Abstract: To improve the cycle characteristics of a lithium ion battery, a mixture of a powder of a conversion-type oxide made of an iron oxide and/or a silicon oxide and causing a conversion reaction with Li ions and a powder of an oxygen ion conductor are used as a negative electrode material of the lithium ion battery.

Abstract: In the electrochemical element, a plate-like support includes an internal passage through which a first gas flows, a gas-permeable portion, and an electrochemical reaction portion in which a film-like electrode layer, a film-like electrolyte layer, and a film-like counter electrode layer are stacked so as to entirely or partially cover the gas-permeable portion. The internal passage includes a plurality of auxiliary passages through which the first gas flows in a predetermined flowing direction, and a distribution portion provided on the upstream side of the plurality of auxiliary passages in the flowing direction of the first gas. The plate-like support includes a supply structure that is located between the distribution portion and the auxiliary passages in the flowing direction. The first gas is temporarily stored in the distribution portion and supply of the first gas from the distribution portion to the plurality of auxiliary passages is limited.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to metal-supported proton conducting solid oxide electrochemical devices. In one aspect, a method includes forming an electrode on a metal support of a device with a first proton-conducting ceramic. The metal support comprises an iron-chromium alloy. The first proton-conducting ceramic is in a powder form. An electrolyte layer is formed on the electrode and on the metal support of the device with a second proton-conducting ceramic. The second proton-conducting ceramic is in a powder form. The device is thermally treated at about 1200° C. to 1550° C.

Abstract: A method for producing a bipolar plate strand comprises: providing a first and a second unipolar plate strand, the unipolar plate strands comprising a plurality of webs and a plurality of channels extending between two adjacent webs in each case, guiding the unipolar plate strands towards a rolling gap of a pair of rollers of a rolling device provided with rolling structures, local heating of one surface area of a surface of at least one of the unipolar plate strands, the surface area immediately before or upon entry of the unipolar plate strands into the rolling gap being heated to a joining temperature, and joining the unipolar plate strands at the at least one surface area to form a bipolar plate strand during transport of the unipolar plate strands through the rolling gap under the action of pressure.

Abstract: An electrochemical element stack that includes a plurality of stacked electrochemical elements, each of the electrochemical elements including a plate-like support provided with an internal passage. The plate-like support includes: a gas-permeable portion through which gas passes between the internal passage located inside the plate-like support and the outside; an electrochemical reaction portion covering the gas-permeable portion; and a first penetrated portion forming a supply passage through which fuel gas flows from the outside of the plate-like support to the internal passage.

Abstract: Provided is a gas diffusion layer, in which a microporous layer has an inner wall of through passages and a region adjacent to the through passages containing a greater amount of a water-repellent binder resin than a region not adjacent to the through passages, and thus water formed by an electrochemical reaction is effectively discharged from the gas diffusion layer. When the gas diffusion layer of the present invention is used, an optimal water management may be possible for smooth operation under all humidity conditions including a high humidity condition and a low humidity condition, and thus a fuel cell having improved cell performance may be obtained.

Abstract: For production of a separator plate in a fuel cell, a malleable precursor sheet is made by mixing thermoplastic polymer, carbon fibers, and electroconductive carbon particles, which is then hot-compression molded as a single layer or multi-layer structure or multi-layer structure, where the layer thickness is less than the length of the carbon fibers.

Abstract: An ion conductive layer can include a hygroscopic ion conductive material, such as a halide-based material. In an embodiment, the ion conductive layer can include an organic material, ammonium halide, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing an electrochemically active unit that includes a membrane and at least one assembly, which includes a gas diffusion layer and a sealing element produced on the gas diffusion layer. The method is reliably performable with less expenditure on process apparatuses and process time and includes the following: producing the sealing element on the gas diffusion layer; connecting the sealing element and/or the gas diffusion layer to a support element; and assembling the membrane and the at least one assembly, which includes the gas diffusion layer and the sealing element, to form the electrochemically active unit.

Abstract: Catalysts comprising a Ta layer having an outer layer with a layer comprising Pt directly thereon, wherein the Ta layer has an average thickness in a range from 0.04 to 30 nanometers, wherein the layer comprising Pt has an average thickness in a range from 0.04 to 50 nanometers, and wherein the Pt and Ta are present in an atomic ratio in a range from 0.01:1 to 10:1. Catalyst described herein are useful, for example, in fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies.

Abstract: A separator member for a fuel cell includes: a first resin layer including a resin; and a graphite layer that is layered on the first resin layer and substantially made of graphite. The layering amount of the graphite layer is 50 g/m2 or less, and the volume resistivity of the graphite is 3 m?·cm or less.

Abstract: Anode materials comprising various compositions of strontium iron cobalt molybdenum oxide (SFCM) for low- or intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cell (SOFCs) are provided. These materials offer high conductivity achievable at intermediate and low temperatures and can be used to prepare the anode layer of a SOFC. A method of making a low- or intermediate temperature SOFC having an anode layer including SFCM is also provided.

Abstract: Fuel cell assemblies comprising at least one thermally compensated coolant channel are provided. The thermally compensated coolant channel has a cross-sectional area that decreases in the coolant flow direction along at least a portion of the channel length. In some embodiments, such thermally compensated coolant channels can be used to provide substantially uniform heat flux, and substantially isothermal conditions, in fuel cells operating with substantially uniform current density.

Abstract: Described herein are novel alumina substrate-supported thin film SOFCs that may be produced at significantly reduced cost while providing improved robustness, high electrochemical performance, and the capability of effective carbon deposition resistance while still using Ni-cermet as an anode functional layer.

Abstract: To provide a catalyst layer that is low in gas diffusion resistance and proton resistance even when a support having a small specific surface area is used. The catalyst layer is a catalyst layer for fuel cells, wherein the catalyst layer comprises a catalyst metal, a support and a conductive additive; wherein the support supports the catalyst metal; wherein a specific surface area of the support is 600 m2/g-C or less; wherein the conductive additive does not support the catalyst metal and has a larger aspect ratio than the support; wherein the aspect ratio of the conductive additive is more than 10; wherein, when a total mass of the catalyst layer is 100 mass %, a percent of the conductive additive contained in the catalyst layer is more than 2 mass % and less than 20 mass %; and wherein the conductive additive is a non-hydrophilized conductive additive.

Abstract: A formation method is provided. During this formation method, a metallic substrate is provided. A coating is deposited onto the metallic substrate using a suspension plasma spray process. The coating is formed from or otherwise includes copper oxide.

Abstract: A conductive member includes a base material and a covering part located on the base material and containing a first element. The base material contains chromium. The first element has a smaller value of first ionization energy and a smaller absolute value of free energy formation of oxide than chromium.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a membrane-electrode assembly capable of reducing consumption of an electrolyte membrane. Specifically, in the present disclosure, a polymer film replaces a non-reaction portion of a conventional electrolyte membrane, so it is possible to prevent waste of a high-priced electrolyte membrane. Consequently, production of membrane-electrode assemblies is improved.

Abstract: An ion conductive layer can include a hygroscopic ion conductive material, such as a halide-based material. In an embodiment, the ion conductive layer can include an organic material, ammonium halide, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Provided are an anode for an all solid cell and a method of fabricating the same. The anode may include an anode current collector, a conductive material of which one end contacts a part of the anode current collector, a conductive coating layer surrounding the conductive material, an anode active material which contacts the other end of the conductive material, and a solid electrolyte. The conductive coating layer may prevent the conductive material and the solid electrolyte from being electrically connected to each other.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an integrated flow battery stack with a heat exchanger for thermal control of the battery during operation. The battery can comprise a stack consisting a plurality of electrochemical cells, each cell comprising a pair of electrodes separated by a membrane and sandwiched between a pair of bipolar plates. Each bipolar plate is shared between two adjacent cells. The stack is connected to an external electrical circuit by two current collectors placed at each end of the stack. At least one current collector plate is thermally coupled to a heat exchange plate which can be configured to have its temperature varied through external means. The heat exchange plate exchanges heat with the battery stack and maintains the temperature of the stack, by implication, maintains the temperature of the circulating electrolytes.

Abstract: A vehicle thermal management system includes a vehicle driving battery that generates heat during charging and discharging and a liquid heat transfer medium that transfers heat received from the battery. The system further includes a heat receiver that causes the heat transfer medium to receive heat through heat exchange with the battery and that includes a portion in contact with the heat transfer medium and made of a material containing aluminum. The system further includes a refrigerant heat exchanger that causes the heat transfer medium to release heat through heat exchange with a refrigerant and that includes a portion in contact with the heat transfer medium and made of a material containing aluminum. The heat transfer medium includes a liquid base material including water, an orthosilicic acid ester compatible with the liquid base material, and an azole derivative and has an electric insulation property.

Abstract: A direct alcohol fuel cell having an inner housing, and a proton exchange membrane separating an anode section from a cathode section. The anode section contains an anode collection element electrically connected to an anode catalyst that is in diffusive communication with a fuel supply. The cathode section contains a cathode collection element having one or more ventilation holes is electrically connected to a cathode catalyst. An oleophobic filter and/or an anion-exchange membrane is provided, which cathode catalyst via the one or more ventilation holes and the oleophobic filter and/or the anion-exchange membrane is in diffusive communication with a gaseous oxidant. The inner housing has a bottom and walls extending from the bottom to contain the anode section, the PEM and the cathode section, the bottom and/or the walls having holes allowing fluid communication from a fuel supply to the anode section. The fuel cell is suited for microelectronic devices.

Abstract: Provided are an all-solid state secondary battery including a positive electrode active material layer, a negative electrode active material layer, and a solid electrolyte layer and being coated with an exterior material layer, in which at least a part of the exterior material layer is a rubber-coating layer having a gas transmission coefficient of less than 40 cc·20 ?m/m2·24 h·atm, an exterior material for an all-solid state secondary battery, and a method for manufacturing an all-solid state secondary battery.

Abstract: An electrolyte membrane and method for generating the membrane provide a resistance as low as possible to minimize ohmic losses. The membrane has a low permeability for redox-active species. If redox-active species still cross the membrane, this transport is balanced during charge and discharge preventing a net vanadium flux and associated capacity fading. The membrane is mechanically robust, chemically stable in electrolyte solution, and low cost. A family of ion exchange membranes including a bilayer architecture achieves these requirements. The bilayer membrane includes two polymers, i) a polymer including N-heterocycles with electron lone pairs acting as proton acceptor sites and ii) a mechanically robust polymer acting as a support, which can be a dense cation exchange membrane or porous support layer. This bilayer architecture permits a very thin polymer film on a supporting polymer to minimize ohmic resistance and tune electrolyte transport properties of the membrane.

Abstract: An ambient water condenser system is described having a condensation chamber which at least partially contains or surrounds a fluid reservoir which contains a volume or mass of an aqueous hygroscopic solution for condensing water from ambient air and a distillation process for extracting the water from the solution. The fluid reservoir has a heat source, a lower porous hydrophobic membrane, and an upper porous hydrophobic membrane. The heat source causes the hygroscopic solution near the top of reservoir to have a higher temperature which causes it to have a higher water vapor pressure, whereby the water vapor passing through the upper porous hydrophobic membrane and into the condensation chamber condenses into liquid water.

Abstract: Articles and methods including layers for protection of electrodes in electrochemical cells are provided. As described herein, a layer, such as a protective layer for an electrode, may comprise a plurality of particles (e.g., crystalline inorganic particles, amorphous inorganic particles). In some aspects, at least a portion of the plurality of particles (e.g., inorganic particles) are fused to one another. For instance, in some aspects, the layer may be formed by aerosol deposition or another suitable process that involves subjecting the particles to a relatively high velocity such that fusion of particles occurs during deposition. In some cases, the protective layer may be porous.

Abstract: The invention provides an air electrode material powder for solid oxide fuel cells, comprising particles of a perovskite composite oxide represented by the general formula ABO3, and comprising La and Sr as the A-site elements, and Co and Fe as the B-site elements.

Abstract: An electrochemical device can include a cathode layer including an ionic conductor material and an electronic conductor material. The cathode layer can include a ratio of (Vi/Ve) of a volume of the ionic conductor material (Vi) to a volume of the electronic conductor material (Ve) of at least 1.3. In an embodiment, the cathode layer can include a median surface diffusion length (Ls) greater than 0.33 microns. In an embodiment, the cathode layer can include a cathode functional layer.

Abstract: A composition consisting essentially of a perovskite crystalline structure includes ions of a first metal M1 which occupies an A-site of the perovskite crystalline structure and ions of a second metal M2 which occupies a B-site of the perovskite crystalline structure. M2 has two oxidation states capable of forming a redox couple suitable for reversibly catalyzing an oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and an oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The composition also includes ions of a third metal M3 at least a portion of which substitutes for M1 in the A-site of the perovskite crystalline structure, and at least a portion of which optionally also substitutes for M2 in the B-site of the perovskite crystalline structure. At least some of the ions of M3 have a different oxidation state to the ions of M1. The composition also includes atoms of an element X, which is a chalcogen.

Abstract: A thermally insulated housing for a heat-producing, heat-radiating device such as an integrated CPOX reformer and SOFC stack includes an assembly of thermal insulation sections that presents an indirect, or tortuous, path that inhibits the flow of IR vectors to the walls of the housing.

Abstract: A plurality of channel elements provided in a bipolar plate have different widths depending on positions, so that the velocity of flow of the fluid increases from an inlet toward an outlet of the bipolar plate and water generated when the fluid is condensed on the downstream side of the bipolar plate can be discharged more smoothly. In addition, a plurality of channel elements have different contact angles depending on positions of the plurality of channel elements so that the contact angle increases toward the outlet side of the bipolar plate. Thus, the reaction gas can be more concentrated on the surface of a gas diffusion layer. Even if the concentration of the reaction gas is reduced at the outlet side of the bipolar plate, the diffusion of the reaction gas is well performed, so that performance reduction can be prevented.

Abstract: A polyelemental catalyst structure. The structure includes a region formed of a first metal material, a first core region formed of a second metal material, and a second core region formed of a third metal material. The first core region has interfacial contact with the region. The second core region has interfacial contact with the first core region. The polyelemental catalyst structure includes platinum (Pt), a first metal MI, a second metal MII and a third metal MIII. The first metal MI is configured to enhance catalytic activity of Pt. The second metal MII is configured to enhance stability of the polyelemental catalyst structure. The third metal MIII is configured to enhance covalent bonding between Pt, the first metal MI, the second metal MII and/or the third metal MIII.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a first fluid flow plate including a first plurality of first channels for flow of an oxidant or a fuel. The plurality of first channel has first channel cross-sectional flow areas. A second fluid flow plate includes a second plurality of second channels for flow of an oxidant or a fuel. The plurality of second channels has second channel cross-sectional flow areas. A membrane electrode assembly is located between the first plate and the second plate. The first flow plate includes a passage for a flow of a fluid entirely on a seam side of the first flow plate as the first plurality of first channels. The passage has a cross-sectional area for flow of the fluid smaller than the first channel cross-sectional flow area.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to electrode structures. In one aspect, a method includes: providing an electrode layer comprising a ceramic, the ceramic being porous; providing a catalyst precursor, the catalyst precursor being a cathode catalyst precursor or an anode catalyst precursor; infiltrating the catalyst precursor in a first side of the electrode layer; after the infiltrating operation, heating the electrode layer to about 750° C. to 950° C., the catalyst precursor forming a catalyst, the catalyst being a cathode catalyst or an anode catalyst; infiltrating the catalyst precursor in the first side of the electrode layer; after the infiltrating operation, heating the electrode layer to about 300° C. to 700° C., the catalyst precursor forming the catalyst, the catalyst being the cathode catalyst or the anode catalyst.

Abstract: Provided is a carbon foam and a membrane electrode assembly having linear portions and node portions joining the linear portions; and a carbon foam and a membrane electrode assembly having linear portions and node portions joining the linear portions, where the carbon content is 51 mass % or more, and the mean deviation of coefficient of friction by the Kawabata evaluation system method is 0.006 or less.

Abstract: A battery includes a redox flow anode chamber coupled to an anode current collector, a separator, and an external container in fluid connection with the redox flow anode chamber. The external container has therein a solid phosphorus material. A first redox-active mediator and the second redox-active mediator are circulated through the half-cell electrode chamber and the external container. During a charging cycle the first redox-active mediator is reduced at the current collector electrode and the reduced first mediator reduces the phosphorus material, and wherein during a discharging cycle the second redox-active mediator is oxidized at the anode current collector electrode, and the second redox-active mediator is then reduced by the reduced phosphorus material. A method of operating a battery and a method of making a battery are also discussed.

Abstract: In relation to a Cu-based delafossite-type oxide that is effective as an exhaust gas purification catalyst, Cu is placed in a high catalytic activity low-valence state, whereby a novel Cu-based delafossite-type oxide having higher activity than in the past is provided. Proposed is a delafossite-type oxide for an exhaust gas purification catalyst that is represented by a general formula ABO2, wherein Cu and Ag are contained in the A site of the general formula, one or two or more elements selected from the group consisting of Mn, Al, Cr, Ga, Fe, Co, Ni, In, La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Y, V, and Ti are contained in the B site of the general formula, and Ag is contained at a ratio of 0.001 at. % or more and less than 20 at. % in the A site of the general formula.

Abstract: A fuel cell battery includes a plurality of stacks. Each of the stacks is a module containing a cell, and a base plate and a cover plate sandwiching the cell therebetween. In a state where the stacks are stacked together with a gasket being sandwiched between two adjacent stacks of the stacks, the two adjacent stacks are connected to each other by a connecting bolt. The gasket has, at a central part thereof, a contact plate that is elastic and electrically conductive. When the gasket is sandwiched between the two adjacent stacks, the contact plate is brought into abutment with the cover plate and the base plate.

Abstract: A hybrid catalyst coating composed of a conformal thin film with exsoluted PrOx nano-particles. The conformal PNM thin film can be a perovskite composition of PrNi0.5Mn0.5O3 (PNM). The PrOx nano-particles dramatically enhance the oxygen reduction reaction kinetics via a high concentration of oxygen vacancies while the thin PNM film effectively suppresses strontium segregation from the cathode of an intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cell.

Abstract: Anode materials comprising various compositions of strontium iron cobalt molybdenum oxide (SFCM) for low- or intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cell (SOFCs) are provided. These materials offer high conductivity achievable at intermediate and low temperatures and can be used to prepare the anode layer of a SOFC. A method of making a low- or intermediate temperature SOFC having an anode layer including SFCM is also provided.

Abstract: Fuel cell assemblies comprising at least one thermally compensated coolant channel are provided. The thermally compensated coolant channel has a cross-sectional area that decreases in the coolant flow direction along at least a portion of the channel length. In some embodiments, such thermally compensated coolant channels can be used to provide substantially uniform heat flux, and substantially isothermal conditions, in fuel cells operating with substantially uniform current density.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes an oxide semiconductor layer, a first electrode, a second electrode, and a control electrode. The oxide semiconductor layer includes tin and tungsten. An average coordination number of oxygen atoms to tin atoms is greater than 3 but less than 4. The first electrode is electrically connected to a first end portion of the oxide semiconductor layer. The second electrode is electrically connected to a second end portion of the oxide semiconductor layer on a side opposite to the first end portion. The control electrode opposes a portion of the oxide semiconductor layer between the first end portion and the second end portion.

Abstract: A membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly for a fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly including an electrolyte membrane, an anode catalyst layer, and a cathode catalyst layer, an anode diffusion layer joined to the anode catalyst layer of the membrane electrode assembly, and a cathode diffusion layer joined to the cathode catalyst layer of the membrane electrode assembly, in which at least one of the anode diffusion layer and the cathode diffusion layer includes a microporous layer that makes contact with the membrane electrode assembly, the microporous layer contains a cerium compound, and at least one of the electrolyte membrane, the anode catalyst layer, and the cathode catalyst layer comprises cerium ions.

Abstract: The invention relates to metal supported solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), fuel cell stacks containing the same, methods of their manufacture and use thereof. The SOFC of the invention utilises an extended electrolyte and barrier layers to prevent specific types of corrosion of the metal substrate. This new coating approach reduces the rate of degradation of the fuel cells and improves system reliability when operated over long durations.

Abstract: The present specification relates to a method for manufacturing a membrane-electrode assembly, a membrane-electrode assembly manufactured using the same, and a fuel cell comprising the same.

Abstract: Provided is a novel exhaust gas purification catalyst, which uses a Cu-based delafossite oxide, capable of increasing the exhaust gas purification performance compared to the case of using the Cu-based delafossite oxide alone. Proposed is an exhaust gas purification catalyst comprising a delafossite-type oxide represented by a general formula ABO2 and an inorganic porous material, wherein Cu is contained in the A site of the general formula of the delafossite oxide, one or two or more elements selected from the group consisting of Mn, Al, Cr, Ga, Fe, Co, Ni, In, La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Y, V, and Ti are contained in the B site thereof, and Cu is contained in 3 to 30% relative to the total content (mass) of the delafossite-type oxide and the inorganic porous material.

Abstract: A carbon separator for a solid polymer fuel cell is provided that includes a core material made of steel, and a carbon layer. The chemical composition of the steel is, by mass %, C: more than 0.02% to 0.12% or less, Si: 0.05 to 1.5%, Al: 0.001 to 1.0%, Mn: 0.01 to 1.0%, P: 0.045% or less, S: 0.01% or less, N: 0.06% or less, V: 0.5% or less, Cr: more than 13.0% to less than 25.0%, Mo: 0 to 2.5%, Ni: 0 to 0.8%, Cu: 0 to 0.8%, REM: 0 to 0.1%, B: 0 to 1.0%, Sn: 0 to 2.5%, In: 0 to 0.1%, and the balance: Fe and impurities. The steel has therein precipitates including M23C6 type Cr carbides that are finely precipitated and dispersed. A part of the precipitates protrude from the steel surface.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell, with a membrane, a catalyst layer (16) and a gas diffusion layer. The catalyst layer (16) has a first side facing the membrane and a second side facing the gas diffusion layer. In the catalyst layer (16) an ionomer content increases towards the membrane. The catalyst layer (16) has a first sublayer (22) in which catalyst particles (26) are coated with a first ionomer (28). The catalyst layer (16) further has a second sublayer (24) with a second ionomer (32) which is closer to the membrane than the first sublayer (22). Pores (30) are present at least between the coated catalyst particles (26). Further, a method for preparing such a membrane electrode assembly, a fuel cell system and a vehicle with a fuel cell system.

Abstract: A method is provided that modifies a catalyst layer of a membrane catalyst layer assembly, which is manufactured by transferring the catalyst layer formed on a transfer sheet onto an electrolyte membrane. In the catalyst layer correction method, presence or absence of a defect in the catalyst layer is detected. The defect is removed based on the size and position of the detected defect. The portion from which the defect has been removed is repaired by application thereto of a correcting ink corresponding to the catalyst layer.