Abstract: Method and system for electrochemically compressing hydrogen. In one embodiment, the system includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) that includes a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM), an anode, and a cathode. First and second gas diffusion media are positioned adjacent the cathode and anode, respectively. A humidifying membrane is positioned next to the second gas diffusion medium on a side opposite the anode. A water supply is connected to the humidifying membrane, and a hydrogen gas supply is connected to the second gas diffusion medium. A hydrogen gas collector including a back pressure regulator is connected to the first gas diffusion medium. Separators, positioned on opposite sides of the MEA, are connected to a power source. In use, hydrogen is electrochemically pumped across the MEA and collected in the hydrogen gas collector. The PEM is kept properly humidified by the humidifying membrane, which releases water into the second gas diffusion medium.

Abstract: Method and system for electrochemically compressing hydrogen. In one embodiment, the system includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) that includes a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM), an anode, and a cathode. First and second gas diffusion media are positioned adjacent the cathode and anode, respectively. A humidifying membrane is positioned next to the second gas diffusion medium on a side opposite the anode. A water supply is connected to the humidifying membrane, and a hydrogen gas supply is connected to the second gas diffusion medium. A hydrogen gas collector including a back pressure regulator is connected to the first gas diffusion medium. Separators, positioned on opposite sides of the MEA, are connected to a power source. In use, hydrogen is electrochemically pumped across the MEA and collected in the hydrogen gas collector. The PEM is kept properly humidified by the humidifying membrane, which releases water into the second gas diffusion medium.

Abstract: Method and system for electrochemically compressing hydrogen. In one embodiment, the system includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) that includes a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM), an anode, and a cathode. First and second gas diffusion media are positioned adjacent the cathode and anode, respectively. A humidifying membrane is positioned next to the second gas diffusion medium on a side opposite the anode. A water supply is connected to the humidifying membrane, and a hydrogen gas supply is connected to the second gas diffusion medium. A hydrogen gas collector including a back pressure regulator is connected to the first gas diffusion medium. Separators, positioned on opposite sides of the MEA, are connected to a power source. In use, hydrogen is electrochemically pumped across the MEA and collected in the hydrogen gas collector. The PEM is kept properly humidified by the humidifying membrane, which releases water into the second gas diffusion medium.

Abstract: System for modifying the chemical composition of atmosphere within an enclosed space and incubator system including such a system. The concentration of oxygen within the enclosed space may be either increased or decreased using an electrochemical device. The concentration of carbon dioxide within the enclosed space may be increased using an electrochemical or chemical device. As necessary, purging of the system with ambient air can be a part of the process of controlling the chemical composition of the atmosphere. The present invention obviates the need to use pressurized gas cylinders to supply atmospheric gases to the enclosed space.

Abstract: A unitized electrolyzer apparatus for generating hydrogen gas at high pressure. According to one embodiment, the apparatus includes a pressure-containment vessel, a water electrolyzer stack, and a water supply. The water electrolyzer stack is mounted on or in the vessel and is used to generate hydrogen gas for containment in the vessel at high pressure. The water supply is contained within the vessel, the water supply being fluidly coupled to the water electrolyzer stack to provide a cathode feeding of water to the water electrolyzer stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell system including a gas recycling and re-pressurizing assembly. In one embodiment, the fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, the stack having an oxygen outlet and an oxygen inlet. The fuel cell system additionally includes two gas/water separator tanks, each of the tanks containing a quantity of water and a quantity of oxygen gas. Both tanks are capable of being fluidly connected to either the oxygen inlet or the oxygen outlet of the fuel cell stack. In addition, the two tanks are connected to one another so that water may be transferred back and forth between the two tanks. The system also includes a pump for transferring water back and forth between the tanks.

Abstract: A fuel cell system including a gas recycling and re-pressurizing assembly. In one embodiment, the fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, the stack having an oxygen outlet and an oxygen inlet. The fuel cell system additionally includes two gas/water separator tanks, each of the tanks containing a quantity of water and a quantity of oxygen gas. Both tanks are capable of being fluidly connected to either the oxygen inlet or the oxygen outlet of the fuel cell stack. In addition, the two tanks are connected to one another so that water may be transferred back and forth between the two tanks. The system also includes a pump for transferring water back and forth between the tanks. In use, water is pumped from one of the tanks to the other until all of the oxygen gas present within the water-receiving tank is forced out of that tank and is conducted back to the oxygen inlet of the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane well-suited for use in a direct methanol fuel cell. According to one embodiment, the proton exchange membrane is prepared by a process comprising the steps of (a) providing a perfluorocarbon membrane, the perfluorocarbon membrane being non-permeable to water; (b) imbibing the perfluorocarbon membrane with a solution containing a styrene monomer, a divinyl benzene cross-linker, and a benzoyl peroxide activator; (c) heating the imbibed membrane to yield a cross-linked polymer within the membrane; (d) repeating the combination of steps (b) and (c) at least once; and (e) then, sulfonating the cross-linked polymer. According to another embodiment, the membrane is irradiated prior to the imbibing step, thereby rendering the membrane receptive to imbibing, polymerization, crosslinking, and grafting and obviating the need for more than one cycle of steps (b) and (c), as well as permitting step (c) to be performed at a lower temperature.

Abstract: System for modifying the chemical composition of atmosphere within an enclosed space and incubator system including such a system. The concentration of oxygen within the enclosed space may be either increased or decreased using an electrochemical device. The concentration of carbon dioxide within the enclosed space may be increased using an electrochemical or chemical device. As necessary, purging of the system with ambient air can be a part of the process of controlling the chemical composition of the atmosphere. The present invention obviates the need to use pressurized gas cylinders to supply atmospheric gases to the enclosed space.

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane well-suited for use in a direct methanol fuel cell. According to one embodiment, the proton exchange membrane is prepared by a process comprising the steps of (a) providing a perfluorocarbon membrane, the perfluorocarbon membrane being non-permeable to water; (b) imbibing the perfluorocarbon membrane with a solution containing a styrene monomer, a divinyl benzene cross-linker, and a benzoyl peroxide activator; (c) heating the imbibed membrane to yield a cross-linked polymer within the membrane; (d) repeating the combination of steps (b) and (c) at least once; and (e) then, sulfonating the cross-linked polymer. According to another embodiment, the membrane is irradiated prior to the imbibing step, thereby rendering the membrane receptive to imbibing, polymerization, crosslinking, and grafting and obviating the need for more than one cycle of steps (b) and (c), as well as permitting step (c) to be performed at a lower temperature.

Abstract: A graphite reference electrode for use in the cathodic protection of steel embedded in concrete has been produced with a stable catalyzed structure that when equilibrated with air or oxygen and an electrolyte reaches a reproducible and reversible redox potential. This stable device is produced by exposure to hydrogen peroxide, impregnating with a metal oxide followed by a coating treatment. The embedded catalyzed graphite reference electrodes can be used in impressed cathodic protection systems or monitoring the corrosion condition of embedded steel to provide an early warning of impending damage.