Abstract: A volatile substance delivery system includes a volatile substance container to contain a volatile substance, an optional absorbent and collapsible element disposed within the container to reduce presence of undesired air during manufacture of the device, an outlet to deliver a volume of the volatile substance from the volatile substance container to an ambient environment, and a manual screw pump to reduce volume (or sometimes, just increase pressure) within the volatile substance container and promote the delivery of the volatile substance from the volatile substance container.

Abstract: A volatile substance delivery system includes a volatile substance container to contain a volatile substance, a volatile substance delivery structure, and a volatile substance drop delivery system to deliver a drop of the volatile substance to the volatile substance delivery structure for delivery to an ambient environment.

Abstract: A wound therapy device is disclosed. The wound therapy device may include a housing for covering at least a portion of a wound and for sealing to a body surface of a patient. The housing may also include a liquid collector for retaining liquid therein and a vacuum connection for coupling to a vacuum source. The vacuum connection may be in gaseous communication with the liquid collector. The vacuum connection may be separated from the liquid collector by a liquid barrier.

Abstract: A wipe for anti-microbial disinfecting includes a flexible substrate and an anti-microbial ion source integrated on the substrate. The flexible substrate is made entirely or in part of woven fiber cloth, non-woven fiber cloth, woven synthetic cloth, non-woven synthetic cloth, or natural fiber cloth. The anti-microbial ion source is configured to dissolve in an aqueous solution to form an anti-microbial solution. The flexible substrate is configured to absorb the anti-microbial solution for use in cleaning.

Abstract: A multi-stage sodium heat engine is provided to convert thermal energy to electrical energy, the multi-stage sodium heat engine including at least a first stage, a second stage, and an electrical circuit operatively connecting the first stage and the second stage with an electrical load. One or more methods of powering an electrical load using a multi-stage sodium heat engine are also described.

Abstract: Provided is a sodium secondary battery capable of operating at a low temperature. More particularly, the sodium secondary battery according to the present invention includes: an anode containing sodium; a cathode containing a transition metal and an alkali metal halide; and a sodium ion conductive solid electrolyte provided between the anode and the cathode, wherein the cathode is impregnated in a molten salt electrolyte containing a sodium.metal halogen salt including at least two kinds of halogens.

Abstract: An automatic air freshener that operates for a period of time in excess of about 14 days, and that may optionally include a drain cleaner, mosquito repellant, or other beneficial fluid. Certain embodiments are adapted for disposal in a urinal, although a variety of other applications are contemplated. An air freshener may operate by: emanation of scent from a rubber or rubber-like material that carries a dispersed scented oil; gravity-induced drip from a bulk supply of scented fluid through a small orifice; osmotic transfer of scented fluid from a bulk supply; or gas-pump drive of scented fluid at controlled pressure. When present, the drain cleaner typically is carried by a container structured to permit a slow drip of drain cleaning fluid from a bulk fluid supply.

Abstract: A volatile substance delivery system includes a volatile substance container to contain a volatile substance, an outlet to deliver a volume of the volatile substance from the volatile substance container to an ambient environment, and a manual screw pump to increase pressure within the volatile substance container and promote the delivery of the volatile substance from the volatile substance container.

Abstract: An intermediate temperature molten sodium-metal halide rechargeable battery utilizes a molten eutectic mixture of sodium haloaluminate salts having a relatively low melting point that enables the battery to operate at substantially lower temperature compared to the traditional ZEBRA battery system and utilize a highly conductive NaSICON solid electrolyte membrane. The positive electrode comprises a mixture of NaX and MX, where X is a halogen selected from Cl, Br and I and M is a metal selected Ni, Fe, and Zn. The positive electrode is disposed in a mixed molten salt positive electrolyte comprising at least two salts that can be represented by the formula NaAlX?4-?X??, where 0<?<4, wherein X? and X? are different halogens selected from Cl, Br and I. The positive electrode may include additional NaX added in a molar ratio ranging from 1:1 to 3:1 of NaX:NaAlX?4-?X??.

Abstract: A wipe for anti-microbial disinfecting includes a flexible substrate and an anti-microbial ion source integrated on the substrate. The flexible substrate is made entirely or in part of woven fiber cloth, non-woven fiber cloth, woven synthetic cloth, non-woven synthetic cloth, or natural fiber cloth. The anti-microbial ion source is configured to dissolve in an aqueous solution to form an anti-microbial solution. The flexible substrate is configured to absorb the anti-microbial solution for use in cleaning.

Abstract: A molten sodium secondary cell charges at a high temperature and discharges at a relatively lower temperature. The cell includes a sodium anode and a cathode. A sodium ion conductive solid membrane separates the cathode from the sodium anode and selectively transports sodium ions. A solar energy source includes a photovoltaic system to provide an electric charging potential to the sodium anode and the cathode and a solar thermal concentrator to provide heat to the cathode and catholyte composition to cause the molten sodium secondary cell to charge at a temperature in the range from about 300 to 800° C. The cell has a charge temperature and a charge voltage and a discharge temperature and a discharge voltage. The charge temperature is substantially higher than the discharge temperature, and the charge voltage is lower than the discharge voltage.

Abstract: Electrochemical systems and methods for producing hydrogen. Generally, the systems and methods involve providing an electrochemical cell that includes an anolyte compartment holding an anode in contact with an anolyte, wherein the anolyte includes an oxidizable substance having a higher standard oxidation potential than water. The cell further comprises a catholyte compartment holding a cathode in contact with a catholyte that includes a substance that reduces to form hydrogen. Additionally, the cell includes an alkali cation conductive membrane that separates the anolyte compartment from the catholyte compartment. As an electrical potential passes between the anode and cathode, the reducible substance reduces to form hydrogen and the oxidizable substance oxidizes to form an oxidized product. The pH within the catholyte compartment may be controlled and maintained to a value in the range of 6 to 8. Apparatus and methods to regenerate the oxidizable substance are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning and/or disinfecting surfaces and objects includes a spray bottle that is refillable with an aqueous solution, the spray bottle including a nozzle and a container. The apparatus further includes a conduit in communication with the nozzle and an interior of the container, an actuator for pumping the aqueous solution from the interior of the container to outside the spray bottle through the nozzle, an ultraviolet light source in communication with the conduit configured to at least partially radiate the aqueous solution in the conduit, a power source in communication with the ultraviolet light source, and an actuator in electrical communication with the power source, the actuator configured to provide power to the ultraviolet light source upon actuation of the actuator.

Abstract: Electrochemical systems and methods for producing hydrogen. Generally, the systems and methods involve providing an electrochemical cell that includes an anolyte compartment holding an anode in contact with an anolyte, wherein the anolyte includes an oxidizable substance having a higher standard oxidation potential than water. The cell further comprises a catholyte compartment holding a cathode in contact with a catholyte that includes a substance that reduces to form hydrogen. Additionally, the cell includes an alkali cation conductive membrane that separates the anolyte compartment from the catholyte compartment. As an electrical potential passes between the anode and cathode, the reducible substance reduces to form hydrogen and the oxidizable substance oxidizes to form an oxidized product.

Abstract: A wound therapy device is disclosed. The wound therapy device may include a housing for covering at least a portion of a wound and for sealing to a body surface of a patient. The housing may also include a liquid collector for retaining liquid therein and a vacuum connection for coupling to a vacuum source. The vacuum connection may be in gaseous communication with the liquid collector. The vacuum connection may be separated from the liquid collector by a liquid barrier.

Abstract: A method for removing nitrogen from natural gas includes contacting substantially dry natural gas that contains unwanted nitrogen with lithium metal. The nitrogen reacts with lithium to form lithium nitride, which is recovered for further processing, and pipeline quality natural gas. The natural gas may optionally contain other chemical species that may be reduced by lithium, such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and small amounts of water. These lithium reducible species may be removed from the natural gas concurrently with the removal of nitrogen. The lithium nitride is subjected to an electrochemical process to regenerate lithium metal. In an alternative embodiment, lithium nitride is reacted with sulfur to form lithium sulfide and nitrogen. The lithium sulfide is subjected to an electrochemical process to regenerate lithium metal and sulfur. The electrochemical processes are advantageously performed in an electrolytic cell containing a lithium ion selective membrane separator.

Abstract: A nickel-metal hydride (hydrogen) hybrid storage battery comprising a positive electrode containing nickel hydroxide, a combination negative electrode containing a hydrogen storage alloy electrode and a reversible hydrogen electrode, an alkaline electrolyte, and an alkali conducting separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The alkali conducting separator may be a substantially non-porous ion conducting material wherein the alkali conducted is Na, K, or Li. A method of charging and discharging such a hybrid battery is also disclosed.

Abstract: A wound therapy device is disclosed. The wound therapy device may include a housing for covering at least a portion of a wound and for sealing to a body surface of a patient. The housing may also include a liquid collector for retaining liquid therein and a vacuum connection for coupling to a vacuum source. The vacuum connection may be in gaseous communication with the liquid collector. The vacuum connection may be separated from the liquid collector by a liquid barrier.

Abstract: A volatile substance delivery system includes a volatile substance container to contain a volatile substance, an outlet to deliver a volume of the volatile substance from the volatile substance container to an ambient environment, and a manual screw pump to increase pressure within the volatile substance container and promote the delivery of the volatile substance from the volatile substance container.

Abstract: Provided is a sodium secondary battery capable of operating at a low temperature. More particularly, the sodium secondary battery according to the present invention includes: an anode containing sodium; a cathode containing a transition metal and an alkali metal halide; and a sodium ion conductive solid electrolyte provided between the anode and the cathode, wherein the cathode is impregnated in a molten salt electrolyte containing a sodium.metal halogen salt including at least two kinds of halogens.