Abstract: The invention relates to novel inorganic-organic composite membranes especially useful as ionically conducting in electrochemical devices. The composites consist of a polymeric matrix, which may or may not be an ionic conductor in its unfilled form, filled with an inorganic material having a high affinity for water, capable of exchanging cations such as protons, and preferably with a high cation mobility, either on its surface or through its bulk.

Abstract: Methods of using ozone have been developed which sterilize instruments and medical wastes, oxidize, organics found in wastewater, clean laundry, break down contaminants in soil into a form more readily digested by microbes, kill microorganisms present in food products, and destroy toxins present in food products. The preferred methods for killing microorganism and destroying toxins use pressurized, humidified, and concentrated ozone produced by an electrochemical cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the humidification of gas streams, such as reactant gas streams for fuel cells, wherein the specific water evaporation rate, gas delivery temperature, and degree of gas humidity may be adjusted and maintained at predetermined levels. The humidification apparatus is well suited for use in testing the operation of a fuel cell under various well-controlled conditions in order to evaluate the performance of the fuel cell. The amount of water vapor being introduced into the gas stream can be varied up to the saturation point of the reactant gas stream. As the water vapor leaves the evaporation chamber, it mixes with the gas stream in a gas humidification chamber or riser. The gas riser preferably has a baffle disposed therein to attract any water that may have condensed in the gas stream and direct the condensed liquid water toward the evaporation chamber so the water may be evaporated once again.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ozone generating system that combines single-use elements or segments with an extended use fixture that is used to activate the single-use elements. One embodiment of the invention consists of a strip of proton exchange membrane (PEM) having the ozone producing catalyst applied directly onto one side of membrane. Optionally, the application of this catalyst may be divided into segments or patches, wherein each segment represents the limited-use portion of the ozone generator. Each segment may be advanced into a fixture that provides the balance of the electrochemical system required for operation of the ozone generator. This balance of system may include additional subsystems, with a power supply, water source, electrical contacts, electronic controllers, sensors and feedback components, being typical examples.

Abstract: The invention is a process for preventing microbial growth in the digestive tract of living vertebrate animals, particularly food animals. Control of microbial growth is achieved by the step of applying a percarboxylic acid or a mixture of percarboxylic acids to an aqueous stream which is subsequently consumed orally by the animal. The formulation can also be mixed into food items or into particulate or similar materials, or packaged in ingestible capsules, whereby the active ingredient enters the body of the animal through the oral cavity through feeding behavior, or food scavenging, or particulate scavenging activities of the animal. Formulations may also be sprayed onto the outside of the animal and taken orally.

Abstract: The present invention provides a formulation for forming an electronically conducting polymer. The formulation contains an electron acceptor comprising a dopant anion and a metal cation selected from Ag+, Fe3+, Cu2+ or combinations thereof. The preferred electron acceptor is a silver salt, preferably selected from AgNO3, AgClO4 and AgNO2. The formulation also contains between 2 and 100 moles of a polymerizable component per mole of the electron acceptor, the polymerizable component being selected from pyrrole, aniline, their oligomers, or combinations thereof. In addition, the formulation includes an aqueous solvent selected from acetonitrile, acetone, and combinations thereof, the aqueous solvent having up to 30 volume percent water.

Abstract: In a load for testing an energy production device, such as a fuel cell, a technique is provided for sensing one or more operational parameters for each of a plurality field effect transistors. Analog and digital feedback are provided to adjust the control signal to the FETs to ensure that each remains within its individual safe operating area. The technique preferably takes all of the various operational parameters into account to determine if any individual FET is approaching the SOA boundary, and prevent that single FET from leaving the SOA while continuing to manage the operation of the entire load.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed having at least one cathode adapted to maintain a line of contact with at least one substrate surface during relative movement therebetween. There is at least one anode located in a spaced relationship to the cathode and an electronically insulating member located between the at least one anode and the at least one cathode adapted to provide a gap between the substrate surface and the insulating member. When placed in a plating bath, the electric field is directed toward conducting patterns on a substrate to uniformly plate the patterns while minimizing plating on the electrode. The same device may also be used for electroetching by reversing the polarity of the electrodes.

Abstract: This invention is a novel method for bioremediation of soil and ground water based on supplying hydrogen (H2) to naturally occurring anaerobic bacteria in the soil or ground water. These organisms use the hydrogen as an electron donor to perform adventitious chemical reactions including the dehalogenation of chlorinated organic compounds. The hydrogen can be supplied from a number of sources, including; stored hydrogen, hydrogen generated above ground on site, either electrochemically or by reforming a fuel source, or by electrolysis in the soil, either using an electric current supplied from above ground or an electric current generated by the corrosion of metal particles in the ground. For the last of these cases, a novel multi-metallic particle especially useful for the generation of hydrogen, and a method for making these particles, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for heating a catalytic converter at least to a light off temperature. In accordance with the invention, the catalytic converter may be heated using a novel monolith construction, electrical heating, catalytic combination of a fuel and oxygen or combinations of these methods. Heating or thermally conditioning a catalyst in accordance with the invention rapidly brings the catalyst up to the light off temperature for the efficient conversion of pollutant gases, such as unacceptable emissions emanating from an internal combustion engine, into water, carbon dioxide and other acceptable emissions. In particular, the invention provides efficient heating of the catalytic converter despite the potential presence of water on the catalyst during startup.

Abstract: A system for managing fluids used during electroremediation of contaminants in a porous medium, such as soil is disclosed. The system monitors the fluid gain and loss from the electrode wells and maintains optimal fluid levels in the wells on an individual basis. The system may use a sensor element for measuring the metal ion content of the electrode well fluid. A method for using the fluid management system is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides electronically conducting polymer films formed from photosensitive formulations of pyrrole and an electron acceptor that have been selectively exposed to UV light, laser light, or electron beams. The formulations may include photoinitiators, flexibilizers, solvents and the like. These solutions can be used in applications including printed circuit boards and through-hole plating and enable direct metallization processes on non-conducting substrates. After forming the conductive polymer patterns, a printed wiring board can be formed by sensitizing the polymer with palladium and electrolytically depositing copper.

Abstract: Thin, light weight bipolar plates for use in electrochemical cells are rapidly, and inexpensively manufactured in mass production by die casting, stamping or other well known methods for fabricating magnesium or aluminum parts. The use of a light metal, such as magnesium or aluminum minimizes weight and simultaneously improves both electrical and thermal conductivity compared to conventional carbon parts. For service in electrochemical cells these components must be protected from corrosion. This is accomplished by plating the surface of the light weight metal parts with a layer of denser, but more noble metal. The protective metal layer is deposited in one of several ways. One of these is deposition from an aqueous solution by either electroless means, electrolytic means, or a combination of the two. Another is deposition by electrolytic means from a non-aqueous solution, such as a molten salt.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for electrokinetic transport through soil, comprising an electrode and a containment surrounding the electrode, the containment comprising a layer of a porous material and a rigid porous member disposed between the electrode and the porous material to support or secure the first material. The porous material and rigid porous member allow passage of water, hydrogen ions, hydroxyl ions and one or more target ions. A preferred porous material is clay or ceramic and a preferred rigid porous member is a perforated plastic tube.

Abstract: Methods for controlling electroosmotic flow through a porous medium by applying an electric field between a plurality of electrodes positioned in a porous medium, supplying an acid solution to at least one of the electrodes and/or the soil, and supplying a zeta potential modifying compound to at least one of the electrodes is disclosed. The methods can be used to separate organic as well as inorganic contaminants from porous mediums.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for electrochemically converting anhydrous hydrogen halide, such as hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen bromide and hydrogen iodide, to essentially dry halogen gas, such as chlorine, fluorine, bromine and iodine gas, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a process for electrochemically converting anhydrous hydrogen chloride to essentially dry chlorine gas. This process allows the production of high-purity chlorine gas. In this process, molecules of essentially anhydrous hydrogen chloride are transported through an inlet of an electrochemical cell. The molecules of the essentially anhydrous hydrogen chloride are oxidized at the anode of the cell to produce essentially dry chlorine gas and protons, which are transported through the membrane of the cell. The transported protons are reduced at the cathode to form either hydrogen gas, water or hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for the decontamination of agricultural products by reacting the toxins and microorganisms, contaminating the product, with ozone. The ozone is generated on site and upon demand, thus eliminating ozone waste associated with long periods of ozone storage. The systems of the invention provide efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly use of ozone for product decontamination by optimizing the delivery of ozone to the contaminated product, monitoring and controlling the pressure in the treatment systems, monitoring and controlling the heat generated during the treatment of contaminated product with ozone, and controlling ozone release into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the conversion of methane in solution or gas provides photochemical conversion in a unique two-phase or three-phase boundary system formed in each pore of a semiconductor membrane in a photocatalytic reactor. In a three-phase system, gaseous oxidant, methane contained in a liquid, and solid semiconductor photocatalyst having a metal catalyst disposed thereon meet and engage in an efficient conversion reaction. The porous membrane has pores which have a region wherein the meniscus of the liquid varies from the molecular diameter of water to that of a capillary tube resulting in a diffusion layer that is several orders of magnitude smaller than the closest known reactors.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved proton exchange membrane for use in electrochemical cells having internal passages parallel to the membrane surface comprising permanent tubes preferably placed at the ends of the fluid passages. The invention also provides an apparatus and process for making the membrane, membrane and electrode assemblies fabricated using the membrane, and the application of the membrane and electrode assemblies to a variety of devices, both electrochemical and otherwise. The passages in the membrane extend from one edge of the membrane to another and allow fluid flow through the membrane and give access directly to the membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a separator for electrochemical cells, comprising a gas barrier having an electrically conducting pathway extending therethrough and a porous, electrically conducting member in electrical contact with each side of the electrically conducting pathway. In another aspect of the invention, a separator for electrochemical cells is provided comprising a porous, electrically conducting sheet and a gas impermeable material disposed within a portion of the sheet to form a gas barrier. In yet another aspect of the invention, a separator for electrochemical cells is provided comprising two porous, electrically conducting sheets and an electrically conducting gas barrier disposed in electrical contact between the sheets.