Abstract: A method for controlling the heat output of a combustor in a fuel cell apparatus to a fuel processor where the combustor has dual air inlet streams including atmospheric air and fuel cell cathode effluent containing oxygen depleted air. In all operating modes, an enthalpy balance is provided by regulating the quantity of the air flow stream to the combustor to support fuel cell processor heat requirements. A control provides a quick fast forward change in an air valve orifice cross section in response to a calculated predetermined air flow, the molar constituents of the air stream to the combustor, the pressure drop across the air valve, and a look up table of the orifice cross sectional area and valve steps. A feedback loop fine tunes any error between the measured air flow to the combustor and the predetermined air flow.

Abstract: A method for forming the composition stabilized against capacity degradation comprises particles of spinel lithium manganese oxide (LMO) enriched with lithium by a decomposition product of lithium carbonate forming a part of each said particle and characterized by a reduced surface area and increased capacity expressed in milliamp hours per gram as compared to non-enriched spinel.

Abstract: A DC/DC converter for a fuel cell includes an input node for receiving DC supply power from the fuel cell and an output node for providing a first DC output voltage. A first inductor includes a first winding having a first terminal and a second terminal, with the first terminal coupled with the input node for receiving DC supply power from the fuel cell. A switch is coupled between the second terminal of the first winding and ground. A control circuit switches the switch between an open position and a closed position. A first capacitor is coupled between the output node and ground. A first diode is coupled between the second terminal of the first winding and the output node for preventing current from flowing from the first capacitor to the second terminal of the first winding. A second winding is disposed in a transformer relationship with the first winding for producing a second output voltage. An AC/DC circuit rectifies AC voltage from the second winding and provides a constant second DC output voltage.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for treatment of a hydrogen-rich gas to reduce the carbon monoxide content thereof by reacting the carbon monoxide in the gas with an amount of oxygen sufficient to oxidize at least a portion of the carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst in a desired temperature range without substantial reaction of hydrogen. The catalyst is an iridium-based catalyst dispersed on, and supported on, a carrier. In the presence of the catalyst, carbon monoxide in a hydrogen-rich feed gas is selectively oxidized such that a product stream is produced with a very low carbon monoxide content.

Abstract: In the method of the invention, plasticizer is extracted from a polymeric film electrode, electrolyte or laminated film structure thereof, by contacting the film, with an extraction solvent mixture comprising a polar co-solvent, and carbon dioxide which is in a solvent fluidic state, at a temperature greater than or equal to 31.degree. C. and less than 35.degree. C. The pressure of extraction is sufficient to maintain the fluidic state at the temperature range stated. The co-solvent is present in an amount up to about 10% by weight of the extraction solvent mixture. The co-solvent is characterized by having a liquid state at the temperature and pressure of extraction.

Abstract: The present invention provides cathode active materials having as their major component or consisting essentially entirely of an oxide of vanadium of one of the nominal general formulas: Li.sub.a Fe.sub.x V.sub.y O.sub.z and Li.sub.m Fe.sub.x V.sub.y O.sub.z. In the case of Li.sub.a Fe.sub.x V.sub.y O.sub.z the material in an initial condition does not contain any lithium so a is equal to 0. In the case of Li.sub.m Fe.sub.x V.sub.y O.sub.z the material in an initial condition contains lithium so m is greater than 0. In both cases, x is about 1, y is about 3, and z is about 8. In both cases, the V(4) state is achieved by reaction between iron and V(5) in vanadium pentoxide. In one case lithium was added by including lithium hydroxide in an aqueous solution containing the iron and the vanadium pentoxide.

Abstract: In a new process for making an electrode current collector assembly, an electrode composition is mixed with a volatile casting solvent and is coated onto a substrate. Then, the coated substrate is heated to drive off a major portion of the volatile casting solvent. Next, force is applied on an external surface of the coating and directed toward the substrate so as to compact the coating and reduce the volume of pore spaces in the coating. An electrolyte composition may be applied to the compacted electrode composition either before or after curing. The electrode and electrolyte compositions are each cured. In a final step, a counter-electrode layer is applied onto the electrolyte composition to form a cell assembly.

Abstract: An improved method of performing atherectomy on plaque material at a site within a vessel utilizing a directional atherectomy catheter with a cutter which has a marker such as a cutter window which is visualizable on fluoroscopy and which is used to direct cuts, and an ultrasonic imaging apparatus.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a new cathode composition is prepared in a preferred method, in situ, in a cell whereby such in situ formation results in enhanced contact between the cathode composition and the current collector and between the electrolyte layer and the cathode composition.The new cathode composition of the invention comprises first and second polymeric materials, the first being radiation cured and ionically conductive and the second being electrochemically cured and electrically conductive. Preferably, the first is radiation cured before the second is electrochemically cured. The second polymeric material is cured in an electrochemical cell which comprises an alkali metal-containing anode layer. The cell desirably contains an electrolyte which consists of a solid ionically conductive polymeric material.

Abstract: There is provided an electrochemical cell which has a non-metal negative electrode (anode on discharge). That is, no solid metal active material is used. The active material of the anode is lithium manganese oxide, Li.sub.x Mn.sub.y O.sub.z. According to another aspect of the invention, both the anode and cathode are formed of lithium manganese oxide, such as Li.sub.x Mn.sub.2 O.sub.4, where the starting material for both the anode and cathode has a value of x in a range of 1.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.3.

Abstract: The thin film electrode is prepared by first forming a bath of a molten lithium material in a vessel. The molten lithium containing material is selected among lithium, a lithium alloy and lithium containing compounds. A substrate is coated with a thin layer of the molten material by transporting the substrate below the vessel where it contacts the molten lithium material.

Abstract: In an electrochemical cell having an active metal negative electrode, a positive electrode and a electrolyte separator there is provided a first layer between the negative electrode and the electrolyte separator, the layer comprises a carbon-based material which is a conductor of electrons and a conductor of metal ions of the negative electrode. The layer restricts penetration of electrolytic organic and anionic salt constituents therethrough and prevents degradation of the negative electrode.

Abstract: In an electrochemical lithium cell having a negative electrode, a positive electrode and an electrolyte separator there is provided a positive electrode current collector which comprises a redox active conductive polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lithium battery comprising a cathode active material having as its major component amorphous V.sub.2 O.sub.5. The amorphous V.sub.2 O.sub.5 is prepared by electrochemically reacting crystalline vanadium pentoxide (V.sub.2 O.sub.5) with lithium in a cell to a voltage sufficient to transform crystalline vanadium pentoxide to amorphous vanadium pentoxide. Preferably, the electrochemical reaction is conducted in a V.sub.2 O.sub.5 --Li cell of about 1.5 V at a relatively constant current in a range of about 0.05 milliamps per cm.sup.2 to about 0.5 milliamps per cm.sup.2.

Abstract: There is provided a method for measuring and evaluating hardness or toughness of relatively delicate materials such as polymers, semi-solids, colloids or gels to determine the firmness thereof by inserting a stylus a specific depth into the material and then determining how the material itself reacts by measuring a resultant opposing force caused by insertion of the stylus. The device used in the method of the invention comprises a stylus (plunger) to vertically impinge on the sample when the stylus is displaced vertically downward. An actuating means controls downward movement of the stylus. The actuating means comprises a movable shaft and a stationary sleeve. The shaft has one end which is threaded and a second end which is constructed and arranged to carry the stylus. The stationary sleeve has internal threads for cooperative engagement with the external threads of the shaft, whereby adjustment by the threads causes vertical movement of the stylus.

Abstract: Non-aqueous electrochemical cells with improved performance can be fabricated by employing anodes comprising a composition having graphite particles that have a BET method specific surface area of about 6 to about 12 m2/g and a crystallite height Lc of about 100 nm to about 120 nm, and wherein at least 90% (wt) of the graphite particles are less than 16 &mgr;m in size; a cathode; and a non-aqueous electrolyte containing a solvent and salt that is interposed between the anode and cathode. When employed in an electrochemical cell, the anode can attain a specific electrode capacity of at least 300 mAhr/g. The electrochemical cell has a cycle life of greater than 1500 cycles, and has a first cycle capacity loss of only about 10% to about 15%.