A device for controlling a first control gate transistor, including: a second transistor and a third transistor series-connected between a first and a second terminals of application of a power supply voltage, the junction point of these transistors being connected to the gate of the first transistor; a terminal of application of a digital control signal; a circuit for generating an analog signal according to variations of the power supply voltage; and for each of the second and third transistors, a circuit of selection of a control signal of the first transistor representative of said digital signal or of said analog signal.

A radio-frequency (RF) switch includes a field-effect transistor (FET) disposed between a first node and a second node, the FET having a source, a drain, a gate, and a body. The RF switch further includes a coupling circuit including a first path and a second path, the first path being connected between the gate and one of the source or the drain via a first resistor in series with a first capacitor, the second path being connected between the body and the one of the source or the drain via a second resistor in series with a second capacitor, the coupling circuit configured to allow discharge of interface charge from either or both of the gate and body.

A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery of the present invention includes a positive electrode containing olivine-structured Fe or a Mn-containing phosphorus compound as a positive electrode active material; a negative electrode containing a titanium-containing metal oxide capable of inserting and extracting lithium ions as a negative electrode active material; a nonwoven fabric separator, which contains an electrically insulating fiber and is bonded to a surface of at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode; and a nonaqueous electrolyte. In a thickness direction of the nonwoven fabric separator, a density of the fiber on a side having contact with the positive electrode is high, and a density of the fiber on a side having contact with the negative electrode is low.

The present invention provides a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery separator that achieves an excellent rate characteristic by having a tensile creep compliance J satisfying at least one of the following three conditions in a case where stress of 30 MPa is applied for t seconds: (i) when t=300 seconds, J=4.5 GPa−1 to 14.0 GPa−1, (ii) when t=1800 seconds, J=9.0 GPa−1 to 25.0 GPa−1, (iii) when t=600 seconds, J=12.0 GPa−5 to 32.0 GPa−1.

A separator for a rechargeable battery and a rechargeable lithium battery, the separator including a porous substrate; and a heat-resistant porous layer on at least one surface of the porous substrate, wherein the heat-resistant porous layer includes a filler and a copolymer including a structural unit of vinylidenefluoride, a structural unit of hexafluoropropylene, and a structural unit of a carboxyl-containing monomer, the structural unit of hexafluoropropylene is present in an amount of about 4 wt % to about 10 wt %, based on a total weight of the copolymer, and the structural unit of a carboxyl-containing monomer is present in an amount of about 1 wt % to about 7 wt %, based on the total weight of the copolymer.

A secondary battery includes a case composed of a metal containing aluminum as a main component, a stacked electrode assembly arranged in the case, a negative electrode current collector electrically connecting negative electrodes of the stacked electrode assembly to a negative electrode terminal, a positive electrode current collector electrically connecting positive electrodes of the stacked electrode assembly to a positive electrode terminal, a first metal plate arranged between the case and the stacked electrode assembly, and a spacer arranged between the case and the first metal plate, the spacer being composed of an insulating material. The positive electrodes are electrically connected to the case or a second metal plate arranged on the first metal plate with an insulating member provided between the first metal plate and the insulating member. The negative electrode current collector is in contact with the first metal plate to establish electrical connection between the negative electrode current collector and the first metal plate.

A secondary battery is disclosed. In one aspect, the secondary battery includes a case accommodating an electrode assembly, a cap plate sealing an opening of the case, an electrode terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly and disposed over the cap, and an insulating member provided between the cap plate and the electrode terminal and configured to insulate the electrode terminal from the cap plate. The battery also includes a connection tab disposed over the electrode terminal, and a safety device having a portion positioned under the connection tab and electrically connected to the electrode terminal via the connection tab. The safety device has at least one of electric conductivity and thermal conductivity greater than that of the connection tab, and at least a part of the safety device is seated on the insulating member.

The present invention relates to processes that may be used singly or in combination to prevent lithium (or alkali metal) plating or dendrite buildup on bare substrate areas or edges of electrode rolls during alkaliation of a battery or electrochemical cell anode composed of a conductive substrate and coatings, in which the electrode rolls may be coated on one or both sides and may have exposed substrate on edges, or on continuous or discontinuous portions of either or both substrate surfaces.

The object of the present invention is to provide a positive electrode active material usable for a lithium ion battery capable of high charge/discharge cycle performance and high discharge capacity. The positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery has a layered structure and comprises at least nickel, cobalt and manganese. Further, the positive electrode active material satisfies requirements (1) to (3) below: (1) a primary particle size of 0.1 μm to 1 μm, and a 50% cumulative particle size D50 of 1 μm to 10 μm, (2) a ratio (D90/D10) of volume-based 90% cumulative particle size D50 to volume-based 10% cumulative particle size D10 of 2 to 6, and (3) a lithium carbonate content in a residual alkali on particle surfaces of 0.1% by mass to 0.8% by mass as measured by neutralization titration.

The positive electrode as an embodiment includes a positive electrode current collector mainly composed of aluminum, a positive electrode mixture layer containing a lithium-containing transition metal oxide and disposed above the positive electrode current collector, and a protective layer disposed between the positive electrode current collector and the positive electrode mixture layer. The protective layer contains inorganic particles, an electro-conductive material, and a binding material; is mainly composed of the inorganic particles; and is disposed on the positive electrode current collector to cover the positive electrode current collector in approximately the entire area where the positive electrode mixture layer is disposed and at least a part of the exposed portion of the positive electrode current collector where the positive electrode mixture layer is not disposed on the surface of the positive electrode current collector.

The present invention relates to a positive electrode active material for a sodium secondary battery, and a method for preparing the same. The positive electrode active material for the sodium secondary battery according to the present invention is structurally more stable by replacing a part of the transition metal with Li, and accordingly, the thermal stability and life characteristics of the sodium battery including the positive electrode active material are greatly improved.

A carbon material for a non-aqueous secondary battery containing a graphite capable of occluding and releasing lithium ions, and having a cumulative pore volume at pore diameters in a range of 0.01 μm to 1 μm of 0.08 mL/g or more, a roundness, as determined by flow-type particle image analysis, of 0.88 or greater, and a pore diameter to particle diameter ratio (PD/d50 (%)) of 1.8 or less, the ratio being given by equation (1A): PD/d50 (%)=mode pore diameter (PD) in a pore diameter range of 0.01 μm to 1 μm in a pore distribution determined by mercury intrusion/volume-based average particle diameter (d50)×100 is provided.

Disclosed is an anode for a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) having improved creep property by adding an additive for imparting creep resistance to nickel-aluminum alloy and nickel as materials for an anode. Improved sintering property, creep property and increased mechanical strength of a molten carbonate fuel cell may be obtained accordingly.

One embodiment includes a method comprising the steps of providing a first dry catalyst coated gas diffusion media layer, depositing a wet first proton exchange membrane layer over the first catalyst coated gas diffusion media layer to form a first proton exchange membrane layer; providing a second dry catalyst coated gas diffusion media layer; contacting the second dry catalyst coated gas diffusion media layer with the first proton exchange membrane layer; and hot pressing together the first and second dry catalyst coated gas diffusion media layers with the wet proton exchange membrane layer therebetween.

A catalyst composition and a use thereof are provided. The catalyst composition includes a support and at least one RuXMY alloy attached to the surface of the support, wherein M is a transition metal and X≧Y. The catalyst composition is used in an alkaline electrochemical energy conversion reaction, and can improve the energy conversion efficiency for an electrochemical energy conversion device and significantly reduce material costs.

A means of inhibiting the occurrence of overvoltage in an electrode catalyst for fuel cells so as to substantially prevent reduction of fuel cell performance includes an anode electrode catalyst for fuel cells, which contains a carbon support having at least one pore having a pore size of 10 nm or less and a pore volume of 1.1 to 8.4 cm3/g and catalyst particles having particle sizes of 3.1 nm or less and supported by the carbon support so that the density of supported catalyst particles is 15% to 40% by mass.

In some embodiments, a solid oxide fuel system is provided. The solid oxide fuel cell system may include a chromium-getter material. The chromium-getter material may react with chromium to remove chromium species from chromium vapor. The solid oxide fuel cell system may also include an inert substrate. The chromium-getter material may be coated onto the inert substrate. The coated substrate may remove chromium species from chromium vapor before the chromium species can react with a cathode in the solid oxide fuel cell system.

A solid oxide fuel cell having an electric power generating element unit that is configured by sandwiching a solid electrolyte layer between a fuel electrode layer and an oxygen electrode layer with a pore that is present in the solid electrolyte layer and is covered with a sealing material. In addition, a pore that is present in an interconnector, which is electrically connected to the fuel electrode layer or the oxygen electrode layer, is covered with the sealing material. Consequently, the solid oxide fuel cell is capable of easily preventing gas leakage.

A fuel cell unit having at least one fuel cell, a cooling circuit and a deionization device (10). The deionization device includes a housing (16) and a deionizing agent (11) located therein A vehicle is also provided having such a fuel cell unit. It is provided that the deionization device (10) can be or is connected in a fluid-conveying manner to the cooling circuit (5) with a single connection unit (15) via a flow inlet (13) and a flow outlet (14).

A method for starting the normal operation of an electrical system with a fuel cell and a transducer from a stop mode is disclosed. The transducer absorbs the electrical power of the fuel cell, in which at least one reactant supply of the fuel cell was interrupted, where the interrupted reactant supply is resumed from a restart signal, and where a fuel cell voltage is prescribed and then regulated by the transducer. The prescribed fuel cell voltage is prescribed in a way that an electrical unloaded fuel cell supplied with reactants will exceed the prescribed fuel cell voltage in every case, and the current of the transducer necessary for maintaining the prescribed fuel cell voltage is measured, where the normal operation is released as of a prescribed current necessary to that effect.

Embodiments of the invention provide a fuel cell system including a fuel cell coupled to a controller configured to route power generated by the fuel cell to at least one peripheral device. Embodiments include a hydrogen generator including a reactor vessel enclosed by a housing. The hydrogen generator is fluidly coupled to the fuel cell and configured to deliver hydrogen to the fuel cell. Embodiments include at least one water harvesting system fluidly coupled to the hydrogen generator and configured to deliver water or water vapor to the hydrogen generator using a controller. Some embodiments include at least one waste heat recovery system used to heat harvested water or water vapor delivered to the hydrogen generator. Some embodiments include a fuel cell system fueling method using the hydrogen generator fluidly coupled to the fuel cell including delivery of captured water or water vapor to the hydrogen generator.

A flow battery includes a positive electrode, a positive electrode electrolyte, a negative electrode, a negative electrode electrolyte, and a polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The positive electrode electrolyte includes water and a first redox couple. The first redox couple includes a first organic compound which includes a first moiety in conjugation with a second moiety. The first organic compound is reduced during discharge while during charging the reduction product of the first organic compound is oxidized to the first organic compound. The negative electrode electrolyte includes water and a second redox couple. The second couple includes a second organic compound including a first moiety in conjugation with a second moiety. The reduction product of the second organic compound is oxidized to the second organic compound during discharge.

A battery electrolyte solution contains a lithium salt dissolved in a solvent phase comprising at least 10% by weight of methyl (2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl) carbonate. The solvent phase comprises optionally other solvent materials such as 4-fluoroethylene carbonate and other carbonate solvents. This battery electrolyte is highly stable even when used in batteries in which the cathode material has a high operating potential (such as 4.5V or more) relative to Li/Li+. Batteries containing this electrolyte solution therefore have excellent cycling stability.

Composites of lithium-ion-conducting ceramic and polymeric materials make superior separators and electrolytes for use in lithium batteries. The ceramic material provides a high conductivity pathway for lithium-ions, enhancing the properties of the less conductive polymeric material. The polymeric material provides flexibility, binding, and space-filling properties, mitigating the tendency of rigid ceramic materials to break or delaminate. The interface between the polymer and ceramic can be made to have a low ionic resistance through the use of additives and coatings.

A lithium ion secondary battery including: a positive electrode including a positive electrode active material capable of intercalating and deintercalating a lithium ion; a negative electrode including a negative electrode active material capable of intercalating and deintercalating a lithium ion; and a non-aqueous electrolytic solution, wherein the positive electrode active material includes a Mn-based spinel-type composite oxide and an additional active material, and the content of the Mn-based spinel-type composite oxide based on the whole of the positive electrode active material is 60% by mass or less, and the negative electrode active material includes a first graphite particle containing natural graphite and a second graphite particle containing artificial graphite, and the content of the second graphite particle based on the sum total of the first graphite particle and the second graphite particle is in the range of 1 to 30% by mass.

Provided is a positive electrode active material that can be used to fabricate a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery having excellent output characteristics not only in an environment at normal temperature but also in all temperature environments from extremely low to high temperatures. A positive electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, the positive electrode active material includes a boron compound and lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese composite oxide of general formula (1) having a layered hexagonal crystal structure. The lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese composite oxide includes secondary particles composed of agglomerated primary particles. The boron compound is present on at least part of the surface of the primary particles, and contains lithium. Li1+sNixCoyMnzMotMwO2 (1)

A solid electrolyte for an all-solid secondary battery, the solid electrolyte including: Li, S, P, an M1 element, and an M2 element, wherein the M1 element is at least one element selected from Na, K, Rb, Sc, Fr, and the M2 element is at least one element selected from F, Cl, Br, I, molar amounts of lithium and the M1 element satisfy 0

Set forth herein are garnet material compositions, e.g., lithium-stuffed garnets and lithium-stuffed garnets doped with alumina, which are suitable for use as electrolytes and catholytes in solid state battery applications. Also set forth herein are lithium-stuffed garnet thin films having fine grains therein. Disclosed herein are novel and inventive methods of making and using lithium-stuffed garnets as catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes for all solid state lithium rechargeable batteries. Also disclosed herein are novel electrochemical devices which incorporate these garnet catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes. Also set forth herein are methods for preparing novel structures, including dense thin (

The described technology relates to an electrolyte solution comprising a sulfur dioxide-based ionic liquid electrolyte, and a sodium-sulfur dioxide (Na—SO2) secondary battery having same, one purpose of the described technology being to enhance the storage characteristics of sulfur dioxide gas in an electrolyte solution. The sodium-sulfur dioxide secondary battery includes a negative electrode which is formed from an inorganic material and which contains sodium. The battery also includes a positive electrode which is formed from a carbon material and a sulfur dioxide-based inorganic electrolyte solution. Here, the electrolyte solution contains a sulfur dioxide-based ionic liquid electrolyte prepared by injecting SO2 gas in an ionic liquid.

A lithium secondary battery includes: a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and an electrolyte disposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, wherein the negative electrode includes a silicon composite including silicon, a silicon oxide of the formula SiOx wherein 0

A battery electrolyte solution contains a lithium salt dissolved in a solvent phase comprising at least 10% by weight of ethyl (2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl) carbonate. The solvent phase comprises optionally other solvent materials such as 4-fluoroethylene carbonate and either or both of diethyl carbonate and ethyl methyl carbonate. This battery electrolyte is highly stable even when used in batteries in which the cathode material has a high operating potential (such as 4.5V or more) relative to Li/Li+. Batteries containing this electrolyte solution therefore have excellent cycling stability.

A battery electrolyte solution contains a lithium salt dissolved in a solvent phase comprising at least 10% by weight N of (2,2-difluoroethyl) ethyl carbonate. The solvent phase comprises optionally other solvent materials such as 4-fluoroethylene carbonate and other carbonate solvents. This battery electrolyte is highly stable even when used in batteries in which the cathode material has a high operating potential (such as 4.5V or more) relative to Li/Li+. Batteries containing this electrolyte solution therefore have excellent cycling stability.

A lithium secondary battery includes a case, a jelly roll housed in the case, the jelly roll including a plurality of electrode plates and a separation film disposed between the plurality of electrode plates, and a heat conduction plate disposed on both sides of the jelly roll and housed in the case together with the jelly roll.

The invention relates to a method for operating a secondary battery (1, 4) which comprises multiple interconnected, bridgeable battery subunits (A, B) and is situated in a compartment (3) of an electrically driven vehicle, in particular a watercraft, characterized in that the accessibility of each battery subunit (A, B) is detected, and the battery subunits (A, B) are activated in accordance with the accessibility of the particular battery subunits.

An additive formulation for a lithium ion battery is provided, which includes an ionic conductor and a compound having a maleimide structure. An electrode slurry composition is also provided, which includes an active material, a conductive additive, an adhesive, and an additive formulation containing an ionic conductor and a compound having a maleimide structure modified by a compound having a barbituric acid structure.

A battery system for an electric vehicle includes a container having a lid and a plurality of battery cells housed in the container. Each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells may include a pair of tabs to electrically connect to the battery cell, a printed circuit board housed in the container, and a pair of contact elements. The printed circuit board may include circuitry adapted to monitor at least one battery cell. And, each contact element may be attached to the printed circuit board and configured to separably contact a tab of the at least one battery cell to electrically connect the at least one battery cell to the printed circuit board.

A system and method for a battery cell having an anode and a cathode, and a separator disposed between the anode and the cathode. A conductive layer disposed in the separator facilitates detection of dendrite growth from the anode into the separator, the detection correlative with a reduction in voltage between the anode and the conductive layer. A detection interface component coupled to the conductive layer is configured to facilitate routing of a signal from the conductive layer to a circuit external to the battery cell, the signal indicative of the detection. The battery cell may be part of a battery or battery pack which may be utilized by an electronic device.

A battery pack has a battery pack housing that defines an interior region, and a battery module that is disposed in the interior region. The battery module has a first battery cell, and a first heat exchanger defining a first flow path portion therethrough. The battery pack further includes a first electric fan and a thermally conductive housing that are disposed in the interior region. The thermally conductive housing has a first housing portion, and at least first and second cooling fins defining a second flow path portion therebetween. At least a portion of the second flow path portion is substantially in-line with the first flow path portion. The first electric fan urges air to flow through an inlet aperture, the first flow path portion, the second flow path portion, and through the first electric fan to a first outlet aperture to cool the battery module.

A battery module and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The battery module includes a case providing an internal space, a plurality of battery cells disposed in the internal space of the case, and at least one cooling unit interposed between the battery cells to be in surface contact with the battery cells and dissipating heat generated by the battery cells externally.

A battery, a thermal management device of the battery, and an unmanned aerial vehicle having the battery are provided. The thermal management device comprises a heat conducting housing having a receiving cavity and configured to divide the receiving cavity into a plurality of cell compartments for receiving cells, and a heat conducting shelf mounted within the receiving cavity and configured to be in contact with at least one of the cells to conduct heat generated by the at least one of the cells. The heat conducting shelf is thermally connected with an inner wall of the receiving cavity and configured to conduct heat in the heat conducting shelf to the heat conducting housing.

The invention relates to a housing (10) for accommodating a plurality of battery cells (20), in particular lithium-ion battery cells, wherein the housing (10), in particular a plastic housing, comprises a cooling device with an inlet point (30) and an outlet point (40) for an air stream (22) for cooling the battery cells (20). In addition, the housing (10) is designed as a single piece together with the cooling device integrated in the housing (10), and the cooling device additionally has spacers (34; 34a, 34b) for arranging all accommodated battery cells (20) with an intermediate space (23) for guiding air between the battery cells (20), by which means an air channel (25) is provided for the air stream (22) between the battery cells (20). The invention further relates to a battery pack (50) and to a motor vehicle comprising such a battery pack (50).

Systems and methods for treating small elongated fibrous and particles of certain materials, e.g., PTFE materials in a suspension are presented. In some instances, high-intensity ultrasound (or acoustical energy) is applied to a sample of the material, through a fluid coupling medium or suspension, to achieve a material transformation in the sample. In various embodiments, fibrillation of particles of PTFE or similar materials is accomplished, or the formation of extended structures of these materials is caused or enhanced. Also, the ability to separate long fiber samples by ultrasonic or acoustic cavitation action is provided.

A crosslapper receives a card web and folds it into a lap intended to be needle-punched or consolidated by other ways. The web includes zones which are more condensed, having a spectrum of orientation of fibers with a component parallel to the width of the web, alternating with less condensed zones having a longitudinal unidirectional spectrum of orientations. The zones which are less condensed are used to form the edge zones of the lap. The result is that the lap has different respective spectra of orientation which pre-compensate for the unwanted changes produced by the needle-punching or other consolidation which follows. A needle-punched lap is obtained having a uniform MD/CD ratio (relationship between longitudinal and respectively transverse tensile strengths) or having a sought profile of the MD/CD ratio across the width of the lap.

An applicator head for cutting yarn into segments of yarn and depositing the segments of yarn on a deposition surface. The applicator head includes a single mechanism that moves the yarn towards said deposition surface and also cuts the yarn into segments.

The method for operating a fleece layer requires a fleece layer, to which the card web is supplied at variable card web infeed speed. To limit the amount of space required for the upper carriage at the rear of the machine, the average of the absolute values of the laying-carriage speed during the forward movement of the laying carriage in at least some laying cycles differs from the average of the absolute values of the laying-carriage speed during the return movement of the laying carriage, and the average of the absolute values of the laying-carriage speed in at least some laying cycles during the forward movement of the laying carriage differs from twice the average of the absolute values of the upper-carriage speed during the forward movement of the laying carriage.

Apparatus for producing spread fiber bundles by strategic use of tension control throughout the device and use of higher differential speeds between driven rollers and line speed of the running fiber bundle are provided herein, along with methods for producing spread fibers, prepregs, and articles of manufacture therefrom.

An apparatus for processing a sample of fibers and trash, having a cylinder for receiving the sample. Pins extend from the surface of the cylinder and retain the fibers. A knife extends along the cylinder adjacent the pins, and removes the trash that is not retained by the pins. The trash is separated from the sample along a downward direction. A counter-flow of air in an upward direction is directed towards the cylinder, where the velocity is sufficient to blow the fibers that are not originally retained by the pins up toward the cylinder, and yet is insufficient to prevent gravity from pulling the trash downward.

A method and a device for drawing off a clothing strip from a card-flat bar are presented. A clothing strip held on the card-flat bar by fastening means in the form of clips or clamps is released form the card-flat bar with the aid of a device resulting in at least partial opening of the fastening means. The device has a bearing face and a retainer for bearing on the card-flat bar or on the clip and has a spike for the at least partial opening of the clip.

Apparatus and methods for automatically training (i.e., straightening) saw blades along a saw mandrel are disclosed.

An apparatus for making a carbon nanotube yarn includes a tube and a bobbin. The tube has an opening capable of introducing organic solvent into the tube. The tube further has an inlet and an outlet defined through lateral walls thereof. The inlet is capable of accepting one or more carbon nanotube yarn strings and the outlet is capable of accepting the carbon nanotube yarn. The bobbin is positioned around the tube for collecting the carbon nanotube yarn as it comes out of the outlet.