Abstract: A thermally regenerated fuel cell for converting thermal energy into electrical energy. A hydrogen reactive cathode reacts with a solvent-free catholyte and a hydrogen reactive anode reacts with a solvent-free anolyte. Reactants consumed at the electrodes during the electrochemical reaction are regenerated thermally below about 250.degree. C. to replenish the reactants consumed during the generation of electrical energy.

Abstract: An method of providing a protective coating on the surface of aluminum or aluminum alloys, comprising: removing contaminants from the surface; exposing the surface to water at 50.degree. to 100.degree. C. to form a porous boehmite coating on the surface; and exposing the boehmite-coated surface to an aqueous solution comprising a cerium salt and a metal nitrate at a temperature of 70.degree. to 100.degree. C. Oxides and hydroxides of cerium are formed within the pores of the boehmite to provide the protective coating, which provides corrosion resistance and improved paint adhesion.

Abstract: A method for forming a gas-permeable and ion-permeable membrane comprising fully impregnating a porous ion-impermeable or non-conductive polymer substrate with an ion-conducting polymer material to form a composite and subsequently stretching the composite to re-form pores in the substrate. The resulting membrane comprises regions of the ion-conducting material juxtaposed to the gas-permeable pores formed in the substrate by the stretching process.

Abstract: An electrochemical capacitor (battery-capacitor) which provides high power density and rapid charging and discharging times ranging from a few milliseconds to a few seconds. The capacitor device includes at least one electrochemical cell having two electrodes and an electrolyte therebetween. The electrodes and electrolyte are capable of rapid redox kinetics with the electrodes being spaced apart by no more than 0.002 inch (5.08.times.10.sup.-3 cm) to thereby provide rapid charging and discharging times.

Abstract: The invention provides a substituted polybenzimidazole product produced by employing a cyclic carbonate to attach hydroxyalkyl substituents at the reactive imidazole hydrogen sites on the polybenzimidazole polymer. The substituted polybenzimidazole polymer membranes produced by this process exhibit improved hydrophilicity and chemical stability over prior art polybenzimidazole membranes. Substituted polybenzimidazole polymer ultrafilters produced by this process filter a broad range of molecular weight compounds.