Abstract: A high-voltage electrochemical-electrolytic capacitor. The capacitor includes a cathode comprising a plurality of electrically-conductive particles in intimate electrical contact with one another and disposed in a proton-conductive, electrically-non-conductive, solid ionomer matrix. The capacitor also includes an anode comprising a plurality of electrically-conductive particles in intimate electrical contact with one another and disposed in a proton-conductive, electrically-non-conductive solid ionomer matrix, the electrically-conductive particles of the anode differing in composition from the electrically-conductive particles of said cathode. The capacitor further includes a proton-conducting dielectric positioned between and in contact with each of the cathode and the anode, the proton-conducting dielectric comprising a solid ionomer.

Abstract: A composite proton exchange membrane and method of manufacturing the same. The composite proton exchange membrane comprises a proton exchange membrane which has been modified by replacing membrane protons in desired areas of the membrane with a cationic polymer. The cationic polymer is preferably formed by introducing a quaternary salt monomer into the membrane and then effecting the polymerization of the monomer. The modified areas of the proton exchange membrane exhibit increased strength, reduced water and gas permeability, reduced proton conductivity and reduced acidity. Accordingly, by modifying the periphery of the membrane, one can obtain an integral sealing edge for the membrane, and by modifying certain interior regions of the membrane, one can divide the membrane into a plurality of sealed segments.

Abstract: Electrolysis cell comprises, in one embodiment, a proton exchange membrane (PEM), an anode positioned along one face of the PEM, and a cathode positioned along the other face of the PEM. A multi-layer metal screen for defining a first fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the anode, and an electrically-conductive, compressible, spring-like, porous pad for defining a second fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the cathode. The porous pad comprises a mat of carbon fibers bound together with one or more, preferably thermoplastic, resins, the mat having a density of about 0.2-1.5 g/cm3. Cell frames are placed in peripheral contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for peripherally containing fluids present therewithin. Electrically-conductive separators are placed in contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for axially containing fluids present therewithin.

Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte composite membrane and method of manufacturing the same. The composite membrane comprises a porous ceramic support having a top surface and a bottom surface. The porous ceramic support may be formed by laser micromachining a ceramic sheet or may be formed by electrochemically oxidizing a sheet of the base metal. A solid polymer electrolyte fills the pores of the ceramic support and preferably also covers the top and bottom surfaces of the support. Application of the solid polymer electrolyte to the porous support may take place by applying a dispersion to the support followed by a drying off of the solvent, by hot extrusion of the solid polymer electrolyte (or by hot extrusion of a precursor of the solid polymer electrolyte followed by in-situ conversion of the precursor to the solid polymer electrolyte) or by in-situ polymerization of a corresponding monomer of the solid polymer electrolyte.

Abstract: Electrolysis cell comprises, in one embodiment, a proton exchange membrane (PEM), an anode positioned along one face of the PEM, and a cathode positioned along the other face of the PEM. A multi-layer metal screen for defining a first fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the anode, and an electrically-conductive, compressible, spring-like, porous pad for defining a second fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the cathode. The porous pad comprises a mat of carbon fibers bound together with one or more, preferably thermoplastic, resins, the mat having a density of about 0.2-1.5 g/cm3. Cell frames are placed in peripheral contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for peripherally containing fluids present therewithin. Electrically-conductive separators are placed in contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for axially containing fluids present therewithin.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly including an ionically conductive member, an electrode, and an electrically conductive member including an active layer, wherein the electrode is a smooth, continuous layer that completely covers and supports the ionically conductive member. The electrode and active layer further include a first and second catalyst content, respectively; and 50% of the total catalyst content is present in the electrode and 50% of the total catalyst content is present in the active layer.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor is provided for the detection of carbon dioxide gas. The sensor includes a non-conductive solid substrate and at least one each of a metal oxide sensing electrode, a reference electrode and a counter electrode positioned on the substrate. A solid polymer electrolyte anion-exchange membrane is in intimate contact with the sensing electrode, reference electrode and counter electrode. The sensor is highly sensitive and selective to carbon dioxide and has very rapid response time.

Abstract: A gas diffusion electrode and method of making the same. According to one embodiment, the electrode comprises a support layer, a first cushioning layer positioned on top of the support layer, a second cushioning layer positioned on top of the first cushioning layer, and a catalyst layer positioned on top of the second cushioning layer. The support layer is a mechanically stable, electrically-conductive, gas porous substrate, such as carbon fiber paper. The first cushioning layer, which is also gas porous, comprises a non-woven mat of electrically-conductive, chemically-inert fibers, preferably carbon nanofibers, bound together with a polymeric binder, such as polytetrafluoroethylene. The second cushioning layer is similar to the first cushioning layer, except that carbon black or a similar electrically-conductive, chemically-inert particulate material is included in addition to or instead of the fibrous material for the purpose of fine-tuning pore size.

Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte composite membrane and method of manufacturing the same. According to one embodiment, the composite membrane comprises a rigid, non-electrically-conducting support, the support preferably being a sheet of polyimide having a thickness of about 7.5 to 15 microns. The support has a plurality of cylindrical pores extending perpendicularly between opposing top and bottom surfaces of the support. The pores, which preferably have a diameter of about 0.1 to 5 microns, are made by plasma etching and preferably are arranged in a defined pattern, for example, with fewer pores located in areas of high membrane stress and more pores located in areas of low membrane stress. The pores are filled with a first solid polymer electrolyte, such as a perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) polymer. A second solid polymer electrolyte, which may be the same as or different than the first solid polymer electrolyte, may be deposited over the top and/or bottom of the first solid polymer electrolyte.

Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte composite membrane and method of manufacturing the same. According to one embodiment, the composite membrane comprises a rigid, non-electrically-conducting support, the support preferably being a sheet of polyimide having a thickness of about 7.5 to 15 microns. The support has a plurality of cylindrical pores extending perpendicularly between opposing top and bottom surfaces of the support. The pores, which preferably have a diameter of about 5 microns, are made by laser micromachining and preferably are arranged in a defined pattern, for example, with fewer pores located in areas of high membrane stress and more pores located in areas of low membrane stress. The pores are filled with a first solid polymer electrolyte, such as a perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) polymer. A second solid polymer electrolyte, which may be the same as or different than the first solid polymer electrolyte, may be deposited over the top and/or bottom of the first solid polymer electrolyte.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a device for generating hydrogen from a water vapor containing exhaust is provided. The device comprises an exhaust diverter and a hydrogen generation section. The exhaust diverter is configured to divert a portion of the exhaust to the hydrogen generation section. The hydrogen generation section comprises an electrolysis unit defining a hermetically sealed void volume configured to accumulate and store hydrogen. The exhaust diverter may be placed in communication with a heat exchanger configured to increase a fractional relative humidity of the diverted exhaust by cooling the diverted exhaust. In accordance with 37 CFR 1.72(b), the purpose of this abstract is to enable the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract will not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.

Abstract: A miniaturized gas sensor comprised of thick- or thin-film type electrodes, on a non-conductive supportive substrate, and in contact with a solid ionomer electrolyte, for the detection of toxic gases, i.e., carbon monoxide, and other oxidizable or reducible gases and vapors is described. The all-solid planar sensor cell has two or more film type electrodes arranged on a non-conductive planar surface of a supportive substrate. The electrodes are discrete and in intimate contact with the same solid polymer ionomer membrane. The sensor cell contains no liquid electrolyte and is operated in a constant-voltage, potentiostatic or potentiodynamic mode. A high sensitivity to a select gas or vapor is achieved by a novel three-phase contact area design for a sensing electrode which provides contact with the solid ionomer electrolyte, as well as the gas sample via diffusion openings or holes that penetrate through the supportive substrate.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a device for generating hydrogen from a water vapor containing exhaust is provided. The device comprises an exhaust diverter and a hydrogen generation section. The exhaust diverter is configured to divert a portion of the exhaust to the hydrogen generation section. The hydrogen generation section comprises an electrolysis unit defining a hermetically sealed void volume configured to accumulate and store hydrogen. The exhaust diverter may be placed in communication with a heat exchanger configured to increase a fractional relative humidity of the diverted exhaust by cooling the diverted exhaust. In accordance with 37 CFR 1.72(b), the purpose of this abstract is to enable the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract will not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.

Abstract: A graphite reference electrode for use in the cathodic protection of steel embedded in concrete has been produced with a stable catalyzed structure that when equilibrated with air or oxygen and an electrolyte reaches a reproducible and reversible redox potential. This stable device is produced by exposure to hydrogen peroxide, impregnating with a metal oxide followed by a coating treatment. The embedded catalyzed graphite reference electrodes can be used in impressed cathodic protection systems or monitoring the corrosion condition of embedded steel to provide an early warning of impending damage.