Abstract: Electrochemically reacting C-1 compounds including carbon dioxide, formic acid, formaldehyde, methanol, carbon monoxide in the presence of at least one lanthanide and/or at least one actinide. Reducing carbon dioxide or reacting C-1 compounds such as HCOOH (formic acid), HCHO (formaldehyde), CH3OH (methanol), or CO (carbon monoxide) with use of an electrochemical device, wherein the device comprises at least one cathode, and at least one anode, and at least one electrolyte between the cathode and the anode, wherein the electrolyte comprises at least one lanthanide and/or actinide compound. The electrode can be modified with a film such as an ionically conducting or ionically permeable film, optionally comprising a magnetic material. Polar organic solvent such as acetonitrile can be used. Electrocatalysis and/or reaction mediation is observed. Devices can be adapted to carry out the methods. The device can be part of a fuel cell, a battery, an electrolyzer, or an electrosynthetic device.

Abstract: A device which can increase the rates of interfacial reactions including heterogeneous electron transfer reactions, the device comprising at least one sono(electro)chemical cell adapted to hold a thin layer of condensed fluid which is optionally adapted to participate in a heterogeneous electron transfer reaction, wherein the cell is further adapted to provide an ultrasonic transducer face to propagate sound waves into the thin layer of condensed fluid, and wherein the cell is still further adapted with an opening to provide the thin layer of condensed fluid with at least one interface which provides for reflection of the sound waves from the interface back into the thin layer of condensed fluid. The cells are configured to provide for a thin layer operation as opposed to a bulk operation. In method embodiments, ultrasound is applied to the thin layer of condensed fluid. The application of ultrasound is carried out both without cooling of the cell and without pressurization of the cell.

Abstract: Electrochemically reacting a lanthanide or actinide in solvent at a working electrode; wherein the solvent comprises an organic solvent such as acetonitrile which have a dielectric constant of at least three; wherein the solvent system further comprises an electrolyte; wherein the working electrode comprises an ionically conducting or permeable film such as a fluorosulfonate film; wherein at least one ligand such as triflate distinct from the ionically conducting or permeable film is present; wherein the ligand is chemically similar to a structure in the ionically conducting or ionically permeable film; and optionally wherein the electrochemical oxidation or reduction is carried out under the influence of a magnetic field which favorably enhances the reaction. Improved electrochemical methods, identification, and separation can be achieved.

Abstract: Electrochemically reacting a lanthanide or actinide in solvent at a working electrode; wherein the solvent comprises an organic solvent such as acetonitrile which have a dielectric constant of at least three; wherein the solvent system further comprises an electrolyte; wherein the working electrode comprises an ionically conducting or permeable film such as a fluorosulfonate film; wherein at least one ligand such as triflate distinct from the ionically conducting or permeable film is present; wherein the ligand is chemically similar to a structure in the ionically conducting or ionically permeable film; and optionally wherein the electrochemical oxidation or reduction is carried out under the influence of a magnetic field which favorably enhances the reaction. Improved electrochemical methods, identification, and separation can be achieved.

Abstract: Electrochemically reacting a lanthanide or actinide in solvent at a working electrode; wherein the solvent comprises an organic solvent such as acetonitrile which have a dielectric constant of at least three; wherein the solvent system further comprises an electrolyte; wherein the working electrode comprises an ionically conducting or permeable film such as a fluorosulfonate film; wherein at least one ligand such as triflate distinct from the ionically conducting or permeable film is present; wherein the ligand is chemically similar to a structure in the ionically conducting or ionically permeable film; and optionally wherein the electrochemical oxidation or reduction is carried out under the influence of a magnetic field which favorably enhances the reaction. Improved electrochemical methods, identification, and separation can be achieved.

Abstract: Electrochemically reacting C-1 compounds including carbon dioxide, formic acid, formaldehyde, methanol, carbon monoxide in the presence of at least one lanthanide and/or at least one actinide. Reducing carbon dioxide or reacting C-1 compounds such as HCOOH (formic acid), HCHO (formaldehyde), CH3OH (methanol), or CO (carbon monoxide) with use of an electrochemical device, wherein the device comprises at least one cathode, and at least one anode, and at least one electrolyte between the cathode and the anode, wherein the electrolyte comprises at least one lanthanide and/or actinide compound. The electrode can be modified with a film such as an ionically conducting or ionically permeable film, optionally comprising a magnetic material. Polar organic solvent such as acetonitrile can be used. Electrocatalysis and/or reaction mediation is observed. Devices can be adapted to carry out the methods. The device can be part of a fuel cell, a battery, an electrolyzer, or an electrosynthetic device.

Abstract: A device comprising at least one electrode and at least one cell such as Anabaena variabilis cyanobacteria disposed on said electrode for producing ammonia. A layer of polymer, such as ion exchange polymer, can be used to help immobilize the cells. Whole cells or partially disrupted cells can be used. A method and a system for producing ammonia, comprising contacting at least one cyanobacteria such as Anabaena variabilis cyanobacteria with a media with an electrochemical perturbation is disclosed. The potential enhances ammonia production.

Abstract: Electrochemically reacting a lanthanide or actinide in solvent at a working electrode; wherein the solvent comprises an organic solvent such as acetonitrile which have a dielectric constant of at least three; wherein the solvent system further comprises an electrolyte; wherein the working electrode comprises an ionically conducting or permeable film such as a fluorosulfonate film; wherein at least one ligand such as triflate distinct from the ionically conducting or permeable film is present; wherein the ligand is chemically similar to a structure in the ionically conducting or ionically permeable film; and optionally wherein the electrochemical oxidation or reduction is carried out under the influence of a magnetic field which favorably enhances the reaction. Improved electrochemical methods, identification, and separation can be achieved.

Abstract: A device which can increase the rates of interfacial reactions including heterogeneous electron transfer reactions, the device comprising at least one sono(electro)chemical cell adapted to hold a thin layer of condensed fluid which is optionally adapted to participate in a heterogeneous electron transfer reaction, wherein the cell is further adapted to provide an ultrasonic transducer face to propagate sound waves into the thin layer of condensed fluid, and wherein the cell is still further adapted with an opening to provide the thin layer of condensed fluid with at least one interface which provides for reflection of the sound waves from the interface back into the thin layer of condensed fluid. The cells are configured to provide for a thin layer operation as opposed to a bulk operation. In method embodiments, ultrasound is applied to the thin layer of condensed fluid. The application of ultrasound is carried out both without cooling of the cell and without pressurization of the cell.

Abstract: A device comprising a magnetic element, which comprises a magnetic material, wherein the magnetic element is adapted to absorb hydrogen to form hydride. The magnetic aspect of the system enhances the hydrogen storage. Also disclosed is a metal hydride element comprising a magnetic material and absorbed hydrogen. The magnetic element and the metal hydride element can be an electrode. Further disclosed are methods for making and using the electrode.

Abstract: A device comprising at least one electrode and at least one cell such as Anabaena variabilis cyanobacteria disposed on said electrode for producing ammonia. A layer of polymer, such as ion exchange polymer, can be used to help immobilize the cells. Whole cells or partially disrupted cells can be used. Further disclosed in a method and a system for producing ammonia, comprising contacting at least one cyanobacteria such as Anabaena variabilis cyanobacteria with a media with an electrochemical perturbation. The potential enhances ammonia production.

Abstract: Battery electrodes with desirable discharge performance comprise manganese oxide and magnetic particles. Corresponding power cells have improved specific discharge capacities. Furthermore, magnetically modified manganese dioxide electrodes are found to have significantly improved cycling properties that suggest the possibility for improved performance in secondary batteries.

Abstract: Disclosed are self-hydrating membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), including MEAs that have been magnetically modified, which comprises (i) a cathode comprising an electrically conducting material having a catalytic material on at least a portion of a first surface thereof, the catalytic material comprising an effective amount of at least one catalyst component and at least one ion conducting material; (ii) a separator adjacent to and in substantial contact with the first surface of the cathode and comprising an ion conducting material; and (iii) an anode adjacent to and in substantial contact with the surface of the separator opposite the cathode and comprising an electrically conducting material having a catalytic material on at least a portion of a surface thereof adjacent to the separator, the catalytic material comprising an effective amount of at least one catalyst component and at least one ion conducting material; wherein the separator permits water to pass from the first surface of the cathode to the

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetized cathode mixture material comprising a ferromagnetic material, an electroactive material, and an electrolyte.

Abstract: Amounts of volatile organic compositions can be evaluated from vapor samples based on the time dependent response of a fuel cell contacted with the vapor sample at its anode. The time response of the fuel cell signal, e.g., voltage or current, is de-convoluted using a set of standard curves for an equivalent fuel cell configuration obtained separately for each of the volatile organic compositions of a fuel cell with an equivalent construction as the sample-evaluation fuel cell. The methodology can be implemented on a system with an appropriate vapor collection device suitable for the particular application. The method and system can be used to analyze breath samples to evaluate ethanol levels or other volatile organic composition. The system can be a breathalyzer, a vehicle interlock, a medical analysis device or a sensor of environmental or industrial interest.

Abstract: A device for hydrogen gas production comprising a working electrode comprising a magnetically-modified semiconductor electrode. Onset of hydrogen gas evolution for the device, measured at a current density of about 0.4 mA/cm2, occurs at an overpotential of no more than about ?1200 mV, or no more than about ?600 mV, or no more than about ?500 mV. The magnetically-modified semiconductor working electrode provides the device with a photoconversion efficiency of at least about 0.1%, or at least about 1.6%, or at least about 6.2%. Other applications include photovoltaics, photoelectrochemical synthesis, and photocatalysis.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing the health of an individual by collecting a breath sample from the individual and measuring the amount of each of a plurality of analytes in the sample. The amount of each analytes is measured by fitting a time response curve of a sample-evaluation fuel cell in which the fuel cell sample electrode is contacted with the sample with the analysis based on a function of standard time response curves for an equivalent fuel cell configuration obtained separately for each of the analytes on a fuel cell with equivalent construction as sample-evaluation fuel cell. Each of the plurality of analytes is generally indicative of an aspect of the individual's health. Suitable analytes include, for example, inorganic compounds as well as compositions that exhibit negative reduction reactions at least for a portion of the time response curve.

Abstract: An electrically conducting electrode having a composite and a current collector in electrical contact with the composite, the composite can comprise at least about 10 weight percent electrically conductive particles, at least about 0.5 weight percent magnetic particles, and an optional polymeric binder, wherein composite is at least about 80 weight percent with respect to the combined weight of the electrically conductive particles, the magnetic particles and the binder. Electrochemical systems can effectively use these electrodes to improve system performance.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for improving performance of fuel cells employing reformate fuels. The disclosed methods include employing a magnetically modified fuel cell and contacting the fuel cell anode with a reformate fuel stream that contains an amount of oxygen effective to increase carbon monoxide tolerance of the fuel cell.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for making magnetically modified electrodes and electrodes made according to the method. Such electrode are useful as electrodes in batteries, such as Ni-MH batteries, Ni—Cd batteries, Ni—Zn batteries and Ni—Fe batteries.