Abstract: An active (consumable) anode includes, in one aspect, a generally annular body and a protrusion used for connecting the anode to the power supply, where the protrusion extends outward from the generally annular body of the anode. The compositions of the generally annular body and of the protrusion are the same, and, in some embodiments, the anode is a one-piece anode that does not include any welding seams. Such structure results in reduced voltage fluctuations during plating and in improved control over plating uniformity. In some embodiments, the anode is a copper anode, a cobalt anode, or a nickel anode machined from a single sheet of anode-grade metal. The provided anode can be used in an electroplating apparatus as a secondary, peripherally disposed anode, in conjunction with a more centrally located primary anode. The provided anode is configured to modulate electroplating at the edge of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for converting carboxylic acids (including carboxylic acids derived from biomass) into hydrocarbons. The produced hydrocarbons will generally have at least two oxygen containing substituents (or other substituents). In one example of application, the electrolysis converts alkali salts of carboxylic acids into diols which can then be used as solvents or be dehydrated to produce dienes, which can then be used to produce elastic polymeric materials. This process allows custom synthesis of high value chemicals from renewable feed stocks such as carboxylic acids derived from biomass.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide electrolytic device comprises: an electrolysis cell including a cathode, an anode, a carbon dioxide source to supply carbon dioxide to the cathode, a solution source to supply an electrolytic solution, and a separator separating the anode and the cathode; a power controller connected to the anode and the cathode; a refresh material source including a gas source to supply a gaseous substance, and a solution source to supply a rinse solution; and a controller to control the carbon dioxide source, the solution source, the power controller, and the refresh material source in accordance with request criteria of a performance of the cell and thus stop the supply of the carbon dioxide and the electrolytic solution, and apply the voltage therebetween while supplying the rinse solution thereto.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for electroplating nickel which employ substantially sulfur-free nickel anodes. The methods may include placing a semiconductor substrate in a cathode chamber of an electroplating cell having an anode chamber containing a substantially sulfur-free nickel anode, contacting an electrolyte solution having reduced oxygen concentration with the substantially sulfur-free nickel anode contained in the anode chamber, and electroplating nickel from the electrolyte solution onto the semiconductor substrate placed in the cathode chamber. The electroplating systems may include an electroplating cell having an anode chamber configured for holding a substantially sulfur-free nickel anode, a cathode chamber, and a substrate holder within the cathode chamber configured for holding a semiconductor substrate. The systems may also include an oxygen removal device arranged to reduce oxygen concentration in the electrolyte solution as it is flowed to the anode chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous simultaneous electroplating of two metals having substantially different standard electrodeposition potentials (e.g., for deposition of Sn—Ag alloys) comprises an anode chamber for containing an anolyte comprising ions of a first, less noble metal, (e.g., tin), but not of a second, more noble, metal (e.g., silver) and an active anode; a cathode chamber for containing catholyte including ions of a first metal (e.g., tin), ions of a second, more noble, metal (e.g., silver), and the substrate; a separation structure positioned between the anode chamber and the cathode chamber, where the separation structure substantially prevents transfer of more noble metal from catholyte to the anolyte; and fluidic features and an associated controller coupled to the apparatus and configured to perform continuous electroplating, while maintaining substantially constant concentrations of plating bath components for extended periods of use.

Abstract: This invention relates to gaskets, apparatus incorporating said gaskets and to methods of using them.

Abstract: A hydrogen communication hole of a water electrolysis apparatus is formed to penetrate in a stacking direction through an anode separator, an electrolyte membrane, and a cathode separator. A communication hole body, which is disposed between an anode current collector and the hydrogen communication hole, includes an inside member facing toward the hydrogen communication hole, and an outside member facing toward the anode current collector. On the outside member, there are provided accommodating chambers in which seal members are accommodated, and an opposing surface that faces toward the inside member without the seal members being interposed therebetween. The accommodating chambers and the hydrogen communication hole communicate via through holes, which are formed in the inside member in a manner so that openings on one end thereof face toward the opposing surface, and openings on another end thereof face toward the hydrogen communication hole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nonferrous metallurgy, in particular to the process equipment for electrolytic production of primary aluminum, namely to methods for lining cathode assemblies of reduction cells. A method for lining a cathode of a reduction cell for production of aluminum includes filling a cathode device shell with a thermal insulation layer and leveling said layer; filling, leveling and compacting a refractory layer; installing bottom and side blocks followed by sealing joints therebetween with a cold ramming paste. Prior to filling a shell bottom with the thermal insulation layer, a layer of fine carbonized particles is formed. The inventive method for lining a cathode assembly of a reduction cell for production of primary aluminum allows to reduce the cost of lining materials and energy consumption for reduction cell operation by means of improved heat resistance of a base and to increase the service life of reduction cells.

Abstract: A foot spa includes a body and an electrolysis device. The body has a receiving space for containing water. The electrolysis device is mounted on a bottom of the body and includes a case, a control module and two electrolyte plates. The control module is mounted inside the body. The two electrolyte plates are mounted on a top portion of the case and are electrically connected to the control module. When the foot spa is operated, salt water is added to the receiving space for the two electrolyte plates to be soaked into the salt water in generation of an electrolytic reaction, such that sodium hydroxide and hypochlorous acid can be generated from the salt water to sterilize and deodorize the feet of users and provide the hygienic advantage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator comprising an electrolytic device, a mixing chamber, and an atomizing chamber. The electrolytic device is configured for electrolyzing electrolyzed water to generate a gas with hydrogen. The mixing chamber is coupled to the electrolytic device for receiving the gas with hydrogen and mixing the gas with hydrogen with an atomized gas to generate a healthy gas. The atomizing chamber is coupled to the mixing chamber for generating the atomized gas. Wherein the maximum bore diameter of the mixing chamber is smaller than the maximum bore diameter of the atomizing chamber. The invention can reduce the possibility of the gas explosion by using the smaller volume of the mixing chamber and setting the anti-static device, since the smaller capacity of the mixing chamber has less hydrogen inside and the anti-static device is configured for reducing or eliminating the static electricity in the gas generator.

Abstract: An apparatus for electroplating metal on a semiconductor substrate with improved plating uniformity includes in one aspect: a plating chamber configured to contain an electrolyte and an anode; a substrate holder configured to hold the semiconductor substrate; and an ionically resistive ionically permeable element comprising a substantially planar substrate-facing surface and an opposing surface, wherein the element allows for flow of ionic current towards the substrate during electroplating, and wherein the element comprises a region having varied local resistivity. In one example the resistivity of the element is varied by varying the thickness of the element. In some embodiments the thickness of the element is gradually reduced in a radial direction from the edge of the element to the center of the element. The provided apparatus and methods are particularly useful for electroplating metal in WLP recessed features.

Abstract: To prevent turbulence on a surface of a plating solution as much as possible and suppress spattering and splashing of the plating solution even when the plating solution is stirred. Provided is a wave absorbing member that is attachable to a paddle moveable in a horizontal direction to stir liquid. The wave absorbing member includes a thin plate shaped body portion configured to move on a liquid surface when moving in the horizontal direction and a front end portion designed to be tapered toward an end from the body portion.

Abstract: Electrolyzer devices (e.g., for Brown's gas production, hydrogen production, other electrolysis processes) including a containment vessel configured to be filled with an electrolyte solution, with a plurality of electrically conductive plates positioned therein. Each plate may be oriented vertically, where two or more of the plates are electrode plates. The electrode plates may extend outside of the containment vessel of the electrolyzer so that electrical connections to the electrode plates can be made outside of the containment vessel of the electrolyzer. No electrical connections are made on a sealed interior of the containment vessel. Each plate may include an insular wrap around the edges of each plate. The insular wrap may include grooves formed into the insular wrap into which the plates are received. Such grooves may negate the need for any gaskets. The insular wrap may include holes for passage of the solution into and out of the cells.

Abstract: An environmentally friendly (e.g. no acid, base, or cyanide) system and process for large scale extraction of metal ion into aerobic molten salt (or ionic liquid) and the electrodeposition of metal (e.g. copper, gold, silver, etc.) from the metal ion dissolved in the molten salt. The non-volatile low vapor pressure liquid salt is reusable, and heat from the molten slag can heat the molten salts or ionic liquids. Another embodiment comprises a one-pot apparatus for the extraction of metal (e.g. copper) from metal earths and electrodepositing the metal using a low melting (209° C.) aerated Na—K—Zn chloride salt in which copper metal oxidizes and is converted to soluble copper chloride. When an electrical power supply is connected to the graphite vessel (cathode) and to copper rods in the melt (anodes), then the copper chloride is deposited as copper metal by electroreduction on the bottom of the graphite reaction vessel.

Abstract: Plating bath and well structures and methods are described to stop the organic compounds present in plating reservoir wells or bath solution from rising, i.e., climbing up the reservoir wall. An electroplating apparatus includes a vessel holding a liquid solution including metal plating material and an organic species, and a method of operating an electroplating apparatus. The apparatus is designed with plating bath and structures and methods to stop the organic compounds present in plating reservoir wells or bath solution from rising, i.e., climbing or wicking up the inner surfaces of reservoir walls, and to wash them back down on a continuous or cyclical basis in order to maintain a concentration of organic compounds in the plating solution within upper and lower specification limits.

Abstract: An aluminum reduction cell having a shell structure with a pair of longitudinally extending sidewalls, a pair of transversely extending endwalls, a bottom wall, and an open top having an upper edge. The aluminum reduction cell also has a transverse support structure with transverse bottom beams located under the shell structure and extending transversely between the sidewalls, each of the transverse bottom beams having a pair of opposed ends. The aluminium reduction cell also has compliant binding elements fixed to the transverse support structure, each extending vertically along an outer surface of one of the sidewalls for applying an inwardly directed force said sidewall. The compliant binding elements are in the form of cantilever springs. Each spring has a metal member with a lower end which is secured to the transverse support structure, and a compliant, upper free end which is movable inwardly and outwardly in response to expansion and contraction of the shell structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a vacuum in a sealed enclosure through an electrochemical reaction includes an electrochemical cell comprising a cathode and an anode supported on a solid electrolyte. The solid electrolyte is a Li-ion non-volatile electrolyte containing a dissolved metal salt. The cathode is constructed of a material with which lithium is known to form alloys. The anode is constructed of a lithium-ion containing material. The cell is operable to expose lithium metal on the cathode.

Abstract: A functional water production device 1 comprises: a functional water production unit 2 for producing functional water including purified water, reduced water or acidic water obtained by electrolysis of water; a control unit 6 for controlling the functional water production unit 2 in a plurality of operational modes including a water purification mode, a reduced water mode, and an acidic water mode; and an operation unit 7 for switching the operational modes. The operation unit 7 comprises: an operational surface (71a); a display unit 72 for displaying operational areas 103, 104, and 105 corresponding to the operational modes along a first coordinate axis 101 in an order of pH of the functional water to be produced; and a position detecting unit 73 for detecting a position of the touch by a user on the operational surface (71a). Based on the information of the position, the control unit 6 determines the operational mode, and produces water according to the operational mode.

Abstract: An electrolysis method comprising an electrolysis cell (4), which method uses at least one recirculating flushing medium (50, 60). The invention further relates to an electrolysis system, in particular for carrying out the electrolysis method.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide electrolytic device comprises an electrolysis cell including: a cathode to reduce a first substance containing carbon dioxide and thus produce a first product containing a carbon compound; a cathode flow path which faces the cathode and through which a gas containing the carbon dioxide flows; an anode to oxidize a second substance containing water or a hydroxide and thus produce a second product containing oxygen; an anode flow path which faces the anode and through which an electrolytic solution containing the water or the hydroxide flows; a water-repellent porous body which faces the anode flow path and through which the second product flows; and a separator provided between the anode and the cathode.