Abstract: Some embodiments described herein provide for methods for synthesizing magnesium borohydride from hydrogenation of magnesium boride at moderate temperature and pressure in the presence of a modifier. The modifier may be in form of hydrides, liquid hydrogen carriers, ammonia borane, metallic species, croconate anion based materials, ethers, amines or imines, metal carbides, borides, graphene, arenes, magnesium, aluminum, calcium or ionic liquids. Some embodiments provide for charging magnesium boride in presence of a modifier at high pressure hydrogen while simultaneously heating the material. The modification in some instances may lead to an improved magnesium boride product with enhanced properties for application in other hydrogen storage systems.

Abstract: Some embodiments described herein provide for methods for synthesizing magnesium borohydride from hydrogenation of magnesium boride at moderate temperature and pressure in the presence of a modifier. The modifier may be in form of hydrides, liquid hydrogen carriers, ammonia borane, metallic species, croconate anion based materials, ethers, amines or imines, metal carbides, borides, graphene, arenes, magnesium, aluminum, calcium or ionic liquids. Some embodiments provide for charging magnesium boride in presence of a modifier at high pressure hydrogen while simultaneously heating the material. The modification in some instances may lead to an improved magnesium boride product with enhanced properties for application in other hydrogen storage systems.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for directly preparing an alkaline earth metal borohydride, i.e. Mg(BH4)2, from the alkaline earth metal boride MgB2 by hydrogenating the MgB2 at an elevated temperature and pressure. The boride may also be doped with small amounts of a metal chloride catalyst such as TiCl3 and/or NiCl2. The process provides for charging MgB2 with high pressure hydrogen above at least 70 MPa while simultaneously heating the material to about 350° C. to about 400° C. The method is relatively simple and inexpensive and provides a reversible hydride compound having a hydrogen capacity of at least 11 wt %.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for preparing hydrogen storage materials using low boiling point solvents or reaction media. Examples of such solvents or reaction media include dimethyl ether, ethyl methyl ether, epoxyethane, and trimethylamine. The synthesis of the hydrogen storage materials is conducted is a selected medium, and after synthesis is complete, the reaction medium is removed as necessary by moderate heating.

Abstract: The present invention concerns compositions, apparatus and methods for hydrogen storage. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise sodium alanate and {n5-C5H5}2TiH2. In preferred embodiments, the components of the composition are present in specified molar ratios, for example 0.7 NaH to 1.0 Al to 0.1 Ti. In various embodiments, the hydrocarbon rings coordinating the titanium are removed from the composition, for example by melting at 182° C. or higher or by cyclic discharge and recharge of hydrogen at temperatures of 100° C. or less. Methods for producing and using the claimed compositions are also provided. In various embodiments, the alanate composition may be stored, shipped and used in a modular container, such as a cassette. Exemplary hydrogen utilizing systems and methods for ordering, distribution and shipping of cassettes are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention concerns compositions, apparatus and methods for hydrogen storage. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise sodium alanate and {n5-C5H5}2TiH2. In preferred embodiments, the components of the composition are present in specified molar ratios, for example 0.7 NaH to 1.0 Al to 0.1 Ti. In various embodiments, the hydrocarbon rings coordinating the titanium are removed from the composition, for example by melting at 182° C. or higher or by cyclic discharge and recharge of hydrogen at temperatures of 100° C. or less. Methods for producing and using the claimed compositions are also provided. In various embodiments, the alanate composition may be stored, shipped and used in a modular container, such as a cassette. Exemplary hydrogen utilizing systems and methods for ordering, distribution and shipping of cassettes are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Dry homogenized metal hydrides, in particular aluminum hydride compounds, as a material for reversible hydrogen storage is provided. The reversible hydrogen storage material comprises a dry homogenized material having transition metal catalytic sites on a metal aluminum hydride compound, or mixtures of metal aluminum hydride compounds. A method of making such reversible hydrogen storage materials by dry doping is also provided and comprises the steps of dry homogenizing metal hydrides by mechanical mixing, such as be crushing or ball milling a powder, of a metal aluminum hydride with a transition metal catalyst. In another aspect of the invention, a method of powering a vehicle apparatus with the reversible hydrogen storage material is provided.

Abstract: A family of organometallic liquid absorbents that can have their thermophysical properties tailored for specific applications. Processes to manufacture these liquid absorbents and methods to optimize their thermodynamic properties are included. These organometallic liquid absorbents are used in compressor driven and heat driven heat pumps (50) and cryocoolers (99). With optimum thermodynamic properties, these heat pumps systems are highly efficient. These liquid absorbents are not damaging to the environment, are non-toxic and non-corrosive and are applicable to environmentally clean and highly efficient heat pumps, refrigerators, air conditioners, process heating and cooling systems, electronics cooling systems, cryocoolers and gas separation processes.

Abstract: Dry homogenized metal hydrides, in particular aluminum hydride compounds, as a material for reversible hydrogen storage is provided. The reversible hydrogen storage material comprises a dry homogenized material having transition metal catalytic sites on a metal aluminum hydride compound, or mixtures of metal aluminum hydride compounds. A method of making such reversible hydrogen storage materials by dry doping is also provided and comprises the steps of dry homogenizing metal hydrides by mechanical mixing, such as be crushing or ball milling a powder, of a metal aluminum hydride with a transition metal catalyst. In anotehr aspect of the invention, a method of powering a vehicle apparatus with the reversible hydrogen storage material is provided.

Abstract: A method for storing and releasing hydrogen fuel includes providing a hydrogenated material in a chamber, introducing a catalyst into the chamber, heating the chamber to about 190.degree. C., separating at least part of the material into dehydrogenated material and hydrogen and releasing the hydrogen from the chamber. A preferred catalyst is a transition metal complex, such as the iridium based complex IrH.sub.4 {2,6C.sub.6 H.sub.3 (CH.sub.2 P(C(CH.sub.3).sub.3).sub.2).sub.2 }. To reverse the process, a hydrogen pressure of about 10 atmospheres or more is provided, and the dehydrogenated material and hydrogen are combined at about or at least 100.degree. C. to regenerate the hydrogenated material. The small, lightweight system for carrying out the present method includes a chamber containing hydrogenated material and a catalyst, and having an outlet with a selectively permeable membrane for releasing hydrogen and containing hydrogenated material and a homogenous catalyst.

Abstract: An improved process is described for the catalytic dehydrogenation of organic molecules having a ##STR1## group to produce a ##STR2## group. The organic molecules are: ##STR3## wherein: A.sup.1, A.sup.2, A.sup.3, and A.sup.4 are each independently P, As or N: E.sup.2 is independently C or N; E.sup.3 is independently C, Si or Ge; E.sup.4 is independently C, Si, or Ge; and E.sup.5 is independently C, Si or Ge; M.sup.1, M.sup.2, M.sup.3, and M.sup.4 each is a metal atom independently selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium and platinum; Q.sup.1, Q.sup.2, Q.sup.3, and Q.sup.4 are each independently a direct bond, --CH.sub.2 --, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --, or CH.dbd.CH--;in structure I, structure II or structure IV, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 are each independently selected from alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together and R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 together form a ring structure having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, orin structure III, R.sup.

Abstract: A catalytic composition useful for producing amides and primary alcohols from nitriles and alkenes respectively, comprising in the first instance water, a suitable nucleophile, and MHCl[P(R).sub.3 ].sub.2 wherein M is platinum, palladium, or nickel, and R is CH.sub.3, CH.sub.3 CH.sub.2, or i-Pr and in the second instance comprising the same reagents but limited to R being CH.sub.3. The addition of a phase-transfer catalyst facilitates both reactions where the aqueous solubility of the nitriles or alkenes is limiting in the reaction.