Abstract: A flavor or aroma charcoal material, such as charcoal briquets, which is formulated to include a flavor or aroma component. The charcoal material may include a smoldering agent (e.g., limestone), wood particles (e.g., sawdust), a binder, and the flavor or aroma component (herbs and/or spices). The flavor or aroma charcoal material may not be configured as a fuel charcoal material, for example, it may be substantially void of char and/or coal. In an embodiment, the flavor or aroma charcoal material may be provided as part of a blend of different charcoal materials that includes both flavor or aroma briquets in combination with fuel briquets (e.g., which fuel briquets include char and/or coal, while the flavor briquets do not). The flavor briquets provide enhanced aroma and/or flavor to the grilling experience.

Abstract: The invention relates to mixed metal borohydrides used for solid hydrogen storage. The mixed metal borohydrides are synthesized through solution synthesis using multiple metal borohydrides. First and second precursor solutions are prepared and combined to create a mixture in which the mixed metal borohydride is formed. The solvent is removed, leaving the mixed metal borohydride. The first precursor solution consisting essentially of lithium borohydride, and the second precursor solution consisting essentially of a borohydride compound containing one or more metal cations selected from the group of metals consisting of sodium, magnesium, calcium and titanium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel unit for a gas generator such as a hydrogen gas generator that can supply gas to a gas consuming system such as a fuel cell system. The fuel unit includes a housing containing a solid fuel composition and a heat producing material. The fuel composition contains gas releasing solid material that reacts to release gas when heated. The heat producing material reacts exothermically to produce heat. A plurality of quantities of the heat producing material are in thermal communication with corresponding portions of an unsegregated quantity the fuel composition such that, following initiation of a reaction of each quantity of the heat producing material, the quantity of heat producing material will heat the corresponding portion of the unsegregated quantity of the fuel composition, and the corresponding portion of the unsegregated quantity of the fuel composition will react to release a quantity of the gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of forming an alane-etherate complex and ?-alane from the alane-etherate complex. The methods include reacting an alkyl halide with a metal alanate in a solvent including an ether. A tertiary amine may also be added to the reaction. The alane is collected after removal of the solvent and/or the tertiary amine. An electrospraying process can be used to remove the solvent.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator and a fuel cell system including a fuel cell battery and the hydrogen generator. The hydrogen generator includes a cartridge, a housing with a cavity to removably contain the cartridge, and an initiation system. The cartridge includes a casing; a plurality of pellets including a hydrogen containing material; a plurality of solid heat transfer members in contact with but not penetrating the casing; a hydrogen outlet in the casing; and a hydrogen flow path from each pellet to the hydrogen outlet. A plurality of heating elements is disposed inside the housing. When the cartridge is in the cavity, each heating element is disposed so heat can be conducted from the heating element and through the casing and corresponding heat transfer member to initiate the release of hydrogen gas. The initiation system can selectively heat one or more pellets to release hydrogen gas as needed.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator and a fuel cell system including a fuel cell battery and the hydrogen generator. The hydrogen generator includes a cartridge, a housing with a cavity to removably contain the cartridge, and an initiation system. The cartridge includes a casing; a plurality of pellets including a hydrogen containing material; a plurality of solid heat transfer members in contact with but not penetrating the casing; a hydrogen outlet in the casing; and a hydrogen flow path from each pellet to the hydrogen outlet. A plurality of heating elements is disposed inside the housing. When the cartridge is in the cavity, each heating element is disposed so heat can be conducted from the heating element and through the casing and corresponding heat transfer member to initiate the release of hydrogen gas. The initiation system can selectively heat one or more pellets to release hydrogen gas as needed.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator and a fuel cell system including a fuel cell battery and the hydrogen generator. The hydrogen generator includes a cartridge, a housing with a cavity to removably contain the cartridge, and an initiation system. The cartridge includes a casing; a plurality of pellets including a hydrogen containing material; a plurality of solid heat transfer members in contact with but not penetrating the casing; a hydrogen outlet in the casing; and a hydrogen flow path from each pellet to the hydrogen outlet. A plurality of heating elements is disposed inside the housing. When the cartridge is in the cavity, each heating element is disposed so heat can be conducted from the heating element and through the casing and corresponding heat transfer member to initiate the release of hydrogen gas. The initiation system can selectively heat one or more pellets to release hydrogen gas as needed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of forming ?-alane. The method includes reacting a tetraalkyl ammonium alanate solution in toluene with an alkyl halide or other proton source such as HCl or H2SO4.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel unit for a gas generator such as a hydrogen gas generator that can supply gas to a gas consuming system such as a fuel cell system. The fuel unit includes a housing containing a solid fuel composition and a heat producing material. The fuel composition contains gas releasing solid material that reacts to release gas when heated. The heat producing material reacts exothermically to produce heat. A plurality of quantities of the heat producing material are in thermal communication with corresponding portions of an unsegregated quantity the fuel composition such that, following initiation of a reaction of each quantity of the heat producing material, the quantity of heat producing material will heat the corresponding portion of the unsegregated quantity of the fuel composition, and the corresponding portion of the unsegregated quantity of the fuel composition will react to release a quantity of the gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to mixed metal borohydrides used for solid hydrogen storage. The mixed metal borohydrides are synthesized through solution synthesis using multiple metal borohydrides. First and second precursor solutions are prepared and combined to create a mixture in which the mixed metal borohydride is formed. The solvent is removed, leaving the mixed metal borohydride. The first precursor solution consisting essentially of lithium borohydride, and the second precursor solution consisting essentially of a borohydride compound containing one or more metal cations selected from the group of metals consisting of sodium, magnesium, calcium and titanium.

Abstract: The invention to preparing alane-etherate and alane by producing an alane-etherate complex using an acid including one or a combination of hydrochloric acid and methanesulfonic acid and a metal tetrahydroaluminate in a solvent including an ether such as diethyl ether. The alane-etherate can be desolvated using a spray desolvation process such as electrospraying.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of forming an alane-etherate complex and ?-alane from the alane-etherate complex. The methods include reacting an alkyl halide with a metal alanate in a solvent including an ether. A tertiary amine may also be added to the reaction. The alane is collected after removal of the solvent and/or the tertiary amine. An electrospraying process can be used to remove the solvent.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator and a fuel cell system including a fuel cell battery and the hydrogen generator. The hydrogen generator includes a cartridge, a housing with a cavity to removably contain the cartridge, and an initiation system. The cartridge includes a casing; a plurality of pellets including a hydrogen containing material; a plurality of solid heat transfer members in contact with but not penetrating the casing; a hydrogen outlet in the casing; and a hydrogen flow path from each pellet to the hydrogen outlet. A plurality of heating elements is disposed inside the housing. When the cartridge is in the cavity, each heating element is disposed so heat can be conducted from the heating element and through the casing and corresponding heat transfer member to initiate the release of hydrogen gas. The initiation system can selectively heat one or more pellets to release hydrogen gas as needed.

Abstract: Methods for generating hydrogen gas and power and related systems, including a hydrogen generator and a fuel cell system. The hydrogen generator includes a cartridge, a housing with a cavity to removably contain the cartridge, and an initiation system. The cartridge includes a casing; a plurality of pellets including a hydrogen containing material; a plurality of solid heat transfer members in contact with but not penetrating the casing; a hydrogen outlet in the casing; and a hydrogen flow path from each pellet to the hydrogen outlet. A plurality of heating elements is disposed inside the housing. Each heating element is disposed so heat can be conducted from the heating element through the casing to corresponding heat transfer member to initiate the release of hydrogen gas. The initiation system can selectively heat one or more pellets. Hydrogen gas can be provided to a fuel cell battery to generate power.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator and a fuel cell system including a fuel cell battery and the hydrogen generator. The hydrogen generator includes a cartridge, a housing with a cavity to removably contain the cartridge, and an initiation system. The cartridge includes a casing; a plurality of pellets including a hydrogen containing material; a plurality of solid heat transfer members in contact with but not penetrating the casing; a hydrogen outlet in the casing; and a hydrogen flow path from each pellet to the hydrogen outlet. A plurality of heating elements is disposed inside the housing. When the cartridge is in the cavity, each heating element is disposed so heat can be conducted from the heating element and through the casing and corresponding heat transfer member to initiate the release of hydrogen gas. The initiation system can selectively heat one or more pellets to release hydrogen gas as needed.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator and a fuel cell system including a fuel cell battery and the hydrogen generator. The hydrogen generator includes a cartridge, a housing with a cavity to removably contain the cartridge, and an initiation system. The cartridge includes a casing; a plurality of pellets including a hydrogen containing material; a plurality of solid heat transfer members in contact with but not penetrating the casing; a hydrogen outlet in the casing; and a hydrogen flow path from each pellet to the hydrogen outlet. A plurality of heating elements is disposed inside the housing. When the cartridge is in the cavity, each heating element is disposed so heat can be conducted from the heating element and through the casing and corresponding heat transfer member to initiate the release of hydrogen gas. The initiation system can selectively heat one or more pellets to release hydrogen gas as needed.

Abstract: A method for forming a housing for an electronic device (510) includes providing a first rigid layer (102, 302) including a curved surface defining a cavity (108, 308). A first adhesive (112, 312) is optionally applied over the curved surface, and an electro-optic module (105, 305) having a flexible substrate and a viewable surface (111, 311), is conformally fitted on the first adhesive (112, 312). A second adhesive (114, 314) is optionally disposed over the electro-optic module (105, 305) and a support structure (122) is optionally placed on the second adhesive (114). The support structure (122) includes an attachment apparatus (126) for mounting electronic circuitry. The first and second adhesives (112, 114) are cured. One of the second adhesive (114) or both the first rigid layer (102, 301) and the first adhesive (112) are transparent for viewing a viewable surface (111, 311) on or coupled to the electro-optic module (105, 305).

Abstract: A method of making a plurality of photovoltaic cells (400, 800, 1112) for charging a battery (1230) of an electronic device (1010) includes forming by a self-assembly process a plurality of interdigitated photovoltaic cells (400, 800, 1112) between two terminal electrodes (102, 202, 132, 232) coupled to the battery (1230). One electrode is a transport conductive material (102, 202) including a conductive material (106, 206) having sidewalls (110, 210) defining a plurality of pores (112). A conductive electrode material (126, 226) is formed over an electrolyte (124, 224) which is formed over a sensitizing material (122, 222) which is formed over an active transport material (114, 214) on the sidewalls (110, 210).

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a hybrid gas diffusion layer/current collector/electrocatalyst structure (28) suitable for 3D microfuel cell devices (180). The method comprises forming a macroporous electrically conductive structure (28) on a substrate (12, 112) positioned such that a plurality of cathode current collector/GDL (168) and anode current collector/GDL (166) are formed. An electrocatalyst material (158) is deposited in contact with these structures, completing the formation of cathode (168) and anode (166) hybrid current collector/GDL/electrocatalyst structures. When electrolyte (158) is positioned between the electrocatalyst material (158) contacting the cathode collector (168) and the electrocatalyst material (158) contacting each of the plurality of anode collectors (166), the resulting MEA is suitable for use in a micro fuel cell device.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling or otherwise effectively parameterizing the transport of dissolved, retained and/or exhausted gaseous byproducts generated in the operation of a fuel cell device comprises a gas permeable membrane (320) for substantially in-line, gravity-independent partitioning of, for example, carbon dioxide (710) in a DMFC device (700). Various features and parameters of the present invention may be suitably adapted to optimize the gas transport function for any specific fuel cell design. The present invention provides improved control of the rate of removal of gaseous byproducts from a fuel cell fuel solution in addition to improved application of fuel cell technology to power inter alia portable electronic devices.