Oxide Patents (Class 429/495)
  • Patent number: 8771898
    Abstract: Described herein are solid oxide fuel cells and manufacturing methods thereof. In certain aspects, the solid oxide fuel cells described herein include a plurality of anodes and a plurality of cathodes in which the anodes and cathodes are alternately stacked on each other and have non-overlapping sections in which the anodes and cathodes do not overlap partially. In certain aspects, the plurality of anodes are electrically connected to a first electrode, and the plurality of cathodes are electrically connected to a second electrode. In certain aspects, a solid electrolyte can be included, for example, between the anode and the cathode. In certain aspects, partitioning sections are disposed between each of the cathodes and the first electrode and between each of the anodes and the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignees: TDK Corporation, Tohoku University
    Inventors: Kei Sugiura, Atsushi Hitomi, Takeshi Urano, Hitoshi Takamura
  • Publication number: 20140178795
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solid oxide fuel cell including: a unit cell including an anode, an electrolyte, and a cathode; interconnectors having a rugged shape due to a channel and a protruded portion formed on one surface or both surfaces of a body and arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval, wherein a lower surface and a side of the channel are stacked with oxidation resistance insulating ceramic layers. In particular, the present invention includes a method of manufacturing an interconnector for a planar solid oxide fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Han Kim, Jong Ho Chung, Jong Sik Yoon, Bon Seok Koo
  • Publication number: 20140162174
    Abstract: Provided is solid electrolyte utilizing a composite oxide of a RP-type structure, that is useful for achieving strong electromotive force and enhanced current-voltage characteristics of a fuel battery, has enhanced ion conductivity and sufficiently inhibited electronic conductivity, and is capable of intercalation of a large amount of water or hydrogen groups, as well as a solid electrolyte membrane, a fuel battery cell, and a fuel battery. The solid electrolyte and the solid electrolyte membrane of the present invention has been obtained by subjecting a particular composite oxide of a RP-type structure or a membrane thereof to a treatment of at least one of hydroxylation and hydration, and has a property that the mass determined by TG measurement at 400° C. is less than that at 250° C. by not less than 4.0%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicants: National University Corporationa Hokkaido University, SANTOKU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Motofumi Matsuda, Tadatoshi Murota, Tatsuya Takeguchi
  • Patent number: 8748057
    Abstract: To provide an ionic electrolyte membrane structure that enables contact between the air pole and the fuel pole in which structure an edge face of the interface between an ion conducting layer and an ion non-conducting layer stands bare on a plane, an ionic electrolyte membrane structure which transmits ions only is made up of i) a substrate having a plurality of pores which have been made through the substrate in the thickness direction thereof and ii) a plurality of multi-layer membranes each comprising an ion conducting layer formed of an ion conductive material and an ion non-conducting layer formed of an ion non-conductive material which have alternately been formed in laminae a plurality of times on each inner wall surface of the pores of the substrate in such a way that the multi-layer membranes fill up the pores completely; the ions only being transmitted in the through direction by way of the multi-layer membranes provided on the inner wall surfaces of the pores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Ito
  • Patent number: 8748058
    Abstract: A Perovskite-like structure and its device applications are disclosed. One Perovskite-like structure disclosed includes a compound having an empirical chemical formula [A(ByC1-Y)Oz]x, where x, y, and z are numerical ranges. In select embodiments, A comprises one or more divalent metal ions, B comprises one or more monovalent metal ions, C comprises one or more pentavalent metal ions, O is oxygen; and wherein x?1, 0.1?y?0.9, 2.5?z?3, and wherein the net charge of A is +2, and the net charge Of (ByC1-y) is +4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: UTI Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Thangadurai Venkataraman
  • Patent number: 8748052
    Abstract: An electricity storage system comprising a reversible fuel cell having a first electrode and a second electrode separated by an ionically conducting electrolyte, and at least two chambers adapted to hold fuel and/or a reaction product, wherein the system is substantially closed and at least one reactant for discharge is hydrogen or oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: The University Court of the University of St. Andrews
    Inventors: John Thomas Sirr Irvine, Julie Margaret Nairn, Paul Alexander Conner, James Rennie, Alan Feighery, Frances Gwyneth Elaine Jones, Kelcey Lynn Eccleston, Pierrot Sassou Attidekou
  • Patent number: 8741499
    Abstract: The solid oxide fuel cell of the present invention has a substrate (1); an electrolyte (3) that is disposed on one surface of the substrate (1); and at least one electrode element E having an anode (5) and a cathode (7) disposed on the same surface of the electrolyte (3) with a predetermined space therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuniaki Yoshikata, Koichi Mikami, Hirotoshi Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20140134504
    Abstract: A solid ceramic electrolyte may include an ion-conducting ceramic and at least one grain growth inhibitor. The ion-conducting ceramic may be a lithium metal phosphate or a derivative thereof The grain growth inhibitor may be magnesia, titania, or both. The solid ceramic electrolyte may have an average grain size of less than about 2 microns. The grain growth inhibitor may be between about 0.5 mol. % to about 10 mol. % of the solid ceramic electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventor: Jacqueline Leslie Brown
  • Patent number: 8709678
    Abstract: A method of preparing a metal-doped oxide, the method including: preparing a precursor solution including a zirconium precursor or cerium precursor, a dopant metal precursor, a solvent, and a chloride salt; and heat-treating the precursor solution to prepare the metal-doped oxide. Also an oxide including: a metal-doped zirconia or metal-doped ceria; and chlorine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soo-yeon Seo, Hee-jung Park, Chan Kwak, Sang-mock Lee, Dong-hee Yeon
  • Patent number: 8709673
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell comprises a porous anode electrode, a dense non-porous electrolyte and a porous cathode electrode. The anode electrode comprises a plurality of parallel plate members and the cathode electrode comprises a plurality of parallel plate members. The plate members of the cathode electrode inter-digitate with the plate members of the anode electrode. The electrolyte comprises at least one electrolyte member, which fills at least one space between the parallel plate members of the anode electrode and the parallel plate members of the cathode electrode. At least one non-ionically conducting member fills at least one space between the parallel plate members of the anode electrode and the parallel plate members of the cathode electrode and the at least one electrolyte member and the at least one non-ionically conducting member are arranged alternately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: LG Fuel Cell Systems Inc
    Inventors: Gerard D Agnew, Peter J Dixon
  • Patent number: 8709674
    Abstract: A plurality of tubular solid oxide fuel cells are embedded in a solid phase porous foam matrix that serves as a support structure for the fuel cells. The foam matrix has multiple regions with at least one property differing between at least two regions. The properties include porosity, electrical conductivity, and catalyst loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Alberta Research Council Inc.
    Inventors: Partho Sarkar, Mark Richardson, Luis Yamarte
  • Publication number: 20140113216
    Abstract: A treatment method for solid oxide fuel cells includes: measuring a radius of curvature of a cell; measuring a surface resistance of cathode current collecting layer of a cell; performing an alcohol permeating test of a cell; performing simultaneously several stages of compression and heating or cooling to a cell; an apparatus for completing above stages is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL, EXECUTIVE YUAN
    Inventor: INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL, EXECUTIVE YUAN
  • Patent number: 8703352
    Abstract: On each of upper and lower surfaces of a flat-plate-like support substrate having a longitudinal direction and having fuel gas flow channels formed therein, a plurality of power-generating elements A connected electrically in series are disposed at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction. On each of the upper and lower surfaces of the support substrate, a plurality of recesses are formed at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction. Each of the recesses is a rectangular-parallelepiped-like depression defined by four side walls arranged in a circumferentially closed manner and a bottom wall. That is, in the support substrate, frames are formed to surround the respective recesses. Fuel electrodes of the power-generating elements A are embedded in the respective recesses, and inter connectors are embedded in respective recesses formed on the outer surfaces of the fuel electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Ohmori, Kunihiko Yoshioka, Takashi Ryu, Kenji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8697027
    Abstract: Methods and systems of providing a source of hydrogen and oxygen with high volumetric energy density, as well as a power systems useful in non-air breathing engines such as those in, for example, submersible vehicles, is disclosed. A hydride reactor may be utilized in forming hydrogen from a metal hydride and a peroxide reactor may be utilized in forming oxygen from hydrogen peroxide. The high temperature hydrogen and oxygen may be converted to water using a solid oxide fuel cell, which serves as a power source. The power generation system may have an increased energy density in comparison to conventional batteries. Heat produced by exothermic reactions in the hydride reactor and the peroxide reactor may be transferred and utilized in other aspects of the power generation system. High temperature water produced during by the peroxide reactor may be used to fuel the hydride reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Ighor K. Uzhinsky, Gary K. Lund, John C. Leylegian, Florin Girlea, Jason S. Tyll, Lawrence G. Piper, Marten Byl, Wallace Chinitz
  • Patent number: 8697308
    Abstract: A solid oxide electrolyte including an oxide represented by Formula 1: (1?a?b)(Ce1-xMaxO2-?)+a(Mb)+b(Mc)??Formula 1 wherein 0<a<0.2, 0<b<0.2, 0<x<0.5, ? is selected so that the Ce1-xMaxO2-? is electrically neutral, Ma is a rare-earth metal, Mb is an oxide, a nitride, or a carbide of aluminum (Al), silicon (Si), magnesium (Mg), or titanium (Ti), or a combination including at least one of the foregoing, and Mc is an oxide of a metal of Groups 6 through 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Industry-University Cooperation Foundation Hanyang University
    Inventors: Sang-mock Lee, Hee-jung Park, Yong-ho Choa, Chan Kwak
  • Publication number: 20140093809
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell preventing formation of a diffusion layer containing Ca and other elements, and having an excellent power generation performance at low temperature by preventing breakdown of a crystal structure of an electrolyte by firing. Disclosed is a solid oxide fuel cell which includes an inner electrode, a solid electrolyte, and an outer electrode, each being sequentially laminated on the surface of a porous support. The porous support contains forsterite, and has a Mg/Si molar ratio of 1.90 to 2.2 both inclusive, and an A-to-B ratio (A/B) of 0.0% to 9.0% both inclusive, where A denotes a maximum peak height which appears at a diffraction angle 2?=26.5° to 27.0° and B denotes a maximum peak height which appears at 36.5° to 37.0° in a powder X-ray diffraction pattern obtained by using Cu—K? radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeru ANDO, Seiki FURUYA, Yutaka MOMIYAMA, Kiyoshi HAYAMA, Osamu OKAMOTO, Naoki WATANABE, Nobuo ISAKA, Masaki SATO
  • Patent number: 8685589
    Abstract: A fuel cell and method for manufacturing the fuel cell are described herein. Basically, the fuel cell is formed from an electrode/electrolyte structure including an array of anode electrodes and cathode electrodes disposed on opposing sides of an electrolyte sheet, the anode and cathode electrodes being electrically connected in series, parallel, or a combination thereof by electrical conductors that traverse via holes in the electrolyte sheet. Several different embodiments of electrical conductors which have a specific composition and/or a specific geometry are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael E Badding, Jacqueline L Brown, Thomas D Ketcham, Susan L Schiefelbein, Dell J St Julien, Raja R Wusirika
  • Patent number: 8679700
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for energy conversion cycle based on Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) and utilizing CO2 source (referred to as SOFC-CO2-ECC) adopt CO2 as energy sources from waste/stock gas or convert and fix it in the useful compounds. CO2 is converted into CO and O2 via simultaneously catalytic and electrochemical reactions in SOFC for power generation and CO2 cracking. Furthermore, CO is used either as the fuel in SOFC for power generation or starting materials in the chemical reactors to produce CO-derivatives of energy source materials and useful chemical compounds. Hence, SOFC-CO2-ECC is an active or scientific carbon cycle with zero emission of CO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan
    Inventors: Maw-Chwain Lee, Chun-Hsiu Wang, Yang-Chuang Chang, Wei-Xin Kao, Tai-Nan Lin, Jen-Chen Chang, Rung-Je Yang, Lin-Song Lee
  • Publication number: 20140080019
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a material with the general formula Sr1-xAxSi1-yGeyO3-0.5x, wherein A is K or Na, including mixtures thereof, and wherein 0?y?1 and 0?x?0.4. In a specific embodiment, 0?y?0.5. In another specific embodiment, 0?y?0.1 and 0?x?0.4. In another specific embodiment 0.9?y?1 and 0?x?0.25. The material may be a single-phase polycrystalline solid having a monoclinic crystal structure. The material may have an oxide-ion conductivity (?o) greater than or equal to 10?2 S/cm at a temperature of at least 500° C. The material may be formed into a planar or tubular membrane or a composite with another solid member. The material may be used as the electrolyte in a fuel cell or a regenerative or reverse fuel cell, as an oxygen sensor, or as an oxygen separation membrane. The material may also be used as a catalyst for oxidation of an olefin or for other purposes where oxide-ion conductivity is beneficial.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: John B. Goodenough, Preetam Singh
  • Publication number: 20140080031
    Abstract: A supported membrane for fuel cell applications includes a first expanded polytetrafluoroethylene support and a second expanded polytetrafluoroethylene support. Both the first and second expanded polytetrafluoroethylene supports independently have pores with a diameter from about 0.1 to about 1 microns and a thickness from about 4 to 12 microns. The supported membrane also includes an ion conducting polymer adhering to the first expanded polytetrafluoroethylene support and the second expanded polytetrafluoroethylene support such that the membrane has a thickness from about 10 to 25 microns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Lijun Zou, Timothy J. Fuller, Michael R. Schoeneweiss
  • Patent number: 8652701
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell in which an electrolyte electrode assembly having an electrolyte sandwiched between an anode and a cathode is provided between separators, each of the separators including: a sandwiching section which sandwiches an electrolyte electrode assembly and includes a fuel gas channel and a separately provided oxygen-containing gas channel; a bridge which is connected to the sandwiching section and includes a reactant gas supply channel; a reactant gas supply section which is connected to the bridge and includes a reactant gas supply passage; and a connecting section that connects the sandwiching section to the bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ogawa, Kimiko Fujisawa, Ayatoshi Yokokawa
  • Patent number: 8632926
    Abstract: Provided are a solid proton conductor and a fuel cell including the solid proton conductor. The solid proton conductor includes a polymer providing a proton source, and a polymer solvent providing a proton path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Myung-jin Lee, Moon-sung Kang
  • Publication number: 20140017587
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell bonding material contains a glass ceramic layer containing glass ceramic, and a constrained layer laminated on the glass ceramic layer. A solid oxide fuel cell employing the solid oxide fuel cell bonding material is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Ueda
  • Patent number: 8623301
    Abstract: The present invention provides solid oxide fuel cells, solid oxide electrolyzer cells, solid oxide sensors, components of any of the foregoing, and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, a solid oxide fuel cell comprises an air electrode (or cathode), a fuel electrode (or anode), an electrolyte interposed between the air electrode and the fuel electrode, and at least one electrode-electrolyte transition layer. Other embodiments provide novel methods of producing nano-scale films and/or surface modifications comprising one or more metal oxides to form ultra-thin (yet fully-dense) electrolyte layers and electrode coatings. Such layers and coatings may provide greater ionic conductivity and increased operating efficiency, which may lead to lower manufacturing costs, less-expensive materials, lower operating temperatures, smaller-sized fuel cells, electrolyzer cells, and sensors, and a greater number of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: C3 International, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Deininger, Mikhail Pozvonkov, Paul Fisher, Leonid V. Budaragin, D. Morgan Spears
  • Publication number: 20140004446
    Abstract: Provided are a ceria-based composition having an undoped or metal-doped ceria and an undoped or metal-doped bismuth oxide, wherein the undoped or metal-doped bismuth oxide is present in an amount equal to or more than about 10 wt % and less than about 50 wt % based on the total weight of the ceria-based composition, and at least one selected from the ceria and the bismuth oxide is metal-doped. The ceria-based composition may ensure high sintering density even at a temperature significantly lower than the known sintering temperature of about 1400° C., i.e., for example at a temperature of about 1000° C. or lower, and increase ion conductivity as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Sung Pil YOON, Jonghee HAN, Shin Ae SONG, Tae Hoon LIM, Hyoung-Juhn KIM, Jong Hyun JANG, Dirk HENKENSMEIER, Eun Ae CHO, Suk Woo NAM, Seong Ahn HONG, Thieu CAM-ANH
  • Publication number: 20130344416
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate to a method comprising combining a chelating agent, one or more non-aqueous organic solvents and one or more metallic compounds to produce an oxide ceramic solid in a non-aqueous solution based reaction, wherein the oxide ceramic solid contains metal-oxygen-metal bonds. The oxide ceramic solid can comprise, for example, a gel or a powder. Various devices, including electrolyte interfaces and energy storage devices are also provided. In one embodiment, the oxide ceramic solid is a cubic garnet having a nominal formula of Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Jeffrey Sakamoto, Ezhiyl Rangasamy, Hyunjoong Kim, Yunsung Kim, Ryan Patrick Maloney
  • Publication number: 20130337360
    Abstract: An SOFC component includes a first electrode, an electrolyte overlying the first electrode, and a second electrode overlying the electrolyte. The second electrode includes a bulk layer portion and a functional layer portion, the functional layer portion being an interfacial layer extending between the electrolyte and the bulk layer portion of the second electrode, wherein the bulk layer portion has a bimodal pore size distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: F. Michael Mahoney, John D. Pietras
  • Patent number: 8609290
    Abstract: A fuel cell device including an elongate ceramic substrate having an exterior surface defining an interior ceramic support structure and having a length that is at least 5 times greater than the width and the thickness so as to exhibit thermal expansion along a dominant axis coextensive with the length. The substrate has an active zone and at least one non-active end region. The active zone has an anode and a cathode in opposing relation with an electrolyte therebetween and the non-active end region lacks the anode and cathode in opposing relation and extends away from the active zone to dissipate heat. The electrolyte, anode and cathode extend within the interior ceramic support structure, the anode and cathode each have an electrical pathway extending from within the interior ceramic support structure to the exterior surface in the non-active end region, and the electrolyte is a ceramic co-fired with the interior ceramic support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventors: Alan Devoe, Lambert Devoe
  • Patent number: 8603699
    Abstract: A proton conductive electrolyte (20) is made of AB(1-x)MxO3 structure perovskite, and is characterized in that: the B is Ce; the M is a metal having valence that is smaller than +4; and an average of an ion radius of the M is less than an ion radius of Tm3+ and more than 56.4 pm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Ito, Hiroshige Matsumoto, Tatsumi Ishihara
  • Patent number: 8603698
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrolyte for fuel cells, which is mainly composed of a copolycondensate of a polyimide having an alkoxysilyl group at an end and an alkoxysilane having an ion-conducting group. Also disclosed are an electrolyte membrane for fuel cells, a binder for fuel cells and a membrane electrode assembly for fuel cells, each using the electrolyte, and a fuel cell using such a membrane electrode assembly for fuel cells. The electrolyte enables to obtain an electrolyte membrane, a binder and a membrane electrode assembly, each having high ion conductivity, high strength, high toughness, low swelling and low fuel permeability suitable for fuel cells. By using such an electrolyte, there can be obtained a low-cost fuel cell having high output power and high durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuo Kawada
  • Patent number: 8597852
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack having a plurality of connected modules. Each module includes an elongate hollow member and at least one passage extending through the hollow member. Each hollow member has a first flat surface and a second flat surface arranged parallel to the first flat surface. A first module includes a plurality of fuel cells arranged on at least one of the first and second flat surfaces. A first end of each module has an integral spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: LG Fuel Cell Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Wright, Nigel T Hart, Gerard D Agnew, Christopher Burrows
  • Publication number: 20130316266
    Abstract: Provided is a solid electrolyte material provided which, while maintaining a high oxygen ion conductivity, minimizes the extraction of scandia caused by impurities such as silicon in the fuel gas, and has improved intergranular strength in order to eliminate intergranular fracture caused by crystalline modification. The solid electrolyte material is a zirconia solid electrolyte material having yttria dissolved therein, has cubic crystals as the main ingredient, and is further characterized by having a lanthanoid oxide dissolved therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Megumi Shimazu, Akira Ueno, Toshiya Abe, Motoyasu Miyao, Kenichi Hiwatashi
  • Patent number: 8592101
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an electrolyte for an SOFC battery comprising a CVD (chemical vapor deposition) deposition step, on a substrate, of a stack of at least three layers of materials YSZ/X/YSZ, X being a different material than YSZ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Sébastien Donet, Christelle Anglade, Bertrand Morel
  • Patent number: 8580453
    Abstract: A solid oxide electrochemical device having a laminar composite electrode with improved electrochemical and mechanical performance, the laminar composite electrode comprising a porous support electrode layer, a thin and patterned structure layer, and a thin and dense electrolyte layer and methods for making.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jie Guan, Gregory R. Lear, Matthew Walker
  • Patent number: 8574784
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell having a fuel electrode, a solid electrolyte film, an air electrode, and a conductive current-collecting mesh bonded to an upper surface, opposite to a lower bonding surface with the solid electrolyte film, of the air electrode. Plural bonding portions that are bonded to the current-collecting mesh and plural non-bonding portions that are not bonded to the current-collecting mesh are present on the upper surface of the air electrode. In the air electrode, regions having a porosity smaller than a porosity of the other region are respectively formed on the position in the middle of the thickness of the air electrode from each bonding portion. The average of the porosity of the dense portion is 20% or more and less than 35%, while the average of the porosity of the porous portion is 35% or more and less than 55%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ayano Kobayashi, Makoto Ohmori
  • Patent number: 8535848
    Abstract: The structured body intended for use for an anode (1) in fuel cells, includes a structure formed by macro-pores and an electrode material. The macro-pores form communicating spaces which are produced by using pore forming materials. The electrode material includes skeleton-like or net-like connected structures of particles which are connected by sintering and which form two reticular systems which interengage: a first reticular system made of ceramic material and a second reticular system which contains metals to effect an electrical conductivity. The electrode material has the properties so that, with a multiple change between oxidizing and reducing conditions, substantially no major property changes occur in the ceramic reticular system, and an oxidization or reduction of the metals occurs in the second reticular system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Hexis AG
    Inventors: Gilles Robert, Andreas Franz-Josef Kaiser, Emad Batawi
  • Patent number: 8530107
    Abstract: A fuel cell and a fuel cell stack thereof includes separators, each of which includes a sandwiching section for sandwiching an electrolyte electrode assembly, a bridge and a reactant gas supply section, wherein the sandwiching section has a fuel gas channel and an oxygen-containing gas channel, the bridge has a fuel gas supply channel for supplying the fuel gas to the fuel gas channel and an oxygen-containing gas supply channel for supplying the oxygen-containing gas to the oxygen-containing gas channel, and a fuel gas supply passage for supplying the fuel gas to the fuel gas supply channel and an oxygen-containing gas supply passage for supplying the oxygen-containing gas to the oxygen-containing gas supply channel extend through the reactant gas supply section in the stacking direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ogawa, Ayatoshi Yokokawa
  • Publication number: 20130230791
    Abstract: A current collection apparatus and its method of processing for a solid oxide fuel cell, which mainly includes using screen printing process to print conductive adhesive onto the surface of the electrode of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), forming a current collection layer with drying process, using an appropriate amount of conductive adhesive to paste a conductive wire onto the current collection layer, forming an adhesion layer through drying, fixing the conductive wire on the electrode surface with an appropriate amount of ceramic adhesive, and forming a fixing layer after baking. A good connection is hence made between metal conductive wire and electrode through current collection layer, not only the interface impedance between electrode and current collection layer can be reduced effectively, but also the output power density of the SOFC unit cell can be enhanced, and stable as well as long term power output can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventors: Jen-Chen Chang, Maw-Chwain Lee, Rung-Je Yang, Tai-Nan Lin, Yang-Chuang Chang, Wei-Xin Kao, Lin-Song Lee
  • Publication number: 20130224628
    Abstract: A functional layer material for a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) including a ceria ceramic oxide and a metal oxide including a metal, except for zirconium, having a Vegard's slope X represented by Equation 1 and having an absolute value |X| of the Vegard's slope X, wherein 27×105?|X|?45×105: X=(0.0220ri+0.00015zi) ??(1), wherein ri is an ionic radius difference between the metal and Ce4+, and zi is a charge difference between the metal and Ce4+.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8518595
    Abstract: A proton-conducting structure that exhibits favorable proton conductivity in the temperature range of not lower than 100° C., and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. After a pyrophosphate salt containing Sn, Zr, Ti or Si is mixed with phosphoric acid, the mixture is maintained at a temperature of not less than 80° C. and not more than 150° C., and thereafter maintained at a temperature of not less than 200° C. and not more than 400° C. to manufacture a proton-conducting structure. The proton-conducting structure of the present invention has a core made of tin pyrophosphate, and a coating layer formed on the surface of the core, the coating layer containing Sn and O, and having a coordination number of O with respect to Sn of grater than 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Zenitani, Takashi Otsuka, Tomoko Suzuki, Tomoyuki Komori
  • Publication number: 20130216938
    Abstract: The material according to the invention is based on a material having the composition Ln6WO12 with a defect fluorite structure in which the cations, at least partially, have been substituted in a defined manner in the A and/or B position. It has the following composition: Ln1-xAx)6(W1-yBy)zO12-? where Ln=an element from the group (La, Pr, Nd, Sm), A=at least one element from the group (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Eu, Gd, Tb, Er, Yb, Ca, Mg, Sr, Ba, Th, In, Pb), B=at least one element from the group (Mo, Re, U, Cr, Nb), 0?x?0.7 and 0?y?0.5, wherein, however, either x or y>0, 1.00?z?1.25 and 0???0.3. The mixed proton-electron conducting material exhibits an improved mixed conductivity, good chemical stability as well as good sintering properties, and can be used in particular as a material for a hydrogen-separating membrane or as a electrolyte at higher temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicants: UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA DE VALENCIA, FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM JULICH GMBH
    Inventors: Wilhelm Albert Meulenberg, Mariya Ivanova, Hans Peter Buchkremer, Detlev Stoever, Jose Manuel Serra Alfaro, Sonia Escolastico
  • Publication number: 20130189605
    Abstract: Provided are a ceria-based composition including ceria or metal-doped ceria, lithium salt, and optionally, bismuth oxide, ceria-based composite electrolyte powder, and a sintering method and sintered body using the same. Particularly, the lithium salt is present in an amount more than 0 wt % and equal to or less than 5 wt %, and bismuth oxide is present in an amount more than 0 wt % and equal to or less than 10 wt %. It is possible to reduce sintering temperature by adding a low-melting point and/or volatile compound to a ceria-based material. In this manner, it is possible to ensure a high composite sintering density, for example, of 95% or more even at a temperature, for example, of 1000° C. or lower, which is significantly lower than the conventional sintering temperature of 1500° C. in the case of a ceria-based material alone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
  • Patent number: 8492041
    Abstract: Provides a solid oxide fuel cell with which product life can be extended while a practical output power is maintained. The present invention is a solid oxide fuel cell, having a fuel cell module (2), a fuel supply device (38), an oxidant gas supply device (45), and a controller (110) for controlling the fuel supply amount; whereby the controller is furnished with a degradation determining circuit (110a) for determining degradation in a fuel cell module, and with a fuel correction circuit (110b) for correcting operating conditions based on a degradation determination; the fuel correction circuit can execute an increasing correction mode for increasing the fuel supply amount supplied to the fuel cell module so that rated output power is maintained, or can execute a decreasing correction mode for reducing rated output voltage so that the fuel supply amount is reduced; there is also a mode selection device (110c) for selecting correction modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsukasa Shigezumi, Toshiharu Ooe, Katsuhisa Tsuchiya, Kiyotaka Nakano, Yoshiyuki Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20130183597
    Abstract: System and method for energy storage and recovery is described. More particularly, system and method using tungsten based materials to electrochemically store and recover energy is described. In certain embodiments, the system includes a reversible solid oxide electrochemical cell (RSOEC) having a porous cathode, a porous anode, and an electrolyte capable of transporting oxygen ion. The system further includes a reactor comprising tungsten, tungsten oxide, or combinations thereof. To store the energy, the RSOEC is capable of receiving electricity to electrolyze H2O to generate H2 and O2 and the reactor is operably connected to the RSOEC to receive the generated H2 and convert tungsten oxide to tungsten thereby storing electrical energy. To recover the energy, reactor is capable of receiving H2O to convert tungsten to tungsten oxide and generate H2 and the RSOEC is operably connected to the reactor to receive the generated H2 and generate electrical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Uday B. Pal, Srikanth Gopalan
  • Publication number: 20130177835
    Abstract: By using a composite material that is produced from an acid salt of an oxo acid compound and an azole compound, a proton conductor with good proton conductivity properties under medium temperature, non-humidified conditions may be achieved. The composite material may be produced by mechanical milling of the acid salt of the oxo acid compound and the azole compound using a planetary ball mill The structure of the composite material obtained by the mixing processing may be different from that of a mixture of the acid salt of the oxo acid compound and the azole compound. Therefore, it may be possible to produce the proton conductor that has good proton conductivity properties under medium temperature, non-humidified conditions with a simple method of mechanical mixing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: National University Corporation TOYOHASHI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Song-Yul Oh, Toshihiro Yoshida, Go Kawamura, Atsunori Matsuda, Hiroyuki Muto, Daisuke Uchihori
  • Patent number: 8470496
    Abstract: A novel ion conductive material is provided. The ion conductive material composed of an amorphous material is employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Riken
    Inventors: Toyoki Kunitake, Yoshitaka Aoki, Emi Muto
  • Publication number: 20130157172
    Abstract: Provided is an ion-conducting material, comprising, as a composition in terms of mol o, 15 to 80% of P2O5, 0 to 70% of SiO2, and 5 to 35% of R2O, which represents the total content of Li2O, Na2O, K2O, Rb2O, Cs2O, and Ag2O.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Tetsuo Yazawa, Yusuke Daiko, Takeshi Yamada, Hironori Takase, Hiroki Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20130154147
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) article including a SOFC unit cell having a functional layer of an average thickness of not greater than about 100 ?m, wherein the functional layer has a first type of porosity having a vertical orientation, and the first type of porosity has an aspect ratio of length:width, the width substantially aligned with a dimension of thickness of the functional layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventor: Aravind MOHANRAM
  • Patent number: 8455153
    Abstract: An anode component of a solid oxide fuel cell is formed by combining a relatively coarse yttria-stabilized-zirconium (YSZ) powder, that is substantially composed of elongated particles, with a relatively fine NiO/YSZ or NiO powder of reduced particle size, whereby, upon sintering the combined powders, the coarse YSZ powder forms a microstructural cage of open porosity wherein the fine powder is distributed through the open porosity of the cage. A method of forming a cathode component includes combining a coarse YSZ powder, that is substantially composed of elongated particles, with a fine lanthanum strontium manganite powder of reduced particle size, whereby, upon sintering the combined powders, the coarse YSZ powder forms a microstructural cage of open porosity, wherein the fine powder is distributed through the open porosity of the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: F. Michael Mahoney
  • Publication number: 20130137012
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) interconnect comprises a metal sheet with an air side and a fuel side in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The metal sheet comprises a metallic composite having a matrix. The matrix comprises a first metal. The metal sheet also comprises a plurality of discontinuous, elongated, directional reinforcement wires. The reinforcement wires comprise a second metal that is immiscible in the first metal. An oxidation protection layer is disposed on the air side of the metal sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: Boeing Corporation
    Inventor: Boeing Corporation