Abstract: An electrocatalytic device for sensing gases. The gas sensing device includes a substrate layer, a reference electrode disposed on the substrate layer comprised of a nonstoichiometric chemical compound enabling oxygen diffusion therethrough, a lower reference electrode coupled to the reference electrode, a solid electrolyte coupled to the lower reference electrode and an upper catalytically active electrode coupled to the solid electrolyte.

Abstract: A composite formed of small desiccant particles retained in a dark matrix composed of a porous binder containing a transition metal oxide with pores to provide moisture transport with respect to the particles, and metallic fibers to remove the heat of condensation during dehumidification and provide heat for the removal of moisture during regeneration. The moisture absorbing properties of the composite may be regenerated by exposure of the dark matrix to solar radiation with dehumidification occurring at night.

Abstract: A core construction for a fuel cell is disclosed having both parallel and cross flow passageways for the fuel and the oxidant gases. Each core passageway is defined by electrolyte and interconnect walls. Each electrolyte wall consists of cathode and anode materials sandwiching an electrolyte material. Each interconnect wall is formed as a sheet of inert support material having therein spaced small plugs of interconnect material, where cathode and anode materials are formed as layers on opposite sides of each sheet and are electrically connected together by the interconnect material plugs. Each interconnect wall in a wavy shape is connected along spaced generally parallel line-like contact areas between corresponding spaced pairs of generally parallel electrolyte walls, operable to define one tier of generally parallel flow passageways for the fuel and oxidant gases. Alternate tiers are arranged to have the passageways disposed normal to one another.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte structure for fuel cells and other electrochemical devices providing oxygen ion transfer by a multiplicity of exposed internal surfaces made of a composition containing an oxide of a multivalent transition metal and forming small pore-like passages sized to permit oxygen ion transfer while limiting the transfer of oxygen gas.

Abstract: A fuel cell capable of utilizing a hydrocarbon such as methane as fuel and having an internal dual catalyst system within the anode zone, the dual catalyst system including an anode catalyst supporting and in heat conducting relationship with a reforming catalyst with heat for the reforming reaction being supplied by the reaction at the anode catalyst.

Abstract: Oxygen sensor specifically adapted for use in an industrial air/fuel control system provides an ability to measure actual oxygen content quantitatively in industrial situations where off-stoichiometric air/fuel control is desired. The sensor is quite simple and is easy to use since it provides accurate reproducible readings from sensor to sensor and for long periods. The leads to the solid electrolyte disc are of the same material as the electrodes and extend to the remote end of the sensor so as to eliminate dissimilar material junctions. Felted ceramic discs applied to the wet paste electrodes before firing serve to filter the gases contacting the sensor and act as wicks for permitting uniform dispersion of chloroplatinic acid to the paste electrodes.

Abstract: Oxygen sensor specifically adapted for use in an industrial air/fuel control system provides an ability to measure actual oxygen content quantitatively in industrial situations where off-stoichiometric air/fuel control is desired. The sensor is quite simple and is easy to use since it provides accurate reproducible readings from sensor to sensor and for long periods. The leads to the solid electrolyte disc are of the same material as the electrodes and extend to the remote end of the sensor so as to eliminate dissimilar material junctions. Felted ceramic discs applied to the wet paste electrodes before firing serve to filter the gases contacting the sensor and act as wicks for permitting uniform dispersion of chloroplatinic acid to the paste electrodes.

Abstract: 1. An electron multiplier comprising wall means of secondary electron emissive material defining a spiral passage, means for providing a current flow through said wall means to supply electrons for secondary emission, a resistance means provided in said wall means and connected in parallel across a portion of the spiral passage defined by said wall means to provide more uniform current multiplication along said passage length.

Abstract: A high density precious metal powder that resists sintering at 600.degree. C. and contains a very small percentage of titania or zirconia is produced by co-nucleation and precipitation of gold and titania from an ammoniacal solution at pH 3-4 with a bisulfite.A nickel powder including a very small percentage of a refractory oxide such as zirconia is prepared by co-nucleation and precipitation from an alkaline solution with hydrazine.Materials so prepared have oxidation resistance and sintering temperatures superior to the pure metal, and find utility in microelectronics as air-fired thick films. Nickel powders so prepared are also useful as hydrogenation catalysts and in other applications.

Abstract: A high density precious metal powder that resists sintering at 600.degree. C. and contains a very small percentage of titania or zirconia is produced by co-nucleation and precipitation of gold and titania from an ammoniacal solution at pH 3-4 with a bisulfite.A nickel powder including a very small percentage of a refractory oxide such as zirconia is prepared by co-nucleation and precipitation from an alkaline solution with hydrazine.Materials so prepared have oxidation resistance and sintering temperatures superior to the pure metal, and find utility in microelectronics as air-fired thick films. Nickel powders so prepared are also useful as hydrogenation catalysts and in other applications.

Abstract: A thermistor material is deposited and fired on a substrate, and an interdigitated pair of electrodes is deposited and fired thereover. The device is removed from the substrate and a third electrode of low thermal mass is applied on the side opposite the electrode pair. The three electrodes may be connected in a bridge circuit to form a novel, AC-generating infrared detector. When encapsulated in a header-type enclosure including a slit parallel to the electrode pair the sensor functions as an intrusion detector for moving objects. The thermistor material is preferably cobalt oxide.

Abstract: A high density precious metal powder that resists sintering at 600.degree.C. and contains a very small percentage of titania or zirconia is produced by co-nucleation and precipitation of gold and titania from an ammoniacal solution at pH 3-4 with a bisulfite.A nickel powder including a very small percentage of a refractory oxide such as zirconia is prepared by co-nucleation and precipitation from an alkaline solution with hydrazine.Materials so prepared have oxidation resistance and sintering temperatures superior to the pure metal, and find utility in microelectronics as air-fired thick films. Nickel powders so prepared are also useful as hydrogenation catalysts and in other applications.

Abstract: The operation of relative humidity sensors made from cobalt oxide on a non-conductive ceramic substrate is improved by (1) providing a porous, sputtered overcoat of polytetrafluoroethylene which renders the sensor surface non-wettable without affecting other properties, and (2) providing a printed heating element on the back surface of the sensor, enabling in situ degassing of chemisorbed or adsorbed impurities and regeneration of a nascent sensor surface.

Abstract: The operation of relative humidity sensors made from cobalt oxide on a non-conductive ceramic substrate is improved by heating the sensor for a short period to a high temperature in a reducing atmosphere. This reduces the specific resistance of the device. With a lower resistivity, it is possible to reduce the size of the sensor to the point where it can be included along with a semiconductive device in standard hermetic packages. This makes possible the continuous, one-line monitoring of hermeticity for the life of the circuit without the necessity fo applying a load to the circuit.