Abstract: A method for producing a metal composite oxide, the method including steps of: preparing a slurry by mixing different kinds of metal compounds in a powder form, a dispersion medium, and a dispersant, and baking the different kinds of metal compounds after the dispersion medium in the slurry is removed. The slurry further includes a polyalkylene oxide having a viscosity average molecular weight of 150,000 or more. The slurry has a viscosity of 10 mPa·s to 2000 mPa·s, the viscosity being measured using a B-type viscometer under conditions of a temperature of 23° C. to 27° C. and a rotation rate of 60 rpm. According to the production method, a slurry in which different kinds metal compound powders are uniformly dispersed and a precipitate is unlikely to be formed can be obtained. Therefore, a metal composite oxide having a desired composition can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to palladium-platinum system consisting of palladium layer covered with a platinum overlayer consisting of 1 to 10 platinum monolayers deposited on palladium for use as hydrogen storage. Such system can be used in fuel cells, hydride batteries and supercapacitors. A method for increasing hydrogen absorption kinetics of hydrogen absorption/desorption process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC), comprises a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first electrode includes a coaxial nanowire electrode. In some embodiments, the coaxial nanowire electrode comprises a plurality of ionomer nanowires, and a catalyst coating that coats at least part of the ionomer nanowires. Moreover, in some embodiments, a nanowire of the plurality of ionomer nanowires and a section of the catalyst coating that coats the nanowire form two coaxial cylinders.

Abstract: Nanoporous oxygen reduction catalyst material comprising at least 90 collectively Pt, Ni, and Ta. The nanoporous oxygen reduction catalyst material is useful, for example, in fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies.

Abstract: This anode catalyst layer for a fuel cell contains electrode catalyst particles, a carbon carrier on which the electrode catalyst particles are loaded, water electrolysis catalyst particles, a proton-conducting binder, and graphitized carbon. At least part of the carbon carrier has a crystallite size La of 3.0 nm or more.

Abstract: A membrane-electrode assembly, a method for manufacturing the membrane-electrode assembly, and a fuel cell including the membrane-electrode assembly are disclosed. The membrane-electrode assembly includes: an ion exchange membrane; catalyst layers disposed on both sides of the ion exchange membrane respectively; and a functional modification layer disposed between the ion exchange membrane and each of the catalyst layers. The membrane-electrode assembly has a low hydrogen permeability without a reduction of hydrogen ion conductivity, has excellent interfacial bonding properties between the catalyst layers and the ion exchange membrane, and has excellent performance and durability under high temperature/low humidity conditions.

Abstract: An object is to provide an acid-type carboxymethylated cellulose nanofiber in which the viscosity is not excessively high at the time of preparing a dispersion liquid and the introduced carboxymethyl group is desalted to convert the acid type, and the acid-type carboxymethylated cellulose nanofiber has 0.01 to 0.50 of the degree of substitution with carboxymethyl group per glucose unit, wherein the B-type viscosity in an aqueous dispersion with a concentration of 0.95 to 1.05% by mass is 1000 mPa·s or more under the condition of 60 rpm and 20° C., and 7000 mPa·s or more under the condition of 6 rpm and 20° C.

Abstract: A liquid detection sensor includes a first electrode, an insulating layer and a second electrode. The insulating layer is located on the first electrode. The second electrode is located on the insulating layer. A surface of the second electrode is provided with a first hole passing through each of the second electrode and the insulating layer. The first electrode and the second electrode are configured to be rendered conductive through liquid collected in the first hole. Accordingly, the liquid detection sensor and a liquid detector are provided that can reduce malfunctions.

Abstract: An illustrative method of making a fuel cell component includes obtaining at least one blank plate including graphite and a polymer; establishing a temperature of the blank that is sufficient to maintain the polymer in an at least partially molten state; and applying a compression molding force to the blank until the polymer is essentially solidified to form a plate including a plurality of channels on at least one side of the plate. The blank plate has a central area having a first thickness. The blank plate also has two generally parallel edges on opposite sides of the central area. The edges have a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness.

Abstract: A fuel cell electrocatalyst and a fuel cell catalyst support structure are described herein. The fuel cell electrocatalyst includes the support structure. The support structure includes at least one titanium suboxide, a first dopant and a second dopant. The first dopant is a metal and the second dopant is a Group IV element. The fuel cell electrocatalyst also includes a metal catalyst deposited on the support structure.

Abstract: A method of forming a fuel cell system component includes dispensing an ink onto a substrate to form an ink layer, the ink containing a fuel cell system component powder, an aqueous carrier, and an emulsion comprising a water-insoluble binder and a water soluble co-solvent, and solidifying the ink layer to form the fuel cell system component.

Abstract: A composition of matter suitable for incorporation into a battery electrode is disclosed. In some implementations, the composition of matter may include pores that may be defined in size or shape by several carbonaceous particles. Each of the particles may have multiple regions such that adjacent regions are separated from each other by some of the pores. Deformable regions may be distributed throughout a perimeter of each of the particles, for example, to accommodate coalescence of multiple adjacent particles. The composition of matter may also include a plurality of aggregates and a plurality of agglomerates, where each aggregate includes a multitude of the particles joined together, and each agglomerate includes a multitude of the aggregates joined together.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of making a nanofiber-nanoparticle network to be used as electrodes of fuel cells. The method comprises electrospinning a polymer-containing material on a substrate to form nanofibers and electrospraying a catalyst-containing material on the nanofibers on the same substrate. The nanofiber-nanoparticle network made by the methods is suitable for use as electrodes in fuel cells.

Abstract: A multilayer ceramic electronic component includes a ceramic body including a dielectric layer and first and second internal electrodes stacked with the dielectric layer interposed therebetween, and including first and second external electrodes disposed on the fifth surface and the sixth surface of the ceramic body, respectively, the first and second external electrodes include first and second base electrodes including a first conductive metal and reactive glass, in contact with the ceramic body, and first and second conductive layers including and a second conductive metal, disposed on the first and second base electrodes, and a nanostructure may be disposed on surfaces of the first and second conductive layers.

Abstract: A cathode, a membrane electrode assembly, and a battery, each has excellent durability. The cathode is a cathode of a battery including an electrolyte membrane, the cathode including: a first layer which contains 0.3 mg/cm2 or more and 9.0 mg/cm2 or less of a carbon catalyst; and a second layer which is arranged between the electrolyte membrane and the first layer in the battery, and which contains 0.002 mg/cm2 or more and 0.190 mg/cm2 or less of platinum.

Abstract: An electrochemical reaction cell comprising an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a membrane electrode assembly (MEA). The MEA is positioned between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The anode electrode, the cathode electrode, and the MEA each have a corrugated shape and are contained within a recess of a housing.

Abstract: A laminated electrolyte membrane of an embodiment includes: a first electrolyte membrane; a second electrolyte membrane; and a nanosheet laminated catalyst layer provided between the first electrolyte membrane and the second electrolyte membrane and including a laminated structure in which a plurality of nanosheet catalysts is laminated with a gap.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell stack including a plurality of cells, each of which has a fuel electrode, an air electrode, and an electrolyte, and performs a power generation by a reaction between a fuel gas and air; a fuel supplier supplying the fuel gas to the fuel electrode; an air supplier supplying the air to the air electrode; a voltage detector detecting the voltage of the fuel cell stack; and a controller stopping the supplying of the fuel gas by the fuel supplier and the supplying of the air by the air supplier when the voltage of the fuel cell stack detected by the voltage detector is decreased to be lower than a threshold voltage after the power generation of the fuel cell stack is stopped.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane, a method for manufacturing the same, and a membrane electrode assembly containing the polymer electrolyte membrane are disclosed. The polymer electrolyte membrane includes: a fluorine-based support containing a plurality of pores due to polymer microfibrillar structures; a hybrid porous support placed on one side or both surfaces of the fluorine-based support and comprising nanowebs obtained by integrating nanofibers into a nonwoven fabric containing a plurality of pores; and ion conductors with which the pores of the porous support are filled. The polymer electrolyte membrane can reduce hydrogen permeability while being excellent in both durability and ion conductivity.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes: an electrolyte membrane; first and second catalyst layers respectively formed on first and second surfaces of the electrolyte membrane; and a separator, the first catalyst layer being arranged between the separator and the electrolyte membrane, wherein the separator includes first and second grooves through which reactant gas flows between the first catalyst layer and the separator.

Abstract: A fuel cell separator capable of surely discharging produced water, and a method and apparatus for producing the same. The fuel cell separator is formed in a wave shape with recesses and projections alternately arranged in a first direction, the recesses forming reactant gas channels together with a membrane electrode assembly and the projections abutting the membrane electrode assembly, in which on a surface of the fuel cell separator that is adapted to face the membrane electrode assembly, a plurality of first grooves extending in the first direction along the corrugation of the recesses and projections is disposed at intervals from each other in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and a second groove extending in the second direction and communicating with the plurality of first grooves is disposed in the bottom portion of each recess.

Abstract: Provided are an electrochemical element and the like that have both durability and high performance as well as excellent reliability. The electrochemical element includes a metal support, and an electrode layer formed on/over the metal support. The metal support is made of any one of a Fe—Cr based alloy that contains Ti in an amount of 0.15 mass % or more and 1.0 mass % or less, a Fe—Cr based alloy that contains Zr in an amount of 0.15 mass % or more and 1.0 mass % or less, and a Fe—Cr based alloy that contains Ti and Zr, a total content of Ti and Zr being 0.15 mass % or more and 1.0 mass % or less.

Abstract: Provided are a low-cost electrochemical device and the like that have both durability and high performance as well as excellent reliability. The electrochemical device includes at least one metal material, and the metal material is made of a Fe—Cr alloy that contains Ti in an amount of more than 0.10 mass % and 1.0 mass % or less.

Abstract: A composite proton-conducting membrane comprising an inorganic polymer whose pores are filled with an organic polymer, wherein both the inorganic polymer and the organic polymer are proton conductors and wherein said composite proton-conducting membrane can operate in the absence of solvents, such as water.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a vertically aligned carbon nanotube substrate includes the steps of treating a vertically aligned carbon nanotube array in an untreated state with a plasma to generate a vertically aligned carbon nanotube array in a plasma-treated state and adhering a coating onto at least a portion of the vertically aligned carbon nanotube array in the plasma-treated state to generate a vertically aligned carbon nanotube array in a coated state. The step of treating can include exposing the vertically aligned carbon nanotube substrate in the untreated state to the plasma in a plasma chamber. The step of adhering can include using a process of thermal evaporation or e-beam ablation. The method can also include the step of adhering a plurality of fluorophores to at least a portion of the vertically aligned carbon nanotube array in the coated state.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a fuel electrode, an air electrode containing a perovskite type oxide as a main component, the perovskite type oxide being represented by a general formula ABO3 and containing La and Sr at the A site, and a solid electrolyte layer arranged between the fuel electrode and the air electrode. The air electrode includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being located on the most upstream side in a flow direction of an oxidant gas that flows through a surface of the air electrode, the second portion being located on the most downstream side in the flow direction. A first ratio of a La concentration to a Sr concentration detected at the first portion through Auger electron spectroscopy is at least 1.1 times a second ratio of a La concentration to a Sr concentration detected at the second portion through Auger electron spectroscopy.

Abstract: Provided are a polymer represented by Formula 1, an electrolyte including the same, and a lithium battery including the polymer.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an electrode-forming composition, to use of said electrode-forming composition in a process for the manufacture of an electrode, to said electrode and to an electrochemical device comprising said electrode. The electrode-forming composition comprises at least one partially fluorinated fluoropolymer comprising recurring units derived from at least one fluorinated monomer and at least one functional hydrogenated monomer comprising at least one carboxylic acid end group, at least one electro-active compound, at least one liquid medium comprising at least one organic carbonate or at least one ionic liquid, and at least one metal salt.

Abstract: A catalyst, includes: a carbon support that possesses functional groups including a carboxyl group; and a metal that is supported onto the carbon support, wherein the proportion of the carboxyl group to the functional groups is 10% or higher. A method for producing a catalyst includes: (i) supporting metal particles onto a carbon support; (ii) bringing the carbon support into contact with an acid solution; and (iii) calcining the carbon support after Step (ii), wherein the carbon support included in the produced catalyst possesses functional groups including a carboxyl group, and the proportion of said carboxyl group to the functional groups is 10% or higher.

Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery includes: a cathode; an anode: a separator; and an electrolytic solution containing lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) as a lithium salt, wherein the cathode includes a current collector and a cathode mixture formed on the current collector, and wherein the cathode mixture contains an aluminum oxide, a part or an entirety of a surface of the aluminum oxide being coated with carbon.

Abstract: Disclosed are an antioxidant for fuel cells and a membrane-electrode assembly including the same. The membrane-electrode assembly may have obtained greatly improved durability by using an antioxidant having a novel composition that may provide excellent antioxidant activity and long-term durability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst for a solid polymer fuel cell, including platinum, cobalt, and zirconium supported as a catalytic metal on a carbon powder carrier, in which the supporting ratio of platinum, cobalt, and zirconium on the carbon powder carrier is Pt:Co:Zr=3:0.5 to 1.5:0.1 to 3.0 by molar ratio. In the present invention, it is preferable that the peak position of Pt3Co seen in the X-ray diffraction pattern of catalyst particles is 2?=41.10° or more and 42.00° or less, and moderate alloying has occurred in the catalytic metal.

Abstract: The fuel cell of the present disclosure includes: a unit cell including: a fuel electrode, an air electrode and electrolyte disposed between the fuel electrode and the air electrodes; a separator for separating a fuel gas flowing though the fuel electrode and air flowing through the air electrode; and a sealing constituted of a glass composition for bonding the separator and the electrolyte, and at least a surface region of the sealing portion exposed to the fuel gas and the air does not contain Ba.

Abstract: A stretchable polymer electrolyte includes a stretchable copolymer; a lithium salt; and an organic liquid, wherein the stretchable copolymer includes a non-crosslinked first repeating unit, a non-crosslinked second repeating unit, and a crosslinked third repeating unit, the first repeating unit includes a first hard segment and a first soft segment, the second repeating unit includes a second hard segment and a second soft segment, and the third repeating unit includes a third hard segment and a third soft segment.

Abstract: An electrode separator structure includes a conductive gas-resistant plate and a conductive porous structure. The conductive gas-resistant plate has a receiving space and at least a set of an inlet port and an outlet port, wherein the inlet port and the outlet port have passages communicating the receiving space. The conductive porous structure is disposed in the receiving space and communicates with the set of the inlet port and the outlet port to form reaction gas flow paths, wherein the conductive porous structure includes plural holes laminated as at least two porous layers, and the at least two porous layers are laminated in a staggered arrangement along a direction vertical to an extending plane of the conductive porous structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of altering the relative proportions of protons, deuterons and tritons in a sample using a membrane. The membrane comprises a 2D material and an ionomer. The invention also relates to a method of making said membranes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a membrane-electrode assembly for fuel cells. The method includes (a) admixing a metal catalyst, an ionomer and a first dispersion solvent to prepare a first admixture, (b) heat treating the first admixture prepared in (a) to form an ionomer-fixed metal catalyst, and (c) immersing the ionomer-fixed metal catalyst formed in (b) in a solvent, wherein the solvent in (c) may include one or more selected from the group consisting of ethanol, propanol, and isopropyl alcohol. The membrane-electrode assembly for fuel cells manufactured by the method may have substantially improved durability.

Abstract: Implementations of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) include a current collector, an electrolyte layer, and an anode. The electrolyte layer may be a solid electrolyte layer. The anode may include one or more micro-pathways that extend between the current collector and the electrolyte layer. The micro-pathways may be constructed of yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ). Each micro-pathway is in contact with the electrolyte layer and provides a direct pathway between the electrolyte layer and the current collector. The direct pathway created by the micro-pathways may be the shortest distance between the electrolyte layer and the current collector. Each of the one or more micro-pathways may be coated with electrocatalyst nanoparticles. A barrier material may be disposed between each micro-pathway and the current collector to prevent contact between the current collector and the electrocatalyst nanoparticles.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a fuel electrode, an air electrode containing a perovskite type oxide as a main component, the perovskite type oxide being represented by a general formula ABO3 and containing La and Sr at the A site, and a solid electrolyte layer arranged between the fuel electrode and the air electrode. The air electrode includes a center portion and an outer peripheral portion, the center portion being located at a center of the air electrode in a plane direction perpendicular to a thickness direction of the air electrode, the outer peripheral portion surrounding the center portion in the plane direction. A first ratio of an La concentration to an Sr concentration detected at the outer peripheral portion through Auger electron spectroscopy is at least 1.1 times a second ratio of an La concentration to an Sr concentration detected at the center portion through Auger electron spectroscopy.

Abstract: Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that have a high-capacity are provided. The lithium-ion batteries contain an anode structure that is of unitary construction and includes a non-porous region and a porous region including a top porous layer (Porous Region 1) having a first thickness and a first porosity, and a bottom porous layer (Porous Region 2) located beneath the top porous layer and forming an interface with the non-porous region. At least an upper portion of the non-porous region and the entirety of the porous region are composed of silicon, and the bottom porous layer has a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness, and a second porosity that is greater than the first porosity.

Abstract: Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that have a high-capacity and a fast charge rate are provided. The lithium-ion batteries contain an anode structure that is of unitary construction and includes a non-porous region and a porous region including a top porous layer (Porous Region 1) having a first thickness and a first porosity, and a bottom porous layer (Porous Region 2) located beneath the top porous layer and forming an interface with the non-porous region. At least an upper portion of the non-porous region and the entirety of the porous region are composed of silicon, and the bottom porous layer has a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness, and a second porosity that is greater than the first porosity.

Abstract: A proton-conductive electrochemical device and method for manufacturing the device. The device comprising a positive electrode able to reduce an oxidizing species, a negative electrode able to oxidize a reducing species, and a proton-conductive electrolyte, in contact with the positive and negative electrode. The device further comprises a layer able to diffuse protons and electrons, and forms a protective barrier against contaminants for the electrolyte. The layer is in contact with both the electrolyte and the negative electrode, and comprises a material of the type ABB?O3 or a material of the type ABO3, wherein A is an element chosen from group II of the periodic table, B is an element chosen from cerium and group IVB of the periodic table, B? is an element chosen from lanthanides or group VIIIB of the periodic table, and the layer has a porosity of less than 10% by volume.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a power generating body including a membrane electrode assembly, a resin frame placed around the power generating body, and a pair of separators laminated on the resin frame so as to sandwich the power generating body and the resin frame. The resin frame has a resin-frame-side manifold in which reaction gas flows in a direction passing through the resin frame, an opening that holds the power generating body, and a gas introduction channel formed through the resin frame between the resin-frame-side manifold and the opening. Each separator has a separator-side manifold through which the reaction gas flows, and which is provided at a position corresponding to the resin-frame-side manifold in a lamination direction, and the gas introduction channel has a gas introduction part that extends into the separator-side manifold, when viewed in the lamination direction.

Abstract: In solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stacks, increasing the height of support features in the transition regions and/or increasing the depth of the transition regions improves the flow of reactants therein and thus improves the sharing of flow in the channels in the reactant flow fields. The support feature height and transition region depth are increased so as to be out of plane with respect to the landings and channels in the reactant flow fields. The invention is suitable for cells employing metal flow field plates or plates in which no adhesives are employed in the transition regions.

Abstract: A composite polymer electrolyte membrane has a high proton conductivity even under low-humidity, low-temperature conditions, a reduced dimensional change rate, a high mechanical strength and high chemical stability, and produces a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell with a high output and high physical durability, a membrane electrode assembly, and a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell containing the same. This composite polymer electrolyte membrane contains a composite layer composed mainly of a polyazole-containing nanofiber nonwoven fabric (A) and an ionic group-containing polymer electrolyte (B), the polyazole-containing nanofiber nonwoven fabric (A) being basic.

Abstract: A composite polymer electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell may be manufactured by the following method: partially or totally filling the inside of a pore of a porous support with a hydrogen ion conductive polymer electrolyte solution by performing a solution impregnation process; and drying the hydrogen ion conductive polymer electrolyte solution while completely filling the inside of the pore with the hydrogen ion conductive polymer electrolyte solution by performing a spin dry process on the porous support of which the inside of the pore is partially or totally filled with the hydrogen ion conductive polymer electrolyte solution.

Abstract: An ion-conducting membrane includes: (i) a first ion-conducting layer including one or more first ion-conducting polymers; and (ii) a barrier layer including graphene-based platelets.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a preparation method of an alkaline anion exchange membrane and a use of the membrane in a fuel cell. The preparation method of the alkaline anion exchange membrane contains: taking polyvinyl alcohol as a substrate, which provides mechanical strength for the membrane; taking a commercialized alkaline resin as an anion exchange resin of chemically reactive groups, performing a cross-linking reaction between polyvinyl alcohol and the alkaline resin by mixing; meanwhile, during the process of forming the alkaline anion exchange membrane, adding an organic salt of transition metal, and doping transition metal ions into the membrane. By taking advantages of catalytic characteristics of the transition metal ions, the fuel leaking from the anode of the cell can perform a catalytic reaction in time in the ion exchange membrane, and thereby improve an ion conductivity of the membrane and efficiently decrease a resistance of the cell.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide an electrode for lithium ion batteries which exhibits excellent electrical conductivity even if its thickness is large. The electrode for lithium ion batteries of the present invention includes a first main surface to be located adjacent to a separator of a lithium ion battery and a second main surface to be located adjacent to a current collector of the lithium ion battery. The electrode has a thickness of 150 to 5000 ?m. The electrode contains, between the first main surface and the second main surface, a conductive member (A) made of an electronically conductive material and a large number of active material particles (B). At least part of the conductive member (A) forms a conductive path that electrically connects the first main surface to the second main surface. The conductive path is in contact with the active material particles (B) around the conductive path.

Abstract: A fuel cell catalyst layer includes a plurality of carbon particles, a plurality of catalyst particles, and at least one plate-shaped carbon member disposed between the plurality of carbon particles. The plurality of catalyst particles are supported on surfaces of the plurality of carbon particles. The plate-shaped carbon member may be replaced with a rod-shaped carbon member.