Abstract: A spark plug electrode is disclosed. The electrode comprises, based upon the total weight of the electrode, about 83 wt. % to about 96.8 wt. % copper, about 3.0 wt. % to about 9.0 wt. % chromium, and about 0.2 wt. % to about 8.0 wt. % niobium. A spark plug is also disclosed. The spark plug comprises a shell disposed in contact with an insulator body. A center electrode is disposed at a lower end of the insulator body. A side electrode is also disposed at a lower end of the shell. This side electrode is coaxially aligned with the center electrode. At least one of the center electrode and the side electrode comprises a core composition of about 83 wt. % to about 96.8 wt. % copper, about 3.0 wt. % to about 9.0 wt. % chromium and about 0.2% to about 8.0% niobium, based upon the total weight of the composition. A resistor section is also disposed in electrical communication with the center electrode.

Abstract: A composition for forming an electrode for use in a torch jet spark plug is provided. The composition comprises a ceramic material, ceramic particles, and an electrically conductive material. The ceramic particles are dispersed within the ceramic material. At least some of the ceramic particles have a predetermined size. This predetermined size is at least as large as the thickness of the finally formed electrode. The electrically conductive material is capable of being manipulated to form ribbons around the ceramic particles and of being sintered to form the electrode. The resultant electrode has good resistance to explosive erosion mechanisms, which consequently increases the life of the torch jet spark plug.

Abstract: A NOx, catalyst combination for treating a lean exhaust gas stream comprising an alkaline earth-alumina catalyst and an alkaline earth-zeolite catalyst, arranged on a substrate such that the gas stream first contacts the alkaline earth-alumina catalyst prior to contacting the alkaline earth-zeolite catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a gas sensor and a method of making a gas sensor comprising disposing a reference electrode on an inner surface of an electrolyte; sputtering a sensing electrode on an outer surface of the electrolyte; sputtering a zirconia layer on a side of the sensing electrode opposite the electrolyte, wherein the zirconia layer has a thickness of about 20 nanometers to about 1 micrometer, and disposing a protective layer on a side of the zirconia layer opposite the sensing electrode.

Abstract: A catalyst composition is disclosed comprising a support, a substantially sulfur-free stabilizer and a catalytic metal. Also disclosed is the catalytic converter comprising this new catalyst. Methods of making the catalyst composition and the catalytic converter are also described. The lack of added sulfur combined with basic pH application provide a catalyst with excellent stability for high temperature applications such as close coupled catalysts.

Abstract: One embodiment of a non-precious metal catalyst for treating an exhaust gas stream comprises an alkali metal oxide component comprising lithium oxide, in combination with an alkaline earth support component, wherein the alkaline earth support component is an alkaline earth zeolite catalyst, an alkaline earth alumina catalyst, or a mixture thereof. Another embodiment of a non-precious metal catalyst for treating an exhaust gas stream comprises a substrate supporting a coating having more than about 6 weight percent of a lithium oxide component in combination with less than about 49 weight percent of an barium zeolite catalyst component and less than about 42 weight percent of a barium alumina catalyst component and not more than about 7 weight percent of a ceramic oxide binder.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell is disclosed. The solid oxide fuel cell comprises an electrolyte disposed between and in ionic communication with a first electrode and a second electrode to form an electrochemical cell. At least one spacer is disposed in contact with the electrochemical cell. A mat is disposed adjacent to the spacer. A method for making a solid oxide fuel cell is also disclosed.

Abstract: The torch jet spark plug comprises a shell with an insulator body concentrically disposed within at least a portion of the shell. A pre-chamber is concentrically disposed within at least a portion of the shell and at least a portion of the insulator body, the pre-chamber having an orifice disposed at a first end of the pre-chamber and at an insulator body first end. On at least a portion of a pre-chamber internal surface is an inner electrode comprising up to about 75 vol. % of a bonding agent, about 20 vol. % or greater of a catalytically active material, and about 5 vol. % or greater of a transition metal material. At least partially disposed within a second end of the insulator body, opposite the insulator body first end is an upper terminal. Finally, an upper electrode is disposed within the insulator body, between the inner electrode and the upper terminal, and in a spaced relation to the inner electrode.

Abstract: A gas treatment system and method for using the same is disclosed. The gas treatment system, comprises: a non-thermal plasma reactor; and a catalyst composition disposed within said non-thermal plasma reactor, said catalyst composition comprising a MZr4(PO4)6, wherein M is a metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, ruthenium, silver, rhodium, osmium, iridium, and combinations comprising at least one of said foregoing metals. The process comprises exposing said gas to a plasma field and to the catalyst composition.

Abstract: A method for controlling exhaust gases produced by an internal combustion engine, a medium encoded with a machine-readable computer program code for controlling exhaust gases produced by an internal combustion engine and a system for controlling exhaust gases produced by an internal combustion engine is provided wherein the system includes a vehicle sensor and an engine control module and wherein the method includes obtaining a vehicle data signal responsive to the engine performance of the internal combustion engine, processing the vehicle data signal so as to formulate an engine operating parameter, wherein the engine operating parameter is responsive to the hydrocarbon content of the exhaust gases and controlling the fuel introduced into the internal combustion engine in a manner responsive to the engine operating parameter.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a ceramic part, gas sensor, and method for making the gas sensor. The ceramic part comprises: an insulating layer affixed to a substrate wherein the insulating layer comprising Al2O3 particles; and a glass comprising about 45 to about 69 mole percent SiO2, 0 to about 9 mole percent B2O3, 0 to about 26 mole percent Al2O3, 0 and 25 mole percent SrO, and about 10 to about 26 mole percent RE2O3, where RE2O3 is selected from the group consisting of Y2O3, three valent rare earth oxides, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing.

Abstract: A catalyst for adsorbing oxides of nitrogen from the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, comprising an alkaline earth active catalyst site, and a transition metal oxide having a surface area of at least about 75 m2 /g.

Abstract: A composition for forming an electrode for use in a torch jet spark plug is provided. The composition comprises a ceramic material, ceramic particles, and an electrically conductive material. The ceramic particles are dispersed within the ceramic material. At least some of the ceramic particles have a predetermined size. This predetermined size is at least as large as the thickness of the finally formed electrode. The electrically conductive material is capable of being manipulated to form ribbons around the ceramic particles and of being sintered to form the electrode. The resultant electrode has good resistance to explosive erosion mechanisms, which consequently increases the life of the torch jet spark plug.

Abstract: A method for making a sensor is disclosed. The method comprises: disposing an electrolyte between a first side of sensing electrode and a first side of reference electrode, disposing a first side of a protective layer adjacent to said a second side of said sensing electrode, applying a mixture of a metal oxide, a fugitive material, and a solvent to a second side of the protective layer, and calcining the applied mixture to form said a protective coating on the second side of the protective layer.

Abstract: A thermal energy management system for solid oxide fuel cells includes a monolithic small cell extrusion type heat exchanger coupled to an SOFC stack. In operation, a flow of air having a selected temperature is passed through the heat exchanger cells and thermal energy flowing into and out of the SOFC stack is managed primarily by radiation coupling between the SOFC stack and the heat exchanger. The system further provides management of the temperature distribution around the SOFC to meet outer skin temperature design targets and to control the inlet gas temperatures for the SOFC. The system provides a compact, efficient method for SOFC thermal energy management and is particularly well suited for transportation applications.

Abstract: An exhaust gas sensor element having an electrochemical cell, a protective material in fluid communication with the electrochemical cell, and a reactive inhibitive coating disposed over the protective material. The reactive inhibitive coating prevents the reaction of compounds with acids(e.g., phosphates) in the exhaust gas, which may form a dense glass layer on the outside of the gas sensor. The reactive inhibitive coating is either an alkaline earth oxide ethoxide, and/or carbonate that is deposited on the gas sensor to a thickness so as to preferably provide an excess of either the alkaline earth material.

Abstract: An exhaust gas sensor includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electrolyte disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electrolyte includes a first portion disposed at least in partial physical contact and in ionic communication with a second portion. The first portion has a first portion grain size which is different than a second portion grain size. Further, a method for manufacturing a gas sensor includes forming a multiple portion electrolyte. The electrolyte is formed with a first portion having one grain size, and a second portion at least in partial physical contact and in ionic contact with the first portion, the second portion having a second portion grain size different from the first portion grain size. The electrolyte may be fired before or after application of an electrode in ionic contact with the first portion and a second electrode in ionic contact with said second portion.

Abstract: A multiple zeolite catalyst mixture for purifying exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine, comprising: a first NO2 to N2 to conversion catalyst component; a second O3 conversion catalyst component; a third HC conversion catalyst component; a fourth N2O decomposition catalyst component; and, a fifth VOC reduction catalyst component; wherein the catalyst component mixture includes about 50 to 75 weight percent of the first and second catalyst components, and about 25 to 50 weight percent of the third, fourth, and fifth catalyst components.

Abstract: A sensor is disclosed that comprises an electrolyte disposed between and in intimate contact with a sensing electrode and a reference electrode. A protective coating is disposed on the protective layer adjacent to the sensing electrode. The protective coating comprises a mixture of a metal oxide, a zeolite, and an alumina. A method for making the sensor is also disclosed.

Abstract: The sensor comprises an electrolyte disposed between a sensing electrode and a reference electrode, with a protective layer contacting the sensing electrode. At least one of the sensing electrode and the reference electrode has a porosity of about 15% or greater. The method for manufacturing the sensor comprises employing a slip. The slip is applied to the electrolyte to form the electrodes, and the electrolyte is heated to a temperature of less than about 1,500° C.