Abstract: A bipolar plate having side ports is described for use with an electrochemical cell. A side port having a high aspect ratio will have an effect on the partial pressure of the reactant gasses and prevent high pressure drop of the working fluid transport to the electrodes. The membrane electrode assembly may have a high aspect ratio and the port opening may be on the long side of the bipolar plate. The electrochemical cell may be configured in an enclosure that is maintained at less than atmospheric pressure which further increases the need for low pressure drop fuel deliver to the electrodes, especially in electrochemical compressor applications.

Abstract: An electrochemical system utilizes an anion conducting layer disposed between an anode and a cathode for transporting a working fluid. The working fluid may include carbon dioxide that is dissolved in water and is partially converted to carbonic acid that is equilibrium with bicarbonate anion. An electrical potential across the anode and cathode creates a pH gradient that drives the bicarbonate anion across the anion conducting layer to the cathode, wherein it is reformed into carbon dioxide. Therefore, carbon dioxide is pumped across the anion conducting layer.

Abstract: An anion exchange membrane is made by mixing 2 trifluoroMethyl Ketone [nominal] (1.12 g, 4.53 mmol), 1 Biphenyl (0.70 g, 4.53 mmol), methylene chloride (3.0 mL), trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TFSA) (3.0 mL) to produce a pre-polymer. The pre-polymer is then functionalized to produce an anion exchange polymer. The pre-polymer may be functionalized with trimethylamine in solution with water. The pre-polymer may be imbibed into a porous scaffold material, such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene to produce a composite anion exchange membrane.

Abstract: A cooling systems utilizes an organic ionic salt composition for dehumidification of an airflow. The organic ionic salt composition absorbs moisture from an inlet airflow to produce an outlet airflow with a reduce moisture from that of the inlet airflow. The organic ionic salt composition may be regenerated, wherein the absorbed moisture is expelled by heating with a heating device. The heating device may be an electrochemical heating device, such as a fuel cell, an electrochemical metal hydride heating device, an electrochemical heat pump or compressor, or a condenser of a refrigerant cycle, which may utilize an electrochemical pump or compressor. The efficiency of the cooling system may be increased by utilization of the waste heat the cooling system. The organic ionic salt composition may circulate back and forth or in a loop between a conditioner, where it absorbs moisture, to a regenerator, where moisture is desorbed by heating.

Abstract: An ion exchange membrane has multiple layers of ionic polymers which each contain substantially different chemical compositions. i.e. varying side chain lengths, varying backbone chemistries or varying ionic functionality. Utilizing completely different chemistries has utility in many applications such as fuel cells where for example, one layer can help reduce fuel crossover through the membrane. Or one layer can impart substantial hydrophobicity to the electrode formulation. Or one layer can selectively diffuse a reactant while excluding others. Also, one chemistry may allow for impartation of significant mechanical properties or chemical resistance to another more ionically conductive ionomer. The ion exchange membrane may include at least two layers with substantially different chemical properties.

Abstract: An environment control system utilizes oxygen and humidity control devices that are coupled with an enclosure to independently control the oxygen concentration and the humidity level within the enclosure. An oxygen depletion device may be an oxygen depletion electrolyzer cell that reacts with oxygen within the cell and produces water through electrochemical reactions. A desiccating device may be g, a dehumidification electrolyzer cell, a desiccator, a membrane desiccator or a condenser. A controller may control the amount of voltage and/or current provided to the oxygen depletion electrolyzer cell and therefore the rate of oxygen reduction and may control the amount of voltage and/or current provided to the dehumidification electrolyzer cell and therefore the rate of humidity reduction. The oxygen level may be determined by the measurement of voltage and a limiting current of the oxygen depletion electrolyzer cell. The enclosure may be a food or artifact enclosure.

Abstract: A hydride heat engine produces electricity from a heat source, such as a solar heater. A plurality of metal hydride reservoirs are heated by the heating device and a working fluid comprises hydrogen is incrementally move from one metal hydride reservoir to a success metal hydride reservoir. The working fluid is passed, at a high pressure, from the last of the plurality of metal hydride reservoirs to an electro-chemical-expander. The electro-chemical-expander has an anode, a cathode, and an ionomer therebetween. The hydrogen is passed from the anode at high pressure to the cathode at lower pressure and electricity is generated. The solar heater may be a solar water heater and the hot water may heat the metal hydride reservoirs to move the hydrogen. The working fluid may move in a closed loop.

Abstract: An environment control system utilizes oxygen and humidity control devices that are coupled with an enclosure to independently control the oxygen concentration and the humidity level within the enclosure. An oxygen depletion device may be an oxygen depletion electrolyzer cell that reacts with oxygen within the cell and produces water through electrochemical reactions. A desiccating device may be g, a dehumidification electrolyzer cell, a desiccator, a membrane desiccator or a condenser. A controller may control the amount of voltage and/or current provided to the oxygen depletion electrolyzer cell and therefore the rate of oxygen reduction and may control the amount of voltage and/or current provided to the dehumidification electrolyzer cell and therefore the rate of humidity reduction. The oxygen level may be determined by the measurement of voltage and a limiting current of the oxygen depletion electrolyzer cell. The enclosure may be a food or artifact enclosure.

Abstract: A regenerative fuel cell produces hydrogen that is stored in a reservoir on the storage side of a membrane electrode assembly when operating in a hydrogen pumping mode and this stored hydrogen is reacted and moved back through the membrane electrode assembly to form water when operating in a fuel cell mode. A metal hydride forming alloy may be configured in the hydrogen storage reservoir and may be coupled to the membrane electrode assembly. An integral metal hydride electrode having a metal hydride forming alloy may be configured on the storage side of the membrane electrode assembly and may have a catalyst or an ion conductive media incorporated therewith.

Abstract: A heating/cooling system for furnishing employs an electrochemical heat transfer device. An electrochemical heat transfer device may be an electrochemical hydrogen compressor that pumps hydrogen into and out of a tank having a metal hydride forming alloy therein. The absorption of hydrogen by the metal hydride forming alloy is exothermic, produces heat, and the desorption of the hydrogen from the metal hydride forming, alloy is endothermic and draws heat in. An electrochemical hydrogen compressor may be configured between the tanks and pump hydrogen back and forth to form a heat transfer device. A heat exchange device may be coupled with the tank or may comprise the outer surface of the tank to transfer heat to an object or to the surroundings. A closed loop may be configured having two tanks and one or two electrochemical hydrogen compressors to pump the hydrogen in a loop around the system.

Abstract: An electrochemical system having an electrochemical compressor with an operating voltage that is controlled by a controller is described. The operating voltage between a first and second electrodes separated by an ion conducting material, such as a proton conducting polymer, may be oscillated in a waveform. The controller may reduce the voltage to low pressure side of the electrochemical compressor to initiate electrolysis for a set time interval and then may change the operating voltage to operate the electrochemical cell in a compressor mode. When the electrochemical cell is operating in an electrolysis mode, in situ hydrogen is produced on the low pressure side that may be used as a electrochemically active component of the working fluid when the electrochemical cell is switched to a compressor mode. The controller may have a control program that automatically controls the operating waveform as a function of sensor input.

Abstract: An electrochemical compressor system, such as an electrochemical refrigeration system includes a sealed vessel that reduces leak issues related to the electrochemical cell. The sealed vessel may be molded or formed from a polymer or a composite polymer having reinforcing materials, such as fibers therein. The sealed vessel may be plated with metal to reduce gas permeation through the wall of the vessel and to accommodate and improve the attachment of conduits, including metal conduits thereto. A metal conduit may be brazed onto a vessel and the brazing material may be selected for polymer to metal joining and for reduced contamination potential of the system. The electrochemical compressor system incorporates a leak sensor configured at least partially within the sealed rigid vessel that measures the pressure within the vessel.

Abstract: An electrochemical system includes an electrochemical compressor through which a working fluid that includes a component that primarily acts as an electrochemically-active component flows; a sealed vessel in which the electrochemical compressor is housed; an inlet conduit for passing working fluid into the vessel; and an outlet conduit for passing fluid out of the vessel. The working fluid that leaks from the electrochemical compressor is contained within the vessel.

Abstract: An electrochemical compressor includes one or more electrochemical cells through which a working fluid flows, and an external electrical energy source electrically connected to the electrochemical cell. Each electrochemical cell includes an anode connected to the electrical energy source; a cathode connected to the electrical energy source; an ion exchange membrane disposed between and in electrical contact with the cathode and the anode to pass an electrochemically motive material of the working fluid from the anode to the cathode, the ion exchange membrane comprising polar ionic groups attached to nonpolar chains; and a non-aqueous solvent comprising polar molecules, the polar molecules of the non-aqueous solvent being associated with and electrostatically attracted to the polar ionic groups of the ion exchange membrane.

Abstract: A refrigeration system defines a closed loop that contains a working fluid, at least part of the working fluid being circulated through the closed loop. The refrigeration system includes a first heat transfer device that transfers heat from the first heat reservoir to the working fluid, a second heat transfer device that transfers heat from the working fluid to the second heat reservoir, and an electrochemical compressor between the first and second heat transfer devices. The electrochemical compressor includes one or more electrochemical cells electrically connected to each other through a power supply, each electrochemical cell including a gas pervious anode, a gas pervious cathode, and an electrolytic membrane disposed between and in intimate electrical contact with the cathode and the anode.

Abstract: A heat transfer system defines a closed loop that contains a working fluid that is circulated through the closed loop. The heat transfer system includes an electrochemical compressor including one or more electrochemical cells electrically connected to each other through a power supply. Each electrochemical cell includes a gas pervious anode, a gas pervious cathode, and an electrolytic membrane disposed between and in intimate electrical contact with the cathode and the anode. The heat transfer system also includes a tubular system that receives at least one electrochemically-active component of the working fluid from an output of the electrochemical compressor and, if present, other components of the working fluid that bypass the electrochemical compressor. The tubular system has a geometry that enables at least a portion of the received working fluid to be imparted with a gain in kinetic energy as it moves through the tubular system.

Abstract: An electrochemical motive device is described having an electrochemical cell and at least one device configured produce motion as a function of electrochemical gas produced by the electrochemical cell. One example of an electrochemical motive device is a pump having one pump chamber, and pump member that forces a pumping fluid through the chamber. An electrochemical cell provides for a transfer of gas from the anode to the cathode. A control portion is described for taking input from the electrochemical pump and controlling the voltage and current to the electrochemical cell. In one embodiment, multiple pumping chambers are configured, and in one embodiment two pumping chambers are connected. It is further described that the control portion may automatically adjust parameters as a function of inputs, including user interface inputs.