Abstract: A system for highly sensitive electrochemical detection of trace nitro-aromatic compounds in air, uses a carbon or carbon/gold working electrode with a surface that is modified to increase the electron transfer kinetics of nitro-aromatic compounds. Chemical modifiers of the working electrode surface include amino-aromatic compounds such as aniline and its derivatives. The detection method involves dissolving trace nitro-aromatic compounds in an electrolyte including aprotonic solvents, or dipolar solvents, in the electrochemical cell including a working electrode, a reference electrode and an auxiliary electrode. Voltage is varied across the working electrode and the reference electrode, and an electrical current is measured between the working electrode and the auxiliary electrode. The measured electrical peak current is a sensitive indication of the concentration of the trace compounds. This invention is appropriate for portable, field-testing of trace explosive compounds in air.

Abstract: An electrochemical detection system and method for detecting trace explosives, the system including: an electrochemical cell having: (a) a working electrode for providing a current as a function of potential; (b) a reference electrode for providing a reference current as a function of potential; (c) an auxiliary electrode for completing an electric circuit within the cell, and (d) a liquid electrolyte disposed between and interacting with the working electrode, the auxiliary electrode, and the reference electrode, and wherein the electrolyte has a composition including: (i) at least 15%, by weight, of at least one organic solvent for dissolving nitro-aromatic compounds and cyclic nitro-amine compounds, wherein a solubility of RDX in the at least one organic solvent is at least 0.5%, by weight, at 20° C., and (ii) water.

Abstract: An electrochemical system and method for electrochemical detection of both nitro-aromatic and cyclic nitro-amine compounds in a single sample, the system having an electrochemical cell including: (a) a modified working electrode having a surface modified by a chemical modifier; wherein the chemical modifier includes a heterocyclic organic compound in which a heterocycle of the compound includes at least one nitrogen atom.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a cathode, an anode, a fuel chamber, and a membrane arranged between the anode and the fuel chamber. The membrane is structured and arranged to allow gas to accumulate adjacent the anode at least to a point where the gas limits or substantially prevents a contact between the anode and a fuel. The method includes generating electrical energy with the fuel cell, preventing further generation of electrical energy of the fuel cell, and facilitating, with the membrane, an accumulation of the gas adjacent the anode at least to a point where the gas substantially prevents a contact between the anode and the fuel. Another method includes using a gas which is formed by an initial decomposition of the fuel to restrict or substantially prevent any further contact between the fuel and the anode. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.