Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, an overmolded module comprises a surface mount component situated over a substrate, where the surface mount component comprises a first terminal and a second terminal. The overmolded module can be an MCM and the substrate can be a laminate circuit board, for example. The overmolded module further comprises a first and a second pad situated on the substrate, where the first pad is connected to the first terminal and the second pad is connected to the second terminal. According to this exemplary embodiment, the overmolded module further comprises a solder mask trench situated underneath the surface mount component, where the solder mask trench is filled with molding compound. The overmolded module further comprises a moldable gap situated between a bottom surface of the surface mount component and a top surface of the substrate, where the moldable gap includes the solder mask trench.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting and measuring hydrogen and gaseous compounds capable of dissociating into or combining with hydrogen ions using a solid electrolyte concentration cell. A novel solid electrolyte membrane is used which comprises an organic polymer-inorganic compound blend prepared by admixing an organic polymer such as poly(vinyl alcohol) with a phosphoric acid in a mutually miscible solvent. A reference gas or a solid reference substance is used. For increased strength, a membrane may be composited with or attached to a porous support.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for performing an electrochemical process involving hydrogen and gaseous compounds capable of dissociating into or combining with hydrogen ions using a solid electrolyte concentration cell. Specific applications are fuel cells for producing an electrical current and separation of hydrogen from a gaseous mixture. A novel solid electrolyte membrane is used which comprises an organic polymer-inorganic compound blend prepared by admixing an organic polymer such as poly(vinyl alcohol) with a phosphoric acid in a mutually miscible solvent. For increased strength, a membrane may be composited with or attached to a porous support. In one embodiment, the membrane may be formed into a hollow fiber having electrically conductive particles with catalyst embedded in the fiber walls; a multiplicity of such fibers may be used to form a hydrogen separation device.

Abstract: Water-insoluble proton-conducting polymers which may be formed into membranes which are used in gas separation or gas sensing processes comprise an interpenetrating polymer network. This IPN is formed from the interaction between a host polymer and a guest polymer which is subsequently cross-linked or cured. The host polymer blend is formed from a phosphoric acid or sulfuric acid and a polymer or copolymer of a compound which possesses repeat units such as, for example, hydroxy ethylene, vinyl sulfonic acid, ethylene imine, etc, while the guest polymer is formed from a monofunctional monomer such as methacrylic acid and a difunctional cross-linking agent such as methylenebisacrylamide.

Abstract: Gas separation membranes comprising an inorganic compound-organic polymer blend may be prepared by admixing an organic polymer such as poly(vinyl alcohol) with a phosphoric acid or sulfuric acid in a mutually miscible solvent. After allowing the mixture to proceed for a period of time sufficient to form a blend, the solution may be cast on an appropriate casting surface and, after the solvent has been evaporated, the desired membrane which may have a thickness of from about 0.1 to about 100 microns, is recovered.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting and measuring hydrogen and gaseous compounds capable of dissociating into or combining with hydrogen ions using a solid electrolyte concentration cell. A novel solid electrolyte membrane is used which comprises a three-component blend prepared by admixing an organic polymer or copolymer, such as poly(vinyl alcohol), with an inorganic compound, such as a phosphoric acid, and an organic compound selected from a group of polymers and copolymers having monomer units containing nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur atoms, such as poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), in a mutually miscible solvent. A reference gas or a solid reference substance is used. For increased strength, a membrane may be composited with or attached to a porous support.