Abstract: Glass-ceramic sealants for ceramic membrane reactors, ceramic membrane sealed to holders or substrates and methods of making seals between two ceramic materials or between a ceramic and a metal or metal alloy are provided. These sealants combine silicate glass-ceramic materials with selected metal oxides and, optionally, materials similar or identical to the materials being sealed, and employ thermal processing so that the resultant materials will have a thermal expansion coefficient that substantially matches the thermal expansion coefficients of the two materials. Surfaces of the ceramic sealant that are exposed to reactive atmospheres can be protected by providing a metal or metallic alloy layer over the ceramic seal.

Abstract: This invention relates to catalytic reactor membranes having a gas-impermeable membrane for transport of oxygen anions. The membrane has an oxidation surface and a reduction surface. The membrane is coated on its oxidation surface with an adherent catalyst layer and is optionally coated on its reduction surface with a catalyst that promotes reduction of an oxygen-containing species (e.g., O2, NO2, SO2, etc.) to generate oxygen anions on the membrane. The reactor has an oxidation zone and a reduction zone separated by the membrane. A component of an oxygen containing gas in the reduction zone is reduced at the membrane and a reduced species in a reactant gas in the oxidation zone of the reactor is oxidized. The reactor optionally contains a three-dimensional catalyst in the oxidation zone. The adherent catalyst layer and the three-dimensional catalyst are selected to promote a desired oxidation reaction, particularly a partial oxidation of a hydrocarbon.

Abstract: This invention provides a fiber optic sensor and sensor devices for the reversible detection of basic gas analytes, including hydrazine, alkyl hydrazines, amines, ammonia, and related chemical species. The optical fiber sensor is formed in an optical fiber which conventionally comprises an optical fiber core and a cladding layer. Transducer molecules are immobilized in contact with an exposed surface of the fiber core to allow interaction of the immobilized species with analytes in the environment around the sensor. Preferred transducer molecules for detection of basic gases, particularly hydrazine and hydrazine derivatives, are xanthene dyes and triphenylmethane dyes, including malachite green and crystal violet. The sensors of this invention can be employed in a variety of device configurations including single-site sensors and multiple-site sensor networks.

Abstract: Efficient and cost-effective electrochemical devices and processes for the remediation of aqueous waste streams. The invention provides electrolytic cells having a high surface area spouted electrode for removal of heavy metals and oxidation of organics from aqueous environments. Heavy metal ions are reduced, deposited on cathode particles of a spouted bed cathode and removed from solution. Organics are efficiently oxidized at anode particles of a spouted bed anode and removed from solution. The method of this inventions employs an electrochemical cell having an anolyte compartment and a catholyte compartment, separated by a microporous membrane, in and through which compartments anolyte and catholyte, respectively, are circulated. A spouted-bed electrode is employed as the cathode for metal deposition from contaminated aqueous media introduced as catholyte and as the anode for oxidation of organics from contaminated aqueous media introduced as anolyte.

Abstract: Mixed electron- and proton-conducting metal oxide materials are provided. These materials are useful in fabrication of membranes for use in catalytic membrane reactions, particularly for promoting dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons, oligomerization of hydrocarbons and for the decomposition of hydrogen-containing gases. Membrane materials are perovskite compounds of the formula: AB1−xB′xO3−y where A=Ca, Sr, or Ba; B=Ce, Tb, Pr or Th; B′=Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni or Cu; 0.2≦x≦0.5, and y is a number sufficient to neutralize the charge in the mixed metal oxide material.

Abstract: A process for production of synthesis gas employing a catalytic membrane reactor wherein the membrane comprises a mixed metal oxide material.

Abstract: This invention provides mixed conducting metal oxides particularly useful for the manufacture of catalytic membranes for gas-phase oxygen separation processes. The materials of this invention have the general formula:A.sub.x A'.sub.x A".sub.2-(x+x') B.sub.y B'.sub.y B".sub.2-(y+y') O.sub.5+z ;wherex and x' are greater than 0;y and y' are greater than 0;x+x' is less than or equal to 2;y+y' is less than or equal to 2;z is a number that makes the metal oxide charge neutral;A is an element selected from the f block lanthanide elements; A' is an element selected from Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and Ra;A" is an element selected from the f block lanthanides or Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and Ra; B is an element selected from the group consisting of Al, Ga, In or mixtures thereof; andB' and B" are different elements and are independently selected from the group of elements Mg or the d-block transition elements.

Abstract: Ceramics of the composition:Ln.sub.x Sr.sub.2-x-y Ca.sub.y B.sub.z M.sub.2-z O.sub.5+.delta.where Ln is an element selected from the fblock lanthanide elements and yttrium or mixtures thereof; B is an element selected from Al, Ga, In or mixtures thereof; M is a d-block transition element of mixtures thereof; 0.01.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.1.0; 0.01.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.7; 0.01.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.1.0 and .delta. is a number that varies to maintain charge neutrality are provided. These ceramics are useful in ceramic membranes and exhibit high ionic conductivity, high chemical stability under catalytic membrane reactor conditions and low coefficients of expansion. The materials of the invention are particularly useful in producing synthesis gas.

Abstract: Mixed electron- and proton-conducting metal oxide materials are provided. These materials are useful in fabrication of membranes for use in catalytic membrane reactions, particularly for promoting dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons, oligomerization of hydrocarbons and for the decomposition of hydrogen-containing gases. Membrane materials are perovskite compounds of the formula:AB.sub.1-x B'.sub.x O.sub.3-ywhere A=Ca, Sr, or Ba; B=Ce, Tb, Pr or Th; B'=Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni or Cu; 0.2<x<0.5, and y is a number sufficient to neutralize the charge in the mixed metal oxide material.

Abstract: This invention relates to gas-impermeable, solid state materials fabricated into membranes for use in catalytic membrane reactors. This invention particularly relates to solid state oxygen anion- and electron-mediating membranes for use in catalytic membrane reactors for promoting partial or full oxidation of different chemical species, for decomposition of oxygen-containing species, and for separation of oxygen from other gases. Solid state materials for use in the membranes of this invention include mixed metal oxide compounds having the brownmillerite crystal structure.

Abstract: The invention provides various solid catalysts for decomposition of exhaust gases. Catalysts include, among others, those of formula Ce.sub.0.5 La.sub.0.4 Sr.sub.0.1 Pd.sub.0.025 O.sub.3x and BiCo.sub.0.8 Cu.sub.0.2 O.sub.3x. The invention also relates to catalytic reactors for decomposition of exhaust gases utilizing solid catalysts of the invention. The invention further provides methods for synthesis of various mixed metal oxide catalysts for decomposition of exhaust gas pollutants.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reactive plasma surfacing includes at least two electrodes between which reactive gases are passed. The reactive gases are ionized by the arc between the electrodes, creating a plasma of heated, ionized, reactive gases. The plasma is then applied to a surface to be treated, causing a chemical reaction between the plasma and the surface and resulting in a new diffusional substrate surface on the treated object. The process occurs at substantially atmospheric pressure, and may include an inert gas to shield the process from the surrounding environment.

Abstract: This invention provides catalytic proton and electron mediating membranes useful in catalytic reactors. The membranes have an oxidation and a reduction surface and comprise a single-phase mixed metal oxide material of the formula:AB.sub.1-x B'.sub.x O.sub.3-ywherein A is selected from Ca, Sr or Ba ions; B is selected from Ce, Tb, Pr, or Th ions; B' is selected from Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Al, Ga, or In ions, or combinations thereof; and x is greater than or equal to 0.02 and less than or equal to 0.5. The membranes can further comprise a catalyst on either the oxidation or reduction surface, or both. Membranes include those which are fabricated-by combining powders of metal oxides or metal carbonates of metal A ion, metal B ion and metal B' ion such that the stoichiometric ratio A:B:B' is 1:1-x:x where 0.2.ltoreq..times.0.5, repeatedly calcining and milling the combined powders until a single-phase material is obtained and pressing and sintering the singlephase material to obtain a membrane.

Abstract: A method of machining the surface of an electrically conductive workpiece by application of a voltage to an electrically conductive tool spaced apart from the workpiece and moving the tool to shape or pattern the workpiece wherein variable flow of fluid is provided in the space between the tool and the workpiece. The fluid contains suspended insoluble interactive particles that are electrically conductive or are ionically conductive, but electronically insulating. The suspended particles came intermittent electrical short circuiting between the tool and the workpiece to prevent catastrophic and uncontrolled sparking or arcing during machining.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell for generating hydrogen peroxide is provided including a cathode containing a catalyst for the reduction of oxygen, and an anode containing a catalyst for the oxidation of water. A polymer membrane, semipermeable to either protons or hydroxide ions is also included and has a first face interfacing to the cathode and a second face interfacing to the anode so that when a stream of water containing dissolved oxygen or oxygen bubbles is passed over the cathode and a stream of water is passed over the anode, and an electric current is passed between the anode and the cathode, hydrogen peroxide is generated at the cathode and oxygen is generated at the anode.

Abstract: A solid-state multi-color electrochromic display cell having a distinct organic electrochromic chemical layer having one side immediately adjacent a display electrode and the other side adjacent a solid electrolyte.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for electrochemically separating alkali oxides to simultaneously generate oxygen gas and liquid alkali metals in a high temperature electrolytic cell is provided. The high temperature electrolytic cell comprises a cathode in contact with an alkali ion conducting molten salt electrolyte separated from the anode by an oxygen vacancy conducting solid electrolyte. Alkali metals separated in the alkali metal reducing half cell reaction are useful as reducing agents in the direct thermochemical refining of lunar metal oxide ores to produce metallic species and alkali oxides, and the alkali oxides may then be recycled to the high temperature electrolytic cell.

Abstract: A high energy density lithium-oxygen secondary cell comprising a lithium-containing negative electrode in contact with a lithium ion conducting molten salt electrolyte separated from the positive electrode by an oxygen ion conducting solid electrolyte. Upon electrochemical cell charging, unit activity lithium is deposited at the interface of the negative electrode with the molten salt electrolyte and oxygen gas is evolved at the positive electrode.

Abstract: A solid-state multi-color electrochromic display cell having a water soluble organic electrochromic chemical dissolved in water associated with an ionically conducting polymer of a solid electrolyte. The water may be present in a water containing polymer or may be water of emulsion of a non-water containing polymer. The solid electrolyte layer has one side immediately adjacent a display electrode and the other side adjacent a cell separator.

Abstract: A high temperature, electrochemically reversible cell system comprising a divalent cation conducting solid electrolyte in contact with a positive electrode and a solid-state negative electrode contacting a divalent cation conducting molten salt providing ionic mediation to the solid electrolyte is disclosed. Suitable divalent cations include Ca.sup.2+ ; Sr.sup.2+ ; Ba.sup.2+ ; Zn.sup.2+ ; Cd.sup.2+ ; Pb.sup.2+ ; Hg.sup.2+ ; and Mn.sup.2+. According to a preferred embodiment, Ca.sup.2+ beta"-alumina solid electrolyte is in solid-state contact to a transition metal doped Ca.sup.2+ beta"-alumina positive electrode, and a solid-state calcium alloy negative electrode contacts a calcium halide molten salt providing ionic mediation to the solid-state Ca.sup.2+ beta"-alumina electrolyte.