Abstract: The present invention provides high-throughput systems and methods for the fabrication and evaluation of electrode and electrolyte materials for solid oxide fuel cells. The present invention includes systems and methods for synthesizing and optimizing the performance of electrodes and electrode-electrolyte combinations and utilizes small-scale techniques to perform such optimization based on chemical composition and variable processing. Advantageously, rapid device performance systems and methods coupled with structural and surface systems and methods allow for an increased discovery rate of new materials for solid oxide fuel cells.

Abstract: An membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell composed of a pair of electrode catalyst layers and an electrolyte membrane sandwiched between the electrode catalyst layers is configured so that the catalyst of at least one surface of the electrode catalyst layers enters in the electrolyte membrane whereby the electrode catalyst layer and the electrolyte membrane are unified with each other. In this configuration, no exfoliation occurs at the interface between the electrode catalyst layer and the electrolyte membrane, and the durability of the membrane electrode assembly can be increased even during the course of heat cycles.

Abstract: A laminated ceramic electronic component significantly simplifies a step of forming external electrodes and has reliable electrical connection between an internal electrode and the external electrodes. A method for manufacturing the laminated ceramic electronic component includes the steps of forming composite sheets each having a conductor and a ceramic layer provided at the sides of the conductor on a carrier film, laminating the composite sheets with each other for forming a mother laminate, cutting the mother laminate in the thickness direction thereof so as to divide the conductor for forming laminates each forming one laminated ceramic electronic component, in which the conductor is exposed on the cut surface of the laminate, and firing the laminate so as to simultaneously form external electrodes from the exposed conductors and a sintered ceramic body.

Abstract: An electrode for the electrochemical fine-boring of workpieces includes an electrode tube for an electrolyte to pass through to reach a workpiece which is to be machined, and an electrical conductor which is connected to the electrolyte, in which electrode the tube, for the purpose of boring bores with the smallest possible diameter, consists of a metal with a substantially amorphous structure, is electrically conductive and is provided on its outer surface, at least in sections, with a nonconductive insulating layer.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved yttria-stabilized zirconia electrode having a ceramic tube (12). The electrode is improved by replacing the method of sealing the electrode with an epoxy seal (24) and filling the tube with a ceramic glue (42) without completely filling the tube. The ceramic glue is added in a small amount and the ceramic glue is heated in the tube before a next small amount of ceramic glue is added, until the final amount of ceramic glue is added and heated. Also, an area of cover on a wire (18) in an area between a top of the ceramic glue and a top of the tube is partially removed. A sealing glue above the top of the ceramic glue that adheres to the wire at the removed area of the cover, adheres to the tube and seals the top of the tube. Finally, an outside portion of the wire which extends beyond the top of the tube is gripped with a CONAX fitting (26), instead of the fitting gripping the tube.

Abstract: A bump connection is formed by stacking at least two metallic balls of different kinds of metals on a conductor of an electronic component such as a semiconductor device. The bump connection is obtained by forming the metallic balls using metallic wires. An apparatus for forming the connection includes a support, capillary member for having a wire pass therethrough, a pair of clamps for clamping the wire, and a “torch” (e.g., electrode, gas flame) which heats the tip of the wire, forming the ball. Successive balls can be formed by this apparatus atop the initially formed ball to provide a stacked configuration.

Abstract: An improvement to a cathode used in an electrorefining or electrowinning of copper. The cathode has a solid copper head bar with a horizontal groove on its undersurface. The upper edge of a stainless steel flat sheet has several holes along its width and is vertically inserted into the groove. The stainless steel sheet is then mechanically attached to the copper head bar by pressing the copper head bar against the stainless steel at the perforated points along the head bar. To increase the joint strength, the stainless steel sheet may be welded to the copper head bar at its upper edges at the underside of the head bar.

Abstract: A molded circuit board is formed by a process comprising the steps of: molding liquid crystal polymer of plating grade into a primary product that has an outline corresponding to the dimensions of said molded circuit board; roughening the surface of said primary product; molding a secondary molded member to produce a secondary product by coating said primary molded member with oxyalkylene-containing poly(vinyl alcohol) resin over almost the entire surface thereof except for a circuit area on which a circuit is to be formed; heating said secondary product; applying catalyst to said circuit area where portions of surface of said primary molded member are not covered with said secondary molded member; heating said secondary product in hot water to elute the secondary molded member into hot water; and chemically plating the catalyst-applied-area to form a circuit thereon. This process minimizes the size of the molded circuit board, simplifies the procedure and thus reduce the production cost.

Abstract: Membrane electrode assemblies are described that include an ion conductive membrane a catalyst adjacent to the major surfaces of the ion conductive membrane and a porous particle filled polymer membrane adjacent to the ion conductive membrane. The catalyst can be disposed on the major surfaces of the ion conductive membrane. Preferably, the catalyst is disposed in nanostructures. The polymer film serving as the electrode backing layer preferably is processed by heating the particle loaded porous film to a temperature within about 20 degrees of the melting point of the polymer to decrease the Gurley value and the electrical resistivity. The MEAs can be produced in a continuous roll process. The MEAs can be used to produce fuel cells, electrolyzers and electrochemical reactors.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly is provided comprising an ion conducting membrane and one or more electrode layers that comprise nanostructured elements, wherein the nanostructured elements are in incomplete contact with the ion conducting membrane. This invention also provides methods to make the membrane electrode assembly of the invention. The membrane electrode assembly of this invention is suitable for use in electrochemical devices, including proton exchange membrane fuel cells, electrolyzers, chlor-alkali separation membranes, and the like.

Abstract: There is provided an electrode structure comprising a current collector sheet and first and second layers of electrode material. Together, the layers improve catalyst utilization and water management.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrode for electrolytic refining or electrowinning, said electrode (1, 21, 41) being provided with a hanger bar (3, 23, 43) attached to the edge of one plate-like mother plate, and the edges (4, 5, 6; 24, 30, 31; 44, 49, 50) of said electrode, apart from the edge to which the hanger bar is fastened, being protected with an edge strip (11, 12, 13; 29, 32, 33; 48, 51, 52) made of some insulating material, in which electrode at least part of the edge strips is at least partly placed in a groove (7, 25, 45) made in the electrode edge. According to the invention, at least in one electrode edge (4, 5, 6; 24, 30, 31; 44, 49, 50), there is formed a groove (7, 25, 45) for the electrode edge strip (11, 12, 13; 29, 32, 33; 48, 51, 52) made of some insulating material; the front end of said groove, located at the electrode edge (4, 5, 6; 24, 30 31; 44, 49, 50), being essentially equal in width with the rear end (10, 28, 53) of the groove placed inside the electrode.

Abstract: The invention encompasses batteries, battery electrodes and methods of forming batteries and battery electrodes. In one aspect, the invention includes a method of forming a battery electrode comprising: a) forming an electrode material mix comprising electrode active material, a conductive medium, and polymeric binder materials consisting essentially of PVDF, copolymers of vinylidene fluoride and hexafluoropropylene, or mixtures thereof; b) curing the electrode mix to form a compressible material; and c) compressing the compressible material into an electrode.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a cathode for a molten carbonate fuel cell includes oxidation of a porous precursor electrode and contact with molten carbonate. Following assembly of a layered arrangement containing the precursor electrode, a matrix layer made of molten carbonate, and a porous anode, the precursor electrode is anodically oxidized with a preset curve for the current density, and doped by contact with molten carbonate.

Abstract: In a catalyst electrode 23, a plurality of catalyst clusters 30 and a plurality of electrolyte clusters 32 are connected and entwined with each other. Each catalyst cluster 30 is formed by aggregation of a plurality of carbon particles 36 with a catalyst 34 carried thereon, and the surface of the catalyst cluster 30 is coated with an electrolyte layer 38. Each electrolyte cluster 32 is formed by aggregation of an electrolyte. A supply of ions is fed to the catalyst 34 for the electrochemical reaction via the electrolyte layer 38. The electrolyte clusters 32, on the other hand, ensure the pathway of ions moving from an electrolyte film 21 towards a gas diffusion electrode 25. This arrangement of the present invention does not require the thick electrolyte layer 38 for ensuring the sufficient transmission of ions but enables a sufficient amount of gas (oxygen) to be fed to the catalyst 34.

Abstract: Improvements to direct feed methanol fuel cells include new protocols for component formation. Catalyst-water repellent material is applied in formation of electrodes and sintered before application of ionomer. A membrane used in formation of an electrode assembly is specially pre-treated to improve bonding between catalyst and membrane. The improved electrode and the pre-treated membrane are assembled into a membrane electrode assembly.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide composite ceramic powder containing composite ceramic particulates as constituent particulates. Each of the composite ceramic particulates is constituted of a group of first particles and a group of second particles in which the first particles are localized around the second particles. A spray pyrolysis is used to localize the first particles around the second particles, thereby producing such composite ceramic particulates.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell system including an anode compartment and a cathode compartment separated by a membrane and electrode structure. This structure has an anode surface with a plurality of anodes in a side-by-side arrangement exposed to the anode compartment and a cathode surface with a plurality of cathodes in a side-by-side arrangement exposed to the cathode compartment. The anodes and cathodes are separated by a layer of ion exchange polymer and register with each other so that opposing pairs of anodes and cathodes form cells. The membrane and electrode structure further includes a plurality of current collector screens. The current collector screens have an anode contact area in contact with the anode, a cathode contact area in contact with the cathode and a feed through area extending between cells and crossing from the anode contact area to the cathode contact area to connect the anode and cathode of adjacent cells.

Abstract: Electrode including a paste containing particles of electrochemically active material and a conductive support consisting of a three-dimensional porous material comprising strands delimiting contiguous pores communicating via passages, characterized in that the average width L in .mu.m of said passages is related to the average diameter .O slashed. in .mu.m of said particles by the following equation, in which W and Y are dimensionless coefficients:(W.times..O slashed.)+X.gtoreq.L.gtoreq.(Y.times..O slashed.)+ZwhereinW=0.16Y=1.69X=202.4 .mu.m andZ=80 .mu.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprises a container; an electrolyte held within e container, a first electrode positioned in the electrolyte; and a second electrode having a beryllium compound coating. The second electrode is positioned in the electrolyte and generally centered within the first electrode. The second electrode is made of a material selected from the group that includes palladium, AB.sub.2 alloys, and AB.sub.5 alloys, where A represents magnesium, zirconium, and lanthanum, and B represents vanadium, chromium, manganese, or nickel. The beryllium compound coating is formed by charging the second electrode in the presence of a beryllium salt.

Abstract: A solid high silicon cast iron elongated anode has a midpoint electrical connection keeping the connection as far as possible from the ends to combat the deleterious pencil effect. The anode is made by casting using a hollow or shell core to form a small axial hole extending from one end. The sand or foundry material of the core is removed and the wall of the hole at the blind end of the hole is at least partially finished to receive a diagonally split slug to which a lead wire is connected. Alternatively the hole is formed by a steel pipe which is left in place as a hole liner. The pipe may be supported by one or more chaplets. The slug is fastened in the blind end of the hole by a driving tool rotating a threaded headed bolt with both axial and rotational force to hold the connection in the blind end of the hole as it is secured in place. The hole is filled with a potting compound sealing the connection in the center of the solid cast iron anode.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the provision of an anode for a non-aqueous electrolyte cell, which is excellent in rapid charge/discharge characteristics, discharge capacity characteristics at high temperatures, charge/discharge characteristics at low temperatures and shelf life, and thus has high reliability. According to the present invention, a sheet, mainly composed of an alkali metal having a body centered cubic crystal structure as an active material, is pressed from a direction normal to the principal surface thereof, thereby preferentially orienting crystallites so that (100) planes, (110) planes, (211) planes, (310) planes, (321) planes or (222) planes are parallel to the principal surface of the sheet, and the thus pressed sheet is used for the anode.

Abstract: A sacrificial anode and method of making a sacrificial anode are provided. The anode includes an extruded galvanically active metal rod and integrally formed end cap which has a cylindrically shaped portion with a threaded exterior surface. The anode is formed by extruding the rod, forging the end cap from the anchoring end portion of the rod, and machining the outer surface of the end cap to provide threads.

Abstract: The invention concerns an improved electrode particularly useful for electrochemical processes forming gaseous products. The electrode is made of a composite structure comprising a shaped sheet having a profile of the "venetian blind" type, which provides for ensuring the necessary stiffness and improved local fluodynamics, and a mesh having the same "venetian blind" profile, provided with an electrocatalytic coating. The mesh is fixed by spot welding to the sheet in order to have the two profiles substantially coincident.

Abstract: Superimposing strip layers including a positive electrode strip and a negative electrode strip, which are put into layers together with a separator strip which is put between the electrode strips, are spirally wound around an outer circumference of a bobbin having an end cross section similar in shape to a center hole of a spiral electrode to form a substantially circular center hole in the spiral electrode while extracting the bobbin.

Abstract: A planar, solid-state electrochemical oxygen sensor having a substrate, conductive strips deposited on the substrate, and a dielectric layer insulating portions of the conductive strips except those portions which define a working electrode and at least one second electrode. The working electrode may be defined by an open printed region of the dielectric, or by a needle-punched or laser-burned hole or opening in the dielectric which exposes a small region of one of the conductive strips. A solid electrolyte contacting the electrodes is covered by a semipermeable membrane which may comprise an acrylonitrile butadiene copolymer or an acrylate-based copolymer. A sample chamber is defined by the membrane, a cover member, and a gasket therebetween, and has a volume of from about 1 to about 2 N.L. The gasket is formulated from the highly cross-linked polymerization product of epichlorohydrin. All sensor components are selected such that a sensor operable for at least 2 days under normal conditions is produced.

Abstract: A screen printing apparatus includes a screen frame disposed above a ceramic green-sheet, and a screen on which an electrode pattern is formed is held by the screen frame. A cover is detachably attached to the screen frame by making a recess formed on upper surface of the screen frame engage with a projection formed on a lower end surface of the cover. An interior of the cover becomes an airtight state substantially except for a stitch portion of the screen. Therefore, when a vapor pressure of a volatile solvent of an electrode paste becomes to be saturated in the interior of the cover after volatilization of the volatile solvent to some extent, the volatile solvent of the electrode paste is prevented from further volatilizing.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a living body leading electrode includes a first substrate 10 to which first boards 1 are fixed in a plurality of rows. A plurality of skin adhering members 101 with openings 102 are bonded to the first boards. A second substrate 20 is provided to which second boards 2 are fixed in a plurality of rows corresponding to the first boards 1. A plurality of electrode elements 103 are placed on the second boards 2. A pouring means 30 is provided for pouring a solution of electrolyte 100 into the upper portions of the openings 102 formed on the skin adhering members 101. A hardening device 40 for hardening the poured solution of electrolyte 100, thereby fixing the side faces 100A of the electrolyte 100 to the side walls 102A of the openings 102, which first substrate 10 and second substrate 20 may be superposed on each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for cutting the casing on baked carbon electrodes. The device comprises a ring (1) which is freely suspended about the electrode. At least two clamping shoes (7) having vertical extending cutting edges (17) are pivotably suspended to the ring (1). The clamping shoes (7) can be pressed against the casing (3) by means of first hydraulic cylinders (14). On the top of the ring (1) a chain (18) having a plurality of cutting wheels (19) is arranged. One end of the chain (18) is secured to a second hydraulic cylinder (26) and the other end is secured to the piston (27) of the second hydraulic cylinder (26), whereby the chain (18) can be tightened about the periphery of the electrode (2). A third hydraulic cylinder (29) is secured to the ring (1) while the piston (28) of the third hydraulic cylinder (29) is secured to the claim (18), whereby the chain (18) can be moved backwards and forwards along the circumference of the casing (3).

Abstract: An electrostatic recording head has a plurality of electrode wires arranged parallel to each other at a predetermined pitch to form recording electrodes at one ends thereof, control electrodes arranged along these recording electrodes, and a recording electrode retainer for integrally fixing these electrodes with a resin. The other ends of these electrode wires are integrally fixed by an electrode wire terminal end retainer of a resin. The electrode wires are electrically connected to a part of the conductive pattern formed on a printed circuit board interposed between both retainers, and are grouped thereby to form a plurality of recording electrode set conductors. These conductors and lead wires connected to the control electrodes are connected to connector terminals. A recording voltage is applied to the connector terminals.

Abstract: A process for producing a flush edge protected laminate of an inner sheet of a corrodable metal sandwiched between outer sheets of a protective metal which comprises attaching a C-shaped channel of the protective metal over the edge to be protected and rolling the laminate with the attached channel so that the channel is deformed to form a protective edge whose overlapping sides are flush with the upper and lower surfaces of the laminate; and a protected edge bi-metallic laminate prepared by the process.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for aligning and locating the nipples of an anode rod with the blind bores formed in one surface of an anode block. The apparatus includes a support table mounted for vertical movement on a stand. Alignment means are mounted on the stand above the support table. The alignment means is constituted by a plurality of alignment elements, each of which has the shape of a segment of a funnel. In use, the narrow ends of the alignment elements are introduced into respective bores in the anode block as the support table is moved upwardly. As the support table moves further upwards, carrying the alignment elements therewith, at least some of the nipples of the anode rod engage within the wider ends of the alignment elements, thereby directing the nipples into the bores in the anode block.

Abstract: An electrically conductive resinous composition is prepared by cleaning the surface of copper flakes, mixing from about 25 to 75 percent by weight copper flakes with a resinous composition containing a curative selected from the group consisting of a dicyandiamide, a boron trifluoride releasing complex, a boron trichloride releasing complex or mixtures thereof, curing a layer of the resinous composition on an insulated substrate whereby a nonconductive layer is prepared and momentarily applying a voltage to the nonconductive resinous layer whereby the resinous layer becomes conductive. The one component resinous composition comprises from about 25 to about 70 percent by weight copper flakes with the balance of the compositions consisting of a resinous binder with from 1 to about 10 parts per hundred parts resinous binder of a curative selected from dicyandiamide, a boron trifluoride releasing complex, a boron trichloride complex and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The specification and drawings disclose an anode assembly for use in electrolytic cells, and apparatus for forming such assemblies. The anode assembly comprises an anode riser to which is joined a parallel pair of metal sheets which form anode surfaces. The sheets are joined to the riser by connecting means which permit movement of the sheets toward and away from one another while maintaining their parallel relationship. Additionally, the connecting means is such that it maintains a tension on the sheets to prevent them from warping or assuming a non-planar configuration. The disclosed apparatus permits assembly of the sheets to the riser in a simple, rapid manner.