Takahiro Shimizu

Gelified Co-continuous Polymer Blend System as Polymer Electrolyte for Li Batteries

In this work, the co-continuous polymer blend was synthesized for use as the electrolyte in lithium batteries. Such electrolytes were characterized by a co-continuous morphology consisting of two three-dimensionally interpenetrated polymer networks simply formed by hot-mixing two nonmiscible polymers. A preliminary electrochemical characterization of the gelified co-continuous polymer blend as electrolyte for lithium batteries is also reported.

Nanotechnologies for Fuel Cells

Fuel cells, which convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy with high efficiency and low emission, are currently attracting interest because of their huge potential for power generation in stationary and portable devices, transport applications, and sustainable energy production. Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) are especially attractive as portable power sources because of characteristics such as simple construction, easy operation, liquid fuel, and high efficiency [1, 2].