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  • Nitric acid regeneration fuel cell systems
    Patent number: 9231266
    Abstract: Methods and systems for regenerating a fuel cell are disclosed, comprising sparging a catholyte liquid with a gaseous oxygen-containing flow stream. In addition, the gaseous byproducts in the catholyte can be collected and then converted to liquid forms for easy disposal. In some embodiments, the regeneration process comprises intermittently regenerating an oxidant flow stream, for example, based on detected conditions. In some embodiments, the regeneration process comprises switching between different modes of oxidant regeneration, for example, based on detected conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: NEAH POWER SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Tsali Cross, Derek Reiman, Corina Margineanu
  • Nitric acid regeneration fuel cell systems
    Patent number: 9112215
    Abstract: Methods and systems for regenerating a fuel cell are disclosed, comprising sparging a catholyte liquid with a gaseous oxygen-containing flow stream. In addition, the gaseous byproducts in the catholyte can be collected and then converted to liquid forms for easy disposal. In some embodiments, the regeneration process comprises intermittently regenerating an oxidant flow stream, for example, based on detected conditions. In some embodiments, the regeneration process comprises switching between different modes of oxidant regeneration, for example, based on detected conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: NEAH POWER SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Tsali Cross, Derek Reiman, Corina Margineanu
  • Method and system for simultaneously charging an energy storage device from multiple energy input devices
    Patent number: 10135292
    Abstract: A system for simultaneously charging an energy storage device from multiple energy input devices includes energy input devices in the form of solar and non-solar modules and an energy storage device in the form of a rechargeable battery, which is part of an energy storage module. A first solar module is able to generate solar power and delivers this power to the energy storage module, while the non-solar module delivers, for example, electrochemically generated electricity to the energy storage module via the first solar module, which acts as a backplane. The system may also include additional solar modules that can be connected to the first solar module in collapsed or expanded states to adjust the amount of electricity generated from solar power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Neah Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Reiman, Chris D'Couto, Saroj Sahu
  • Fluid cell system reactant supply and effluent storage cartridges
    Patent number: 7105245
    Abstract: Reactant supply and effluent storage cartridges adapted for use with a closed liquid feed fuel cell system, as well as closed liquid feed fuel cell systems. The cartridge includes at least first and second volumes and comprises: a first reactant reservoir for holding a first reactant, the first reactant reservoir being configured to occupy substantially all of the first volume when filled with the first reactant; a second reactant reservoir for holding a second reactant, the second reactant reservoir being configured to occupy substantially all of the second volume when filled with the second reactant; and an effluent reservoir for holding effluent produced by the fuel cell system, the effluent reservoir being configured to occupy, when filled with the effluent produced by the fuel cell system, a portion of the first volume, a portion of the second volume, or a portion of the first and second volumes. The reactant supply cartridge of may further comprise an electrolyte reservoir for holding an electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Neah Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Leroy J. Ohlsen, Steven C. Tallman, George W. Hawkins
  • LIQUID-LIQUID FUEL CELL SYSTEMS HAVING FLOW-THROUGH ANODES AND FLOW-BY CATHODES
    Publication number: 20090023036
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to fuel cell electrode pair assemblies, not having interposing proton exchange membranes, configured to receive and react with liquid anolyte and liquid catholyte microfluidic flowstreams. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a fuel cell electrode pair assembly, not having an interposing proton exchange membrane, configured to receive and react with a liquid microfluidic anolyte flowstream (e.g., laminarly flowing methanol solution) and a liquid microfluidic catholyte flowstream (e.g., laminarly flowing nitric acid solution), wherein the fuel cell electrode pair assembly comprises: a porous flow-through anode; a porous flow-by cathode confronting and spaced apart from the anode; and a central plenum interposed between and connected to the anode and the cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: Neah Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Junli Liu, Lorne Roy, David Wine, Leroy Ohlsen, Jonathan Mallari, Ari Homa
  • Porous fuel cell electrode structures having conformal electrically conductive layers thereon
    Patent number: 7157177
    Abstract: The present invention discloses porous fuel cell electrode structures, assemblies, and systems having one or more conformal metallic layers selectively deposited on one or more pore surfaces, as well as to various methods relating thereto. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to an electrode structure adapted for use with a fuel cell system (e.g., a hydrogen or a direct hydrocarbon fuel cell system), wherein the electrode structure comprises a substrate or support structure having one or more discrete porous bulk matrix regions disposed across a top surface of the substrate. In this embodiment, each of the one or more discrete porous bulk matrix regions is defined by a plurality of acicular pores that extend through the substrate or support structure. The plurality of acicular pores define inner pore surfaces, and the inner pore surfaces have a conformal electrically conductive layer thereon, as well as a plurality of catalyst particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Neah Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Chung M. Chan
  • Silicon-based fuel cell electrode structures and fuel cell electrode stack assemblies
    Patent number: 6808840
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to silicon electrode structures and silicon electrode assemblies associated with fuel cell systems, as well as to methods relating thereto. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to an electrode structure adapted for use with a fuel cell system such as, for example, a direct methanol fuel cell system. In this embodiment, the invention may be characterized in that the electrode structure comprises a silicon substrate having one or more selectively doped regions thereon, wherein each of the one or more selectively doped regions is adapted to function as a current collector for the transmission of an electrical current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Neah Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan C. Mallari, Chung M. Chan
  • Metallic blocking layers integrally associated with fuel cell electrode structures and fuel cell electrode stack assemblies
    Patent number: 6720105
    Abstract: Metallic blocking layers integrally associated with fuel cell electrode structures and fuel cell electrode stack assemblies, as well as to methods relating thereto, are disclosed herein. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a metallic blocking layer integrally associated with an electrode structure of a fuel cell system such as, for example, a direct methanol fuel cell system. In this embodiment, the invention may be characterized in that the electrode structure comprises an inorganic (i.e., noncarbonaceous) support substrate having one or more discrete porous regions, wherein the one or more discrete porous regions is defined by an array of acicular pores disposed across the top surface area of the electrode structure such that at least a portion of the blocking layer covers the top surface area and protrudes into the array of acicular pores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Neah Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Leroy J. Ohlsen, Aaron M. Cooke, Jonathan C. Mallari, Chung M. Chan
  • Fuel cell electrode pair assemblies and related methods
    Patent number: 7118822
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are fuel cell systems and, more specifically, fuel cell electrode pair and stack assemblies and various methods relating thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Neah Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan C. Mallari, Suzanne M. Snyder, Vinh Chung, Slobodan Petrovic
  • Fuel cell electrode pair assemblies and related methods
    Patent number: 6811916
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are fuel cell systems and, more specifically, fuel cell electrode pair and stack assemblies and various methods relating thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Neah Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan C. Mallari, Suzanne M. Snyder, Vinh Chung, Slobodan Petrovic
  • Flow management in fuel cell configurations
    Patent number: 9515333
    Abstract: A fluid resistance section outside a fuel cell can regulate the reactant flow against the pressure changes in the reaction zones of the electrodes, reducing the fluctuations in reactant flows to the fuel cell electrodes due to dynamic fluctuations in fluid pressure at the fuel cell electrode because of the release of gaseous products. The outside fluidic resistor can have resistance much higher than the resistance of the flow through the electrodes, thus effectively determining the amount of the reactant flow to the electrodes, independent of the electrode areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: NEAH POWER SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Tsali Cross, Derek Reiman, Matthew Carson, Joseph Schmeller
  • Silicon-based fuel cell electrode structures
    Patent number: 7198864
    Abstract: Fuels cells, electrode assemblies, and electrodes that comprise silicon and/or sol-gel derived support structures, as well as to methods relating thereto, are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to an electrode assembly adapted for use with a fuel cell comprises: an anode derived from a first planar silicon substrate; an electrolyte; a cathode derived from a second planar silicon substrate; wherein the anode and the cathode are parallel to each other and separated by an interstitial region comprising the electrolyte. In another embodiment, the invention is directed to electrode adapted for use with a fuel cell, wherein the electrode comprises a silicon substrate that functions as a current conductor, wherein the silicon substrate has a plurality of pores that define pore surfaces, wherein at least a portion of the pore surfaces have a catalyst thereon, wherein the catalyst is derived from one or more metallic precursors chemisorbed onto at least the pore surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Neah Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Leroy J. Ohlsen
  • Fuel cells having silicon substrates and/or sol-gel derived support structures
    Patent number: 6852443
    Abstract: Fuels cells, electrode assemblies, and electrodes that comprise silicon and/or sol-gel derived support structures, as well as to methods relating thereto, are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to an electrode assembly adapted for use with a fuel cell comprises: an anode derived from a first planar silicon substrate; an electrolyte; a cathode derived from a second planar silicon substrate; wherein the anode and the cathode are parallel to each other and separated by an interstitial region comprising the electrolyte. In another embodiment, the invention is directed to electrode adapted for use with a fuel cell, wherein the electrode comprises a silicon substrate that functions as a current conductor, wherein the silicon substrate has a plurality of pores that define pore surfaces, wherein at least a portion of the pore surfaces have a catalyst thereon, wherein the catalyst is derived from one or more metallic precursors chemisorbed onto at least the pore surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Neah Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Leroy J. Ohlsen
  • Porous silicon undercut etching deterrent masks and related methods
    Patent number: 7205665
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to masked silicon structures and methods for making porous silicon in selected areas of a silicon substrate via anodic etching. The masked silicon structures comprise: (1) a frontside barrier layer; and (2) a backside opaque ohmic contact layer. The frontside barrier layer includes a plurality of discrete barrier openings bounded by a contiguous frontside portion of the barrier layer, thereby defining a first aperture having a first shape and a first center point. The backside opaque ohmic contact layer includes a second aperture bounded by a contiguous backside portion of the ohmic contact layer, thereby defining a second aperture having a second shape and a second center point. The first and second center points share a perpendicular axis. The first shape is substantially the same as the second shape but slightly larger, and is trans-concentrically positioned relative to the second shape about the shared axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Neah Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Vinh Chung, Jonathan Chan Mallari
  • Fuel cells having silicon substrates and/or sol-gel derived support structures
    Patent number: 6641948
    Abstract: Fuels cells, electrode assemblies, and electrodes that comprise silicon and/or sol-gel derived support structures, as well as to methods relating thereto, are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to an electrode assembly adapted for use with a fuel cell comprises: an anode derived from a first planar silicon substrate; an electrolyte; a cathode derived from a second planar silicon substrate; wherein the anode and the cathode are parallel to each other and separated by an interstitial region comprising the electrolyte. In another embodiment, the invention is directed to electrode adapted for use with a fuel cell, wherein the electrode comprises a silicon substrate that functions as a current conductor, wherein the silicon substrate has a plurality of pores that define pore surfaces, wherein at least a portion of the pore surfaces have a catalyst thereon, wherein the catalyst is derived from one or more metallic precursors chemisorbed onto at least the pore surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Neah Power Systems Inc
    Inventors: Leroy J. Ohlsen, Aaron M. Cooke, Jonathan C. Mallari, Chung M. Chan, Gordon L. Rice, Craig E. Nelson
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