Abstract: Provided is an alkali metal cell comprising: (a) a quasi-solid cathode containing about 30% to about 95% by volume of a cathode active material, about 5% to about 40% by volume of a first electrolyte containing an alkali salt dissolved in a solvent, and about 0.01% to about 30% by volume of a conductive additive wherein the conductive additive, containing conductive filaments, forms a 3D network of electron-conducting pathways such that the quasi-solid electrode has an electrical conductivity from about 10?6 S/cm to about 300 S/cm; (b) an anode; and (c) an ion-conducting membrane or porous separator disposed between the anode and the quasi-solid cathode; wherein the quasi-solid cathode has a thickness from 200 ?m to 100 cm and a cathode active material having an active material mass loading greater than 10 mg/cm2.

Abstract: An additive for a sodium ion secondary battery of the present invention includes a compound of at least one of a saturated cyclic carbonate having a fluoro group and a chain carbonate having a fluoro group. A sodium ion secondary battery (1) of the present invention includes: a non-aqueous electrolytic solution including the additive for a sodium ion secondary battery and a non-aqueous solvent containing a saturated cyclic carbonate or a non-aqueous solvent containing a saturated cyclic carbonate and a chain carbonate; a positive electrode (11); and a negative electrode (12) that includes a coating formed in a surface of the negative electrode, the coating containing a composite material having carbon, oxygen, fluorine and sodium in the surface and includes a negative-electrode active material containing a hard carbon.

Abstract: A main object of the present invention is to provide an ion conductor which has excellent ion conductivity and high electrochemical stability. The present invention resolves the problem by providing an ion conductor represented by a general formula: (AxM1?x?yM?y)Al2O4 (“A” is a monovalent metal, “M” is a bivalent metal, “M?” is a trivalent metal, and “x” and “y” satisfy relations: 0<x<1, 0<y<1, and x+y<1) and having a spinel structure.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a battery shell of an electronic device includes providing a first metal component, providing a plastic casing, joining the first metal component to the plastic casing together, providing a battery pack, the battery pack including a main body and a connection part, disposing the battery pack on the first metal component, and fixing the connection part on the plastic casing. The thickness of the first metal component is A, the thickness of the plastic casing is B. The thickness of said plastic casing satisfies 0.4 mm?B?0.8 mm, and the total thickness of the first metal component and the plastic casing satisfies 0.8 mm?A+B?1.6 mm. The connection part is disposed on a side of the main body.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fuel cell bipolar plate comprising first and second thermoformed plates. The thermoformed plates comprise at least one thermoplastic polymer. The method includes providing film cast resin mixture and forming it into a substantially flat sheet having first and second opposing major surfaces. The sheet may be preheated to a predetermined temperature and thermoformed thereby creating separator plates of a desired size and shape. First and second plates are joined to form an integral bipolar plate.

Abstract: A device which can increase the rates of interfacial reactions including heterogeneous electron transfer reactions, the device comprising at least one sono(electro)chemical cell adapted to hold a thin layer of condensed fluid which is optionally adapted to participate in a heterogeneous electron transfer reaction, wherein the cell is further adapted to provide an ultrasonic transducer face to propagate sound waves into the thin layer of condensed fluid, and wherein the cell is still further adapted with an opening to provide the thin layer of condensed fluid with at least one interface which provides for reflection of the sound waves from the interface back into the thin layer of condensed fluid. The cells are configured to provide for a thin layer operation as opposed to a bulk operation. In method embodiments, ultrasound is applied to the thin layer of condensed fluid. The application of ultrasound is carried out both without cooling of the cell and without pressurization of the cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell system, having at least one channel system (2) for a working fluid and having a device (12, 22) for adjusting the moisture content of the working fluid flowing in one direction (23) in the channel system (2), the device (12, 22) containing a sensor which represents the actual humidity in the channel system (2). The object of the invention is to develop a fuel cell system which allows reliable and dynamic measurement of the actual humidity. The invention consists in providing an ultrasonic detector (16, 17) for measuring actual humidity.

Abstract: Disclosed are a cathode material for a secondary battery, and a manufacturing method of the same. The cathode material includes a lithium manganese phosphate LiMnPO4/sodium manganese fluorophosphate Na2MnPO4F composite, in which the LiMnPO4 and Na2MnPO4F have different crystal structures. Additionally, the method of manufacturing the cathode material may be done in a single step through a hydrothermal synthesis, which greatly reduces the time and cost of production. Additionally, the disclosure provides that the electric conductivity of the cathode material may be improved through carbon coating, thereby providing a cathode material with excellent electrochemical activity.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an ultrasonic rechargeable battery module and an ultrasonic rechargeable battery apparatus of a polyhedral structure including the same. The ultrasonic rechargeable battery module includes: a packaging including an accommodation part; a reception vibration panel coupled to a peripheral portion of the packaging by using a flexible hinge to seal the packaging; an ultrasonic wave receiving element formed in a lower surface of the reception vibration panel, and configured to convert vibration energy generated by ultrasonic waves to electric energy; a circuit board formed inside the packaging, and configured to convert the electric energy converted by the ultrasonic wave receiving element to electric energy having a predetermined size; and a secondary battery formed inside the packaging and configured to store the electric energy converted by the circuit board, in which the packaging, the flexible hinge, and the reception vibration panel are formed of a titanium alloy.

Abstract: A spiral-wound convection battery device has flow in and out of the ends with flow proceeding through flow-permeable electrodes. In the preferred configuration electrolyte flows, reverse flows, or pressure-pulse reverse flows between an electrode and counter electrode through a flow-permeable separator. The preferred configuration is as a novel stacked-cell spiral-wound battery.

Abstract: A method and system are described to treat ammonia-containing wastewater or process waters. Sewage containing human or animal waste and certain process liquids, typically water, contains high levels of nitrogen in the form of ammonia. An electro-chemical method to extract the ammonia from the wastewater is also described. The system described is one implementation of this method. One or more electrolysis cells convert ammonium to ammonia where the generated ammonia gas can readily be extracted for disposal or reuse. Such a system can involve electrolysis cells of numerous types as described herein.

Abstract: Redox flow devices are described in which at least one of the positive electrode or negative electrode-active materials is a semi-solid or is a condensed ion-storing electroactive material, and in which at least one of the electrode-active materials is transported to and from an assembly at which the electrochemical reaction occurs, producing electrical energy. The electronic conductivity of the semi-solid is increased by the addition of conductive particles to suspensions and/or via the surface modification of the solid in semi-solids (e.g., by coating the solid with a more electron conductive coating material to increase the power of the device). High energy density and high power redox flow devices are disclosed. The redox flow devices described herein can also include one or more inventive design features. In addition, inventive chemistries for use in redox flow devices are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell system, having at least one channel system (2) for a working fluid and having a device (12, 22) for adjusting the moisture content of the working fluid flowing in one direction (23) in the channel system (2), the device (12, 22) containing a sensor which represents the actual humidity in the channel system (2). The object of the invention is to develop a fuel cell system which allows reliable and dynamic measurement of the actual humidity. The invention consists in providing an ultrasonic detector (16, 17) for measuring actual humidity.

Abstract: Thin layers of fuel cells are provided on the housings of portable electrically-powered devices. The fuel cells provide electrical power for the devices. The fuel cell layers can follow contours of the device housings. some embodiments provide fuel plenums between a surface of the housing and a fuel cell layer. The fuel plenum may carry a fuel such as hydrogen gas to fuel cells of the fuel cell layer.

Abstract: In the present invention, petroleum is separated into hydrocarbon mixtures having different components at an atomizing step and a collecting step. At the atomizing step, the petroleum is ultrasonically vibrated and is discharged and atomized in a state of an atomized fine particle floating in a carrier gas. At this step, the petroleum is separated into a mixed fluid containing the atomized fine particle and the carrier gas and residual petroleum which is not atomized. At the collecting step, the hydrocarbon mixture is separated and collected from the mixed fluid obtained at the collecting step. In the separating method, the petroleum is separated into the residual petroleum and the mixed fluid at the atomizing step, and the mixed fluid is collected at the collecting step so that the petroleum is separated into hydrocarbon mixtures having different components.

Abstract: A fuel cell system in accordance with a present invention includes a fuel supply apparatus that supplies at least one reactant in a pulse.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermally treating disk-shaped substrates, especially semiconductor wafers, in a rapid heating unit having at least one first radiation source, which is spaced from a given substrate for heating the substrate. The substrate is heated in a heating phase and is cooled in a cooling phase that follows the heating phase. During at least a portion of the cooling phase, the substrate is supported at a distance of from 50 ?m to 1 mm via ultrasonic levitation from a heating/cooling plate. For example by means of an ultrasonic electrode.

Abstract: A small fuel cell (10) powers a portable electronic device (12) and contains a fuel reservoir (14) and a device (16) that measures the amount of liquid fuel (18) that is in the reservoir. The fuel cell operates on hydrogen that is obtained from a liquid hydrocarbon fuel, such as alcohol or other hydrocarbons. The liquid fuel is typically converted into hydrogen by a reforming process. The reservoir that is connected to the fuel cell has an indicia (19) that is readable by a human user of the portable electronic device, for measuring the amount of liquid hydrocarbon fuel that is present in the reservoir. Typically, the indicia consist of a sight glass, a capacitive element, a resistive element, a transparent portion of the reservoir, a float, or an acoustic transmitter coupled with an acoustic receiver.

Abstract: A fuel cell system in accordance with a present invention includes a fuel supply apparatus that supplies at least one reactant in a pulse.

Abstract: A compressor arrangement for the operation of a fuel cell system, wherein a compressed air flow can be delivered from the compressor arrangement, which is driven by an electric motor, to the fuel cell system and wherein the compressor arrangement and optionally the electric motor are at least partly surrounded by a sound insulation, is characterized in that the sound insulation is permeable to air and is provided within a housing which at least partly surrounds the compressor and preferably also the electric motor, and in that at least a part of the air intake flow for the compressor arrangement can be directed through the air permeable sound insulation before it enters into the compressor inlet.

Abstract: Sheet batteries are connected in series, layered and sandwiched between an upper substrate and a lower substrate, and the sheet batteries, the upper substrate and the lower substrate form a layered substrate with the batteries. Holes for wires of ICs are formed in the layered substrate. Applied voltages are determined according to batteries to which the holes are formed. The voltages of the sheet batteries may be uniform, or different.

Abstract: A computer-controlled ultrasonic cleaning system (10) that is designed to clean various articles ranging from integrated-circuit silicone wafers and hard disk platters to small mechanical components. The system (10) utilizes an electronic system which operates in combination with a computer (12) and software (14) to activate a plurality of crystal transducers (32). The crystal transducers (32), which are located on the lower surface of a cleaning tank (40) convert electrical energy, supplied by the electronic system, to acoustic/mechanical energy with a conversion efficiency near 80 percent. The system software includes a program that automatically calibrates the system and corrects crystal-to-crystal deficiencies to maintain the system (10) in a peak operating condition.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for enhancing the charging of a battery by exposing the battery to acoustic excitation while the battery is being charged. By adding acoustic excitation to the charging process, the present invention reduces the time needed to charge the battery, reduces the energy needed for charging, and increases the battery's cycle life. The present invention may be used to charge new and used batteries and to rejuvenate dead batteries.

Abstract: A lithium ion secondary cell comprises a plurality of single cells composed of a collector comprising positive electrodes composed of a metallic material coated with a positive electrode active substance; negative electrodes composed of a metallic material coated with a negative electrode active substance; separators interposed between the positive and negative electrodes; lugs of the metallic materials where the active substance is not coated; and conductors adapted to bunch and clamp the lugs of the positive and negative electrodes separately, the positive and negative electrodes being assembled in laminate alternatively, and the ends of the lugs of the positive and negative electrodes being welded to the respective conductors separately so that electric current can be taken out through the conductors.

Abstract: Nickel hydroxide for use in an electrode of a rechargeable battery is prepared by controlled precipitation from a neutralized reaction mixture of a nickel salt and an alkali metal hydroxide. The controlled precipitation results in the formation of generally spherical particles having a high density. Pulsed or constant ultrasonic energy is applied to the mixture or to a portion thereof during the reaction to cause an alteration in the micro and macrostructures and the surface characteristics of the particles. These alterations result in enhanced performance characteristics of the resultant electrode.

Abstract: A method for removing plasticizers such dibutyl phthalate from the anode, cathode, and polymeric matrix components of an electrochemical cell precursor using an extraction solvent and ultrasound waves is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a battery formed of stacked flat cells comprising an anode and a cathode, e.g. comprising a zinc anode, an alkaline electrolyte and a manganese dioxide carbon cathode, the casings of said cells being formed of upwardly open plastic trays (10) stacked to form a unit, the upwardly facing edge (11a,11b) of a subjacent tray in the stack being sealingly connected with a circumferential edge portion (12a,12b) of the bottom of the superjacent tray along the entire periphery, the upper edges (11a) of the trays (10) and the circumferential edge portions (11b) thereof coacting with complementary guiding and joining faces (12a,12b) in the bottom of the superjacent tray. The circumferential edge portion (12a) in the bottom and/or the upper edge (11a) of the tray 10 is provided with fluid permeable means to facilitate intrusion of the solvent by capillary effect at fusion of the trays.

Abstract: A battery pack containing a battery of cells includes an outer casing (402) adapted to receive a battery of cells (404); a bonding surface (410) positioned along the outer casing (402); an inner casing (408) adapted to encapsulate the battery of cells (404) and having a surface for bonding to the bonding surface of the outer casing (402); and a bond provided at the bonding surface to bond the inner casing (408) to the outer casing (402). Also, a method for forming a battery pack comprises steps of positioning a battery of cells within a bonding surface of an outer casing of the battery pack; encapsulating the battery of cells with an inner casing, the inner casing having a surface corresponding to the bonding surface of the outer casing; and bonding the corresponding surface of the inner casing to the bonding surface of the outer casing. The battery pack and method for forming the battery pack reduce the weight and complexity in manufacturing.

Abstract: In units comprising solid polymer electrolytes, the ionic conductivity of such electrolytes is increased by mechanically exciting the units. Such units can be solid state batteries or electrochromic devices or the like. Mechanical excitation may be provided by, for example, a piezoelectric transducer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a battery package. The battery package (5) is made using a two-piece plastic housing (16, 18, 20), with one or both of the pieces having one or more apertures (30). Cylindrical-shaped batteries (10) are electrically connected to each other and situated in the housing so that the cylinder wall (32) of each battery is co-located with an aperture, and so that the cylinder wall is substantially tangent to the exterior surface (33) of the housing. The battery package has positive and negative terminals (22, 24) on the housing that are connected to the batteries. A cover, comprising a film (34) and an adhesive material (36), is placed on the exterior surface of the housing. The assembly is ultrasonically welded so that the two pieces of the housing are joined. The ultrasonic energy also forms an adhesive bond between the co-located battery cylinder walls, the cover, and the housing by heating the adhesive material to form a unitized battery package.

Abstract: The present Invention relates to a packed battery unifying a plurality of battery cells housed in a case. The case comprises a tubular body housing the battery cells and aa couple of lids closing both the end openings of the tubular body respectively, thus being arranged in a three-unit construction. This arrangement allows the case to be completely sealed off by ultrasonic wave welding.

Abstract: To reduce thermal stress and improve bonding in a high temperature monolithic solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), intermediate layers are provided between the SOFC's electrodes and electrolyte which are of different compositions. The intermediate layers are comprised of a blend of some of the materials used in the electrode and electrolyte compositions. Particle size is controlled to reduce problems involving differential shrinkage rates of the various layers when the entire structure is fired at a single temperature, while pore formers are provided in the electrolyte layers to be removed during firing for the formation of desired pores in the electrode layers. Each layer includes a binder in the form of a thermosetting acrylic which during initial processing is cured to provide a self-supporting structure with the ceramic components in the green state.

Abstract: A method is provided for sealing portions of cation exchange membranes of carboxylic acid type fluorinated polymers. The portions of the membranes to be sealed are in the ester form of the membrane and are ultrasonically sealed at sealing times of from about 0.1 to about 5 seconds while employing power in the range of from about 50 to about 600 watts.The novel method of the present invention can be used to repair membranes of carboxylic acid type fluorinated polymers which have been torn, slit, or cut. Sections of membrane materials may be sealed together to form an enlarged or reinforced membrane. The sealed portions are substantially free of wrinkles and are not mechanically damaged or weakened.

Abstract: An electrical battery having unscaled dry cells enclosed in a two-part housing split along a plane that is parallel to the axes of the cells.

Abstract: A novel multicell electrochemical device having a plurality of bipolar carbon-plastic electrode structures and a novel method of making the device are described. A plurality of bipolar carbon-plastic electrode structures are formed by first molding thin conductive carbon-plastic sheets from heated mixtures of specified carbon and plastic, and then establishing frames of dielectric plastic material around the sheets and sealing the frames to the sheets so as to render the resulting structures liquid impermeable. A plurality of electrochemical cell elements in addition to the electrode structures, e.g. separators, spacers and the like, are also formed with dielectric plastic frames. The frames of both the electrode structures and the additional elements have projections on at least one surface. The electrode structures and the additional elements are stacked to form a group of items in an electrochemically functional arrangement.

Abstract: There is disclosed rechargeable accumulator battery apparatus in which either the zinc anode part or the porous separator part of each cell is vibrated in its own plane to produce macro and micro turbulence effects in the surrounding electrolyte to inhibit the occurrence of irregular zinc deposits on the anode in the course of repeated charge cycles. In one form, the amplitude of vibration appropriate during the charging of the particular battery is fixed mechanically by an eccentric element rotatably mounted in a permanent fashion on the battery case and adapted to be coupled to externally located motor means having a rotary power output.