Abstract: A solid fuel composition which is suitable for preparing a liquid fuel for a direct liquid fuel cell. The composition comprises at least one solid hydride compound selected from borohydrides, aluminum hydrides, and metal hydrides, and at least one alkaline compound selected from hydroxides of alkali and alkaline earth metals, Zn, Al, and ammonium. If placed in a direct liquid fuel cell and contacted with an aqueous liquid the composition dissolves gradually as the at least one hydride compound is consumed while the fuel cell is in operation. This Abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: Fuel cell system including a fuel cell assembly having an anode and a cathode. A fuel/electrolyte module includes a liquid fuel and/or a liquid electrolyte and/or components of the liquid fuel and/or the liquid electrolyte. A housing arrangement houses the fuel cell assembly and the fuel/electrolyte module. A system is used for transferring at least a part of the contents of the fuel/electrolyte module into the fuel cell assembly. A method is also disclosed of generating electrical power using a power system including at least one fuel cell unit having a fuel cell assembly and a fuel/electrolyte module arranged within a housing arrangement. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A hydrogen generation device includes a liquid fuel chamber, a catalytic hydrogen generation chamber, a hydrogen collection chamber and separation elements between these chambers. Once a certain hydrogen pressure in the device is reached liquid fuel is substantially prevented from being catalytically converted into hydrogen, whereby the production of hydrogen is stopped until hydrogen is allowed to exit the device to lower the pressure therein. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: Fuel cell system including a fuel cell assembly having an anode and a cathode. A fuel/electrolyte module includes a liquid fuel and/or a liquid electrolyte and/or components of the liquid fuel and/or the liquid electrolyte. A housing arrangement houses the fuel cell assembly and the fuel/electrolyte module. A system is used for transferring at least a part of the contents of the fuel/electrolyte module into the fuel cell assembly. A method is also disclosed of generating electrical power using a power system including at least one fuel cell unit having a fuel cell assembly and a fuel/electrolyte module arranged within a housing arrangement. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A power supply system, in particular for use during emergencies and/or power outages, that includes at least one liquid fuel cell, at least one cartridge, and a system or device for transferring the contents of the cartridge to the fuel cell. A cartridge-free power supply system is also disclosed. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: Described is a leak-proof fuel cell which comprises at least one liquid within a casing that comprises at least one opening which is sealed by a first structure that is gas-pervious and substantially impervious to the at least one liquid. At least that portion of the casing which comprises the at least one opening is enclosed by a second structure which allows gas to pass therethrough. A space defined by the casing and the second structure comprising therein at least one material that is capable of binding the at least one liquid. This Abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A direct liquid fuel cell which comprises a gel electrolyte and a liquid fuel. The liquid fuel comprises a metal hydride compound and/or a borohydride compound. This Abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A method of producing a fuel or concentrate thereof for a fuel cell. The method comprises providing a solution of at least one hydroxide ion providing compound in a liquid medium and combining and mixing one or more hydride compounds with this solution to provide a colloidal dispersion of the hydride compound(s) in the alkaline medium. This Abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A hydride containing fuel composition for a liquid fuel cell. The composition comprises an alkaline liquid phase and at least two hydride compounds. The solubility of the first hydride compound in the liquid phase is higher than the solubility of a second hydride compound in the liquid phase and the opposite is true for the anodic oxidation products thereof. This Abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A fuel composition for fuel cells includes a polar solvent such as water, a first portion of a first fuel dissolved in the solvent at a saturated concentration, and a second portion of the first fuel suspended in the solvent to serve as a reservoir of fuel as the dissolved portion is consumed. Preferably, the first fuel is a hydride such as NaBH4. Optionally, the fuel composition also includes a second fuel such as an alcohol that also controls the solubility of the first fuel in the solvent, inhibits decomposition of the first fuel and stabilizes the suspension. Preferably, the fuel composition also includes an additive such as an alkali for stabilizing the first fuel.

Abstract: A liquid fuel composition useful for catalytic fuel cells is made up of at least two components. The primary fuel component is a surface-active compound, such as methanol, that is a source of and acts to prevent unwanted decomposition of the auxiliary fuel. The auxiliary fuel is a compound having a standard reduction potential more negative than the reduction potential of hydrogen gas, which serves as a source of energy and serves to catalyze the catalytic oxidation of the primary fuel.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a cathode, an anode, a fuel chamber, and a membrane arranged between the anode and the fuel chamber. The membrane is structured and arranged to allow gas to accumulate adjacent the anode at least to a point where the gas limits or substantially prevents a contact between the anode and a fuel. The method includes generating electrical energy with the fuel cell, preventing further generation of electrical energy of the fuel cell, and facilitating, with the membrane, an accumulation of the gas adjacent the anode at least to a point where the gas substantially prevents a contact between the anode and the fuel. Another method includes using a gas which is formed by an initial decomposition of the fuel to restrict or substantially prevent any further contact between the fuel and the anode. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A direct liquid fuel cell includes a cathode, an anode, a fuel chamber, and at least one membrane arranged between the anode and the fuel chamber. The membrane is structured and arranged to allow gas which is formed on or in the vicinity of the surface of the anode which faces the fuel chamber to accumulate adjacent to the anode at least to a point where the accumulated gas substantially prevents a direct contact between the anode and the liquid fuel. A method of preventing or reducing fuel decomposition in the fuel cell is also disclosed. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A method of preparing an electroconductive foam, and the foam so prepared. An electroconductive polymer such as polyaniline is dispersed in a liquid medium that includes an aromatic solvent such as xylene and an organic dopant/dispersant such as an aromatic sulfonic acid. The electroconductive polymer together with the organic dopant/dispersant constitute between 10% and 25% of the resulting dispersion. The dispersion is introduced to the pores of an electrically insulating foam matrix such as polyurethane. Excess dispersion is expelled and the foam is dried actively, to line the pores with an electroconductive lining.

Abstract: Disposable fuel cell and a system for filling a disposable fuel cell. The system includes a fuel cell having at least one chamber, a cartridge having at least one chamber, and a valve system which regulates or controls fluid flow between the cartridge and fuel cell. A method of refilling a fuel cell provides for connecting the cartridge to the fuel cell and transferring fuel and electrolyte from the cartridge to the fuel cell. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A storage-stable liquid concentrate for use with a fuel cell. The concentrate comprises at least one metal hydride compound, a solvent comprising one or more polar solvent components, and at least one hydroxide ion providing compound. Following a storage of the concentrate for 4 weeks at about 25° C. not more than about 2 % of the at least one metal hydride compound have decomposed. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: An anode which is suitable for use in a liquid fuel cell and comprises metallic cobalt supported on a finely divided electrically conductive carrier. An oxidation catalyst for use in the anode, a process for making the oxidation catalyst and a fuel cell comprising the anode are also disclosed. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A new fuel composition useful for catalytic fuel cells is made up of at least two components. The primary fuel component is a surface active compound, such as methanol, that is a source of and acts to prevent unwanted decomposition of the auxiliary fuel. The auxiliary fuel is a hydrogen-containing inorganic compound with a high reduction potential, such as NaBH4, which acts as a highly reactive source of energy and serves to catalyze the catalytic oxidation of the primary fuel.

Abstract: A new fuel composition useful for catalytic fuel cells is made up of at least two components. The primary fuel component is a surface active compound, such as methanol, that is a source of and acts to prevent unwanted decomposition of the auxiliary fuel. The auxiliary fuel is a hydrogen-containing organic compound with a high reduction potential, such as NaBH4 which acts as a highly reactive source of energy and serves to catalyze the catalytic oxidation of the primary fuel.

Abstract: A method of preparing an electroconductive foam, and the foam so prepared. An electroconductive polymer such as polyaniline is dispersed in a liquid medium that includes an aromatic solvent such as xylene and an organic dopant/dispersant such as an aromatic sulfonic acid. The electroconductive polymer together with the organic dopant/dispersant constitute between 10% and 25% of the resulting dispersion. The dispersion is introduced to the pores of an electrically insulating foam matrix such as polyurethane. Excess dispersion is expelled and the foam is dried actively, to line the pores with an electroconductive lining.