Abstract: An active element for an electrochemical apparatus or an electrical energy generating apparatus may include a plane or curved, generally plate-type, sheet-type or mesh-type support body. A surface of the support body is at least partly (preferably entirely) coated with amorphous nickel boron or nickel thallium boron or a similar amorphous, columnar growth boron containing coating having a nodular topography.

Abstract: A hydrogen-developing body of an apparatus for producing hydrogen from an electrolyte solution is disclosed. The hydrogen-developing body is formed from magnesium (Mg) or zinc (Zn) or the like, or an alloy thereof, or has an electrolyte-contacting surface which is formed from magnesium (Mg) or zinc (Zn) or the like, or an alloy thereof. The electrolyte-contacting surface has regions formed from iron (Fe) or a Fe alloy, or the like, which are pellet-shaped and stochastically embedded into the surface such that the Fe/Fe alloy pellets are exposed to the environment of the body.