Abstract: A thermoelectric generator that reduces the size of an entire exhaust apparatus for an internal combustion engine, while ensuring the amount of electric power generated by a thermoelectric generation element and the purging effect of a catalyst device. The thermoelectric generator includes a catalyst device, arranged in the exhaust passage, for purging exhaust. A thermoelectric generation element, which is arranged on the catalyst device, converts thermal energy of the exhaust passing through the exhaust passage to electric energy. The thermoelectric generation element is arranged at a downstream portion of the catalyst device with respect to the flow of the exhaust.

Abstract: Animal waste is contacted with an electrolyte containing the oxidized form of one or more reversible redox couples, produced electrochemically by anodic oxidation at the anode of an electrochemical cell. The oxidized forms of any other redox couples present are produced either by similar anodic oxidation or reaction with the oxidized form of other redox couples present and capable of affecting the required redox reaction. The oxidized species of the redox couples oxidize the organic waste molecules and are themselves converted to their reduced form, whereupon they are reoxidized by either of the aforementioned mechanisms. The redox cycle continues until all oxidizable waste species, including intermediate reaction products, have undergone the desired degree of oxidation. The entire process takes place between zero degrees centigrade and slightly below the boiling point of the electrolyte, avoiding formation of either dioxins or furans.

Abstract: The present invention allows a crystalline photovoltaic module having a super straight type structure in which a light-receiving surface side-sealing EVA layer 2, a photovoltaic cell matrix 3, a back surface side-sealing EVA layer 4 and a back surface-sealing weatherproof film 5 are laminated sequentially in this order on a light-receiving glass 1 and these components are formed into an integral piece to be reused after it has been used in the market for a long time by extending the lifetime of the photovoltaic module. The regeneration method includes peeling the back surface-sealing weatherproof film 5, laminating a new back surface side-sealing EVA layer 8 and a new back surface-sealing weatherproof film 9 in a portion in which the film has been peeled, and then curing for crosslinking the new back surface side-sealing EVA layer 8 that is laminated.

Abstract: An electrolytic method is provided for purifying an aqueous stream, including at least one contaminant ion. In one embodiment, the eluent stream flows through a purifying flow channel, including ion exchange bed, an electric field is applied through the flowing eluent stream in the purifying flow channel, and the contaminant ion is removed from the eluent stream. In another embodiment, no electric field is applied and the ion exchange bed is periodically regenerated. Two beds may be used with one bed on line while the other bed is regenerated followed by a reversal of flow.

Abstract: Mediated electrochemical oxidation to treats, oxidizes and destroys biological waste, medical, infectious, pathological, animal, sanitary, mortuary, ship, veterinary, pharmaceutical and combined waste. Electrolytes contain oxidized forms of reversible redox couples produced. Oxidized forms of redox couples are produced by anodic oxidation or reaction with oxidized forms of other redox couples. Oxidized species of the redox couples oxidize the biological waste molecules and are reduced and reoxidized. The redox cycle continues until all oxidizable waste and intermediate reaction products have undergone oxidation. Temperatures between ambient and 100° C. avoid formation of dioxins or furans.

Abstract: A plating method and apparatus for a substrate fills a metal, e.g., copper, into a fine interconnection pattern formed in a semiconductor substrate. The apparatus has a substrate holding portion 36 horizontally holding and rotating a substrate with its surface to be plated facing upward. A seal material 90 contacts a peripheral edge portion of the surface, sealing the portion in a watertight manner. A cathode electrode 88 passes an electric current upon contact with the substrate. A cathode portion 38 rotates integrally with the substrate holding portion 36. An electrode arm portion 30 is above the cathode portion 38 and movable horizontally and vertically and has an anode 98 face-down. Plating liquid is poured into a space between the surface to be plated and the anode 98 brought close to the surface to be plated. Thus, plating treatment and treatments incidental thereto can be performed by a single unit.

Abstract: An electrolytic method and apparatus for treating a solution sample allowing for the accurate and substantially real-time and on-line analysis of trace contaminants in the solution sample. The method of the present invention includes two stages. The solution sample is electrolyzed during a first stage to decompose the matrix, thereby substantially neutralizing the matrix, while during a second stage deposited or precipitated metals are recovered and/or stabilized in solution. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A decontamination method for stripping radionuclides from the surface of stainless steel or aluminum material comprising the steps of contacting the metal with a moderately acidic carbonate/bicarbonate electrolyte solution containing sodium or potassium ions and thereafter electrolytically removing the radionuclides from the surface of the metal whereby radionuclides are caused to be stripped off of the material without corrosion or etching of the material surface.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrophoresis apparatus comprising an electrophoretic chamber containing at least on two-plate housing for a sieving matrix, each said at least one two-plate housing consisting of a cover plate and a plate for housing said sieving matrix, wherein said plate includes an optical waveguide array which is characterized by being aligned with respect to a reference direction such as to enable one or more light beams incident on the sieving matrix along said reference direction to be maintained well-confined along said reference direction within any desired length of interaction along the width of said sieving matrix.

Abstract: Embodiments of a ball assembly are provided. In one embodiment, a ball assembly includes a housing, a ball, a conductive adapter and a contact element. The housing has an annular seat extending into a first end of an interior passage. The conductive adapter is coupled to a second end of the housing. The contact element electrically couples the adapter and the ball with is retained in the housing between seat and the adapter.

Abstract: This invention relates to technology of carbographite materials, in particular, to production of oxidized graphite for making low foaming temperature foamed graphite, which is used for manufacturing flexible foil, fireproof materials, water-purification sorbents, materials for cleaning up spills of petroleum products, and so on. The method for producing oxidized low foaming temperature graphite comprises the stages of (a) preparing a mixture based on graphite particles and at least one aqueous solution of an acid; (b) activating the surface of said graphite particles to produce acid-containing functional groups on the surface of the particles; (c) treating the graphite particles to produce a graphite intercalation compound; (d) washing said compound with water; (e) drying said compound, and heat-treating it to produce foamed graphite, wherein stage (b) and (c) are carried out by electrochemical treatment at a quantity of electricity within 300 to 600 mA·hour/g of graphite.

Abstract: An electrolytic water purification system and method use provides a water filtration device with a plurality of electrolytic cells having anodes and cathodes specifically selected to remove contaminants from water. The device is capable of efficiently removing nearly all contaminants from water and is also capable of purifying the water by destroying micro-organisms which are in the water. Many minerals are removed from the purified water, and it is not necessary to add chemicals to the water during or after the purification process.

Abstract: A combined electrochemical system for scale treatment and eradicating bacteria in water supply systems having: (a) a first electro-chemical cell including: (i) a first metallic tank for receiving a water supply and forming a cathode of the first electro-chemical cell, and (ii) a first anode, disposed within the first tank; (b) a second electro-chemical cell including: (i) a second metallic tank for receiving an effluent from the first tank and forming a cathode of the second electro-chemical cell, and (ii) a second anode, disposed within the second tank; and (c) a DC electrical supply source operatively connected to the first and the second cells, wherein the first electro-chemical cell is operative for trapping bacteria in a colloid-like structure, and the second electro-chemical cell is operative for producing a pH above 12 near the walls of the second tank, so as to form a bacteria-containing precipitate on the walls of the second tank, thereby removing the bacteria from the water supply.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel extraction method for obtaining at least one unsaturated, optionally derivatized compound, from mixtures of said compounds with other less saturated constituents, e.g. for obtaining polyunsaturated fatty acids or the derivatives thereof from mixtures with saturated and/or less unsaturated, optionally derivatized fatty acids, by means of selective complexation with a cation exchanger which is partially or fully charged with silver ions, and subsequent decomplexation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for electrochemically modifying the retention of a species on a chromatography material is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a housing having an effluent flow channel adapted to permit fluid flow therethrough. The effluent flow channel comprises chromatography material. The apparatus further comprises first and second electrodes positioned such that at least a portion of the chromatography material is disposed between the first and second electrodes, and fluid flow through the apparatus is between, and in contact with, the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus includes a storage unit storing water to be treated including a pharmaceutical drug, an apply unit applying the water to be treated to the storage unit, an addition unit adding into the water to be treated metal salt generating halide ions when dissolved in the water to be treated, and an energizing unit applying a current to a pair of electrodes immersed in the water to be treated in the storage unit. The pharmacological activity of the pharmaceutical drug is eliminated or reduced by decomposing or altering at least a portion of the chemical structure of the pharmaceutical drug included in the water to be treated through electrolysis.

Abstract: An apparatus to treat an influent solution comprising ions to obtain a selectable ion concentration in an effluent solution. The apparatus comprises an electrochemical cell comprising a housing comprising first and second electrodes. A water-splitting ion exchange membrane is between the first and second electrodes, the membrane comprising ananion exchange surface facing the first electrode, and an cation exchange surface facing the second electrode, or vice versa. The housing also has an influent solution inlet and an effluent solution outlet with a solution channel that allows influent solution to flow past both the anion and cation exchange surfaces of the water-splitting ion exchange membrane to form the effluent solution. A variable voltage supply is capable of maintaining the first and second electrodes at a plurality of different voltages during an ion exchange stage.

Abstract: Chlorine is produced by electrolysis of aqueous HCl, in a membrane electrolyzer, using cathodic mediators such as Fe(III) and/or Cu(II) chlorides and a non-catalysed 3-dimensional cathode, with the real surface area at least ten times higher than its projected area. The HCl electrolysis section is combined with an oxidizer for regeneration of the mediator, product water removal step and optional HCl recovery step. Under optimized conditions chlorine can be produced at very high current densities of 30 kA/m2, without initiating undesired H2 evolution reaction at the cathode.

Abstract: A process for increasing the active surface area of at least one electrode having a surface comprising a group VIII metal in an electrochemical cell, which also comprises at least one balancing electrode and an aqueous electrolyte which comprises nitrate ions, which comprises applying a sweeping voltage across the electrodes at a rate of at least 0.2 V/s, the sweeping voltage being from a lower voltage which is between the voltage at which hydrogen evolution occurs and ?0.7 V to an upper voltage which is between ?0.2 V and +0.3 V, all of the above voltages being with reference to a standard calomel reference electrode (VSCE).

Abstract: A device is disclosed for reducing the risk of primary and secondary electrostatic discharges occurring in particular in the solar generators of spacecraft. A solar energy concentrator device for spacecraft includes a reflector for reflecting solar radiation onto a photovoltaic cell for converting solar energy into electrical energy and a heat transfer arrangement for transporting to a cold area heat energy stored by the cell following reception of solar radiation. One particular application of the device is to solar panels for satellites.