Abstract: Fuel cells incorporating a novel ion-conducting membrane are disclosed. The membrane comprises a plurality of acid-stable polymer molecules each having at least one ion-conducting component covalently bonded to at least one flexible connecting component. The membrane has ion-conducting components of the polymer molecules ordered such that a plurality of continuous ion-conducting channels penetrate the membrane from a first face to a second face and such that the ion-conducting channels are situated in an elastic matrix formed by the flexible connecting components. A preferred membrane is obtained by (1) sulfonating SEBS with sulfur trioxide under conditions that result in greater than 25 mol % sulfonation and (2) heating the polymer.

Abstract: Fuel cells incorporating a novel ion-conducting membrane are disclosed. The membrane comprises a plurality of acid-stable polymer molecules each having at least one ion-conducting component covalently bonded to at least one flexible connecting component. The membrane has ion-conducting components of the polymer molecules ordered such that a plurality of continuous ion-conducting channels penetrate the membrane from a first face to a second face and such that the ion-conducting channels are situated in an elastic matrix formed by the flexible connecting components. A preferred membrane is obtained by (1) sulfonating SEBS with sulfur trioxide under conditions that result in greater than 25 mol % sulfonation and (2) heating the polymer.

Abstract: A system for providing within the cockpit of an aircraft to the operator thereof a dynamic indication of climatic conditions at an airport. Such climatic conditions might include wind direction, wind speed, visibility, barometric pressure, temperature, and cloud height, among others. A transmitting station within the airport includes one or more climatic condition sensors such as a wind vane, an anemometer, a barometer, etc., an encoder for providing an encoded signal indicative of the sensed climatic conditions, and a radio transmitter for transmitting the encoded signal. A receiving station within the aircraft includes a radio receiver for receiving the transmitted encoded signal, a decoder for decoding the encoded signal to provide the dynamic climatic condition data, and a display for displaying that data.