Abstract: A composite membrane that is suitable for use in a molten alkaline water electrolyzer. In one embodiment, the composite membrane includes a porous support, the porous support being in the form of a matrix of metal oxide particles randomly arranged to form a plurality of tortuous pores. The composite membrane also includes molten electrolyte filling the pores of the porous support, the molten electrolyte having hydroxide ion conductivity. The molten electrolyte may be a single species of an alkali hydroxide or of an alkaline earth hydroxide. Alternatively, the molten electrolyte may be a eutectic or non-eutectic mixture of two or more species of alkali hydroxides or alkaline earth hydroxides. The composite membrane may further include one or more additives, such as a coarsening inhibitor, a crack attenuator, and a reinforcing material. The composite material may be used to make a molten alkaline membrane water electrolyzer with high electrical efficiencies.

Abstract: A method of producing a multi-microchannel, flow-through element, including the steps of providing a body of material, and producing multiple microchannels within the body, wherein the microchannels extend through the body to produce a multi-microchannel, flow-through element. Such an element can be used as a micromixer, a sensor element, a filter, a fuel element or a chromatographic element.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell includes an anode layer, a cathode layer, and an electrolyte layer partitioning the anode layer and the cathode layer. The anode layer and the cathode layer are of about the same thickness and have about the same coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE).

Abstract: The present invention refers to highly sinter-stable metal nanoparticles supported on mesoporous graphitic spheres, the so obtained metal-loaded mesoporous graphitic particles, processes for their preparation and the use thereof as catalysts, in particular for high temperature reactions in reducing atmosphere and cathode side oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in PEM fuel cells.

Abstract: A tungsten carbide structure includes tungsten carbide having a plate shaped structure and including a plurality of mesopores, a first carbon layer surrounding a surface of tungsten carbide and containing nitrogen, and a second carbon layer surrounding the first carbon layer and containing nitrogen.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having two or more diffusion bonded layers, which demonstrates a high degree of ruggedness, reliability, efficiency and attitude insensitiveness, is provided. The novel cell structure simplifies construction and operation of these cells. Also provided is a method for passive water removal from these cells. The inventive cell, as well as stacks made using these cells, is suitable for use in applications such as commercial space power systems, long endurance aircraft, undersea power systems, remote backup power systems, and regenerative fuel cells.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solid oxide fuel cell element by layer-wise buildup wherein at least one section of the element is built up by carrying out a step that at least includes the following at least once: applying a layer section of a particulate ceramic material with predefined dimensions onto a base layer in a predefined area and heating the layer section by means of a heat source such that the particles of the ceramic material connect to one another within the predefined dimensions. The solid oxide fuel cell element manufactured with the method is realized in one piece, as well as highly compact, and has a low weight.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing an anode for in-situ sintering for a molten carbonate fuel cell, in which an anode green sheet is prepared using a slurry, and then a reinforcing layer is placed on the anode green sheet and then pressed, thereby improving the mechanical stability of a fuel cell stack and the long term stability of an anode, and an anode manufactured using the method.

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%.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electro-catalyst M?aIrbMc, wherein M? is selected from the group consisting of Pt, Ta and Ru, and wherein the molar ratio a:b is within the range of 85:15 to 50:50 and the molar ratio a:c is within the range of 50:50 to 95:5, both calculated as pure metal and wherein M is selected from metals from Groups 3-15 of the Periodic System of Elements. The present invention further relates to an electrode comprising a support and the electro-catalyst. The present invention further relates to the use of the electro-catalyst and/or the electrode in electrochemical processes which comprise an oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), an oxygen evolution reaction (OER), a hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), a hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR), a carbon monoxide oxidation reaction (COR) or a methanol oxidation reaction (MOR).

Abstract: An electrode assembly for a solid oxide fuel cell, the electrode assembly including a porous ceramic oxide matrix and an array of fluid conduits. The porous ceramic oxide matrix includes a labyrinth of reinforcing walls interconnected to one another. Each of the fluid conduits is formed from the porous ceramic oxide matrix and has an external surface with a plurality of struts projecting outwardly therefrom and an internal surface defining a first passage for flowing a first fluid therethrough. The struts are configured to connect the fluid conduits to one another and the external surfaces and the struts define a second passage around the fluid conduits for flowing a second fluid therethrough.

Abstract: Powders of respective metal elements (Mn,Co) constituting a transition metal oxide (MnCo2O4) having a spinel type crystal structure are used as a starting material. A paste containing the mixture of the powders is interposed between an air electrode and an interconnector, and with this state, a sintering is performed, whereby a bonding agent according to the present invention can be obtained. This bonding agent has a “co-continuous structure”. In the “co-continuous structure”, a thickness of an arm portion that links many base portions to one another is 0.3 to 2.5 ?m. The bonding agent includes a spherical particle in which plural crystal faces are exposed to the surface, the particle having a side with a length of 1 ?m or more, among the plural sides constituting the outline of the crystal face. The diameter of the particle is 5 to 80 ?m.

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant ceramic electrode material includes ceramic particles and, present between them, a three-dimensional network electroconducting path composed of a reductively fired product of a carbon-containing polymeric compound. This material is manufactured by a method in which a polymerization reaction of a polymerizable monomer previously contained in a ceramic slurry is performed to gel the ceramic slurry to thereby give a green body; and after drying and degreasing, the green body is fired in a reducing atmosphere.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Ni—Al alloy anode for molten carbonate fuel cell made by in-situ sintering the Ni—Al alloy. Further, disclosed is a method for preparing the same comprising steps of preparing a sheet with Ni—Al alloy powders (S1); and installing the sheet in a fuel cell without any heat treatment for sintering the Ni—Al alloy in the sheet and then in-situ sintering the Ni—Al alloy in the sheet during a pretreatment process of the cell with the sheet (S2), wherein a reaction activity of the Ni—Al alloy anode can be maintained, the method is simple and economic, and a mass production of the Ni—Al alloy anode and a scale-up in the method are easy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a support for a planar fuel cell core, produced using a material permeable to the fuel of the cell, and sealed over at least one of its outer faces.

Abstract: A porous carbonaceous composite material including a core including a carbon nanotube (CNT); and a coating layer on the core, the coating layer including a carbonaceous material including a hetero element.

Abstract: Disclosed is an oxide and/or nitride support for electrode catalysts, which is used for electrodes for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC). The support for electrode catalysts is an aggregation body of primary particles of oxide of at least one kind of metal selected from rare earths, alkaline earths, transition metals, niobium, bismuth, tin, antimony, zirconium, molybdenum, indium, tantalum, and tungsten, and the aggregation body is configured such that at least 80% of the metal oxide primary particles having a size of 5 nm to 100 nm aggregate and bind each other to form dendritic or chain structures each of which is made of 5 or more of the metal oxide primary particles.

Abstract: A reversible solid oxide fuel cell obtainable by a method comprising the steps of: providing a metallic support layer; forming a cathode precursor layer on the metallic support layer; forming an electrolyte layer on the cathode precursor layer; sintering the obtained multilayer structure; in any order conducting the steps of: forming a cathode layer by impregnating the cathode precursor layer, and forming an anode layer on the electrolyte layer; characterised in that the method further comprises prior to forming said cathode layer, impregnating a precursor solution or suspension of a barrier material into the metallic support layer and the cathode precursor layer and subsequently conducting a heat treatment.

Abstract: Provided is a carbon nanofiber, wherein the carbon nanofiber has a surface oxygen content of at least 0.03 calculated by the formula: Oxygen content=[atomic percentage of oxygen/atomic percentage of carbon] using atomic percentages of oxygen and carbon, respectively calculated from an area of an oxygen peak having a binding energy of 524 to 540 eV, an area of a nitrogen peak having a binding energy of 392 to 404 eV, and an area of a carbon peak having a binding energy of 282 to 290 eV in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The nanofibers have high surface oxygen content and may have metal catalyst nano particles densely and uniformly distributed on the outer wall of the carbon nanofibers, thereby having high electrochemical efficiency.

Abstract: The invention is directed to iridium oxide based catalysts for use as anode catalysts in PEM water electrolysis. The claimed composite catalyst materials comprise iridium oxide (IrO2) and optionally ruthenium oxide (RuO2) in combination with a high surface area inorganic oxide (for example TiO2, Al2O3, ZrO2 and mixtures thereof). The inorganic oxide has a BET surface area in the range of 50 to 400 m2/g, a water solubility of lower than 0.15 g/l and is present in a quantity of less than 20 wt. % based on the total weight of the catalyst. The claimed catalyst materials are characterized by a low oxygen overvoltage and long lifetime in water electrolysis. The catalysts are used in electrodes, catalyst-coated membranes and membrane-electrode-assemblies for PEM electrolyzers as well as in regenerative fuel cells (RFC), sensors, and other electrochemical devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a solid oxide fuel cell, comprising the steps of: forming an anode support layer; applying an anode layer on the anode support layer; applying an electrolyte layer on the anode layer; and sintering the obtained structure; wherein the anode support layer and/or the anode layer comprises a composition comprising doped zirconia, doped ceria and/or a metal oxide with an oxygen ion or proton conductivity, NiO and at least one oxide selected from the group consisting of Al2O3, TiO2, Cr2O3, Sc2O3, VOx, TaOx, MnOx, NbOx, CaO, Bi2O3, LnOx, MgCr2O4, MgTiO3, CaAl2O4, LaAlO3, YbCrO3, ErCrO4, NiTiO3, NiCr2O4, and mixtures thereof. According to the invention, a combination of nickel coarsening prevention due to specific Ni-particle growth inhibitors, and, at the same time, a strengthening of the ceramic structure of the anode support layer and/or the anode layer is achieved.

Abstract: A high temperature, redox tolerant fuel cell anode electrode and method of fabrication in which the anode electrode is pre-conditioned by application of an initial controlled redox cycle to the electrode whereby an initial re-oxidation of the anode electrode is carried out at temperatures less than or equal to about 650° C.

Abstract: There are provided an electrode material for a fuel cell, a fuel cell comprising the same, and a method of manufacturing the fuel cell. The electrode material for a fuel cell comprises an electrode base material and spherical polystyrene particles forming pores on the electrode base material through heat treatment. In the case of the electrode material according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the average particle size and content of the spherical polystyrene particles may be controlled to form pores having a uniform size on a sintering body formed of the electrode base material, and the control of the porosity thereof may be facilitated.

Abstract: Self-supporting thin film membranes of ceramic materials and related electrochemical cells and cell stacks. The membrane structure is divided into a plurality of self-supporting thin membrane regions by a network of thicker integrated support ribs. The membrane structure may be prepared by laminating a thin electrolyte layer with a thicker ceramic layer that forms a network of support ribs.

Abstract: A cathode for a fuel cell is provided, which includes an electrode catalyst layer. This electrode catalyst layer is constituted by a carried catalyst including a conductive carrier and catalytic fine particles carried on the conductive carrier, by a proton-conductive inorganic oxide containing an oxide carrier and oxide particles carried on a surface of the oxide carrier, and by a proton-conductive organic polymer binder. The carried catalyst is incorporated therein at a weight of WC. Silicon oxide is carried on the surface of the proton-conductive inorganic oxide at a weight ratio of 0.1-0.5 times as much as the weight of the proton-conductive inorganic oxide. The proton-conductive inorganic oxide is incorporated at a weight of WSA+SiO2. The weight ratio (WSA+SiO2/WC) is confined to 0.01-0.25. The proton-conductive organic polymer binder is incorporated at a weight of WP, the weigh ratio (WP/WSA+SiO2) is confined to 0.5-43.

Abstract: Lanthanum strontium cobalt iron oxides (La(1-x)SrxCoyFe1-yO3-f; (LSCF) have excellent power density (>500 mW/cm2 at 750° C.). When covered with a metallization layer, LSCF cathodes have demonstrated increased durability and stability. Other modifications, such as the thickening of the cathode, the preparation of the device by utilizing a firing temperature in a designated range, and the use of a pore former paste having designated characteristics and combinations of these features provide a device with enhanced capabilities.

Abstract: Conducting metal oxide and nitride nanoparticles that can be used in fuel cell applications. The metal oxide nanoparticles are comprised of for example, titanium, niobium, tantalum, tungsten and combinations thereof. The metal nitride nanoparticles are comprised of, for example, titanium, niobium, tantalum, tungsten, zirconium, and combinations thereof. The nanoparticles can be sintered to provide conducting porous agglomerates of the nanoparticles which can be used as a catalyst support in fuel cell applications. Further, platinum nanoparticles, for example, can be deposited on the agglomerates to provide a material that can be used as both an anode and a cathode catalyst support in a fuel cell.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for a solid oxide fuel cell, the electrode assembly including a porous ceramic oxide matrix and an array of fluid conduits. The porous ceramic oxide matrix includes a labyrinth of reinforcing walls interconnected to one another. Each of the fluid conduits is formed from the porous ceramic oxide matrix and has an external surface with a plurality of struts projecting outwardly therefrom and an internal surface defining a first passage for flowing a first fluid therethrough. The struts are configured to connect the fluid conduits to one another and the external surfaces and the struts define a second passage around the fluid conduits for flowing a second fluid therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fabrication method of a solid oxide fuel cell. The fabrication method of a fuel electrode and electrolyte of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) in which a sheet cell including a fuel electrode sheet and an electrolyte sheet is positioned at an upper side of a surface of a fuel electrode pellet, comprising steps of (a) molding and heat-treating powder, in which a fuel electrode material is mixed with a pore forming agent, so as to prepare a fuel electrode pellet; (b) stacking the fuel electrode sheet containing the fuel electrode material and the electrolyte sheet containing an electrolyte material so as to prepare the sheet cell; and (c) coating an adhesive slurry containing the fuel electrode material on the sheet cell or the pellet and adhering the fuel electrode sheet of the sheet cell and the pellet and then heat-treating it.

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.

Abstract: Provided is a nanocomposite for the catalyst layer of a fuel cell electrode including: a carbon nanofiber; and metal catalyst particles uniformly applied to the surface of the carbon nanofiber, wherein the carbon nanofiber has a surface oxygen content of at least 0.03 calculated by the formula: Oxygen content=[atomic percentage of oxygen/atomic percentage of carbon] using atomic percentages of oxygen and carbon, respectively calculated from an area of an oxygen peak having a binding energy of 524 to 540 eV, an area of a nitrogen peak having a binding energy of 392 to 404 eV, and an area of a carbon peak having a binding energy of 282 to 290 eV in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The nanocomposite according to the present invention has high surface oxygen content and has metal catalyst nano particles densely and uniformly distributed on the outer wall of the carbon fibers, thereby having high electrochemical efficiency. Thus, efficiency of fuel cells can be improved using the nanocomposite.

Abstract: A catalyst composition comprises a particulate support and catalyst nanoparticles on the particulate support. The catalyst nanoparticles comprise an alloy of platinum and palladium in an atomic ratio of from about 25:75 to about 75:25 and are present in a concentration of between about 3 and about 10 wt % weight percent of the catalyst composition. The catalyst composition has an X-ray diffraction pattern that is substantially free of the (311) diffraction peak assignable to PtxPd1-x, where 0.25?x?0.75.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid oxide fuel cell in which an anode is formed with a hollow portion, and the hollow portion may be used as a gas diffusion path, thereby improving gas diffusion performance, and the hollow portion may be also used as a reinforcement hole for reinforcing a strength or a current collecting hole for increasing a current collecting efficiency, thereby improving a cell strength and also increasing an efficiency of producing electric energy. The solid oxide fuel cell has an electrolyte layer; an anode; a cathode; and a hollow portion formed in the anode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a multilayer structure, comprising the steps of: providing a composition comprising a Fe—Cr alloy powder and at least one of the oxides of Fe, Cr, Ni, Co, Zn, Cu; forming a first layer of said composition; forming at least one additional layer on one side of said first layer; heat treating said layers in an oxygen-containing atmosphere; and sintering in a reducing atmosphere so as to provide a final alloy, wherein the amount of Fe in the final alloy of the first layer after the sintering step is in the range of from about 50-90% by weight, based on the total weight of the final alloy.

Abstract: A high temperature, redox tolerant fuel cell anode electrode and method of fabrication in which the anode electrode is pre-conditioned by application of an initial controlled redox cycle to the electrode whereby an initial re-oxidation of the anode electrode is carried out at temperatures less than or equal to about 650° C.

Abstract: A method for producing an interconnector for high temperature fuel cells, an associated high temperature fuel cell and a fuel cell system are provided. A precisely defined sealing area made of material with good electro-conductive properties is introduced as an interconnector into a metallic porous carrier of a high temperature fuel cell. The material is applied to the carrier in a precisely defined manner and infiltrates into a sintered composite of the carrier material by heat treatment. An interconnector is produced in the fuel cell, wherein the fuel cells are interconnected via the interconnector. Such a fuel cell has a working temperature of between 500 and 700° C.

Abstract: The invention is directed to iridium oxide based catalysts for use as anode catalysts in PEM water electrolysis. The claimed composite catalyst materials comprise iridium oxide (IrO2) and optionally ruthenium oxide (RuO2) in combination with a high surface area inorganic oxide (for example TiO2, Al2O3, ZrO2 and mixtures thereof). The inorganic oxide has a BET surface area in the range of 50 to 400 m2/g, a water solubility of lower than 0.15 g/l and is present in a quantity of less than 20 wt. % based on the total weight of the catalyst. The claimed catalyst materials are characterised by a low oxygen overvoltage and long lifetime in water electrolysis. The catalysts are used in electrodes, catalyst-coated membranes and membrane-electrode-assemblies for PEM electrolyzers as well as in regenerative fuel cells (RFC), sensors, and other electrochemical devices.

Abstract: A drive unit (1) for driving a hydraulic pump has an electric motor (2) for driving the hydraulic pump (100) of a construction working machine and also has a generator (3) for supplying electricity to the electric motor (2). A generation module (14) of the generator (3) has a structure where a large number of electrode assemblies (42) are serially connected between fastening plates (41) in a condition that partition plates (44) are sandwiched between the respective electrode assemblies (42). Liquid fuel for generating hydrogen and air are supplied to the electrode assemblies (42) to generate electric power. Unlike the case where the hydraulic pump (100) is driven by a diesel engine etc., the hydraulic pump drive unit has a low noise level and emits no exhaust gas, so that the device is extremely advantageous to reduce noise and exhaust gas of a construction working machine.

Abstract: A catalyst member can comprise nano-scale nickel particles. The catalyst member can be used for a plurality of different uses, for example, electrodes of a fuel cell or an electrolysis device. The nano-scale nickel particles can be sintered or combined in other manners to form the desired shape.

Abstract: Silicon oxide based composite anode active materials including amorphous silicon oxides are provided. In one embodiment, the amorphous silicon oxide is represented by SiOx (where 0<x<2), has a binding energy of about 103 to about 106 eV, a silicon peak with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) ranging from about 1.6 to about 2.4 as measured by X-ray photoelectron spectrometry, and an atomic percentage of silicon greater than or equal to about 10 as calculated from an area of the silicon peak. The anode active material is a composite anode active material obtained by sintering hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ). Anodes and lithium batteries including the anode active material exhibit improved charge and discharge characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a manufacturing method of an anode for a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), an anode, and a SOFC, in which an anode is formed by stacking sheets having a plurality of holes, and the holes are used as gas diffusion paths through which fuel gas can be facilely diffused, and some of the holes are filled with a reinforcement member or a current collecting member, thereby improving a cell strength and increasing a current collecting performance and thus an efficiency of the SOFC.

Abstract: An electrical interconnect for a solid-oxide fuel cell stack assembly, including a novel sintering paste and an improved manufacturing process for an anode and cathode electrical contacts is disclosed. On the anode side, the paste contains a metallic oxide such as NiO, and an amount of sacrificial pore-forming particles, such as carbon particles or polymer spheres, which are vaporized during sintering of the paste, resulting in a very porous connection having good electrical conductivity and good adhesion. A preferred level of pore-former in the paste is about 40 volume percent. On the cathode side, the paste contains a noble metal such as for example, gold, platinum, palladium or rhodium, and an amount of the sacrificial pore-forming particles. The paste may be applied to the surfaces in a grid pattern or, because the resulting contact is porous after sintering, it may be applied as a continuous layer.

Abstract: A method of treating a mammal suffering from hemorrhagic shock or reducing hypotension secondary to hemorrhagic shock in a mammal suffering from hemorrhagic shock by administering intermolecularly- or intramolecularly-crosslinked stroma-free hemoglobin to the mammal.