Abstract: An electrode is disclosed. The electrode includes a substrate having macropores therein. A barrier support layer, established on the substrate, has micropores therein. The macropores and at least some of the micropores are substantially lined with an electrolyte layer. A catalyst is in ionic contact with the electrolyte layer. A current collector is in electrical contact with the catalyst. A barrier layer is established on the barrier support layer and is electrically isolated from the current collector.

Abstract: A fuel cell electrode assembly includes an electrolyte, a porous diffusion layer, and a catalyst layer interposed between the electrolyte and the diffusion layer. The catalyst layer includes a mixture of one or more catalysts supported by a conducting high surface area structure(s), one or more polymeric electrolytes, and a plurality of fibers. The plurality of fibers each has an average diameter greater than about 100 nm.

Abstract: A thin film electrolyte assembly includes a frame and a thin film at least partially contacting the frame. The thin film includes a metal layer having two opposed sides, a large surface area metal layer established on each of the two opposed sides of the metal layer, and an electrolyte membrane established on each of the large surface area metal layers.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly includes a membrane electrode assembly having a substantially solid polymer electrolyte membrane positioned between opposed catalyst layers. The polymer electrolyte membrane has a dimension that is relatively larger than a comparable dimension of at least one of the catalyst layers, such that the polymer electrolyte membrane has an uncovered portion. The fuel cell assembly also includes a gasket attached to the uncovered portion of the polymer electrolyte membrane. The gasket extends beyond a periphery of the polymer electrolyte membrane and the gasket is formed of a polymer material. In addition, the gasket is configured to substantially seal the edges of the polymer electrolyte membrane to substantially prevent leakage of fuel or oxidant between an anode side and a cathode side of the membrane electrode assembly.

Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional object comprises ejecting drops of liquefied material into a vat using an ejector; scanning the ejector in first and second mutually opposed directions to induce the drops of liquefied material from the ejector to deposit and solidify in a predetermined sequence to sequentially form layers of the three-dimensional object; supplying a viscous liquid into the vat to a level which is essentially level with the top of a most recently formed layer of the three-dimensional object; and raising the level of the viscous liquid in accordance with the formation of new layers.

Abstract: Miniaturized planar column devices are described for use in liquid phase analysis, the devices comprising microstructures fabricated by laser ablation in a variety of novel support substrates. Devices formed according to the invention include associated laser-ablated features required for function, such as analyte detection means and fluid communication means. Miniaturized columns constructed under the invention find use in any analysis system performed on either small and/or macromolecular solutes in the liquid phase and may employ chromatographic and/or electrophoretic separation means.