Abstract: Anonymous DNA/RNA biospecimen tracking process is disclosed for human families to use an anonymous DNA/RNA biospecimen extraction kit that utilizes public key infrastructure, asymmetric encryption, and Non-Fungible-Tokens from a public Blockchain or Distributed Ledger Technology distributed ledger/blockchain to create a Self-Sovereign DNA Fingerprint for each DNA donor, relate, claim ownership, consent to use, establish biological relationship between donors, and keep track of corresponding multi-omics data sets. The process allows entire families to create a Self-Sovereign DNA Fingerprint for each member/donor (using at least 50 SNPs) and explore the genomic revolution without risking their identities, losing track of their biosamples, corresponding datasets and customize data governance by using individual or multi signature wallets in which all data is encrypted using a unique master family encryption key.

Abstract: A privacy-preserving biospecimen test kit kiosk and locker that pairs to and stores data in a private digital wallet is disclosed. The privacy-preserving biospecimen test kit kiosk and locker helps customers to buy DNA/RNA/microbiome/COVID-19 test kits in public places without revealing their identities by pairing with a private digital wallet (smartphone) to allow access and control of their data. The kiosk has a camera for scanning test kit information and capturing palm print images, GPS, environment sensors, a scale, a height meter, and other sensors and provenance gathering devices. The privacy-preserving biospecimen test kit kiosk and locker also serves as a locker to store the DNA/RNA/microbiome/COVID-19 kits. By using the privacy-preserving biospecimen test kit kiosk and locker, users can buy a DNA/RNA/microbiome/COVID-19 test kit, gather information about their bodies and control access to the data by way of their personal and private digital wallets.

Abstract: A fuse including a fuse element, a diffusion layer, and a barrier layer is provided. The barrier layer acts to slow down and/or prevent premature diffusion of the diffusion material into the fuse element during normal operation. As a result, the fuse may be operated in environments having higher ambient temperatures and/or higher currents than otherwise possible. some examples provide a fuse including a fuse element formed from a first conductive material, the fuse element, a barrier layer disposed on a surface of the fuse element, the barrier layer including first and second portions separated by a gap, the barrier layer formed from a second conductive material different from the first conductive material, and a diffusion layer disposed in the gap on the surface of the fuse element, the diffusion layer formed from a third conductive material different from the second conductive material and first conductive material.

Abstract: A method of depositing noble metals on a metal hexaboride support. The hexaboride support is sufficiently electropositive to allow noble metals to deposit spontaneously from solutions containing ionic species of such metals onto the support. The method permits the deposition of metallic films of controlled thickness and particle size at room temperature without using separate reducing agents. Composite materials comprising noble metal films deposited on such metal hexaborides are also described. Such composite materials may be used as catalysts, thermionic emitters, electrical contacts, electrodes, adhesion layers, and optical coatings.

Abstract: A method for cleaning the electrochemical catalyst of fuel cell electrodes that is performed by applying a power pulse, using a low-power supply, across the fuel cell electrodes. The power pulse removes chemisorbed chemical species from the electrochemical catalyst of the electrodes.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) is designed to operate on a reformate fuel stream containing oxygen and diluted hydrogen fuel with CO impurities. A polymer electrolyte membrane has an electrocatalytic surface formed from an electrocatalyst mixed with the polymer and bonded on an anode side of the membrane. An anode backing is formed of a porous electrically conductive material and has a first surface abutting the electrocatalytic surface and a second surface facing away from the membrane. The second surface has an oxidation catalyst layer effective to catalyze the oxidation of CO by oxygen present in the fuel stream where at least the layer of oxidation catalyst is formed of a non-precious metal oxidation catalyst selected from the group consisting of Cu, Fe, Co, Tb, W, Mo, Sn, and oxides thereof, and other metals having at least two low oxidation states.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a fuel cell at high voltage for sustained periods of time. The cathode is switched to an output load effective to reduce the cell voltage at a pulse width effective to reverse performance degradation from OH adsorption onto cathode catalyst surfaces. The voltage is stepped to a value of less than about 0.6 V to obtain the improved and sustained performance.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) is designed to operate on a reformate fuel stream containing oxygen and diluted hydrogen fuel with CO impurities. A polymer electrolyte membrane has an electrocatalytic surface formed from an electrocatalyst mixed with the polymer and bonded on an anode side of the membrane. An anode backing is formed of a porous electrically conductive material and has a first surface abutting the electrocatalytic surface and a second surface facing away from the membrane. The second surface has an oxidation catalyst layer effective to catalyze the oxidation of CO by oxygen present in the fuel stream where at least the layer of oxidation catalyst is formed of a non-precious metal oxidation catalyst selected from the group consisting of Cu, Fe, Co, Tb, W, Mo, Sn, and oxides thereof, and other metals having at least two low oxidation states.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a fuel cell at high voltage for sustained periods of time. The cathode is switched to an output load effective to reduce the cell voltage at a pulse width effective to reverse performance degradation from OH adsorption onto cathode catalyst surfaces. The voltage is stepped to a value of less than about 0.6 V to obtain the improved and sustained performance.

Abstract: An electroplated element is formed to include an insulating substrate, a conducting polymer polymerized in situ on the substrate, and a metal layer deposited on the conducting polymer. In one application a circuit board is formed by polymerizing pyrrole on an epoxy-fiberglass substrate in a single step process and then electrodepositing a metal over the resulting polypyrrole polymer. No chemical deposition of the metal is required prior to electroplating and the resulting layer of substrate-polymer-metal has excellent adhesion characteristics. The metal deposition is surprisingly smooth and uniform over the relatively high resistance film of polypyrrole. A continuous manufacturing process is obtained by filtering the solution between successive substrates to remove polymer formed in the solution, by maintaining the solution oxidizing potential within selected limits, and by adding a strong oxidant, such as KMnO.sub.