Abstract: Capacitor comprising: a first porous semiconductor having an average pore size of between 20 nm and 200 nm and preferably between 40 nm and 100 nm, at least one second electric conductor, wherein the second electric conductor infiltrates the porous structure, and the materials involved are selected such that a potential barrier is formed between the first porous semiconductor and the second conductor, without applying an external voltage, as a result of the diffusion of charge carriers, which is preferably more than 0.5 V, more preferably more than 0.7 V, more preferably more than 1 V, and more preferably still more than 1.4 V, wherein a dielectric layer having a thickness of 1 nm to 10 nm is preferably arranged between the first porous semiconductor and the second electric conductor.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates generally to apparatuses and methods of fabricating solid-state electrochemical cells having redox-active polymers. In one aspect, an electrochemical cell comprises a negative electrode including a first redox-active polymer and configured to be reversibly oxidized during a discharging operation and further configured to be reversibly reduced during a charging operation. The electrochemical cell additionally comprises a positive electrode including a second redox-active polymer and configured to be reversibly reduced during the discharging operation and further configured to be reversibly oxidized during the charging operation. The electrochemical cell further comprises an electrolyte including a solid ion-exchange polymer, the electrolyte interposed between positive and negative electrodes and configured to conduct ions therebetween.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a metal chalcogenide thin film electrode, comprising the steps: (a) contacting a metal or metal oxide with an elementary halogen in a non-aqueous solvent, producing a metal halide compound in the solution, (b) applying a negative electric voltage to an electrically conducting or semiconducting substrate which is in contact with the solution from step (a), and (c) during and/or after step (b) contacting the substrate with an elementary chalcogen forming a metal chalcogenide layer on the substrate. The invention also relates to a metal chalcogenide thin film electrode which can be produced by the method and its use as an anode for releasing oxygen during (photo)electrochemical water splitting.

Abstract: The present invention provides electroactive polymer (“EAP”) transducers having improved properties. This improvement is achieved without decreasing film thickness, or by using high dielectric constant and high field, so that this approach does not adversely affect the reliability and physical properties of the resultant dielectric films. Mobile electrically active additives are added to the electrode formulation which significantly improve the performance of electroactive polymer transducers. Such additives do not need to be ionic. These electrically active additives can enable higher performance devices, smaller devices using less active area, lower voltage/power operation, and combinations of these enhancements.

Abstract: This method enables the use of nanowire or nano-textured forms of Polyaniline and other conductive polymers in energy storage components. The delicate nature of these very high surface area materials are preserved during the continuous electrochemical synthesis, drying, solvent application and physical assembly. The invention also relates to a negative electrode that is comprised of etched, lithiated aluminum that is safer and lighter weight than conventional carbon based lithium-ion negative electrodes. The invention provides for improved methods for making negative and positive electrodes and for energy storage devices containing them. The invention provides sufficient stability in organic solvent and electrolyte solutions, where the prior art processes commonly fail. The invention further provides stability during repetitive charge and discharge. The invention also provides for novel microstructure protecting support membranes to be used in an energy storage device.

Abstract: A first aqueous solution filled in an electrolytic cell (2) is electrolyzed by applying DC voltage between the electrodes 7a and 7b in said electrolytic cell 2, to form an oxidation field short of electrons in said aqueous solution; and then, a second aqueous solution with carboxylic acid dissolved in it is mixed into the first aqueous solution in oxidation field state, so that the first aqueous solution in oxidation field state obtains electrons and is deoxidized, and the carboxylic acid is oxidized, to produce carbonic acid gas in said aqueous solution. Therefore, the present invention can be used to produce carbonic acid gas solution at a low cost easily.

Abstract: A method for producing a secondary cell according to the present invention includes step (A) of putting a solution having an electrochemically reversibly oxidizable/reducible organic compound and a supporting electrolyte dissolved therein into contact with a positive electrode active material, thereby oxidizing or reducing the positive electrode active material; and step (B) of accommodating the oxidized positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material in a case in the state of facing each other with a separator being placed therebetween, and filling the case with an electrolyte solution. By oxidizing or reducing the positive electrode active material, lithium ions or anions as the support electrode are incorporated into the positive electrode active material.

Abstract: A method for the production of a biofilm at the surface of an electrode in a liquid medium containing bacteria and a substrate for growth of the bacteria, in which a system of electrodes constituted of two electrodes, which are connected to a direct electric current source, is used, these two electrodes are placed in the medium and a predetermined and constant potential difference is applied between the electrodes, by virtue of which biofilms form at the surface of the electrodes. Resulting electrodes and biocells.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and an apparatus for the electrochemical deposition of fine catalyst particles onto carbon fibre-containing substrates which have a compensating layer (“microlayer”). The method comprises the preparation of a precursor suspension containing ionomer, carbon black and metal ions. This suspension is applied to the substrate and then dried. The deposition of the catalyst particles onto the carbon fibre-containing substrate is effected by a pulsed electrochemical method in an aqueous electrolyte. The noble metal-containing catalyst particles produced by the method have particle sizes in the nanometer range. The catalyst-coated substrates are used for the production of electrodes, gas diffusion electrodes and membrane electrode units for electrochemical devices, such as fuel cells (membrane fuel cells, PEMFC, DMFC, etc.), electrolysers or electrochemical sensors.

Abstract: An electrode of an electrochemical cell and a method for fabricating the same is provided. The electrode is prepared by depositing ionomers to the catalyst layer of an electronic conductive layer, e.g. catalysts-coated carbon cloths. The ionomers are controllably deposited into the catalyst layer by applying a voltage. As a result, ionic conduction is enhanced and the reaction area of the three-phase-boundary region is increased.

Abstract: A method for producing hydrogen and applications thereof, includes: a reaction and formation step, a reaction and acceleration step, and an extended treatment step, the reaction and formation step performed by a) providing a reaction object made of a metallic material; b) cleaning the reaction object; and c) having the cleaned reaction object chemically contacted with an electrolyte solution so as to generate a chemical reaction and to produce hydrogen and by-products thereof, the reaction and acceleration step performed to accelerate hydrogen production rate through the chemical reaction by adding an acidic material while performing the reaction and formation step, and the extended treatment step performed by drying an electrolyte solution of metal ions produced after hydrogen production reaction, and treating the electrolyte solution of metal ions with appropriate solutions so as to completely achieve economical and practical purposes of carrying out oxidation reduction and prevent a second pollution.

Abstract: A method for producing a metal oxide thin film (70) includes a plating process in which a methyl-ketone-based organic solution (20) containing dimethyl sulfoxide and halogen is used as a plating solution. Using such an organic solution, which is corrosive, as the plating solution, a thin film of non-water-soluble metal oxides can be formed. Further, owing to the halogen and dimethyl sulfoxide contained in the organic solution, the formed metal oxide thin film has a high thickness uniformity and a high density.

Abstract: Compositions comprising at least one conductive polymer and an organic cation are provided, and methods for making the same.

Abstract: An electrolyte solution for driving an electrolytic capacitor having a solvent composed of 20 to 80 wt % of an organic solvent and 80 to 20 wt % of water, characterized in that it comprises one or more nitro compounds or nitroso compounds exclusive of nitrophenol, nitrobenzoic acid, dinitrobenzoic acid, nitroacetophenone and nitroanisole; an electrolytic capacitor comprising the electrolyte solution for driving an electrolytic capacitor; and an electrolytic capacitor comprising one or more nitro compounds or nitroso compounds located at another portion than an electrolyte solution therein. The electrolyte solution preferably contains a carboxylic acid or a salt thereof or an inorganic acid or a salt thereof as an electrolyte.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an enhanced very high volt electrolyte for use in electrolytic capacitors. In particular, by the inclusion of a polymer matrix of a hydrogel, preferably of the family of poly(hydroxy alkyl methacrylate) but also including polyvinylalcohol (PVA), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), into a standard fill electrolyte, the breakdown voltage of the enhanced very high volt electrolyte of the present invention is raised to as much as 800 V. An electrolytic capacitor impregnated with the enhanced very high volt electrolyte of the present invention, is capable of operating at a voltage of 700 to 800 volts. The production of a very high volt capacitor capable of operating at a voltage of 700 to 800 volts allows a single high volt electrolytic capacitor to replace the conventional two capacitors-in-series arrangement of an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD).

Abstract: A method of manufacture of an electrode formed from at least one electrically conductive polymer having a lower polymerization potential than p-doping peak. The method of manufacture of the electrode including a conditioning step which results in remarkably high charge capacities and excellent cycling efficiency. The provision of these polymeric electrodes further permits the manufacture of an electrochemical storage cell which is substantially free of metal components, thereby improving handling of the storage cell and obviating safety and environmental concerns associated with alternative secondary battery technology.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the electrochemistry of conjugated polymers in ionic liquids and the development and fabrication of long-lived, highly stable conjugated polymer electrochemical devices by using ionic liquids as electrolytes. More specially, the invention relates to the use of ionic liquids as electrolytes for the fabrication of long-lived, highly stable electrochemical actuators, electrochemical capacitors and electrochemical batteries having conjugated polymers as active electrodes as well as for the fabrication of long-lived, highly stable electrochromic devices with polyaniline and polythiophene as coloration materials.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an enhanced very high volt electrolyte for use in electrolytic capacitors. In particular, by the inclusion of a polymer matrix of a hydrogel, preferably of the family of poly(hydroxy alkyl methacrylate) but also including polyvinylalcohol (PVA), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), into a standard fill electrolyte, the breakdown voltage of the enhanced very high volt electrolyte of the present invention is raised to as much as 800 V. An electrolytic capacitor impregnated with the enhanced very high volt electrolyte of the present invention, is capable of operating at a voltage of 700 to 800 volts. The production of a very high volt capacitor capable of operating at a voltage of 700 to 800 volts allows a single high volt electrolytic capacitor to replace the conventional two capacitors-in-series arrangement of an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD).

Abstract: This invention provides a method for producing a quasi-solid state charge storage device capable of being repeatedly charged and discharged, having one or more electrochemical cells with a structure capable of being stacked or combined to form primary or secondary battery devices, each cell composed entirely of an ionically conducting gel polymer electrolyte layer separating opposing surfaces of electronically conducting conjugated polymeric anode and cathode electrodes supported on lightweight porous substrates; a method of forming conjugated polymers into large area composite electrode structures with practical levels of charge storage capacity; and a quasi-solid state charge storage device produced by the above methods.

Abstract: A polypyrrole shaped material characterized in that when the polypyrrole shaped material is assembled into a tri-electrode cell comprising the polypyrrole shaped material as a positive electrode, platinum as a negative electrode, a lithium metal as a reference electrode and LiClO.sub.4 or LiBF.sub.4 as an electrolyte and said tri-electrode and cell are subjected to discharging at a current density of 10 mA/cm.sup.2 and controlled-potential charging at 3.6 V, (i) at the completion of the discharging, the concentration of chlorine or fluorine in the polypyrrole shaped material is 30% or below of that at the completion of the charging, and (ii) at the completion of the charging, the distribution of chlorine or fluorine in the thickness direction of the polypyrrole shaped material is 50% or less. This polypyrrole shaped material enables charging and discharging at high current densities and has large charging and discharging capacities, and can therefore be utilized as an electrode for secondary battery.

Abstract: A laminate suitable for vehicular applications includes at least two sheets of aluminum alloy and an adhesive layer between the sheets bonding them together. An oxide layer on surfaces of the sheets is treated with a phosphorous acid electrolyte, so that a coordination number of four predominates for the aluminum-oxygen-phosphorous bond. Equivalent bonding strengths in the laminates are obtained in substantially less time with phosphorous acid treatment compared with phosphoric acid treatment.

Abstract: Cells are disclosed using doped electroconductive polymer electrodes and electrolytes of alkali metal cations and soft anions in polar organic solvents. The structure of the negative electrodes comprises layers of electroconductive polymers and ion exchange resin. Conditioning the negative electrodes is effected with AC current, the energy of the negative pulses exceeding that of the positive pulses.