Abstract: This invention is a novel method for bioremediation of soil and ground water based on supplying hydrogen (H2) to naturally occurring anaerobic bacteria in the soil or ground water. These organisms use the hydrogen as an electron donor to perform adventitious chemical reactions including the dehalogenation of chlorinated organic compounds. The hydrogen can be supplied from a number of sources, including; stored hydrogen, hydrogen generated above ground on site, either electrochemically or by reforming a fuel source, or by electrolysis in the soil, either using an electric current supplied from above ground or an electric current generated by the corrosion of metal particles in the ground. For the last of these cases, a novel multi-metallic particle especially useful for the generation of hydrogen, and a method for making these particles, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for the decontamination of agricultural products by reacting the toxins and microorganisms, contaminating the product, with ozone. The ozone is generated on site and upon demand, thus eliminating ozone waste associated with long periods of ozone storage. The systems of the invention provide efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly use of ozone for product decontamination by optimizing the delivery of ozone to the contaminated product, monitoring and controlling the pressure in the treatment systems, monitoring and controlling the heat generated during the treatment of contaminated product with ozone, and controlling ozone release into the atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for analyzing reading skills comprised of recording and digitizing sound waves generated by a subject's voice in response to a series of stimuli. The sound waves are decomposed into sequences of articulation and pause periods. The articulation and pause periods are determined by first scanning the generated sound waves and identifying locations along the sound waves where the sound amplitude raises above or drops bellow a given value. The reading ability of the subject is profiled by analyzing the series of pause and/or articulation periods. The method allows for the diagnosis of reading deficiencies. Based on the diagnosed deficiencies in the subject's reading skills, drill exercises are proposed and rounds of testing and drill exercising are repeated until the diagnosed reading deficiencies are corrected. The method is particularly suitable for use in conjunction with computerized equipment.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved ionically conducting membranes having internal passages therethrough and methods for making the improved membranes. The membranes may be formed from any ionically conducting material. In particular, the membranes may be formed of a single ionically conducting material, such as in a cation-conductive or anion-conductive membrane, or a plurality of ionically conducting material, such as in a bipolar membrane having a cation-selective region, an anion-selective region, and an interfacial region between the anion-selective region and the cation-selective region.

Abstract: Methods for determining the parameters critical in designing an electrokinetic soil remediation process including electrode well spacing, operating current/voltage, electroosmotic flow rate, electrode well wall design, and amount of buffering or neutralizing solution needed in the electrode wells at operating conditions are disclosed These methods are preferably performed prior to initiating a full scale electrokinetic remediation process in order to obtain efficient remediation of the contaminants.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel inorganic-organic composite membranes especially useful as ionically conducting membranes in electrochemical devices. The composites consist of a polymeric matrix, which may or may not be an ionic conductor in its unfilled form, filled with an inorganic material having a high affinity for water, capable of exchanging cations such as protons, and preferably with a high cation mobility, either on its surface or through its bulk.

Abstract: This invention is an improved fuel cell design for use at low pressure. The invention has a reduced number of component parts to reduce fabrication costs, as well as a simpler design that permits the size of the system to be reduced at the same time as performance is being improved. In the present design, an adjacent anode and cathode pair are fabricated using a common conductive element, with that conductive element serving to conduct the current from one cell to the adjacent one. This produces a small and simple system suitable for operating with gas fuels or alternatively directly with liquid fuels, such as methanol, dimethoxymethane, or trimethoxymethane. The use of these liquid fuels permits the storage of more energy in less volume while at the same time eliminating the need for handling compressed gases which further simplifies the fuel cell system.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for assembling an electrochemical cell stack, or an assemblage of components which need to be clamped together, especially where minimizing the size and weight of the clamping mechanism is advantageous. The invention encompasses combining a band or strap to transmit load to a plurality of components. A metal link is provided to apply greater tension to the band than could normally be achieved with the band alone. The invention may provide a band having a spiral screw clamp wherein the screw portion is used to apply and control tension in the band and the band is used to transmit the tension to a plurality of components. The invention also provides systems that improve the distribution of the force over a portion of the assembly, preferably the entire area of at least one face of the assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for chemically heating a catalyst bed by feeding hydrogen to the catalyst. The invention also provides a method and apparatus for thermally conditioning a catalyst in order to enhance the conversion of unacceptable emissions (emanating from an internal combustion engine) into water and other acceptable emissions. In one aspect of the invention, hydrogen is supplied from an electrolyzer or other hydrogen source and injected into the monolith of a catalytic converter to more rapidly bring the catalyst to a light-off temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas humidifier for the humidification of reactant gases supplied to electrochemical devices such as electrolyzers and fuel cells. The humidifier provides a water permeable member, such as a polymer membrane in the form of a tube, sheet, tubulated sheet and the like, that can be saturated with water to allow evaporation of water into a gas stream passing over a water permeable member. The humidifier is compact and lightweight, yet provides efficient humidification of gases at flow rates as low as about 0.1 grams per minute of water.

Abstract: Methods of using ozone have been developed which sterilize instruments and medical wastes, oxidize organics found in wastewater, clean laundry, break down contaminants in soil into a form more readily digested by microbes, kill microorganisms present in food products, and destroy toxins present in food products. The preferred methods for killing microorganisms and destroying toxins use pressurized, humidified, and concentrated ozone produced by an electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A control system is described for a system that delivers hydrogen to the exhaust system of a vehicle and other parts of the vehicle. The control system controls the operation of valves for delivering hydrogen in a variety of different methods to the vehicle exhaust system, so the catalytic converter may be preheated in order to bring the catalytic converter to full functioning level very rapidly. The control system also controls the generation of hydrogen by electrolysis, the on-board diagnostics of the system, and the delivery of hydrogen to the vehicle's exhaust system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bipolar membrane and methods for making and using the membrane. The bipolar membrane comprises a cation-selective region, an anion-selective region, an interfacial region between the anion-selective region and the cation-selective region, and means for delivering fluid directly into the interfacial region. The means for delivering fluid includes passages that may comprise a fluid-permeable material, a wicking material, an open passage disposed within the membrane or some combination thereof. The passages may be provided in many shapes, sizes and configurations, but preferably deliver fluid directly to the interfacial region so that the rate of electrodialysis is no longer limited by the diffusion of fluid through the cation- or anion-selective regions to the interfacial region.

Abstract: The invention provides devices and techniques for reducing or eliminating fuel crossover from the anode to the cathode in fuel cells using organic fuels. The invention particularly provides proton exchange membranes having passages or channels with or without a catalyst layer active for the electrochemical oxidation of a fuel. The invention reduces fuel crossover by providing void spaces within the membrane where the fuel may be sequestered as it diffuses through the membrane from the anode to the cathode. The sequestered fuel may be removed physically and/or electrochemically. The invention provides for physical removal of the sequestered fuel by means of flowing a gas stream or a liquid stream through the passages thus evacuating the fuel before it diffuses to the cathode.

Abstract: The present invention provides electronically conducting polymer films formed from photosensitive formulations of pyrrole and an electron acceptor that have been selectively exposed to UV light, laser light, or electron beams. The formulations may include photoinitiators, flexibilizers, solvents and the like. These formulations can be used to manufacture multichip modules on typical multichip module substrates, such as alumina, fiberglass epoxy, silicon and polyimide. The formulations and methods of the invention enable the formation of passive electronic circuit elements such as resistors, capacitors and inductors in multichip modules or printed wiring boards.