Abstract: A combine bulk storage/single stage metal hydride compressor, a hydrogen storage alloy therefore and a hydrogen transportation/distribution infrastructure which incorporates the combine bulk storage/single stage metal hydride compressor.

Abstract: Non-binary methods of computing utilizing a digital multistate phase change material. Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are accomplished with the controlled application of energy to a phase change material. In one embodiment, energy in an amount insufficient to set the reset state of a phase change material is provided to store one or more numbers and further energy characteristic of the performance of a mathematical operation is provided to effect a computation. The set energy of the reset state of a phase change material provides an interval of energy that may be used to define programming states along the high resistance portion of the electrical resistance response curve of a phase change material. By sub-dividing this interval of energy, a plurality of programming states can be defined which are distinguishable in energy relative to the reset state.

Abstract: Hydrogen propelled fuel cell vehicle system designs that reduce the relative cost of releasing hydrogen from hydrogen storage alloys by providing and/or utilizing secondary sources of heat to supply the heat of desorption of stored hydrogen. The secondary source can include combusting conventional secondary (non-hydrogen) fuels. The fuel supply system uses fundamentally new magnesium-based hydrogen storage alloy materials which for the first time make it feasible and practical to use solid state storage and delivery of hydrogen to power fuel cell vehicles. These exceptional alloys have remarkable hydrogen storage capacity of over 7 weight % coupled with extraordinary absorption kinetics such that the alloy powder absorbs 80% of its total capacity within 1.5 minutes at 300° C. and a cycle life of at least 2000 cycles without loss of capacity or kinetics.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage unit which uses hydrogen storage alloys to store hydrogen, and more particularly a heat transfer management/compartmentalization system for use in such system. The hydrogen storage alloy may be divided into compartments, separated by discs, further divided into sub-compartments by a flapper wheel. The discs and flapper wheel provide for optimal heat transfer throughout the system. The compartmentalization of the vessel may prevent compaction of the hydrogen storage alloys, which could lead to excessive strain on the vessel causing damage, deformation, or rupture of the vessel.

Abstract: A magnesium hydrogen storage alloy that has been hydrided and compacted into highly dense pellets for shipment and use, a method for making said magnesium alloy and a method for the safe, economical shipment of said hydrided magnesium hydrogen storage material.

Abstract: Fuel cell cathodes and instant startup fuel cells employing the cathode. The cathodes operate through the mechanism of redox couples which uniquely provide multiple degrees of freedom in selecting the operating voltages available for such fuel cells. Such cathodes provide the fuel cells in which they are used a “buffer” or “charge” of oxidizer available within the cathode at all times.

Abstract: A reversible hydrogen storage alloy capable of absorbing approximately 4 weight percent hydrogen and desorbing up to 2.8 weight percent hydrogen at temperatures up to 100° C. The hydrogen storage alloy is generally composed of titanium, vanadium, chromium, and manganese. Additional elements such as zirconium, yttrium, iron, nickel, zinc, molybdenum, and tantalum may also be included in the alloy.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy active material for the anode of Ovonic instant startup/regenerative fuel cells. The active material includes a hydrogen storage alloy material with a water reactive chemical hydride additive, which, upon utilization of the active material in an anode of an alkaline electrolyte fuel cell, gives the anode added benefits, not attainable by using hydrogen storage alloy material alone. These added benefits include 1) precharge of the hydrogen storage material with hydrogen; 2) higher porosity/increased surface area/reduced electrode polarization at high currents; 3) simplified, faster activation of the hydrogen storage alloy; and 4) optionally, enhanced corrosion protection for the hydrogen storage alloy.

Abstract: A nonreversible metal hydride for use as a hydrogen fuel. The nonreversible metal hydride is formed from an intermetallic compound having the formula Ca1+aLi2+b. The Ca1+aLi2+b is formed by melting amounts of elemental lithium and calcium together by induction heating in an argon atmosphere. The Ca1+aLi2+b is cooled and crushed into a powder. The alloy powder is subsequently hydrogenated at ambient temperatures or lower. Resulting is a metal hydride having exceptional reactivity to water during hydrolysis due to its nano-crystalline structure. Dehydrogenation of the metal hydride does not regularly occur due to the absorbed hydrogen being chemically bonded to the lithium and calcium. The Ca1+aLi2+b hydride may be used in a variety of applications as a hydrogen fuel and the Ca1+aLi2+b alloy may be used as a desiccant for removing moisture from hydrogen or hydrogen containing streams.

Abstract: A combine bulk storage/single stage metal hydride compressor, a hydrogen storage alloy therefore and a hydrogen transportation/distribution infrastructure which incorporates the combine bulk storage/single stage metal hydride compressor.

Abstract: Atomically engineered hydrogen storage alloys which include a spectrum of hydrogen bonding energies and multiple hydride phases which extends and enhances their storage capacity at high pressures and high pressure hydrogen storage units which contain a variable amount of these hydrogen storage alloys therein to enhance the storage capacity of the unit beyond that obtainable by conventional alloys or pressurized hydrogen gas alone.

Abstract: An electrochemically stabilized Ca—Ni hydrogen storage alloy material for use as the active negative electrode material of an alkaline electrochemical cell. The alloy material includes at least one modifier element which stabilizes the alloy material from degradation during electrochemical cycling in an alkaline cell, by protecting calcium within the alloy and preventing dissolution of calcium into the alkaline electrolyte. The alloy has the formula (Ca1−x−yMxNi2y)Ni5−zQz, where M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of misch metal, rare earth metals, zirconium and mixtures of Zr with Ti or V, Q is at least one element selected form the group consisting of Si, Al, Ge, Sn, In, Cu, Zn, Co, and mixtures thereof, x ranges between about 0.02 and 0.2, y ranges between about 0.02 and 0.4, and z ranges from about 0.05 to about 1.00.

Abstract: A complete infrastructure system for the generation, storage, transportation, and delivery of hydrogen which makes a hydrogen ecosystem possible. The infrastructure system utilizes high capacity, low cost, light weight thermal hydrogen storage alloy materials having fast kinetics. Also, a novel hydrogen storage bed design which includes a support/heat-transfer component which is made from a highly porous, high thermal conductivity, solid material such as a high thermal conductivity graphitic foam. Finally a material including at least one particle having atomically engineered local chemical and electronic environments, characterized in that the local environments providing bulk nucleation.

Abstract: A low temperature hydrogen storage alloy which is not pyrophoric upon exposure to ambient atmosphere, particularly even after hydrogen charge/discharge cycling.

Abstract: Practice of this invention provides, at least, a method of making a hydrogen storage material comprising the steps of: 1. forming a molten mixture comprising nickel and at least one other transition metal element, the combination of which will form a TiNi alloy and including in said molten mixture from about 0.1 at. % to about 10 at. % of one or more elements which will form an alloy which is immiscible in the TiNi-type alloy; and (b) cooling said molten mixture to form a solid alloy-system material by rapid solidification of said molten mixture at a cooling rate of at least 103° C. per second.

Abstract: A composite hydrogen storage material including 1) an active material having hydrogen storage capacity; and 2) a catalytic material having greater catalytic activity toward the dissociation of molecular hydrogen and/or oxidation of hydrogen than that of said active material having hydrogen storage capacity. Also, a fuel cell employing anodes formed from the composite hydrogen storage material. The fuel cell has the ability to start up instantly and can accept recaptured energy such as that of regenerative braking by operating in reverse as an electrolyzer.

Abstract: Hydrogen propelled vehicles and fundamentally new magnesium-based hydrogen storage alloy materials which for the first time make it feasible and practical to use solid state storage and delivery of hydrogen to power internal combustion engine or fuel cell vehicles. These exceptional alloys have remarkable hydrogen storage capacity of well over 6 weight % coupled with extraordinary absorption kinetics such that the alloy powder absorbs 80% of its total capacity within 10 minutes at 300° C. and a cycle life of at least 500 cycles without loss of capacity or kinetics.

Abstract: A method for making a hydrided hydrogen storage alloy powder from component material. In the present method a material is worked at the same time it is hydrided. Working preferably involves comminution of the material.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the vacuum deposition of at least two different layers of thin film material onto a substrate by two different vacuum deposition processes. Also disclosed is a novel linear applicator for using microwave enhanced CVD to uniformly deposit a thin film of material over an elongated substrate.

Abstract: A method for initializing a phase change information storage device. The method includes the steps of: providing a data storage device having a phase change data storage medium, and exposing the phase change data storage medium with a first, energy exposure for about 1 &mgr;sec or less.