Abstract: A system for controlling contamination in hydrogen production from water-reactive aluminum includes at least one reaction vessel. For example, each reaction vessel may include a container, a conduit, and a plurality of baffles. The container may define a volume, and the conduit may define an orifice outside of the container and spaced away from the container. The plurality of baffles may be disposed in the volume to form a tortuous flow path through the volume to the orifice of the conduit to facilitate rapid production of a large quantity of hydrogen from water-reactive aluminum while reducing the likelihood that ejecta, aerosols, or a combination thereof, may escape the reaction vessel to interfere with end-use of the hydrogen produced.

Abstract: A system for deploying an inflatable structure may include a balloon defining an envelope having a first stiffness, a valve assembly including a control valve, and a reactor defining a chamber having a second stiffness, the valve assembly disposed in fluid communication between the chamber and the envelope, the control valve selectively actuatable to control fluid communication between the chamber and the envelope, the second stiffness of the chamber greater than the first stiffness of the envelope, and the reactor foldable onto itself along the chamber and elastically deformable to unfold in response to an increase in pressure in the chamber.

Abstract: Aluminum can be used as a fuel source when reacted with water if its native surrounding oxide coating is penetrated with a gallium-based eutectic. When discrete aluminum objects are treated in a heated bath of eutectic, the eutectic penetrates the oxide coating. After the aluminum objects are treated, the aluminum objects can be reacted in a reactor to produce hydrogen which can, for example, react with oxygen in a fuel cell to produce electricity, for use in a variety of applications.

Abstract: A submersible vehicle for collecting material from a seafloor includes a chassis. A module may be supported on the chassis, the module including an electric power supply. A drive system may be supported on the chassis, the drive system including a battery, and a propulsion assembly, the battery in electrical communication with the electric power supply and the propulsion assembly, and the propulsion assembly operable to locate the chassis relative to a seafloor. A power tool may be coupled to the chassis, the power tool operable to collect material from the seafloor. A reactor may be supported on the chassis, the reactor defining a reaction chamber. A valve assembly may be actuatable to move a hydrogen-containing gas from the reaction chamber and direct the hydrogen-containing gas to one or more of the electric power supply or the power tool.

Abstract: A system for controlling hydrogen production from water-reactive aluminum includes a regulator. For example, the regulator may include a plurality of discrete objects and a retainer. Each one of the discrete objects includes aluminum in an activated form reactable with water to produce hydrogen. The retainer may encase the plurality of discrete objects collectively in an elongate shape having an axial dimension greater than a radial dimension. Within the elongate shape, the plurality of discrete objects may define voids therebetween. The retainer may be permeable across its thickness such that water may enter the retainer to react with the activated form of aluminum of the discrete objects in a local concentration that promotes heat generation for rapid reaction while water about the retainer may globally cool the material in the retainer, with the combination promoting rapid and efficient reaction of aluminum to produce hydrogen.

Abstract: A method of packaging water-reactive aluminum may include directing at least one discrete object into a container, the at least one discrete object including an aluminum alloy, the aluminum alloy plastically deformed and non-recrystallized, introducing, into the container, a liquid metal alloy including one or more activation metals, enclosing the at least one discrete object and the liquid metal alloy with one another in the container to form a kit, for a predetermined period, exposing the kit to a heating environment, and agitating the at least one discrete object and the liquid metal alloy in the container in the heating environment during the predetermined period to form the kit into a packaged unit of water-reactive aluminum.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are directed to controlling lifting gas in a volume defined by an inflatable structure of an aircraft. For example, controlling lifting gas in the volume of the inflatable structure may account for variations in ambient and tactical conditions experienced by the aircraft over the course of flight, as may be useful for lifting the aircraft to a target altitude and/or carrying out a particular mission. Additionally, or alternatively, controlling lifting gas in the volume of the inflatable structure may facilitate lifting the aircraft using lifting gas generated by reacting stable materials with one another at a launch site in the field. As an example, aluminum may react with water to form a lifting gas including hydrogen and steam. As the steam condenses to water in the inflatable structure, a valve may expel water from the inflatable structure to assist in maintaining buoyancy of the aircraft.

Abstract: A system for hydrogen formation includes a container and at least one object. The container defines a reservoir and is flexible along the reservoir. The container forms a gas-tight seal between the reservoir and an atmosphere outside of the container. The at least one object includes aluminum in an activated form. The at least one object is disposed in an inert environment in the reservoir, and the activated form of the aluminum reactable to produce hydrogen in the reservoir upon exposure to water.

Abstract: Aluminum can be used as a fuel source when reacted with water if its native surrounding oxide coating is penetrated with a gallium-based eutectic. When discrete aluminum objects are treated in a heated bath of eutectic, the eutectic penetrates the oxide coating. After the aluminum objects are treated, the aluminum objects can be reacted in a reactor to produce hydrogen which can, for example, react with oxygen in a fuel cell to produce electricity, for use in a variety of applications.