Abstract: The instant invention is a novel method for definitive pelvic stabilization. The method uses the already established principles of anterior external fixation combined with internal hardware placed in a minimally invasive fashion. Pedicle screws are affixed to the ilia and a rigid, bowed fixation rod is connected between the pedicle screws. Preferably the pedicle screws are attached to the supra-acetabular area of each of the ilium of the pelvis and the fixation rod is bowed anteriorly away from the pelvis.

Abstract: A base-facilitated process for producing hydrogen. Hydrogen is produced from a reaction of carbonaceous matter with a base and water, preferably through the formation of a bicarbonate or carbonate by-product. The base-facilitated hydrogen-producing reactions are thermodynamically more spontaneous and are able to produce hydrogen gas at less extreme reaction conditions than conventional reformation or gasification reactions of carbonaceous matter. In another embodiment, the instant reactions permit the production of hydrogen from carbonaceous matter without the production of carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide. In a preferred embodiment, the carbonaceous matter is coal or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: A method for passivating short circuit defects in a thin film large area photovoltaic device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is provided. The method employs a passivation agent and a counter electrode disposed in said passivation agent. The method includes controlling an application of current between the substrate of said photovoltaic device and said counter electrode so as to ensure high selectivity of modification of a transparent conductive oxide material of said photovoltaic module adjacent said short circuit defect, while leaving the transparent conductive oxide material of said photovoltaic module of non-defect areas in its unmodified form.

Abstract: A method for converting nickel into a nickel salt solution. Nickel is dissolved and reacted in an oxygen-enriched acidic solution to produce a nickel salt solution as illustrated in the following chemical equation, wherein X is a conjugate base: Ni+H2X+½O2->NiX+H2O.

Abstract: An onboard hydrogen storage unit for a hydrogen powered vehicle including one or more hydrogen storage vessels at least partially filled with a hydrogen storage material which stores hydrogen in metal hydride form. During operation of the hydrogen powered vehicle heat is provided to the hydrogen storage material within the one or more hydrogen storage vessels to aid in desorption of hydrogen from the hydrogen storage material. During hydrogen refueling, heat of hydride formation is removed from the hydrogen storage material within the one or more hydrogen storage vessels to aid in absorption of hydrogen into the hydrogen storage material. The heat of hydride formation is removed from the one or more hydrogen storage vessels via a heat transfer fluid circulated and/or cooled by a stream of compressed air.

Abstract: A low temperature alkaline fuel cell having a hydrogen electrode and an oxygen electrode, both of which are comprised of high performance non-precious metal catalytic materials providing high performance at low temperatures.

Abstract: A method of producing hydrogen gas from a reaction of carbon monoxide with a base. Hydrogen is produced in a reaction of a base with carbon monoxide that proceeds through the formation of a bicarbonate or carbonate compound as a by-product. In some embodiments, the reaction may occur in the presence of water and may produce carbon dioxide as a by-product. The instant base-facilitated hydrogen-producing reactions are thermodynamically more spontaneous than the water-gas shift reaction and are able to produce hydrogen gas from carbon monoxide at greater reaction rates than is possible with the water-gas shift reaction. Carbon monoxide in a purified or unpurified state or as a component within a mixture of gases is suitable for use in the instant invention. Metal hydroxides are the preferred base reactant. The base reactant can be in the solid phase, molten phase, liquid phase or solution phase.

Abstract: A system for the solid state storage of hydrogen in accordance with several exemplary embodiments is disclosed herein. The system includes a plurality of hydrogen storage containers. Each hydrogen storage container of the plurality of hydrogen storage containers has an inner chamber and an inlet. The inlet provides a pathway for introducing hydrogen gas into the inner chamber. The inner chamber having a solid hydrogen storage medium disposed therein. The system further includes an endplate manifold having a hydrogen receiving port, a plurality of hydrogen outlet ports, and a flow channel. The hydrogen flow channel is integrated into the endplate manifold. Each hydrogen outlet port is in fluid communication with the inlet of one of the plurality of hydrogen storage containers. The hydrogen flow channel provides fluid communication between the hydrogen receiving port and each hydrogen outlet port.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for elevating the operating voltage in a fuel cell having a hydrogen electrode with hydrogen storage capacity and/or an oxygen electrode with oxygen storage capacity. The fuel cell is able to sustain the elevated voltage through application of an electrical current to the fuel cell resulting in the charging of the hydrogen electrode and/or the oxygen electrode.

Abstract: A base-facilitated process for producing hydrogen. Hydrogen is produced from a reaction of carbonaceous matter with a base and water, preferably through the formation of a bicarbonate or carbonate by-product. The base-facilitated hydrogen-producing reactions are thermodynamically more spontaneous and are able to produce hydrogen gas at less extreme reaction conditions than conventional reformation or gasification reactions of carbonaceous matter. In another embodiment, the instant reactions permit the production of hydrogen from carbonaceous matter without the production of carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide. In a preferred embodiment, the carbonaceous matter is coal or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: A fuel cell. The anode of the fuel cell comprises a hydrogen oxidation catalyst comprising a finely divided metal alloy particulate. The metal alloy particulate has an average particle size of less than about 100 Angstroms.

Abstract: A method of producing hydrogen gas from a reaction of an organic substance having multiple alcohol functionality with a base. Hydrogen can be produced in a reaction of a base with an organic substance having multiple alcohol functionality that may proceed through the formation of a bicarbonate or carbonate compound as a byproduct. In some embodiments, the reaction may occur in the presence of water. The preferred organic substances include diols, triols, and higher order alcohols. Non-cyclic (linear or branched) organic substances having multiple alcohol functionality are among the preferred reactants. The instant base-facilitated hydrogen-producing reactions are thermodynamically more spontaneous than the corresponding conventional reformation reactions of the organic substances and can produce hydrogen at less extreme reaction conditions. The preferred reactants further include low volatility organic substances having multiple alcohol functionality.

Abstract: A nano-particulate reticulated foam-like structure, which includes particles having a size of 10-200 nanometers. The particles are joined together to form a reticulated foam-like structure. The reticulated foam-like structure is similar to the structure of carbon nano-foam. The nano-particulate reticulated foam-like structure may comprise a metal, such as a hydrogen storage ahoy, either a gas-phase thermal or an electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy. The nano-particulate reticulated foam-like structure may alternatively comprise a hydroxide such as nickel hydroxide or manganese hydroxide or an oxide, such as a silver oxide or a copper oxide. When the nano-particulate reticulated foam-like structure is a hydrogen storage alloy, the material exhibits substantial immunity to hydrogen cycling decrepitation and an increase in the reversible hydrogen storage capacity by reduction of trapped hydrogen by at least 10% as compared to the same alloy in bulk form.

Abstract: A method of making a catalyst. The method comprises the step of leaching a portion of the bulk of an alloy. The alloy may be a hydrogen storage alloy.

Abstract: A deck plank cover made from a plastic material, such as a vinyl or HDPE or Wood composite, wherein the deck plank cover is designed to be affixed to the top surface of a preexisting deck plank. The deck plank cover is useful for repairing or protecting mildly deteriorated or deteriorating wooden deck planks of typical wooden decks. The deck plank cover may be affixed directly to the top surface of the existing wooden deck planks, and serves to substantially protect the wooden deck planks from further exposure to the elements. The deck plank cover uses inwardly angled side portions and wood engaging fillets to adhere to the deck planks without the need for screws, nails, or adhesives.

Abstract: A hybrid fuel cell/battery including one or more electrochemical cell units comprising at least one cathode, at least one anode, and at least one auxiliary electrode. The auxiliary electrode works in combination with the anode to provide a current as a rechargeable battery while the anode and cathode work in combination to provide an electrical current as a fuel cell. The cathode and the auxiliary electrode may operate alone or in tandem to provide an electrical current.

Abstract: A modular metal hydride hydrogen storage unit utilizing compartmentalization to maintain a uniform metal hydride powder density thereby reducing strain on the vessel due to repeated cycling. The modular metal hydride hydrogen storage unit may be constructed using prefabricated pressure containment vessels.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage battery with improved cycle life and a method for making the same. The battery has a negative electrode with an electrochemically active negative material and a negative electrode capacity and a positive electrode electrochemically coupled with the negative electrode, the positive electrode having a positive electrode capacity and an electrochemically active positive material with a precharge. Also described herein is a positive electrode material for a hydrogen storage battery and a method for making the same. The positive electrode material includes a preoxidized positive active material which is partially non-oxidized. The preoxidized positive material may be used to provide precharge to the positive electrode of a hydrogen storage battery to aid in cell balancing.

Abstract: Electrochemical and gas phase hydrogen storage alloy compositions that provide superior performance, especially at low temperature, and excellent cycle life characteristics. The alloys of this invention are AB5 type alloys that include a cycle life enhancement element and a low Co concentration. The preferred cycle life enhancement elements include Zr and Si. The cycle life enhancement elements increase the cycle life of the instant alloys by reducing the pulverization of alloy particles upon repeated cycles of charging-discharging or hydriding-dehydriding. The alloys are characterized by low hysteresis on cycling, where hysteresis is measured in terms of mass concentration difference, a parameter related to the activation energy associated with the incorporation of hydrogen into the alloy. The instant alloys are designed to have a low activation energy for hydrogen incorporation and as a result, provide low hysteresis and a more uniform concentration of absorbed hydrogen within the material.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a process for making nickel sulfate by converting nickel metal into nickel sulfate, which may be converted to nickel hydroxide. Nickel metal is dissolved in sulfuric acid and oxygen containing gas is introduced to produce a nickel sulfate solution having nickel sulfate and water as illustrated in the following chemical equation. Ni+H2SO4+½O2?NiSO4+H2O The nickel sulfate is filtered and sulfuric acid is continually added to maintain stoichiometry within a reactor until the nickel metal is dissolved. The sulfuric acid, oxygen containing gas and nickel metal may be heated to facilitate the desired reaction. Then, the nickel sulfate may be utilized to produce nickel hydroxide.