Abstract: An especially efficient and durable electrolytic cell is provided by utilizing a combined cathode and diaphragm unit wherein the cathode is made by spray coating a ferrous metal substrate with a powder metal having lower hydrogen overvoltage than said substrate to form a protected cathode surface having a larger surface area than the substrate, and vacuum depositing a polymer impregnated asbestos fiber diaphragm onto a spray coated surface of the cathode to form a fibrous diaphragm thereon. Preferably, the cathode surface is made with nickel and the polymer impregnated asbestos diaphragm contains from about 10 to about 30 percent based on the weight of asbestos of an organic cementing agent such as a fluorohydrocarbon polymer.

Abstract: Plating electrical contacts onto one or more surfaces of a solar cell having an electrical junction therein is accomplished by immersing the cell in an electrolyte and exposing it to light so that platable ions in the electrolyte will be attracted to an oppositely charged surface of the cell.

Abstract: A substantially uniform, transparent, electrically conducting, metal oxide film (e.g. of indium/tin oxide) can be deposited on to a substrate such as glass of large lateral dimensions, e.g. a windscreen for an aircraft or a land vehicle, by low-pressure reactive sputtering from a cathode of the metal, using an atmosphere of oxygen and another gas or gases (preferably an inert gas) at reduced pressure, by providing access for the sputtering atmosphere to penetrate into the whole of the working space between the cathode and the substrate so as to maintain a substantial degree of uniformity in the oxygen concentration in the working space. Access for the atmosphere may be provided by means of passages extending through the cathode assembly, by dividing the cathode assembly into parallel strips separated by gaps, and the atmosphere may be supplied direct to the working space through such gaps. Relative movement is effected between the cathode assembly and the substrate, e.g.

Abstract: A thin film of low magnetostriction Permalloy 80% nickel - 20% iron .+-. 1% is electroplated in a bath having a ratio of about 1.8:1 to 24:1 g/liter ratio of Ni to Fe ions with a plating current density from 10 ma/cm.sup.2 - 200 ma/cm.sup.2 when plating in sheet form or an Ni/Fe ratio of 25:1 to 85:1 with a current density of 2 ma/cm.sup.2 - 110 ma/cm.sup.2 when plating through a mask. The fluid in the system is constantly mixed, replenished with fresh iron, acid, and other reagents, is adjusted in temperature and subjected to a continuous laminar regime of mixing. Fresh solution is added to the bath from a reservoir where the above adjustments are made. The inlet for the fresh solution is at the lower end of the plating chamber and directed at a bath mixer which includes a slot through which the fresh solution is directed to optimize mixing in the plating chamber. Complexing agents are avoided. High speed plating is obtained with about 24.4 g/l of Ni.sup.++, 1.05 g/l of Fe.sup.++, 25 g/l of H.sub.3 BO.sub.

Abstract: A gaseous fuel cell is described which includes a pair of electrodes formed by open-ended, ion-exchange hollow fibers, each having a layer of metal catalyst deposited on the inner surface thereof and large surface area current collectors such as braided metal mesh in contact with the metal catalyst layer. A fuel cell results when the electrodes are immersed in electrolyte and electrically connected. As hydrogen and oxygen flow through the bore of the fibers oxidation and reduction reactions develop an electrical potential. Since the hollow fiber configuration provides large electrode area per unit volume and intimate contact between fuel and oxidizer at the interface, and due to the low internal resistance of the electrolyte, high power densities can be obtained.