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SOFC systems to power a liquid or gas fuel pumping station

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

A fuel cell system for driving a pipeline transmission device. The fuel cell system may include a fuel cell stack in communication with the pipeline, a turbine engine in communication with the fuel cell stack, and a DC motor in communication with the transmission device.

Membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for a fuel cell, which has a planar polymer membrane. This membrane, in a tangentially inner area, is coated on both sides with electrode structure, and, in a tangentially outer area projecting at least on one side beyond the electrode structure coating, is connected to a sealing member. A marginal zone of the polymer membrane is embedded in the elastomer sealing member. The sealing member extends tangentially inward to a transition area that lies tangentially between the outer area and the inner area, where it overlaps the electrode structures on outer faces of the electrode structures, on both of the sides of the polymer membrane.

Fuel cell system

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell configured to generate power by consuming a fuel gas and having an outlet port through which the fuel gas flows out; a moisture removal unit configured to remove moisture contained in the fuel gas that has been sent through the outlet port; a burner located downstream of the moisture removal unit to combust the fuel gas; and a gas pipe on-off valve configured to open and close a pipe that makes the moisture removal unit and the burner communicate with each other, and the fuel cell system is designed such that the gas pipe on-off valve closes when the power generation stops.

Method and apparatus for thermal, mechanical, and electrical optimization of a solid-oxide fuel cell stack

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

A solid-oxide fuel cell stack assembly comprising a plurality of sub-stacks, preferably two sub-stacks each containing one-half the total number of fuel cells. Cathode air and fuel gas are passed through the first sub-stack, wherein they are partially reacted and also heated. The exhaust cathode air and the exhaust fuel gas from the first sub-stack are directed to the respective inlets of the second sub-stack, becoming the supply cathode air and fuel gas therefor. A first heat exchanger in the flow paths between the sub-stacks and a second heat exchanger ahead of the sub-stacks can help to balance the performance of the two stacks. The result of dividing the number of cells into a plurality of sub-stacks, wherein the exhaust of one sub-stack becomes the supply for the next sub-stack, is that fuel efficiency and utilization are improved, thermal stresses are reduced, and electrical power generation is increased.

Thermally integrated fuel cell stack

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

A thermally integrated fuel cell system includes a stack zone, a burner zone and a low temperature zone. The fuel is combined with steam and passed sequentially through a primary reformer and a secondary reformer or a radiative fuel heat exchanger. Air may be passed sequentially through an afterburner heat exchanger and a radiative air heat exchanger such that the radiative heat exchanger may be used to heat the stack zone. The stack exhaust is combusted in an afterburner. Afterburner exhaust heats the primary reformer, the high temperature air heat exchanger, the low temperature air heat exchanger and steam generator. The stack zone includes the stacks, the secondary reformer and the radiative heat exchanger. The burner zone includes the afterburner which includes a start burner, the primary reformer and the high temperature air heat exchanger. The low temperature zone includes the low temperature air heat exchanger and a steam generator.

Fuel reservoir for fuel cell

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

In order to provide a fuel reservoir for a small-sized fuel cell which is suitably used as an electric power source for portable electronic appliances such as cellular phones, note type personal computers and PDA, assumed is a structure in which a fuel reservoir for a fuel cell detachably connected with a fuel cell main body is equipped with a fuel-storing vessel for storing a liquid fuel, a fuel discharge part and a follower which seals the liquid fuel and moves as the liquid fuel is consumed and into which a follower auxiliary member is inserted at a rear end of the liquid fuel, wherein the follower auxiliary member has no fluidity and is insoluble in the liquid fuel, and it has a cross-sectional area of 50% or more based on a cross-sectional area of the fuel-storing vessel in a diameter direction.

Dual function, bipolar separator plates for fuel cells

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

Dual function, bipolar separator plates are provided for use in fuel cells. These separator plates contain both a cathodic flow field and an anodic flow field in a single separator plate.

Organic electrolyte battery including at least one of phthalazone and a phthalazone derivative

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

An organic electrolyte battery of this invention includes: a positive electrode comprising a positive electrode active material; a negative electrode comprising a negative electrode active material; an organic electrolyte comprising at least an organic solvent and a solute dissolved in the organic solvent; and an additive that suppresses an increase in internal resistance. The additive includes at least one of phthalazone and a phthalazone derivative. The addition of the additive to the battery suppresses an increase in internal resistance upon storage and upon charge/discharge cycling, thereby making it possible to improve the storage characteristics and charge/discharge cycle characteristic of the battery.

Non-aqueous electrolyte and electrochemical device using the same

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

This invention relates to a non-aqueous electrolyte including: a first solute; a second solute; and an organic solvent dissolving the first solute and the second solute. The first solute is a salt having at least one fluorine atom in an anion moiety thereof, and the second solute is an inorganic borate having at least one boron atom and at least one oxygen atom in an anion moiety thereof. The inclusion of the second solute in the non-aqueous electrolyte makes it possible to reduce the amount of gas produced even if an electrochemical device including the non-aqueous electrolyte is stored at high temperatures. It is also possible to improve the high-rate discharge characteristics and discharge cycle characteristics.

Fuel cell

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

A fuel cell of the invention has a hydrogen permeable metal layer, which is formed on a plane of an electrolyte layer that has proton conductivity and includes a hydrogen permeable metal. The fuel cell includes a higher temperature zone and a lower temperature zone that has a lower temperature than the higher temperature zone. The hydrogen permeable metal layer includes a lower temperature area A corresponding to the lower temperature zone and a higher temperature area B corresponding to the higher temperature zone. The lower temperature area A and the higher temperature area B have different settings of composition and/or layout of components. This arrangement effectively prevents potential deterioration of cell performance due to an uneven distribution of internal temperature of the fuel cell including the hydrogen permeable metal layer.

Fuel battery and electric device

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

A fuel cell system, which is mounted and used for a portable and small electric device, comprises a cell unit ( 1 ) comprising one or more fuel cells ( 14 ), a fuel tank unit ( 3 ) for storing a fuel to be supplied to the cell unit ( 1 ), a fuel feed unit ( 4 ) for supplying the fuel of the fuel tank unit ( 3 ) to the cell unit ( 1 ), and an opening ( 7 ) for supplying an oxidizer gas to the cell unit ( 1 ), in a thin housing ( 2 ) having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, wherein the fuel tank unit ( 3 ), fuel feed unit ( 4 ) and cell unit ( 1 ) are located in one direction between two opposite short side faces ( 83 a, 83 b ) of the housing ( 2 ). A large-capacity and high-output small fuel cell system is provided by such a structure.

Electrode structure for lithium secondary battery and secondary battery having such electrode structure

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

An electrode structure for a lithium secondary battery including: a main active material layer including a metal powder selected from silicon, tin and an alloy thereof that can store and discharge lithium by electrochemical reaction, and a binder of an organic polymer; and a current collector. The main active material layer includes a powder of a support material for supporting the electron conduction of the main active material layer in addition to the metal powder and the powder of the support material are particles having a spherical, pseudo-spherical or pillar shape with an average particle size of 0.3 to 1.35 times the thickness of the main active material layer. The support material is one or more selected from graphite, oxides of transition metals and metals that do not electrochemically form alloy with lithium. Organic polymer compounded with a conductive polymer is used for the binder.

Nonaqueous electrolytic solution and lithium secondary batteries

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

In order to manufacture a lithium secondary battery having excellent performances in safety under overcharge condition, cycle property, electric capacity, and storage endurance, 0.1 wt. % to 10 wt. % of a tert-alkylbenzene compound is favorably incorporated into a non-aqueous electrolytic solution comprising a non-aqueous solvent and an electrolyte, preferably in combination with 0.1 wt. % to 1.5 wt. % of a biphenyl compound.

Substituted phenothiazine redox shuttles for rechargeable lithium-ion cell

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

A rechargeable lithium-ion cell contains a positive electrode, negative electrode, charge-carrying electrolyte containing charge carrying medium and lithium salt, and an N-substituted or C-substituted phenothiazine compound dissolved in or dissolvable in the electrolyte. The substituted phenothiazine compound has an oxidation potential above the positive electrode recharged potential and serves as a cyclable redox chemical shuttle providing cell overcharge protection.

N-oxide redox shuttles for rechargeable lithium-ion cell

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

A rechargeable lithium-ion cell contains a positive electrode, negative electrode, charge-carrying electrolyte containing charge carrying medium and lithium salt, and cycloaliphatic N-oxide compound dissolved in or dissolvable in the electrolyte. The N-oxide compound has an oxidation potential above the positive electrode recharged potential and serves as a cyclable redox chemical shuttle providing cell overcharge protection.

Fuel cell producing method and apparatus

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

A method of producing a fuel cell by layering a large number of sheets of unit fuel cells ( 11 ). A first supporting plate ( 14 ) is placed at the front section of a pusher unit ( 52 ) in a slightly inclined, upward facing position, and then a large number of sheets of unit fuel cells are layered on the first supporting plate ( 14 ). After that, while making the pusher unit fall into a horizontal position, vibration is applied to the layered unit fuel cells for alignment. A second supporting plate ( 15 ) is provided at the front end surface of the aligned unit fuel cells. The first and second supporting plates are connected using connection plates ( 16, 16 ) while a predetermined pressing force is applied to the unit fuel cells through the first supporting plate and the second supporting plate.

Lead member and secondary battery module with the same

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

Disclosed are a lead member and a secondary battery module having the same. The lead member is at least partially bent to connect two adjacent cells and form a single series circuit through electrode terminals of the cells. It is possible to easily and rapidly fabricating a battery module comprising a predetermined number of cells to meet various power demands for industrial instrument or electric cars by connecting the cells in series using detachable lead members.

Electrode material for lithium secondary battery including particles having central portion and surface portion, electrode structure and lithium secondary battery

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

An electrode material for a lithium secondary battery which includes particles each having a central portion and a surface portion covering the surface of the central portion. A distance from a center to an outermost surface of the particle is occupied 80 to 99% by the central portion and 1 to 20% by the surface portion. The central portion includes LiM 1-a D a O 2 having an α-NaFeO 2 structure, and the surface portion includes LiM 1-b E b O 2 having an α-NaFeO 2 structure. (M is C or Ni; D is a transition metal element or Al replacing a part of Co or Ni as M; E is a metal element replacing a part of Co or Ni as M; and M is not the same as D or E.) The following relationships are satisfied in the central portion, in terms of atomic ratio: D/(M+D+E)<0.05 and E/(M+D+E)<0.05.

Methods of removing contaminants from a fuel cell electrode

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

A method of optimizing a waveform of an electrical current applied to an electrode of an elecetrochemical device that includes at least two electrodes separated by an electrolyte, includes the steps of: applying an electrical current to an electrode of a device; determining a waveform of the voltage or the current of the electrical current; representing the waveform by a mathematical expressions or numbers; taking measurements of output voltage, current or power of the device associated with the application of the electrical current; and varying the shape and frequency of the wave form to optimize the output voltage, current or power of the device and thereby determine an optimized waveform of the electrical current to be applied to the electrode of the device.

Hydrogen generator and fuel cell system

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

A fuel cell system is provided with: a fuel supplier supplying a fuel including dimethyl ether; a reforming catalyst causing a reforming reaction of the fuel into a reformed gas including hydrogen; a shift catalyst causing a shift reaction of the reformed gas; a methanation catalyst causing a methanation catalyst of the reformed gas; a hydrogenation catalyst causing a hydrogenation catalyst of the reformed gas; and a fuel cell using hydrogen formed the reforming reaction and the shift reaction from the fuel and oxygen included in an atmospheric air to generate electricity.

Direct methanol fuel cell and portable computer having the same

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

The invention is directed to a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) and a portable computer having the same. The portable computer includes a display unit rotatably coupled to a main unit. The display unit includes a display panel, a liquid fuel tank, and a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) on the backside of the display panel. The main unit comprises a keyboard, and a liquid supply device under the keyboard to circulate an output from the DMFC to the fuel tank. The portable computer has a thin monopolar type DMFC on the backside of the display panel, which provides a longer operating time, and also improves portability by supplying an energy source promptly.

Cathode for air assisted battery

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

A cathode for an air recovery alkaline battery is disclosed. The cathode contains at least about 60% by weight MnO 2 and at least about 2% by weight of a hydrophobic polymer; the MnO 2 consists essentially of electrochemically synthesized MnO 2 .

Fuel cell electrode with redox catalyst

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

The invention is directed to an electrode, suitable for use in a fuel cell, consisting of a microporous current collector incorporating a multitude of domains and wherein each domain contains soluble redox catalyst.

Systems and methods for temperature-dependent battery charging

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

Systems and methods for controlling battery cell charge current based on the ambient temperature conditions to which battery cell/s of a battery are exposed, for example, to control battery cell charging current for battery systems that may be exposed to environments where ambient temperature conditions are not controllable.

Battery case and method for securing same

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

Battery enclosures include a pre-stressed bottom sheet having a convex surface, at least one vibration isolator disposed along at least a portion of a perimeter of the bottom sheet, a sidewall in contact with the at least one vibration isolator so as to be isolated from the bottom sheet, and at least one strap attached to the bottom sheet, the at least one strap being configured to hold a bottom surface of an outer casing of a battery against the convex surface of the bottom sheet such that internal battery cells are supported by a substantially planar surface.

Low equivalent weight ionomer

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

An ionomer and a process for forming the ionomer such that the ionomer has (1) low equivalent weight (below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between 675 and 800) and (2) high conductivity (greater than 0.13 S/cm). In another embodiment, the invention is an ionomer having (1) low equivalent weight (below 950, preferably between 625 and 850, and most preferably between 675 and 800) and (2) acceptably low hydration (less than about 120 weight percent). These ionomers are capable of being processed into thin film and are extremely well-suited for low humidity or high temperature fuel cell applications.

Positive electrode material for lithium secondary cell and process for producing the same

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

A positive electrode material for a lithium secondary battery for high voltage high capacity use exhibiting high cycle durability and high safety. The positive electrode material is composed of particles having a composition represented by the general formula: Li a Co b Mg c A d O e F f (A is the group 6 transition element or the group 14 element, 0.90≦a≦1.10, 0.97≦b≦1.00, 0.0001≦c≦0.03, 0.0001≦d≦0.03, 1.98≦e≦2.02, 0≦f≦0.02 and 0.0001≦c+d≦0.03), and magnesium, the element A and fluorine exist uniformly in the vicinity of the surfaces of the particles.

Development of novel proton-conductive polymers for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) technology

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

New thermally and chemically stable sulfonic acid-containing polymers are synthesized via post-sulfonation of aromatic polymers. These new polymers provide unique benefits to proton exchange membrane fuel cell technology (“PEMFC”). As a sulfonic acid moiety can be easily installed into an aromatic ring via electrophilic sulfonation, even in the presence of an electron-withdrawing substituent such as —F, rigid polymers consisting of aromatic rings at either the side chain or main chain can be prepared with a wide range of substituents and flexibility in properties. Novel synthetic procedures are provided for synthesis of the polymers.

Secondary battery, and its production process

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

A cathode, an anode and a porous film are first provided. Then, the cathode and anode are aligned with the porous film and a part of the cathode and a part of the anode are fixed to said porous film. Then, the cathode, anode and porous film are immersed in a liquid electrolyte. Finally, the cathode and anode are integrated with the porous film by compression. With this process, it is possible to produce a thin and lightweight polymer secondary battery or other secondary batteries with ease yet at low cost.

Organic dye, photoelectric conversion material, semiconductor electrode and photoelectric conversion device

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

Disclosed are an organic dye having a specific structure, a photoelectric conversion material containing the dye, a semiconductor electrode formed of a substrate having an electrically conductive surface, a semiconductor layer coated on the electrically conductive surface and the above dye adsorbed on the surface, and a photoelectric conversion device to which the above dye is applied. The present invention uses the above dye and can therefore provide a photoelectric conversion device excellent in photoelectric conversion efficiency, and the photoelectric conversion device is suitable for use in a solar cell or the like.