Having An Inorganic Matrix, Substrate, Or Support Patents (Class 429/532)
  • Publication number: 20140349216
    Abstract: A composite electrode structure and methods of making and using thereof are disclosed. The structure has a metal substrate with a metal oxide layer. The average thickness of the metal oxide layer is less than 150 nm, and comprises at least a first metal and a second metal, wherein the first metal and the second metal are different elements. A plurality of carbon nanotubes is disposed on a first surface of the metal oxide layer. At least a portion of the carbon nanotubes are disposed such that one end of the carbon nanotube is positioned at least 5 nm below the surface of the metal oxide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: ULTORA, INC.
    Inventors: Cattien V. NGUYEN, You LI, Hoang Nguyen LY, Darrell L. NIEMANN, Bevan VO, Philip A. Kraus
  • Patent number: 8895207
    Abstract: Novel materials comprising a solid support, linker arms and metal-organic complexes, and their use for the electrocatalytic production and oxidation of H2. Such materials can be used for the production of electrodes in the field of electronics, and notably electrodes for fuel cells, electrolysers and photoelectrocatalytical (PEC) devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Vincent Artero, Marc Fontecave, Serge Palacin, Alan Le Goff, Bruno Jousselme
  • Publication number: 20140342270
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cermet body composition for the preparation of novel cermet materials to be used in solid oxide fuel cells. The cermet body composition comprises a ceramic component and a metallic component, wherein the ceramic component is in the range of 5% to 95% by wt of the cermet body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSITI BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
    Inventors: Peter Hing, Lim Chee Ming, Khan Muhammad Naeem
  • Publication number: 20140322632
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrode for electrochemistry with a high quality, in which the surface area of the polycrystalline conductive diamond layer is increased and the crystal plane is controlled. In addition, when the catalyst layer of electrode substance is coated on the polycrystalline conductive diamond layer, adherence between the two layers is increased to provide an electrode for electrochemistry with a high durability. The polycrystalline conductive diamond layer is held under an atmosphere of carbon dioxide at a temperature 400 degrees Celsius or higher but 1000 degrees Celsius or lower to make the polycrystalline conductive diamond layer porous and make a specific crystal plane to remain and be formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Permelec Electrode Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru Sugimoto, Junfeng Zhang
  • Publication number: 20140322633
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid oxide fuel cell which can improve the overall performance of the cell and obtain durability and reliability, and the invention provides a solid oxide fuel cell comprising a reaction preventing layer and a method for manufacturing the same, wherein an anode, an electrolyte, and a cathode are comprised, and a material which is formed between the electrolyte and the anode comprises 35-90 mol % of gadolinia-doped ceria (GDC) and 10-65 mol % metal oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: POSCO
    Inventors: Byeong-Geun Seong, Hong-Youl Bae
  • Patent number: 8865373
    Abstract: [OBJECT] In an SOFC cell comprising a Cr-containing alloy or the like and an air electrode bonded together, the invention is to provide a cell capable of effectively restricting occurrence of Cr poisoning of the air electrode and capable also of effectively restricting occurrence of oxidation deterioration due to Cr depletion in the alloy or the like. [SOLUTION] In a cell for a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) comprising a Cr (chrome)-containing alloy or oxide and an air electrode bonded together, wherein on the surface of the alloy or oxide, there is formed a coating layer containing a spinel oxide comprised of a first mono metal oxide and a second mono metal oxide, the first mono metal oxide having an equilibrium dissociated oxygen partial pressure at 750° C. ranging from 1.83×10?20 to 3.44×10?13 atm., the second mono metal oxide having a lower equilibrium dissociated oxygen partial pressure at 750° C. than the first mono metal oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuichi Inoue, Hidemasa Nonaka, Satoru Uenoyama
  • Publication number: 20140308603
    Abstract: Titanium suboxide (TixO2x-1) nanoparticles useful as a support for a catalyst electrode of a fuel cell, and a method for synthesizing the titanium suboxide (TixO2x-1) nanoparticles by using TiO2, a Co catalyst and hydrogen gas at a low temperature ranging from 600 to 900° C. are described Since the titanium suboxide nanoparticles show high corrosion resistance to acid and durability and have excellent thermal and electric conductivities, a catalyst electrode manufactured by using the same as a support exhibits improved catalytic activity and oxidation reduction (redox) properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicants: Soongsil University Research Consortium techno- PARK, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Bum Wook ROH, Jin Seong CHOI, Mi Hye YI, In Chul HWANG, Young Woo LEE, Sang Beom HAN, Kyung Won PARK
  • Publication number: 20140308594
    Abstract: A cathode for a metal air battery includes a cathode structure having pores. The cathode structure has a metal side and an air side. The porosity decreases from the air side to the metal side. A metal air battery and a method of making a cathode for a metal air battery are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Nancy J. DUDNEY, James W. KLETT, Jagjit NANDA, Chaitanya Kumar NARULA, Sreekanth PANNALA
  • Patent number: 8859458
    Abstract: Provided are a method of preparing an electrocatalyst for fuel cells in a core-shell structure, an electrocatalyst for fuel cells having a core-shell structure, and a fuel cell including the electrocatalyst for fuel cells. The method may be useful in forming a core and a shell layer without performing a subsequent process such as chemical treatment or heat treatment and forming a core support in which core particles having a nanosize diameter are homogeneously supported, followed by selectively forming shell layers on surfaces of the core particles in the support. Also, the electrocatalyst for fuel cells has a high catalyst-supporting amount and excellent catalyst activity and electrochemical property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Seung Jun Hwang, Sung Jong Yoo, Soo Kil Kim, Eun Ae Cho, Jong Hyun Jang, Hyoung Juhn Kim, Suk Woo Nam, Tae Hoon Lim
  • Publication number: 20140295316
    Abstract: A catalyst includes (i) a primary metal or alloy or mixture including the primary metal, and (ii) an electrically conductive carbon support material for the primary metal or alloy or mixture including the primary metal, wherein the carbon support material: (a) has a specific surface area (BET) of 100-600 m2/g, and (b) has a micropore area of 10-90 m2/g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Sarah Caroline Ball, Graham Alan Hards, Marlene Rodlert, Jonathan David Brereton Sharman, Michael E Spahr
  • Publication number: 20140248552
    Abstract: A support for a fuel cell includes a substrate including highly crystalline carbon, and a crystalline carbon layer on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun-Young KIM, Sung-Chul LEE, Myoung-Ki MIN, Yong-Bum PARK
  • Patent number: 8822078
    Abstract: The present invention relates to freestanding carbon nanotube paper comprising purified carbon nanotubes, where the purified carbon nanotubes form the freestanding carbon nanotube paper and carbon microparticles embedded in and/or present on a surface of the carbon nanotube paper. The invention also relates to a lithium ion battery, capacitor, supercapacitor, battery/capacitor, and fuel cell containing the freestanding carbon nanotube paper as an electrode. Also disclosed is a method of making a freestanding carbon nanotube paper. This method involves providing purified carbon nanotubes, contacting the purified carbon nanotubes with an organic solvent under conditions effective to form a dispersion comprising the purified carbon nanotubes. The dispersion is formed into a carbon nanotube paper and carbon microparticles are incorporated with the purified carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Rochester Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Brian J. Landi, Ryne P. Raffaelle, Cory D. Cress
  • Patent number: 8815465
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes: a proton conductive membrane for conducting protons; electrode catalyst layers arranged at both sides of the proton conductive membrane containing catalyst particles and an electrode electrolyte; and gas diffusion layers arranged on the respective electrode catalyst layers, having a porous basic material. Further, intermediate layers each having a thickness of 2-6 ?m are included, with noble metallic nanoparticles, an electrode electrolyte and carbon powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Mitsuta, Shintaro Tanaka, Taku Eguchi
  • Patent number: 8802303
    Abstract: Implementations and techniques for metal air batteries including a composite anode are generally disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventors: Ezekiel Kruglick, Thomas Yager, Seth Adrian Miller
  • Patent number: 8802329
    Abstract: A method of transferring a nanostructured thin catalytic layer from its carrying substrate to a porous transfer substrate and further processing and restructuring the nanostructured thin catalytic layer on the porous transfer substrate is provided. The method includes transferring the nanostructured catalytic layer from its carrying substrate to a transfer substrate. The nanostructured catalytic layer then is processed and reconstructed, including removing the residual materials and adding additional components or layers to the nanostructured catalytic layer, on the transfer substrate. Methods of fabricating catalyst coated membranes with the reconstructed electrode including the nanostructured thin catalytic layer, reconstructed electrode decals, and catalyst coated proton exchange membranes are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Chunxin Ji, Matthew Dioguardi
  • Publication number: 20140220474
    Abstract: Catalyst particles includes a catalyst material and carbon particles supporting the catalyst material. The catalyst particles has a water content of 4.8 mass % or more and 20 mass % or less. A manufacturing method of catalyst particles includes exposing catalyst particles, which are carbon particles supporting a catalyst material, to a humidified atmosphere, prior to dispersing the carbon particles and a polymer electrolyte in a solvent for a catalyst ink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Saori Okada
  • Publication number: 20140212791
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel electrode doubling as a support of a solid oxide fuel cell, whose conductivity and strength hardly lower through repetitive exposure to a reducing atmosphere/oxidazing atmosphere. Specifically, a fuel electrode 30 doubling as a solid oxide fuel cell according to the present invention includes: a three-dimensional network structure 10 formed by oxide coarse particles 12 connected to one another via an aggregate 14; electrode particles 20 dispersed in gaps 16 of the three-dimensional network structure and having a function as an electrode catalyst; and an aggregate 22 of second oxide fine particles for connecting the electrode particles 20 to a surface in the gap of the three-dimensional network structure, wherein the oxide coarse particles 12 are connected to one another without the electrode particles 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA RIKEN
    Inventor: Takashi OKAMOTO
  • Patent number: 8790849
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for an electrode catalyst layer includes: containing a conductive carrier on which a catalyst is supported, a substrate, an electrolyte resin and a supercritical fluid inside a closed container (S102 to S106); and cooling the substrate to form an electrode catalyst layer, having the conductive carrier on which the catalyst is supported and the electrolyte resin, on the substrate (S 108).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuichiro Hama, Takayoshi Doi
  • Publication number: 20140205921
    Abstract: A catalyst for a fuel cell includes an active metal catalyst and a composite supporter supporting the active metal catalyst. The composite supporter includes a spherical-shaped supporter and a fibrous supporter, wherein the fibrous supporter is included in an amount of about 5 wt % to about 40 wt % based on the total amount of the composite supporter. In addition, an electrode for a fuel cell using the same, a membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell including the electrode, and a fuel cell system including the membrane-electrode assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hee-Tak Kim, Sung-Yong Cho, Kah-Young Song
  • Publication number: 20140205931
    Abstract: There is provided a fuel cell cathode electrode, comprising a porous skeletal medium, the surface of which medium is modified or otherwise arranged or constructed to induce enhanced activated behaviour, wherein the enhanced activated behaviour is induced by means of increasing the surface area for a given volume of the electrode and/or by increasing the number and/or availability of reactive sites on the electrode. A fuel cell having such a cathode electrode, a method of manufacturing such a cathode electrode, and use of such a cathode electrode in a fuel cell is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: ACAL ENERGY LTD
    Inventors: Andy Creeth, Nick Baynes, Andy Potter, Craig P. Dawson, Louise Clare Downs
  • Publication number: 20140205922
    Abstract: A catalyst for a fuel cell includes an active metal catalyst and a composite supporter supporting the active metal catalyst. The composite supporter includes a spherical-shaped supporter and a fibrous supporter, wherein the fibrous supporter is included in an amount of about 5 wt % to about 40 wt % based on the total amount of the composite supporter. In addition, an electrode for a fuel cell using the same, a membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell including the electrode, and a fuel cell system including the membrane-electrode assembly are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hee-Tak Kim, Sung-Yong Cho, Kah-Young Song
  • Patent number: 8785079
    Abstract: This invention provides metal-foam electrodes for batteries and fuel cells. In some variations, an electrode includes a first metal layer disposed on a second metal layer, wherein the first metal layer comprises an electrically conductive, open-cell metal foam with an average cell diameter of about 25 ?m or less. The structure also includes smaller pores between the cells. The electrode forms a one piece monolithic structure and allows thicker electrodes than are possible with current electrode-fabrication techniques. These electrodes are formed from an all-fluidic plating solution. The disclosed structures increase energy density in batteries and power density in fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Adam F. Gross, John Wang, Andrew P. Nowak
  • Publication number: 20140199609
    Abstract: Provided is an electrocatalyst for solid polymer fuel cells capable of increasing the active surface area for reactions in a catalyst component, increasing the utilization efficiency of the catalyst, and reducing the amount of expensive precious metal catalyst used. Also provided are a membrane electrode assembly that uses this electrocatalyst and a solid polymer fuel cell. An electrocatalyst for a solid polymer fuel cell is provided with a catalyst and solid proton conducting material. A liquid conductive material retention part that retains a liquid proton conducting material that connects the catalyst and solid proton conducting material is provided between the same. The surface area of the catalyst exposed within the liquid conductive material retention part is larger than the surface area of the catalyst in contact with the solid proton conducting material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Iden, Atsushi Ohma, Kei Sakai, Kazuyuki Satou, Yoshitaka Ono, Hiroyuki Tanaka, Ken Akizuki
  • Patent number: 8778564
    Abstract: Disclosed is a unit cell of a honeycomb-type solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) having a plurality of channels. The channels include cathode channels and anode channels. The cathode channels and anode channels are set up alternately in the unit cell. A collector is installed inside each of the cathode channels and the anode channels, and a packing material is packed into the channels having the collector. Disclosed also is a stack including the unit cells and methods for manufacturing the unit cell and the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Korean Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Sung Pil Yoon, Tae Hoon Lim, Seong Ahn Hong, In Hwan Oh, Suk-Woo Nam, Jonghee Han, Jong Pil Jeong, Kwang Soo Lee, Yeong Cheon Kim, Hyoung-Juhn Kim, Eun Ae Cho, Soo-Kil Kim, Sang Yeop Lee
  • Patent number: 8778561
    Abstract: An electrocatalytic polymer-based powder has particles of at least one electronically conductive polymer species in which particles are dispersed of at least one catalytic redox species, in which the particles of the polymer species and of the catalytic species are of nanometric dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.
    Inventors: Raffaele Vecchione, Giuseppe Mensitieri, Anna Borriello
  • Publication number: 20140193747
    Abstract: The performance of an ABx type metal hydride alloy is improved by adding an element to the alloy which element is operative to enhance the surface area morphology of the alloy. The alloy may include surface regions of differing morphologies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: OVONIC BATTERY COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Kwo Young, Benjamin Reichman, Michael A. Fetcenko
  • Publication number: 20140186748
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing an alloy catalyst supported on carbon, including the steps of: dispersing alloy particles into a mixed solution of water with alcohol, introducing a silica precursor thereto, and carrying out sol-gel reaction in the presence of a basic catalyst to obtain silica-coated alloy particles; supporting the silica-coated alloy particles onto a carbon carrier to obtain silica-coated alloy particles supported on carbon; heat treating the silica-coated alloy particles supported on carbon to increase an alloying degree; and removing silica coating by using inorganic base solution and a surfactant. The method for producing an alloy catalyst provides a high-quality and high-durability alloy catalyst by increasing the alloying degree of a catalyst through a heat treatment step, while forming a silica coating layer effectively on small alloy particles having a size of several nanometers to inhibit growth of the size of alloy particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION, YONSEI UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hansung Kim, Jonggil Oh
  • Publication number: 20140186747
    Abstract: A method of fabricating composite filaments is provided. An initial composite filament including a core and a cladding (such as a Pt-group metal) is cut into smaller pieces (or is first mechanically reduced and then cut into smaller pieces). The smaller pieces of the filaments are inserted into a metal matrix, and the entire structure is then further reduced mechanically in a series of reduction steps. The process can be repeated until the desired cross sectional dimension of the filaments is achieved. The matrix can then be chemically removed to isolate the final composite filaments with the cladding thickness down to the nanometer range. The process allows the organization and integration of filaments of different sizes, compositions, and functionalities into arrays suitable for various applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: The Trustees of Columbia University in the city of New York
    Inventor: Jose Bevk
  • Publication number: 20140178801
    Abstract: In one or more embodiments, an electrochemical device includes a substrate having a substrate surface; an amorphous metal oxide layer supported on the substrate surface; and a noble metal catalyst supported on the amorphous metal oxide layer to form a catalyst layer. The amorphous metal oxide layer may contact only 25 to 75 percent of the substrate surface. The amorphous metal oxide layer may include less than 10 weight percent of crystalline metal oxide. In certain instances, the amorphous metal oxide layer is substantially free of crystalline metal oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventor: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • Publication number: 20140170531
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to solid oxide fuel cells, and particularly raw powder materials which form a layer in a solid oxide fuel. The raw powder materials include an ionic conductor powder material; and an electronic conductor powder material. The ratio of an average particle diameter of the ionic conductor powder material to an average particle diameter of the electronic conductor powder material is greater than about 1:1, and an average particle diameter of at least one of the electronic conductor powder material or the ionic conductor powder material is coarse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Aravind MOHANRAM, Yeshwanth NARENDAR, Zachary R. PATTERSON, John D. PIETRAS
  • Patent number: 8741498
    Abstract: In a fuel cell, one of separators that are opposed to each other and an intermediate body interposed between the separators are sandwiched by a cell monitor. An end portion of the intermediate body extends to an edge portion of a cell monitor mounting portion of the above-indicated one separator. The intermediate body includes at least one of a member that functions to hold an electrolyte body, a spacer (as in the case where the intermediate body is a resin frame), and a seal member or members. A major surface of the separator in the cell monitor mounting portion on which the cell monitor is mounted is in surface contact with a terminal of the cell monitor for conduction therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Junichi Shirahama
  • Patent number: 8735022
    Abstract: A product comprising a fuel cell component comprising a substrate and a coating overlying the substrate, the coating comprising nanoparticles having sizes ranging from 2 to 100 nanometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Harald Schlag, Ralf Senner, Thomas A. Trabold, Thomas W. Tighe, Gayatri Vyas, Keith E. Newman
  • Patent number: 8735023
    Abstract: One embodiment includes at least one of the anode and cathode of a fuel cell comprises a first layer and a second layer in intimate contact with each other. Both the first layer and the second layer comprise a catalyst capable of catalyzing an electrochemical reaction of a reactant gas. The second layer has a higher porosity than the first layer. A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) based on the layered electrode configuration and a process of making a fuel cell are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Anusorn Kongkanand, Eric L. Thompson, Frederick T. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20140141354
    Abstract: A fuel cell electrode including a catalyst layer including: a catalyst; and a conductor storage material having pores with an average diameter of about 5 nm to about 1000 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Jung-ock PARK, Yoon-hoi LEE, Jin-su HA, Suk-gi HONG
  • Patent number: 8722216
    Abstract: A cathode for a fuel cell comprising a catalyst layer; a backing layer mounted to an aperture in a fuel chamber of said fuel cell; 1) wherein said catalyst layer is mounted to the backing layer on a face opposed to the aperture, so as to be in fluid communication with atmospheric oxygen in the case of microbial fuel cell; and 2) wherein said catalyst layer is mounted to the backing layer on a face opposed to the aperture, so as to be in fluid communication with water in the case of microbial electrolysis cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: National University of Singapore
    Inventors: How Yong Ng, Olivier Patrick Lefebvre, Wai Keong Ooi
  • Publication number: 20140113218
    Abstract: Catalysts comprising porous metal nanoparticles, which are individually encapsulated with a reaction-enhancing material, and their use in fuel cell catalysis are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jonah Daedalus Erlebacher, Joshua D. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20140106258
    Abstract: Truncated ditetragonal gold prisms (Au TDPs) are synthesized by adding a dilute solution of gold seeds to a growth solution, and allowing the growth to proceed to completion. The Au TDPs exhibit the face-centered cubic crystal structure and are bounded by 12 high-index {310} facets. The Au TDPs may be used as heterogeneous catalysts as prepared, or may be used as substrates for subsequent deposition of an atomically thin layer of a platinum group metal catalyst. When the Au TDPs are used as substrates, the atomically thin layer of metal reproduces the high-index facets of the Au TDPs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC
    Inventors: Fang Lu, Oleg Gang, Yugang Zhang, Yu Zhang, Jia X. Wang
  • Patent number: 8697301
    Abstract: A fuel cell comprises an anode, a cathode, and a proton exchange membrane. The anode and cathode can include a catalyst layer which includes a plurality of generally aligned carbon nanotubes. Methods of making a fuel cell are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: FormFactor, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin N. Eldridge, John K. Gritters, Onnik Yaglioglu
  • Publication number: 20140093790
    Abstract: A nanofibrous catalyst and method of manufacture. A precursor solution of a transition metal based material is formed into a plurality of interconnected nanofibers by electro-spinning the precursor solution with the nanofibers converted to a catalytically active material by a heat treatment. Selected subsequent treatments can enhance catalytic activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventors: Di-Jia Liu, Jianglan Shui, Chen Chen
  • Publication number: 20140091033
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide carbon fiber material having high electrical conductivity at a low cost. A manufacturing method of carbon fiber material comprises a dispersion liquid preparation step, a centrifugal spinning step and a denaturation step. The dispersion liquid preparation step is a step in which dispersion liquid containing resin and carbon particles is prepared. The centrifugal spinning step is a step in which nonwoven fabric made of a carbon fiber precursor is formed from the dispersion liquid. The denaturation step is a step in which the carbon fiber precursor denatures into carbon fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Tec One Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Kitano
  • Patent number: 8685587
    Abstract: A discharge port is located at a lower portion of the case of a gas-liquid separator. A discharge valve is located at the discharge port. A water retaining portion is located at the bottom of the case. The water retaining portion is located at a position lower than the discharge valve. An upward inclination surface is formed on the bottom of the water retaining portion. The upward inclination surface is inclined upward toward the discharge valve. A downward inclination surface is formed on the bottom of the water retaining portion. The downward inclination surface is inclined downward toward the upward inclination surface. A cover portion is located in an upper portion of the water retaining portion. The cover portion defines a gas passage in an upper portion of the water retaining portion. The gas passage is open at a portion closer to the inlet and connected to the discharge valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junko Ohira, Yasunari Arai, Akishi Morita, Nobuhiko Nakagaki, Takeshi Asai, Hiroyuki Sekine
  • Patent number: 8685594
    Abstract: A cathode catalyst for a fuel cell includes a carrier, and an active material including M selected from the group consisting of Ru, Pt, Rh, and combinations thereof, and Ch selected from the group consisting of S, Se, Te, and combinations thereof, with the proviso that the active material is not RuSe when the carrier is C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Alexey AlexandrovichSerov, Chan Kwak, Myoung-Ki Min, Si-Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 8669020
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly including an anode that incorporates a porous support and a hydrogen permeable metal thin film disposed on the porous support; a cathode; and a proton conductive solid oxide electrolyte membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Snu R&DB Foundation
    Inventors: Pil-won Heo, Yoon-ho Lee, Sang-kyun Kang, Jin-su Ha, Suk-won Cha
  • Publication number: 20140050995
    Abstract: An electrocatalyst material comprising a functionalized catalytic substrate, the catalytic substrate comprising an electron-accepting material adsorbed thereto. In one embodiment, the catalytic substrate comprises carbon nanotubes or graphene sheets having a nitrogen-containing or nitrogen-free polyelectrolyte, e.g., poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA), adsorbed thereto. The electrocatalyst material exhibits excellent catalytic activity, as well as broad fuel selectivity, resistance to poisoning effects, and durability. The electrocatalyst can be used as part of an electrode structure, e.g., a cathode, that can be used in a wide range of electrochemical devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventor: Liming Dai
  • Publication number: 20140038065
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides photosynthetic electrochemical cells including photosynthetic compounds and methods of generating an electrical current using the photosynthetic electrochemical cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventor: Ramaraja P. Ramasamy
  • Publication number: 20140030630
    Abstract: A liquid electrolyte fuel cell comprises means to define an electrolyte chamber (208), and two electrodes (10), one on either side of the electrolyte chamber (208), each electrode comprising:—a sheet (11) of metal through which are defined a multiplicity of through-holes (14), and—a gas-permeable layer (16) of fibrous and/or particulate electrically-conductive material which is bonded to and in electrical contact with the sheet of metal (11), and which comprises catalytic material (18). The electrode (10) may be arranged such that the gas-permeable layer (16) faces the electrolyte chamber (208).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Richard Dawson, Hugh Liam Sutherland, Christopher Reynolds, Gene Stacey Lewis
  • Patent number: 8637193
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a fuel cell catalyst having a catalyst surface bearing a non-occluding layer of iridium. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a fuel cell catalyst comprising a catalyst surface bearing a sub-monolayer of iridium. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a fuel cell catalyst comprising a catalyst surface bearing a layer of iridium having a planar equivalent thickness of between 1 and 100 Angstroms. In some embodiments, the fuel cell catalyst comprises nanostructured elements comprising microstructured support whiskers bearing a thin film of nanoscopic catalyst particles. The layer of iridium typically has a planar equivalent thickness of between 1 and 100 Angstroms and more typically between 5 and 60 Angstroms. The fuel cell catalyst typically comprises no electrically conductive carbon material and typically comprises at least a portion of the iridium in the zero oxidation state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew J. L. Steinbach, George D. Vernstrom, Mark K. Debe, Radoslav Atanasoski
  • Patent number: 8637209
    Abstract: Novel cathode, electrolyte and oxygen separation materials are disclosed that operate at intermediate temperatures for use in solid oxide fuel cells and ion transport membranes based on oxides with perovskite related structures and an ordered arrangement of A site cations. The materials have significantly faster oxygen kinetics than in corresponding disordered perovskites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Inventors: Allan J. Jacobson, Shuangyan Wang, Gun Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 8632929
    Abstract: An oxygen reduction electrode and a fuel cell including the same are provided. A catalyst layer of the oxygen reduction electrode includes a metalloporphyrin derivative as an additive. Accordingly, the oxygen reduction electrode can increase oxygen concentration and can easily form a triple phase boundary by reducing a flooding phenomenon caused by an electrolyte. A fuel cell including the same is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Woo-sung Jeon, Sang-Hyuk Suh, Suk-gi Hong
  • Patent number: 8632924
    Abstract: Provided are a solid oxide fuel cell and a method of manufacturing the same. The solid oxide fuel cell in which at least one or more unit modules are stacked and integrated with each other includes first and second solid electrolyte layers in which each of the unit modules includes a plurality of fuel electrodes spaced a predetermined distance from each other and each having a strip shape and first and second supports each including a plurality of slits each having the same strip shape as that of each of the fuel electrodes. The first and second solid electrolyte layers overlap with each other on lower and upper sides of the first support so that the fuel electrodes face each other within the slits of the first support, and the second support overlaps with a lower side of the first or second solid electrolyte layer overlapping with the lower side of the first support so that the slits of the second support are disposed perpendicular to the slits of the first support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering & Technology
    Inventors: Hyo Soon Shin, Dong-Hun Yeo, Youn-Woo Hong, Jong Hee Kim, Sang Ok Yoon