Abstract: An electrical power generating device having a plurality of ceramic composite cells, each cell having a cathode and an anode. A thermal shell in which the ceramic composite cells are stacked or arranged in electrical series and gas parallel surrounded by shock absorbing and insulating materials, respectively, is preferably included. Also provided are an exhaust fan, thermocouple sensors, a fuel supply, a programmable computer controller with user interface, and a container supporting the assembly and having passageways for providing air ingress and egress to the device, and power output terminals for the electrical power from the device. Methods for manufacturing the ceramic composite cells are also provided, including a method for manufacturing stabilized zirconia and for use in the ceramic materials used within the ceramic composite cell.

Abstract: An electrical power generating device having a plurality of ceramic composite cells, each cell having a cathode and an anode. A thermal shell in which the ceramic composite cells are stacked or arranged in electrical series and gas parallel surrounded by shock absorbing and insulating materials, respectively, is preferably included. Also provided are an exhaust fan, thermocouple sensors, a fuel supply, a programmable computer controller with user interface, and a container supporting the assembly and having passageways for providing air ingress and egress to the device, and power output terminals for the electrical power from the device. Methods for manufacturing the ceramic composite cells are also provided, including a method for manufacturing stabilized zirconia and for use in the ceramic materials used within the ceramic composite cell.

Abstract: An electrical power generating device having a plurality of ceramic composite cells, each cell having a cathode and an anode. A thermal shell in which the ceramic composite cells are stacked or arranged in electrical series and gas parallel surrounded by shock absorbing and insulating materials, respectively, is preferably included. Also provided are an exhaust fan, thermocouple sensors, a fuel supply, a programmable computer controller with user interface, and a container supporting the assembly and having passageways for providing air ingress and egress to the device, and power output terminals for the electrical power from the device. Methods for manufacturing the ceramic composite cells are also provided, including a method for manufacturing stabilized zirconia and for use in the ceramic materials used within the ceramic composite cell.

Abstract: A ductile, solid electrolyte composite comprising a continuous, ordered, repeating ductile metallic array surrounded by and supporting an ionically conductive ceramic matrix such as stabilized zirconia, bismuth and/or ceria oxides.

Abstract: An oxygen or ozone generating device having a plurality of ceramic composite cells, a resistance heat element, a cathode, an anode, a gas manifold interconnecting a gas output passageway from each of the cells, and a thermal shell in which the ceramic composite cells are stacked or arranged in electrical series and gas parallel surrounded by shock absorbing and insulating materials, respectively. Also provided are an exhaust fan, thermocouple sensors, a power source, a programmable computer controller with user interface, and a container supporting the computer user interface and having passageways for providing air into the device, and an oxygen output for supplying oxygen from the device. Methods for manufacturing the ceramic composite cells are also provided, including a method for manufacturing bismuth baria oxide and bismuth calcia baria oxide for use in the ceramic materials used within the ceramic composite cell.

Abstract: An electrical power generating device having a plurality of ceramic composite cells, each cell having a cathode and an anode. A thermal shell in which the ceramic composite cells are stacked or arranged in electrical series and gas parallel surrounded by shock absorbing and insulating materials, respectively, is preferably included. Also provided are an exhaust fan, thermocouple sensors, a fuel supply, a programmable computer controller with user interface, and a container supporting the assembly and having passageways for providing air ingress and egress to the device, and power output terminals for the electrical power from the device. Methods for manufacturing the ceramic composite cells are also provided, including a method for manufacturing stabilized zirconia for use in the ceramic materials used within the ceramic composite cell. The cell utilizes a ceramic composite body electrolyte which contains a metal member having a regular pattern of openings.

Abstract: An oxygen welding apparatus capable of generating its oxygen needs without an external oxygen source from a self-contained solid state electrolytic cell which separates oxygen from the air. The cell employs a flexible, ductile ceramic composite as the solid electrolyte. The ductile ceramic composite electrolyte comprises a continuous, ordered, repeating, interconnected ductile metallic array substantially surrounded by and intimately integrated within a ceramic matrix. The cell is connected to a power supply so when current is passed through the cell, oxygen or nitrogen is separated from the air passing through the cell.

Abstract: A solid state electrolytic cell for separating oxygen or nitrogen from the air which employs a flexible, ductile ceramic composite as the solid electrolyte is provided. The ductile ceramic composite solid electrolyte comprises a continuous, ordered, repeating, interconnected ductile metallic array substantially surrounded by and intimately integrated within a ceramic matrix. The cell is connected to a power supply so when current is passed through the cell, oxygen or nitrogen is separated from the air passing through the cell.

Abstract: Gas diffusion electrodes and gas-generating or consuming electrochemical cells utilizing the same are disclosed. The electrode comprises an electronically conductive and electrochemically active porous body defining respective gas and electrolyte contacting surfaces, with a substantially gas impermeable layer covering the electrolyte contacting surface. The layer comprises an electrolyte-insoluble, ionomeric ionically conductive hydrophilic hydrogel formed by coprecipitation between at least first and second precursor polymers.

Abstract: Gas diffusion electrodes and gas generating or consuming electrochemical cells utilizing the same are disclosed. The electrode comprises an electronically conductive and electrochemically active porous body defining respective gas and electrolyte contacting surfaces, with a substantially gas impermeable material filling at least a portion of the pore volume of the body so as to prevent gas passage therethrough. The material comprises an electrolyte-insoluble, ionomeric ionically conductive hydrophilic hydrogel formed by coprecipitation between at least two precursor polymers.

Abstract: There is provided a solid oxide fuel cell comprising a solid state electrolytic cell wherein the solid electrolyte is a ductile composite comprising an ordered, repeating array of ductile intersupported continuous fibers substantially surrounding a ceramic matrix, and means for connecting the cell to an electrical load whereby when current is passed through the cell, fuel and air are converted into electric power.

Abstract: A solid state electrochemical cell adapted to alter the composition of gas streams passing therethrough comprising: a porous, high surface area electrolyte forming the body of the cell, said electrolyte having darkened electrocatalytic surfaces; a gas communicating passageway through the cell length; a first electronically conductive region and a second electrolytically conductive region, said regions disposed in opposing segments of the cell; a first electrode located in said first conductive region and a second opposing electrode located within said second conductive region, said solid electrolyte having a transference number of less than 1 and greater than 0.50 in a region between the electrodes.

Abstract: Gas diffusion oxygen cathodes, oxygen consuming electrochemical cells utilizing such cathodes, and a method of preparing such cathodes are disclosed. The cathode comprises an electronically conductive porous body defining respective gas and electrolyte contacting surfaces. The cathode is prepared by forming the porous body, disposing the electrolyte contacting the gas contacting surface with a gaseous atmosphere. Current is passed through the porous body at a degree of electrode polarization much higher than normal whereby modification of the electrode material is effected. If desired, a transition metal macrocycle catalyst may be incorporated in the electrode and is subjected to pretreatment as well. The inventive electrodes exhibit superior voltage performance under oxygen reduction polarization conditions.

Abstract: Gas diffusion electrodes and gas generating or consuming electrochemical cells utilizing the same are disclosed. The electrode includes an electronically conductive and electrochemically active porous body defining respective gas and electrolyte contacting surfaces, with an ionomeric ionically conductive gas impermeable layer covering the electrolyte contacting surface. The layer includes a layer of a hydrophilic ionic polymer applied directly to the electrolyte contacting surface and a membrane of a hydrophilic ion exchange resin overlying the polymer layer.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell and a method of controllably generating electricity with the cell wherein the cell comprises an anode of a metal which is highly reactive with water, a cathode of a nonreactive, electrically conductive material spaced from the anode, and an electrolyte which is an aqueous solution of a negatively charged electrolytic ionic specie and which is saturated with respect to the electrochemical reaction product between the anodic metal and the electrolytic ionic specie.The cell advantageously operates at elevated temperatures, is stable and safe, generates high current densities, provides a readily manageable electrolyte system and is controllable by control of the operating temperature alone.

Abstract: Gas diffusion electrodes, gas generating or consuming electrochemical cells utilizing such electrodes, and a method of preparing such electrodes are disclosed. The electrode comprises an electronically conductive porous body defining respective gas and electrolyte contacting surfaces. The electrode is prepared by forming the porous body, disposing the electrolyte contacting surface in contact with an electrolyte, and contacting the gas contacting surface with a gaseous atmosphere. Current is passed through the porous body at a degree of electrode polarization much higher than normal whereby modification of the electrode material is effected. If desired, a catalyst may be incorporated in the electrode and is subjected to pretreatment as well. The inventive electrodes exhibit superior voltage performance under oxygen polarization conditions.

Abstract: A method for converting and maintaining a fabric material in a fire retardant state through the steps of integrating a substantially non-toxic hydrophilic substance amidst the fibers of a fabric material where the hydrophilic substance is possessed of reversible hydration characteristics towards absorbing water in a non-heat or fire environment and alternatively releasing water in a heat or fire environment. The hydrophilic material is further capable of being reversibly restored to a further fire retardancy after the alternative release of water in a heat-fire environment.

Abstract: A method of power generation and associated system therefor employing an electrochemical cell including a reactive metal anode, a cathode spaced from the anode and an electrolyte comprising an aqeuous solution of the hydroxide of the reactive metal is disclosed. The method of the invention utilizes the thermal coefficient of solubility of the metal hydroxide anode reaction product as a means by which electrolyte management is accomplished. The electrolyte, after passing through the electrochemical cell to generate electric power, is cooled to precipitate at least a portion of the reactive metal hydroxide. The precipitate is then separated from the electrolyte, thereby reducing the concentration of the reactive metal hydroxide in the electrolyte. The resulting electrolyte is then recirculated to the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A power generation system utilizing an electrochemical cell comprising a reactive metal anode, a cathode spaced from the anode and an electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of the hydroxide of the reactive metal is disclosed. The hydroxide concentration in the electrolyte is controlled by contacting the electrolyte with at least one complex comprising a hydrogen fluoride adduct to a fluoride salt to form at least one compound of the reactive metal which is insoluble in the electrolyte. The insoluble compound is separated from the electrolyte and the electrolyte is recirculated to the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A power generation system utilizing an electrochemical cell comprising a reactive metal anode, a cathode spaced from the anode and an electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of the hydroxide of the reactive metal is disclosed. The hydroxide concentration in the electrolyte is controlled by contacting the electrolyte with acids or salts thereof having a first anion comprising at least two elements with at least one of the elements being a non-metal. Upon contact with the electrolyte, the anion hydrolyzes to yield at least second or third anions which react with the hydroxide of the reactive metal to yield compounds thereof which are insoluble in the electrolyte. The insoluble compounds are separated from the electrolyte and the electrolyte is recirculated to the electrochemical cell.