Abstract: An improved seal member is provided as a part of an electrochromic device to bond two glass elements together in a spaced-apart relationship. In one embodiment the seal member provides improved adhesion to a reflector/electrode on the third surface of an electrochromic mirror, or to a layer of metal on the second or third surface for an electrochromic light filter. This seal member comprises a mixture of an organic resin scaling system and an adhesion promoter, where the adhesion promotor comprises a first and a second region, where the first region interacts with the reflector/electrode or the metal layer, and a second region that interacts with the organic resin sealing system, and may even chemically react with the organic resin sealing system. In another embodiment the seal member is provided with a coefficient of thermal expansion that is closer to glass than a standard epoxy sealing system.

Abstract: Electrochromic compounds capable of reversibly attenuating the transmittance of the near infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum are provided. These compounds exhibit an energy difference between the singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) energy and the highest doubly occupied molecular orbital (HDOMO) energy (ESOMO−EHDOMO) of less than about 3.6 eV. In addition, these compounds have a transition moment of the configuration made up of the HDOMO and SOMO that is “long axis polarized”.

Abstract: An electrochromic medium for use in a normally operating electrochromic device comprising an anodic material and a cathodic material wherein both of the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactive and at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is electrochromic, an additive, and means associated with the additive for maintaining a colorless or nearly colorless electrochromic medium while the electrochromic medium is in a high transmission state relative to an electrochromic medium without the additive.

Abstract: An interconnect for a solid oxide fuel cell comprises a gas separator plate and at least one fill material. The gas separator plate includes at least one via extending therethrough. The at least one fill material is positioned within the at least one via, and operatively associated with at least one of a cathode or anode. The invention likewise includes a method for manufacturing the interconnect for a solid oxide fuel cell.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell, and an associated process, wherein the cell includes a controlled electrode surface comprising an electrode with a metallic current collector having a surface, an electrolyte and a reduced additive. The invention further includes a passivating layer at the interface between the metallic current collector and the electrolyte. The passivating layer includes the reduced additive. This passivating layer substantially precludes contact between electrolyte solvent and surface of the metallic current collector to, in turn, substantially prevent gas formation within the cell, which would otherwise result from decomposition of the solvent upon contact with the surface of the metallic current collector. Also, the reduced additive will likewise be substantially precluded from generating a gas upon its decomposition.

Abstract: A device for transdermal administration of medication includes a medication reservoir, a set of electrodes made up of an electrode attached to the medication reservoir and a counter electrode, an electronic key loaded with a predetermined code, an electronic module, separably mounted on the set of electrodes, for reading and operating the device according to the predetermined code and for regulating the electric current flowing between the two electrodes and through the reservoir and skin of the patient, and a cradle for holding the electronic module.

Abstract: An improved seal member is provided as a part of an electrochromic device to bond two glass elements together in a spaced-apart relationship. In one embodiment the seal member provides improved adhesion to a reflector/electrode on the third surface of an electrochromic mirror, or to a layer of metal on the second or third surface for an electrochromic light filter. This seal member comprises a mixture of an organic resin sealing system and an adhesion promoter, where the adhesion promotor comprises a first and a second region, where the first region interacts with the reflector/electrode or the metal layer, and a second region that interacts with the organic resin sealing system, and may even chemically react with the organic resin sealing system. In another embodiment the seal member is provided with a coefficient of thermal expansion that is closer to glass than a standard epoxy sealing system.

Abstract: An electrode for use in an electrolytic cell and an associated process, wherein the electrode includes a current collecting substrate, an electrode active material having at least one component including inclusions no greater than one micron within a carbon particle. The carbon particle has a dibutyl phthalate (DBP) absorption rate preferably within a range of approximately 52 ml/100 g to approximately 400 ml/100 g.

Abstract: A brush having a handle and associated surface application portion, which brush handle contains a beneficial agent generator. The brush typically has a stem with first and second ends, the first end serving as a handle. Bristles are associated with the stem's second end. A beneficial agent generator (such as an electrochemical gas generating cell) that generates a fluid comprising an oxidizing agent is encased within the stem. For treating teeth, the generator will generally be chosen to generate an oxidizing agent such as a peroxide, ozone, oxygen, or mixtures thereof. When the generator requires it, the brush will also include a battery and a switch associated with the stem and in electrical contact with the generator. The switch may be associated with the first stem end and will be in operable (e.g., electrical) contact with the electrochemical gas generating cell and the battery.

Abstract: A column repair jack, for repairing a column comprises a base, a lift member, an extending member, a releasable engaging member, a lift actuating member and a positioning member. The lift member is associated with the base member. The extending member includes a first end and a second end. The first end is associated with the lift member. The releasably engaging member, which is associated with the second end of the extending member, is capable of releasably engaging the column to be repaired. The positioning member positions at least a portion of the extending member at an angle relative to the column to be repaired. After attachment to a column, the lift actuating member facilitates the transfer of at least a portion of the load from the column to the column repair jack, to, in turn, facilitate repair of the column. The invention further comprises a method for attaching a column repair jack to a column to be repaired, for the repair of same.

Abstract: A transdermal drug applicator comprising at least two flexible drug reservoir units each having ends and being of a predetermined depth, and at least one medicament in at least one of the at least two reservoir units. Peripheral means are disposed entirely about the ends of the reservoir units for separating and insulating the reservoir units from each other along their predetermined depth to thereby preclude shorting out between the at least two reservoir units. Circuit means including battery means for electrically connecting the battery means to the at least two reservoir units, and means for covering the applicator including the at least two reservoir units leaving sides of the at least two reservoir units exposed for contacting the skin.

Abstract: A helmet comprising a helmet front half section, helmet rear half section and a locking assembly. The helmet front half section includes at least one engagement region. The helmet rear half section includes at least one corresponding engagement region. The locking assembly a structure for orientating the locking assembly between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the locking assembly results in secured engagement of the at least one engagement region of the front and rear helmet half sections with each other.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for releasing a volatile substance. The device includes a housing having an interior region, a volatile substance contained within the interior region, and the ability to controllably release the volatile substance from the housing. Such controllable release can be accomplished by the housing being substantially permeable to ambient air, yet substantially impermeable to the volatile substance contained within the interior region of the housing. Additionally, the invention contemplates the use of one or more porous plugs for diffusing the volatile substance therethrough and eventually into atmosphere in a vapor form. To assist such diffusion, the invention likewise contemplates the use of an electrochemical gas generating cell, a heating element and/or other features which allow air to controllably enter into the interior region of the housing.

Abstract: A primer material for use with an electrode. The primer includes a fluid medium and electrochemically inert particulate having a dimensional thickness greater than the dimensional thickness of the fluid medium after the fluid medium is at least partially dried.

Abstract: The invention comprises a control system for Arc Welding for steady and pulsed direct current welding with a single three-phase bridge converter (1) For steady direct current welding, output DC voltage (V.sub.d) and current (1.sub.d) are varied through the tapping of transformer (2). Finer voltages can be obtained through the variation of firing angles .alpha. of the thyristors of the converter (1). The contemplated control system can also be used for pulsed DC current welding with an impured dynamic response with less effort. The background current, which lies between the maximum and minimum firing angle .alpha. of the thyristors of the converter (1), is set by the transformation ratio of the transformer (2) and the pulsed current is superimposed thereon through the relatively rapid changing of the firing angle .alpha..

Abstract: The present invention is directed to both an electrolyte solution for use as a gel electrolyte in an electrolytic cell, and a process for making both the electrolyte gel and the electrolytic cell. The electrolyte solution comprises a polymerizable electrolyte material and a reinforcement polymer. The reinforcement polymer preferably consists of at least poly(methyl methacrylate), while the polymerizable electrolyte material comprises at least a solvent, a monomer, a polymerization initiator, and an ionic conductor. The use of a reinforcement polymer increases the homogeneity and thus the coatability of the electrolytic solution, while also improving the mechanical properties of the cured electrolyte gel.

Abstract: An electrode connector for securely holding a thin flexible electrode. The electrode connector includes a bottom jaw member and an upper jaw member that are selectively movable between an open position and a closed position. The upper jaw member and the bottom jaw member are biased into a closed position. The electrode connector includes an electrical contact assembly configured to provide electrical contact with the flexible electrode. The electrical contact assembly comprises a contact platform and a contact pin attached thereto. The contact platform is configured to form an electrical contact with the contact area of the flexible electrode. The contact pin is sized and configured to be at least partially disposed in the aperture formed in the flexible electrode such that upon the upperjaw member and the lower jaw member moving to the closed position electrical contact is formed and maintained with the contact area of the flexible electrode without permanently deforming the contact area thereof.

Abstract: A container for electrolytic cells, and an electrolytic cell associated with such a container. The container includes at least two container half members attachable to each other in a mating configuration. At least one barrier member defines a cell containing region within the container. Furthermore, a cover member, in combination with an adjacent barrier member, defines a lead housing region. Electrolytic cells, such as stacks of conventional flat battery cells, have a portion positioned within the cell containing region, while the portion of the electrolytic cells having electrically exposed leads are entrapped in electrically conducting contact with each other and another electrical lead associated with the cover member, in the lead housing region. The electrical lead associated with the cover member has a portion which extends externally to the container, so as to enable electrical contact with an external device.

Abstract: A zinc alloy anode-based electrochemical cell, which generates gases and/or energy, is disclosed. The structure of the cell is such that a zinc alloy anode material is the integral part of housing and is in contact with an alkaline electrolyte containing minor amounts of corrosion inhibitors. The electrolyte which contains no zinc powder metal, may be in direct contact with the cathode thereby simplifying cell construction by elimination of a separator material. The cell is environmentally friendly, containing no mercury or cadmium or other toxic metals and is cost effective as it eliminates expensive amalgamated zinc powder and separator material.