Abstract: A direct heat to electricity engine includes solid state electrodes of an electrochemically active material that has an electrochemical reaction potential that is temperature dependent. The electrodes are configured in combination with electrolyte separators to form membrane electrode assemblies. The membrane electrode assemblies are grouped into pairs, whereby each membrane electrode assembly of a given pair is ionically and electronically interconnected with the other. One membrane electrode assembly of a given pair is coupled to a heat source with the other to a heat sink. One membrane electrode assembly of the pair is electrically discharged while the other is electrically charged, whereby the net and relative charge between the two remains constant because of the electronic and ionic interconnection and the difference in temperature of the membrane electrode assemblies, and thereby voltage, results in net power generation.

Abstract: A converter includes a working fluid, a housing, a heat sink, a heat source that is at an elevated temperature relative to the heat sink, a first electrochemical cell disposed within the housing, and a micro/nano porous media disposed within the housing. The first electrochemical cell includes a first membrane electrode assembly across which the working fluid is configured to flow. The first membrane electrode assembly includes a first porous electrode and a second porous electrode and at least one ion conductive membrane sandwiched between the first and second porous electrodes. The first electrochemical cell is arranged between the heat source and the heat sink. The working fluid is contained within the micro/nano porous media. The micro/nano porous media is thermally coupled between the heat source and the heat sink, and creates a pressure differential across the first electrochemical cell by transpiration pumping of the working fluid.

Abstract: An electrochemical direct heat to electricity converter includes a primary thermal energy source; a working fluid; an electrochemical cell comprising at least one membrane electrode assembly including a first porous electrode, a second porous electrode and at least one membrane, wherein the at least one membrane is sandwiched between the first and second porous electrodes and is a conductor of ions of the working fluid; an energy storage reservoir; and an external load. The electrochemical cell operates on heat to produce electricity. When thermal energy available from the primary thermal energy source is greater than necessary to meet demands of the external load, excess energy is stored in the energy storage reservoir, and when the thermal energy available from the primary thermal energy source is insufficient to meet the demands of the external load, at least a portion of the excess energy stored in the energy storage reservoir is used to supply power to the external load.

Abstract: An generator that uses on the heat of condensation of water vapor as an energy source to produce electrical power. A hygroscopic, membrane electrode assembly is configured having an ion conductive hygroscopic electrolyte sandwiched between a pair of electrodes. One electrode is in contact with the water and the other electrode being in contact with a water vapor source whereby an electrochemical potential differential is produced across an electrical load by the reaction potential of the hygroscopic electrolyte with water vapor relative to the electrolyte's reaction potential with the liquid water. Power is supplied to an external load connected between the electrodes with water vapor being electrolyzed at the electrode that is in contact with water vapor and liquid water being reduced at the electrode that is in contact with liquid water.

Abstract: A solid state battery cell has a frame formed by a non-electrically conductive material. The frame has a frame thickness (Tf). A cell core surrounded by and entirely within the frame has a cell-core thickness (Tc). The cell core includes at least one anode, at least one cathode and at least one electrolyte between the at least one anode and the at least one cathode. At least one cell-core swell-accommodating recess is surrounded by and entirely within the frame. The at least one cell-core swell-accommodating recess defines an internal cell volume into which the cell core is expandable and from which the cell core is contractible. The cell-core thickness (Tc) is less than or equal to the frame thickness (Tf) during cell-charge and/or cell-discharge cycling.

Abstract: An energy recovery converter for exhaust gases or waste heat is provided. The converter includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), an exhaust gas having a first molecular oxygen content, and an external electrical load. The MEA includes a first electrode, a second electrode and an oxygen ion conductive membrane sandwiched between the first and second electrodes. Each of the first and second electrodes includes at least one oxidation catalyst configured to promote an electrochemical reaction. The second electrode of the MEA is exposed to the exhaust gas and the first electrode of the MEA is exposed to a gas having a second molecular oxygen content. The second molecular oxygen content is higher than the first molecular oxygen content. The external electrical load is connected between the first and second electrodes of the MEA.

Abstract: A direct heat to electricity engine includes solid state electrodes of an electrochemically active material that has an electrochemical reaction potential that is temperature dependent. The electrodes are configured in combination with electrolyte separators to form membrane electrode assemblies. The membrane electrode assemblies are grouped into pairs, whereby each membrane electrode assembly of a given pair is ionically and electronically interconnected with the other. One membrane electrode assembly of a given pair is coupled to a heat source with the other to a heat sink. One membrane electrode assembly of the pair is electrically discharged while the other is electrically charged, whereby the net and relative charge between the two remains constant because of the electronic and ionic interconnection and the difference in temperature of the membrane electrode assemblies, and thereby voltage, results in net power generation.

Abstract: A steam concentration energy converter has an array or series of Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) cells electrically connected in series. The array of MEA cells is configured as a separator between a high water vapor partial pressure region and a low water vapor partial pressure region. A housing may be utilized to separate the high water vapor partial pressure region from the low water vapor partial pressure region. The array of MEA cells are electrically coupled to a load/controller through an electrical conduit. Each MEA cell has electrodes separated from each other by an ion conductive membrane, which is preferably a proton conductive membrane. The electrodes are electrically coupled to electrical conduit.

Abstract: An ambient energy converter includes a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion. The housing lower portion has a hydrophobic material portion. The upper portion has a vent opening in fluid communication with ambience. The housing contains a mass of hygroscopic within the housing lower portion that is in fluid communication with the hydrophobic material portion. An ion conductive membrane electrode assembly is coupled to the housing to allow the passage of ionized water or water vapor through the ion conductive membrane electrode and into contact with the hygroscopic solution. An air conduit may be coupled to the housing to provide an airflow to the ion conductive membrane electrode and/or hydrophobic material portion.

Abstract: A thermo-electro-chemical converter direct heat to electricity engine has a monolithic co-sintered ceramic structure or a monolithic fused polymer structure that contains a working fluid within a continuous closed flow loop. The co-sintered ceramic or fused polymer structure includes a conduit system containing a heat exchanger, a first high density electrochemical cell stack, and a second high density electrochemical cell stack.

Abstract: A method for bonding together two or more acid-doped polybenzimidazole films is provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of solid-state batteries, battery components, and related construction methods are described. The components include one or more embodiments of a low melt temperature electrolyte bonded solid-state rechargeable battery electrode and one or more embodiments of a composite separator having a low melt temperature electrolyte component. Embodiments of methods for fabrication of solid-state batteries and battery components are described. These methods include co-extrusion, hot pressing and roll casting.

Abstract: A converter includes a working fluid, a housing, a heat sink, a heat source that is at an elevated temperature relative to the heat sink, a first electrochemical cell disposed within the housing, and a micro/nano porous media disposed within the housing. The first electrochemical cell includes a first membrane electrode assembly across which the working fluid is configured to flow. The first membrane electrode assembly includes a first porous electrode and a second porous electrode and at least one ion conductive membrane sandwiched between the first and second porous electrodes. The first electrochemical cell is arranged between the heat source and the heat sink. The working fluid is contained within the micro/nano porous media. The micro/nano porous media is thermally coupled between the heat source and the heat sink, and creates a pressure differential across the first electrochemical cell by transpiration pumping of the working fluid.

Abstract: A rechargeable lithium air battery contains a lithium based anode containing a lithium ion conductive electrolyte forming a first chamber that encloses lithium metal, an oxygen electrode, a solid oxygen ion conductive electrolyte forming a second chamber, and a molten electrolyte contained in the second chamber and coupled between the oxygen ion conductive electrolyte and the lithium ion conductive electrolyte, and the molten salt electrolyte has no contact with air.

Abstract: A hair roller is disclosed having a roller portion and a retaining clip. The roller has a support structure and a tubular moisture permeable hydrophobic cover. The retaining clip is omega-shaped having two halves and a hinge with a first spring and a ratchet mechanism that maintains the clip in closed. The roller support structure includes a core and two end caps or ends. The roller cover forms a cavity with support structure to enclose a first hygroscopic material. The retaining clip also includes a mass of hygroscopic material contained within a chamber formed between a frame and a second moisture permeable hydrophobic cover.

Abstract: An electrochemical direct heat to electricity converter includes a primary thermal energy source; a working fluid; an electrochemical cell comprising at least one membrane electrode assembly including a first porous electrode, a second porous electrode and at least one membrane, wherein the at least one membrane is sandwiched between the first and second porous electrodes and is a conductor of ions of the working fluid; an energy storage reservoir; and an external load. The electrochemical cell operates on heat to produce electricity. When thermal energy available from the primary thermal energy source is greater than necessary to meet demands of the external load, excess energy is stored in the energy storage reservoir, and when the thermal energy available from the primary thermal energy source is insufficient to meet the demands of the external load, at least a portion of the excess energy stored in the energy storage reservoir is used to supply power to the external load.

Abstract: An electrochemical direct heat to electricity converter includes a primary thermal energy source; a working fluid; an electrochemical cell comprising at least one membrane electrode assembly including a first porous electrode, a second porous electrode and at least one membrane, wherein the at least one membrane is sandwiched between the first and second porous electrodes and is a conductor of ions of the working fluid; an energy storage reservoir; and an external load. The electrochemical cell operates on heat to produce electricity. When thermal energy available from the primary thermal energy source is greater than necessary to meet demands of the external load, excess energy is stored in the energy storage reservoir, and when the thermal energy available from the primary thermal energy source is insufficient to meet the demands of the external load, at least a portion of the excess energy stored in the energy storage reservoir is used to supply power to the external load.

Abstract: A lithium oxygen or air battery (80) is disclosed having two halves (81) that are joined together along their edges. Each battery half (81) has a carbon cloth or mesh cathode current collector (82), a cathode (83), a cathode terminal (84), an anode (85), an anode current collector, anode terminal (88) and a solid separator (87). The cathode includes randomly distributed carbon fibers throughout.

Abstract: A lithium oxygen or air battery (80) is disclosed having two halves (81) that are joined together along their edges. Each battery half (81) has a carbon cloth or mesh cathode current collector (82), a cathode (83), a cathode terminal (84), an anode (85), an anode current collector, anode terminal (88) and a solid separator (87). The cathode includes randomly distributed carbon fibers throughout. The manufacturing of the cathode includes embedding a carbon cloth between two layers of cathode material in a slurry state.

Abstract: Solid-state batteries, battery components, and related processes for their production are provided. The battery electrodes or separators contain sintered electrochemically active material, inorganic solid particulate electrolyte having large particle size, and low melting point solid inorganic electrolyte which acts as a binder and/or a sintering aid in the electrode.