive sheet, and then dried and compressed to form a positive electrode mixture layer. As a result, it is possible to provide a positive electrode structure having a thick and sound positive electrode mixture layer of a high energy density.

Abstract: A compound represented by formula (1): wherein Y1 to Y4 each independently represent any one of the following groups: in which R? represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent hydrocarbon group; P1 to P4 each independently represents a group of atoms necessary for forming a heterocyclic ring together with each Y1 to Y4 and the two carbon atoms adjacent to Y1 to Y4, respectively; P5 and P6 each independently represents a group of atoms necessary for forming a cyclic skeleton together with the carbon atom to which Z1 bonds or Z2 bonds; P1 and P2, P2 and P6, P6 and P4, P4 and P3, P3 and P5, and P5 and P1 may further combine with each other to form a ring; Q1 and Q2 each independently represents a connecting group or a direct binding; and Z1 and Z2 each independently represent any one of the following groups; —NR?2, —OR?, —SR?, —PR?2 in which R? represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent hydrocarbon group, and when plural R?s are present, these plural R?s may be the same or different from each oth

Abstract: A process for forming a metal supported solid oxide fuel cell, the process comprising the steps of: a) applying a green anode layer including nickel oxide, copper oxide and a rare earth-doped ceria to a metal substrate; b) firing the green anode layer to form a composite including oxides of nickel, copper, and a rare earth-doped ceria; c) providing an electrolyte; and d) providing a cathode. Metal supported solid oxide fuel cells comprising an anode a cathode and an electrolyte, wherein the anode includes nickel, copper and a rare earth-doped ceria, fuel cell stacks and uses of these fuel cells.

Abstract: Methods using novel cathode, electrolyte and oxygen separation materials operating at intermediate temperatures for use in solid oxide fuel cells and ion transport membranes include oxides with perovskite related structures and an ordered arrangement of A site cations. The materials have significantly faster oxygen kinetics than in corresponding disordered perovskites.

Abstract: An electrode structure of a fuel cell for power generation comprises an anodic structure, a cathodic structure, and an ionic exchange membrane disposed between the anodic and cathodic structures. The anodic and cathodic structures respectively are formed by multi-layer structures, to reduce the fuel crossover from the anodic structure to the cathodic structure, to reduce the catalysts applied amount, and to increase an output electrical energy of the fuel cell. The multi-layer structure of the anodic structure comprises a thin platinum alloy black layer, a Pt alloy layer disposed on the carbon material, and a substrate.

Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of flat cells and a plurality of nipping plates. Each of the flat cells has a cell main body and at least one electrode tab. The cell main body includes a power storage element sealed in a package member. The electrode tab is electrically connected to the power generating member and protruding outwardly from the cell main body. The flat cells are stacked on one another such that the electrode tabs are electrically connected in a stacking direction. Adjacent ones of the nipping plates in the stacking direction nip the electrode tab and a portion of the cell main body of a corresponding one of the flat cells from both opposite side surfaces of the corresponding one of the flat cells along the stacking direction.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery, and more particularly, a rechargeable battery having a function of detecting water contact. The area for detecting water contact is formed on the rechargeable battery or its component parts by applying water-soluble ink on a surface thereof. It is straightforward to form such a rechargeable battery and to easily determine whether the rechargeable battery or its component parts have been in contact with water.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell having a coupling structure, the solid oxide fuel cell including a plurality of cells, each cell having a cell cap at an end thereof; and the coupling structure, the coupling structure connecting the plurality of cells, wherein the coupling structure includes a connector, the connector including an insulating portion at a center thereof, and coupling portions adjacent to the insulating portion at respective sides of the insulating portion and coupled to the cell caps.

Abstract: Composite separators having a porous structure and including acid-stable, hydrophilic, inorganic particles enmeshed in a substantially fully fluorinated polyolefin matrix can be utilized in a number of applications. The inorganic particles can provide hydrophilic characteristics. The pores of the separator result in good selectivity and electrical conductivity. The fluorinated polymeric backbone can result in high chemical stability. Accordingly, one application of the composite separators is in redox flow batteries as low cost membranes. In such applications, the composite separator can also enable additional property-enhancing features compared to ion-exchange membranes. For example, simple capacity control can be achieved through hydraulic pressure by balancing the volumes of electrolyte on each side of the separator.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus for a fuel cell is provided. The cooling apparatus for a fuel cell includes a reservoir that is configured to store a coolant and an ion filter assembly that is integrally installed at the reservoir and configured to remove bubbles in the coolant.

Abstract: A fuel cell system may have at least one sensor including a pair of electrodes disposed on a substrate. The sensor may be configured to produce an output signal having a magnitude that is proportional to a relative humidity in a vicinity of the sensor and, if liquid water is on the sensor, proportional to an amount of the liquid water on the sensor.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell system suited for changing a drive operating point of a fuel cell at the time of low-efficiency power generation. The fuel cell system in accordance with the present invention includes a fuel cell which generates electric power by supplied reactant gases, an air compressor which adjusts the flow rate of a reactant gas supplied to the fuel cell, and a controller which controls an output current of the fuel cell by controlling the air compressor to change a drive operating point of the fuel cell. The controller sets a restriction on at least one of a current change amount and a voltage change amount per unit time when changing the drive operating point of the fuel cell in a range of low-efficiency power generation in which a power loss is larger than that in normal power generation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an ammonia operated fuel cell system including an alkaline membrane fuel cell (AMFC) having an anode, and an ammonia thermal cracker including a combustion chamber, the cracker being in gas communication with an ammonia source, and configured to provide a supply of H2 directly to the AMFC anode.

Abstract: To provide a solid oxide fuel cell system with which the durable lifespan of the reformer can be extended by suppressing temperature unevenness in the reformer. The present invention is a solid oxide fuel cell, including a fuel cell module, a reformer for producing hydrogen by POX, ATR, and SR steps; a fuel supply apparatus, a reform air supply apparatus, a water supply apparatus, a generating air supply apparatus, and a control device which, as the temperature inside the fuel cell module rises, executes in sequence POX, ATR and SR steps at predetermined respective temperature bands, and causes a rise in temperature at which electrical generation is possible; wherein the control device comprises a localized temperature rise suppression circuit which, by causing steam reforming to occur locally within the reformer in the POX step, suppresses localized temperature rises in the reformer.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a gas-generating apparatus (10). Hydrogen is generated within the gas-generating apparatus and is transported to a fuel cell. The generation of hydrogen is regulated automatically by the selective exposure of a catalyst (48) to the fuel mixture depending on the pressure inside the reaction chamber (28) of the gas-generating apparatus. Catalyst sealing mechanisms (40, 42) are provided at least partially within the reaction chamber to regulate the hydrogen pressure and to minimize the fluctuations in pressure of the hydrogen received by the fuel cell.

Abstract: A solid oxide redox flow battery is disclosed. The battery includes a solid oxide electrochemical cell integrated with a redox couple bed having a porous nanostructure with metal. The redox couple bed is configured to receive steam resulting in oxidation of the metal to produce hydrogen and the discharge of electricity from the battery. The redox couple bed in the discharged battery is further configured to receive hydrogen produced from the solid oxide electrochemical cell resulting in reduction of the metal oxide and recharge of the battery.

Abstract: A group of fuel gas system devices are provided at a first end plate of a fuel cell system through a block member. A cover member is provided at the first end plate to cover the group of the fuel gas system devices. Support rod members are provided at the first end plate. The support rod members protrude outward in a stacking direction to support the cover member at the front ends of the support rod members.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cable-type secondary battery comprising an inner electrode comprising at least two anodes arranged in parallel, the anode extending longitudinally and having a horizontal cross section of a predetermined shape, the anode having an electrolyte layer thereon serving as an ion channel; an outer electrode comprising a cathode including a cathode active material layer surrounding the inner electrode; and a protection coating surrounding the outer electrode. The cable-type secondary battery has free shape adaptation due to its linearity and flexibility. A plurality of inner electrodes within a tubular outer electrode lead to an increased contact area therebetween and consequently a high battery rate. It is easy to control the capacity balance between the inner and outer electrodes by adjusting the number of inner electrodes. A short circuit is prevented due to the electrolyte layer formed on the inner electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed is a secondary battery having a structure in which a jelly-roll having a cathode/separator/anode structure is mounted in a cylindrical battery case and a plate-shaped insulator is mounted on top of the jelly-roll, wherein the insulator has a porous structure in which a plurality of fine pores communicate in a longitudinal direction, or in traverse and longitudinal directions.

Abstract: There are provided an electrode assembly, a battery cell including the electrode assembly, and a device including the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes a combination of two or more electrode units having the same width and different lengths, wherein the electrode units are stacked so that a stepped portion is formed between the electrode units, and electrodes having different polarities face each other at an interface between the electrode units.

Abstract: An electrochemical device includes a wound laminated body with first and second electrodes, first and second separators, an electrolytic solution; and an outer package that houses the wound body and the electrolytic solution. The electrochemical device satisfies, at an outer end of the laminated body in a winding direction: the first and second separators protrude more outward in the winding direction than the second electrode; the first electrode protrudes more outward in the winding direction than the first and second separators; and an outer end of the first separator in the winding direction inclines toward a winding center and comes into contact with an upper surface of the second separator beyond the second electrode and an outer end of the first electrode in the winding direction inclines toward the winding center and comes into contact with the second separator and with the peripherally inner first electrode beyond the second electrode.

Abstract: A composition of graphene-based nanomaterials and a method of preparing the composition are provided. A carbon-based precursor is dissolved in water to form a precursor suspension. The precursor suspension is placed onto a substrate, thereby forming a precursor assembly. The precursor assembly is annealed, thereby forming the graphene-based nanomaterials. The graphene-based nanomaterials are crystallographically ordered at least in part and configured to form a plurality of diffraction rings when probed by an incident electron beam. In one aspect, the graphene-based nanomaterials are semiconducting. In one aspect, a method of engineering an energy bandgap of graphene monoxide generally includes providing at least one atomic layer of graphene monoxide having a first energy bandgap, and applying a substantially planar strain is applied to the graphene monoxide, thereby tuning the first energy band gap to a second energy bandgap.

Abstract: Described herein are materials for use in electrolytes that provide a number of desirable characteristics when implemented within batteries, such as high stability during battery cycling up to high temperatures, high voltages, high discharge capacity, high coulombic efficiency, and excellent retention of discharge capacity and coulombic efficiency over several cycles of charging and discharging. In some embodiments, a high voltage electrolyte includes a base electrolyte and a set of additive compounds, which impart these desirable performance characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nonaqueous electrolytic solution capable of improving electrochemical characteristics in a broad temperature range, such as low-temperature cycle properties and low-temperature discharge properties after high-temperature storage, and provides an energy storage device using the nonaqueous electrolytic solution. The invention includes (1) a nonaqueous electrolytic solution of an electrolyte salt dissolved in a nonaqueous solvent, which comprises from 0.001 to 10% by mass of a compound represented by the following general formula (I), and (2) an energy storage device comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolytic solution of an electrolyte salt dissolved in a nonaqueous solvent, wherein the nonaqueous electrolytic solution is the nonaqueous electrolytic solution of (1).

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte solution for secondary batteries, comprising a lithium salt (total number of moles of lithium atoms: NLi) and a liquid composition, wherein the liquid composition comprises a specific fluorinated solvent (?) and a cyclic carboxylic acid ester compound (total number of moles: NA), and may contain a specific compound (?) (total number of moles: NB), the content of the fluorinated solvent (?) is from 40 to 80 mass %, NA/NLi is from 1.5 to 7.0, and (NA+NB)/NLi is from 3 to 7.0; and, a lithium ion secondary battery employing such a non-aqueous electrolyte solution for secondary batteries.

Abstract: An assembly for recharging an electric vehicle comprising at least one solar panel positioned above surface of a vehicle; at least one motor assembly operatively connected to the at least one solar panel for positioning the at least one solar panel; the at least one solar panel operating to cover at least one window of the vehicle in a first position and to provide an unobstructed view in a second position; the panel moving from the first position to the second position by operation of the at least one motor assembly.

Abstract: Provided are a charging and discharging system for a solar light power generator in a smart grid environment, a method of operating the same, and a duplex converter for charging and discharging electricity into/from a battery. The system includes: an electricity price monitoring part which collects electricity price information from an electric grid; an electricity charge amount monitoring part which collects electricity charge amount information of a battery; a charge and discharge determination part which determines whether electricity supplied from the electric grid is to be charged into the battery or whether electricity stored in the battery via the electric grid or the solar light power generator is to be discharged to the electric grid, based on the price information and the charge amount information; and a charging and discharging part including the battery, so that electricity is charged into or discharged from the battery based on the determination.

Abstract: A method of controlling a temperature of a battery is disclosed. The method includes providing a thermoelectric device in thermally-conductive contact with the battery, measuring an actual temperature of the battery, comparing the actual temperature of the battery to a reference temperature for the battery, heating the battery by operation of the thermoelectric device when the actual temperature is less than the reference temperature and cooling the battery by operation of the thermoelectric device when the actual temperature exceeds the reference temperature.

Abstract: In an F-type electrochemical cell 20, in a casing 21, a positive electrode 23 in which carbon dioxide gas is used as a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode 25 are placed so as to face each other with a separator 27 therebetween, and an electrolyte solution 28 is injected between the positive electrode 23 and the negative electrode 25. A tank 30 storing carbon dioxide gas is connected to the positive electrode 23, and carbon dioxide gas is supplied to the positive electrode 23 through a holding member 29. By supplying carbon dioxide gas to the positive electrode in such a manner, the cell can be operated as a battery. Furthermore, when used a primary battery, carbon dioxide can be immobilized in the battery, which is desirable.

Abstract: Catalysts are provided which can catalyze both the oxygen reduction during the discharge of a secondary air battery and the oxygen production in the recharging of the battery and which are stable at a high potential in the recharging. The invention has been accomplished based on the finding that a catalyst including an oxycarbonitride of a specific transition metal selected from, for example, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium and tantalum can catalyze both the oxygen reduction during the discharge of a secondary air battery and the oxygen production in the recharging of the battery and is also stable at a high potential in the recharging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a precursor of a negative electrode compartment for rechargeable metal-air batteries, comprising a rigid casing (1), at least one solid electrolyte membrane (2), a protective covering (5), completely covering the inside face of the solid electrolyte membrane (2), a metallic current collector (3) applied against the inside face of the protective covering (5), preferably also a block (4) of elastic material applied against the current collector and essentially filling the entire internal space defined by the walls of the rigid casing and the solid electrolyte (2), and a flexible electronic conductor (6) passing in a sealed manner through one of the walls of the rigid casing. The present invention also relates to a negative electrode compartment having a rigid casing obtained from said precursor and to a battery containing such a negative electrode compartment.

Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is an electrochemical cell, comprising: (i) a plurality of electrodes, comprising a fuel electrode that comprises aluminum and an air electrode that absorbs gaseous oxygen, the electrodes being operable in a discharge mode wherein the aluminum is oxidized at the fuel electrode and oxygen is reduced at the air electrode, and (ii) an ionically conductive medium, comprising an organic solvent; wherein during non-use of the cell, the organic solvent promotes formation of a protective interface between the aluminum of the fuel electrode and the ionically conductive medium, and wherein at an onset of the discharge mode, at least some of the protective interface is removed from the aluminum to thereafter permit oxidation of the aluminum during the discharge mode.

Abstract: In an integrated circuit a microwave signal is routed through a selected signal path. Routing is accomplished by switching to determine the signal path. Control signals are applied remotely. The microwave integrated circuit is programmable by virtue of the ability to command selection of a signal path. The signal path is chosen to include or avoid selected “RF functional elements,” i.e., components through which radio frequency signals may be routed. RF functional elements may include, for example, amplifiers, mixers, attenuators, and phase shifters. Aspects of programmability in the integrated circuit include the provision of the functional circuit elements for selectable connection in signal paths, the switching and interconnect technologies used to switch and connect between them, and the arrangement of the functional circuit elements in relationship to each other.

Abstract: A serpentine delay line structure for reducing the common-mode noise is provided to a substrate having a layout layer, a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer, and a grounding layer. The serpentine delay line structure includes a first serpentine delay line pair, a second serpentine delay line pair, a third serpentine delay line pair, a first transition serpentine delay line pair, and a second transition serpentine delay line pair. The first serpentine delay line pair and the second serpentine delay line pair on the layout layer are electrically connected to the first transition serpentine delay line pair on the first dielectric layer through corresponding vertical vias. The second serpentine delay line pair and the third serpentine delay line pair on the layout layer are electrically connected to the second transition serpentine delay line pair on the first dielectric layer through corresponding vertical vias.

Abstract: A surgical spatula has a planar transmission line for carrying microwave energy formed from a sheet of a first dielectric material which has first and second conductive layers on opposite sides thereof. The surgical spatula also has a coaxial cable for delivering microwave energy to the planar transmission line. The coaxial cable has an inner conductor, an outer conductor coaxial with the inner conductor and a second dielectric material separating the inner and outer conductors. The inner and outer conductors extend beyond the second dielectric to overlap opposite surfaces of the transmission line and electrically contact the first conductive layer and second conductive layer respectively. The width of the first and second conductive layers is selected to create an impedance match between the transmission line and the coaxial cable.

Abstract: A method of forming a cable having an elongate core, including positioning a records component proximate to the elongate core, and covering the records component with a cable covering which directly or indirectly urges the records component against the elongate core.

Abstract: Electronic devices may include radio-frequency transceiver circuitry and antenna structures. The antenna structures may include antenna resonating elements such as dual-band antenna resonating elements that resonate in first and second communications bands. The antenna structures may also contain parasitic antenna elements such as elements that are operative in only the first or second communications band and elements that are operative in both the first and second communications bands. The antenna resonating elements and parasitic elements may be mounted on a common dielectric carrier. The dielectric carrier may be mounted within a slot or other opening in a conductive element. The conductive element may be formed from conductive housing structures in an electronic device such as a portable computer. The portable computer may have a clutch barrel with a dielectric cover. The dielectric cover may overlap and cover the slot and the dielectric carrier.

Abstract: A housing for a personal electronic device is described herein. The housing may include at least structural member configured to be arranged within an internal cavity of the housing. The at least structural member is aligned with a feature external to the housing. The at least one structural member is affixed to an interior surface of the internal cavity. Furthermore, the at least structural member and housing are co-machined to define a coaxial aperture for accepting the feature.

Abstract: A mobile terminal according to an aspect of the invention may include: a terminal body having a ground; and conductive members embedded in the terminal body, bent at at least one point, extending in a first direction, separated from each other in directions crossing the first direction, and having a set of ends connected to form a loop, wherein a first conductive member electrically connected to a feed connection portion to feed the first conductive member and a second conductive member electrically connected to the ground to ground the second conductive member among the conductive members are separated from each other and arranged adjacent to each other to transmit and receive a radio signal while coupling occurs between the first and second conductive members extending in the first direction.

Abstract: An RFID antenna is arranged in the vicinity of a metal portion of and on an outer surface side of a casing of a communication terminal device. The RFID antenna includes a magnetic core, and a coil conductor that is wound around the magnetic core. The coil conductor includes a first conductor portion positioned on a first main surface side of the magnetic core and a second conductor portion positioned on the second main surface side of the magnetic core and arranged at a different position than the first conductor portion when viewed in plan from the direction of the first and second main surfaces, and the coil conductor is arranged such that the first main surface side of the magnetic core is on the metal portion side and such that the first conductor portion of the coil conductor faces a leading end portion of the casing.

Abstract: An antenna array system includes an antenna and a radome. The radome is disposed such that electromagnetic radiation transmitted with respect to the antenna passes through the radome. The radome includes a dielectric layer, first dielectric inclusions distributed in the dielectric layer in a first pattern and second dielectric inclusions spacially and dimensionally varied from the first dielectric inclusions and distributed in the dielectric layer in a second pattern, which is different from the first pattern.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an antenna device, which comprises an array antenna and a power divider. The array antenna comprises a plurality of antenna units, and each of the antenna units comprises a conductive sheet engraved with a groove topology pattern, conductive feeding points and a feeder line. The power divider is adapted to divide a baseband signal into a plurality of weighted signals and then transmit the weighted signals to the antenna units arranged in an array via the conductive feeding points respectively. By arraying the antenna units and using the beam forming method, the directionality of the antenna can be designed as needed through phase superposition between the antenna units; and then, a reflective metal plate is provided on the back side of the antenna so that a back lobe of the antenna is compressed. In this way, the miniaturized antenna array can obtain a high directionality.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the radio communication apparatus has a printed-wiring board, an electronic element, a first electrode, a second electrode, an antenna, and a molded member. The first electrode is conductor-connected to the printed-wiring board. The second electrode has the same size as the first electrode, is disposed parallel to the first electrode, and capacitively coupled to the first electrode. The molded member buries the printed-wiring board, the electronic element, the first electrode, the second electrode, and the antenna.

Abstract: An antenna having a base film carrying at least one antenna structure and one electronic device with a contact region of the at least one antenna structure being provided on a tab formed from the base film and contacted with a contact region of the electronic device is made by first providing the electronic device inside a housing. Then the tab is inserted into the housing. Finally the housing is adhesively adhered in place on the base.

Abstract: Presented is radio frequency antenna circuit for portable and/or compact electronic devices. Embodiments comprise an antenna connected to an unbalanced current feeding arrangement. The unbalanced feeding arrangement may generate common mode currents which increase the overall radiation resistance and efficiency of the antenna circuit.

Abstract: A low-frequency radiating element and a high-frequency radiating element are configured so as to respectively operate in a relatively low frequency band and a relatively high frequency band that are non-contiguous with each other. A matching circuit is inserted between a transmission/reception circuit and a branching point. A high-frequency variable reactance circuit is inserted between the branching point and the high-frequency radiating element. A low-frequency variable reactance circuit is inserted between the branching point and the low-frequency radiating element. The high-frequency variable reactance circuit and the low-frequency variable reactance circuit are configured such that their reactances can be adjusted independently of each other.

Abstract: An antenna circuit for near-field communications includes a planar active winding, connected between a first and a second access terminal; an auxiliary winding coplanar with the active winding and connected by a first end to the first access terminal; and a tuning capacitor connected to the second end of the auxiliary winding. The turns of the active and auxiliary windings are interleaved.

Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a housing. The housing may have a periphery that is surrounded by peripheral conductive structures such as a segmented peripheral metal member. A segment of the peripheral metal member may be separated from a ground by a slot. An antenna feed may have a positive antenna terminal coupled to the peripheral metal member and a ground terminal coupled to the ground and may feed both an inverted-F antenna structure that is formed from the peripheral metal member and the ground and a slot antenna structure that is formed from the slot. Control circuitry may tune the antenna by controlling adjustable components that are coupled to the peripheral metal member. The adjustable components may include adjustable inductors and adjustable capacitors.