Abstract: A reinforced carbon foam material is formed from carbon fibers incorporated within a carbon foam's structure. First, carbon fiber bundles are combined with a liquid resol resin. The carbon fiber bundles separate into individual carbon fiber filaments and disperse throughout the liquid resol resin. Second, the carbon fiber resin mixture is foamed thus fixing the carbon fibers in a permanent spatial arrangement within the phenolic foam. The foam is then carbonized to create a carbon fiber reinforced foam with improved graphitic characteristics as well as increased strength. Optionally, various additives can be introduced simultaneously with the addition of the carbon fiber bundles into the liquid resol, which can improve the graphitic nature of the final carbon foam material and/or increase the foam's resistance to oxidation.

Abstract: A reinforced carbon foam material is formed from carbon fibers incorporated within a carbon foam's structure. First, carbon fiber bundles are combined with a liquid resol resin. The carbon fiber bundles separate into individual carbon fiber filaments and disperse throughout the liquid resol resin. Second, the carbon fiber resin mixture is foamed thus fixing the carbon fibers in a permanent spatial arrangement within the phenolic foam. The foam is then carbonized to create a carbon fiber reinforced foam with improved graphitic characteristics as well as increased strength. Optionally, various additives can be introduced simultaneously with the addition of the carbon fiber bundles into the liquid resol, which can improve the graphitic nature of the final carbon foam material and/or increase the foam's resistance to oxidation.

Abstract: A reinforced carbon foam material is formed from carbon fibers incorporated within a carbon foam's structure. First, carbon fiber bundles are combined with a liquid resol resin. The carbon fiber bundles separate into individual carbon fiber filaments and disperse throughout the liquid resol resin. Second, the carbon fiber resin mixture is foamed thus fixing the carbon fibers in a permanent spatial arrangement within the phenolic foam. The foam is then carbonized to create a carbon fiber reinforced foam with improved graphitic characteristics as well as increased strength. Optionally, various additives can be introduced simultaneously with the addition of the carbon fiber bundles into the liquid resol, which can improve the graphitic nature of the final carbon foam material and/or increase the foam's resistance to oxidation.

Abstract: A process for preparing a gas permeable flexible graphite sheet is presented. The process includes providing graphite flakes; admixing the graphite flakes with a sacrificial additive to form a graphite mixture; compressing the graphite mixture into a sheet having sacrificial additive dispersed therethrough; and treating the sheet to at least partially remove the sacrificial additive to form a permeable flexible graphite sheet.

Abstract: The invention relates to tubular fuel cells and methods of making such fuel cells. The inventive fuel cells include at least one fluid permeable structure having a plurality of perforations or channels. The perforations allow fluids, e.g., hydrogen or oxygen, to flow through the structure. The inventive methods include forming at least one perforated structure and forming the perforated structure into a tubular fuel cell or at least a potential component of a tubular fuel cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to tubular fuel cells and methods of making such fuel cells. The inventive fuel cells include at least one fluid permeable structure having a plurality of perforations or channels. The perforations allow fluids, e.g., hydrogen or oxygen, to flow through the structure. The inventive methods include forming at least one perforated structure and forming the perforated structure into a tubular fuel cell or at least a potential component of a tubular fuel cell.

Abstract: A flexible graphite sheet having a hydrophobic binder and a carbonaceous material adhered thereto is disclosed. The flexible graphite sheet may be used as an electrode or a gas diffusion layer in a fuel cell, such as a proton exchange membrane fuel cell. Fuel cells having such a flexible graphite sheet and methods for making such flexible graphite sheets are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to power packs, which comprises a plurality of fuel cells and a reactant supply element. In one embodiment, the power pack comprises a reactant supply element for a reactant comprising one of a fuel or an oxidant; and a plurality of cylindrical fuel cells. The reactant supply element is aligned with the plurality to be capable to deliver the reactant to more than one fuel cell of the plurality. In a second embodiment, the power pack comprises a reactant supply element for a reactant comprising a fuel and a plurality of fuel cells attached to the reactant supply element. At least two of the plurality are removably attached to the reactant supply element, and the power pack comprises a passive oxidant supply.

Abstract: The invention relates to power packs, which comprises a plurality of fuel cells and a reactant supply element. In one embodiment, the power pack comprises a reactant supply element for a reactant comprising one of a fuel or an oxidant; and a plurality of cylindrical fuel cells. The reactant supply element is aligned with the plurality to be capable to deliver the reactant to more than one fuel cell of the plurality. In a second embodiment, the power pack comprises a reactant supply element for a reactant comprising a fuel and a plurality of fuel cells attached to the reactant supply element. At least two of the plurality are removably attached to the reactant supply element, and the power pack comprises a passive oxidant supply.

Abstract: The invention relates to tubular fuel cells and methods of making such fuel cells. The inventive fuel cells include at least one fluid permeable structure having a plurality of perforations or channels. The perforations allow fluids, e.g., hydrogen or oxygen, to flow through the structure. The inventive methods include forming at least one perforated structure and forming the perforated structure into a tubular fuel cell or at least a potential component of a tubular fuel cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to tubular fuel cells and methods of making such fuel cells. The inventive fuel cells include at least one fluid permeable structure having a plurality of perforations or channels. The perforations allow fluids, e.g., hydrogen or oxygen, to flow through the structure. The inventive methods include forming at least one perforated structure and forming the perforated structure into a tubular fuel cell or at least a potential component of a tubular fuel cell.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing particles from air, including an inlet for receiving a flow of air, a first chamber in flow communication with the inlet, wherein a charged spray of semi-conducting fluid droplets having a first polarity is introduced to the air flow so that the particles are electrostatically attracted to and retained by the spray droplets, and an outlet in flow communication with the first chamber, wherein the air flow exits the apparatus substantially free of the particles. The first chamber of the apparatus further includes a collecting surface for attracting the spray droplets, a power supply, and a spray nozzle connected to the power supply for receiving fluid and producing the spray droplets therefrom. The apparatus may also include a second chamber in flow communication with the inlet at a first end and the first chamber at a second end, wherein particles entrained in the air flow are charged with a second polarity opposite the first polarity prior to the air flow entering the first chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing particles from air, including an inlet for receiving a flow of air, a first chamber in flow communication with the inlet, wherein a charged spray of semi-conducting fluid droplets having a first polarity is introduced to the air flow so that the particles are electrostatically attracted to and retained by the spray droplets, and an outlet in flow communication with the first chamber, wherein the air flow exits the apparatus substantially free of the particles. The first chamber of the apparatus further includes a collecting surface for attracting the spray droplets, a power supply, and a spray nozzle connected to the power supply for receiving fluid and producing the spray droplets therefrom. The apparatus may also include a second chamber in flow communication with the inlet at a first end and the first chamber at a second end, wherein particles entrained in the air flow are charged with a second polarity opposite the first polarity prior to the air flow entering the first chamber.