Abstract: A device and method for treatment of impairments relating to neuropathy rely on sensory substitution to train a patient to associate an affected condition with stimuli that are generated based on detection of the condition.

Abstract: A method of noncontact measuring the electrical conductivity of electrolytes using a primary measuring transformer includes placing the electrolyte in a sampler, exciting an alternating magnetic field using an axisymmetrical eddy current sensor, switching to the sensor a capacitor of variable capacitance, tuning of the formed circuit in resonance with the frequency of the generator of harmonic oscillations, and recording the change in the introduced active resistance of the parametric eddy current sensor rated against its own inductive resistance.

Abstract: A method and related apparatus for non-contact measurement of electrical conductivity of of powder-like materials using eddy currents includes the steps of placing a powder to be measured in a hollow dielectric sampling container, the sampling container disposed and freely axially moving within an outer dielectric housing. An eddy-current sensor including a winding is arranged on an outside surface of the housing. Current is forced in the winding to excite the powder to generate eddy currents. The introduced active resitance is measured at the eddy-current sensor and an electrical conductivity of the powder is determined using the measured active resistance. The powder is preferably vibration compacted and the density and electrical conductivity determined at a plurality of stages during the vibration compacting step.

Abstract: A system for non-destructive non-contact quality inspection of dry electrode units of energy storage includes an eddy current-based inspection system having a conveyor belt, and a hollow dielectric shell. An outer surface of the shell has a plurality of spaced apart measuring transducers. Each of the transducers include a feed-through eddy current probe and at least two strap capacitors spatially linked therewith. In the related method, an electrode unit to be inspected is placed on the conveyor belt and enters and moves through the dielectric shell. The electrode unit is excited using a magnetic field from the eddy current probe as it passes by each of the plurality of transducers, where eddy currents at a plurality of frequencies are induced in the electrode unit. The modulation characteristics of impedance at a plurality of frequencies are measured by the probes, and from the impedance data it is determined whether the electrode unit is defective.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dissolving gas or gases in liquid fuel to improve combustion of the liquid fuel when injected into a combustion chamber is provided. A gas-charger unit is provided to dissolve the gas into liquid fuel at a first pressure. The pressure of the fuel/gas solution is raised to a second pressure before injection of the atomized fuel into a combustion chamber. In one embodiment, a high pressure gas or gasses is/are introduced into the gas charger at a crosscurrent to the liquid fuel. In another embodiment, a gas charger for dissolving gas into a liquid fuel is provided including a plurality of highly porous baffles to increase the contact surfaces between the gas and the liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dissolving gas or gases in liquid fuel to improve combustion of the liquid fuel when injected into a combustion chamber is provided. A gas-charger unit is provided to dissolve the gas into liquid fuel at a first pressure. The pressure of the fuel/gas solution is raised to a second pressure before injection of the atomized fuel into a combustion chamber. In one embodiment, a high pressure gas or gasses is/are introduced into the gas charger at a crosscurrent to the liquid fuel. In another embodiment, a gas charger for dissolving gas into a liquid fuel is provided including a plurality of highly porous baffles to increase the contact surfaces between the gas and the liquid.

Abstract: A recirculating reagent fuel-cell includes an ion-exchange membrane interposed between an anode and cathode anode to form a membrane/electrode assembly (MEA), the MEA interposed between a fuel gas diffusion layer and an air (oxidant gas) diffusion layer. An air and fuel flow network are provided having an input portion for supplying reagent and an output portion for removing reagent after electrochemical reaction. At least one of the air flow network and fuel flow network includes a recirculation loop, the recirculation loop feeding back a portion of the fuel or air after electrochemical reaction to their respective input portion. The air flow network can include a water vapor condenser where water formed on the cathodes in proportion to the external load on the fuel cell stack is extracted and the fuel flow network can include an evaporator, where water is fed to the evaporator in the fuel feed loop from the condenser of the air feed loop.

Abstract: A recirculating reagent fuel-cell includes an ion-exchange membrane interposed between an anode and cathode anode to form a membrane/electrode assembly (MEA), the MEA interposed between a fuel gas diffusion layer and an oxidant gas diffusion layer. An oxidant and fuel flow network are provided having an input portion for supplying reagent and an output portion for removing reagent after electrochemical reaction. At least one of the oxidant flow network and fuel flow network includes a recirculation loop, the recirculation loop feeding back a portion of the fuel or oxidant after electrochemical reaction to their respective input portion. The fuel flow network can include a water vapor condenser to extract water from the cathodes in proportion to the external load on the fuel cell stack and the fuel flow network can include an evaporator, where water is fed to the evaporator in the fuel loop from the condenser in the oxidant feed loop.

Abstract: A low temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) system can be efficiently started even when the system is at a temperature near or below freezing (0° C). The cold start procedure is accomplished through heating the fuel cell by filling an anode chamber with fuel (hydrogen or hydrogen-rich reactant gas) and generating hydrogen on a cathode. A defined amount of oxygen is supplied to the cathode chamber. The fuel cell system is locally heated up to defined temperature by the exothermic chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen on a cathode catalyst. Then the hydrogen generation on the cathode is canceled and oxygen is supplied to the cathode chamber in an amount sufficient to maintain the current flowing through an external load. This procedure provides plain saturation of the cathode with hydrogen and, as result, mild, safe and fast heating the fuel cell without use of additional external devices.

Abstract: A method of noncontact measuring the electrical conductivity of electrolytes using a primary measuring transformer includes placing the electrolyte in a sampler, exciting an alternating magnetic field using an axisymmetrical eddy current sensor, switching to the sensor a capacitor of variable capacitance, tuning of the formed circuit in resonance with the frequency of the generator of harmonic oscillations, and recording the change in the introduced active resistance of the parametric eddy current sensor rated against its own inductive resistance.

Abstract: A method of manipulating a voxel object includes the steps of selecting a voxel grid having a plurality of voxels, representing a 3D object in a first voxel space representation using at least a portion of the plurality of the voxels, and converting the first representation into a second voxel space representation. The second representation is defined by a plurality of boundary voxels representing a border of the 3D object and is exclusive of outer voxels, such as a matrix of segments representation which includes a plurality of spaced apart parallel line segments. The line segments are preferably compressed by eliminating inner and empty voxels of the 3D object. Manipulation of the voxel object can include direct creation, editing and rendering of 3D graphics objects.

Abstract: A cathode composition for lithium ion and lithium metal batteries includes a transitional metal oxide and an adsorbate layer disposed on a surface of the transitional metal oxide. The transitional metal oxide and the adsorbate layer are both electrochemically active. A method of forming cathode materials for lithium ion and lithium metal batteries includes the steps of providing reagents including at least one elemental chalcogenide or chalcogenic oxide and a transitional metal oxide. The reagents are heated, wherein a cathode composition is formed having a chalcogenic complex adsorbed to a bulk material, the bulk material being a modification of the transitional metal oxide. The transitional metal oxide is preferably a vanadium oxide.

Abstract: Solid electrolytes of the composition: 60L2O.15Li2SO425B2O3; 65L2O.10Li2SO4.25B2O3; 65L2O.15Li2SO4.20B2O3; 60L2O.20Li2SO4.20B2O3; 59,55L2O.19,85Li2SO4.19,85B2O3.0,75MoO3, characterized by the high level of productivity, high ionic conductivity, negligible low level of electronic conductivity and resistance to metal lithium suitable for use in -primary and rechargeable lithium power sources.

Abstract: A method of producing thermally extended graphite (TEG), includes the steps of receiving of the intercalated graphite mass, heat-treatment with heating using straight electric current, and withdrawal of gaseous reaction products and the repeated treatment of the TEG using straight current in the same reactor.

Abstract: A method and integrated probe for non-contact measuring electrical conductivity of polymer electrolyte films includes placing the film on a flat dielectric substrate, exciting a probing eddy-current magnetic field using an inductance coil at a series of discrete frequencies, and measuring its impedance at these frequencies while the operating end face of the coil is located on the film surface and on the substrate.

Abstract: A recirculating hydrogen-oxygen alkaline fuel-cell (AFC) includes an alkaline matrix electrolyte interposed between a porous anode and porous cathode, and an oxygen flow network in fluid connection with the porous cathode. The oxygen flow network has an input portion for supplying oxygen and an output portion for removing oxygen and reaction products after electrochemical reaction. A hydrogen flow network is in fluid connection with the porous anode. The hydrogen network has an input portion for supplying hydrogen and an output portion for removing hydrogen and reaction products after electrochemical reaction. At least one of the oxygen flow network and the hydrogen flow network includes a feedback conduit to form a recirculation loop. The recirculation loop feeds back a portion of the hydrogen or oxygen flow after electrochemical reaction to the input portion.

Abstract: Electrochemical active cathode layers (MoO3, FeS2) are produced on the substrate of stainless steel, aluminum, or titanium by the method of thermal vacuum condensation-solidification. This method enables formation of active cathode layer in the wide thickness range of 0.5 ?m-3.0 mm.

Abstract: A recirculating reagent fuel-cell includes an ion-exchange membrane interposed between an anode and cathode anode to form a membrane/electrode assembly (MEA), the MEA interposed between a fuel gas diffusion layer and an oxidant gas diffusion layer. An oxidant and fuel flow network are provided having an input portion for supplying reagent and an output portion for removing reagent after electrochemical reaction. At least one of the oxidant flow network and fuel flow network includes a recirculation loop, the recirculation loop feeding back a portion of the fuel or oxidant after electrochemical reaction to their respective input portion. The fuel flow network can include a water vapor condenser to extract water from the cathodes in proportion to the external load on the fuel cell stack and the fuel flow network can include an evaporator, where water is fed to the evaporator in the fuel loop from the condenser in the oxidant feed loop.

Abstract: A method of nondestructive noncontact tightness testing based on gas discharge visualization. The invention relates to tightness testing methods and can be used for testing weld seams of articles inside of which there is a working medium (matter), for example, of chemical power sources. The method includes subjecting the article being tested to a high voltage pulsed electric field formed between the positive electrode and a metallized layer of the article casing, recording on a photo carrier, for which purpose the article is placed on a dielectric plate arranged on a positive electrode, and its surface area is selected in the ratio to the article surface area not less than 7:1, and is additionally subjected to an electric field of the preliminary polarized dielectric plate with a surface area ratio to the surface area of the positive electrode of 1.2:1, and is symmetrically arranged on the positive electrode relative to its center between the latter and the article being tested.

Abstract: An organic salt having an alkali metal bound to a disubstituted amide of alkane iminosulfinic acid has the following general formula: where Ar is an aromatic group, M is an alkali metal such as Li, K or Na, and CxHy is an alkane. The organic salt can be used to form non-aqueous liquid and gel or plasticized polymer electrolytes. The electrolytes can be used to form improved lithium and lithium ion batteries.