Abstract: A base-facilitated process for producing hydrogen. Hydrogen is produced from a reaction of carbonaceous matter with a base and water, preferably through the formation of a bicarbonate or carbonate by-product. The base-facilitated hydrogen-producing reactions are thermodynamically more spontaneous and are able to produce hydrogen gas at less extreme reaction conditions than conventional reformation or gasification reactions of carbonaceous matter. In another embodiment, the instant reactions permit the production of hydrogen from carbonaceous matter without the production of carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide. In a preferred embodiment, the carbonaceous matter is coal or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: A base-facilitated process for producing hydrogen. Hydrogen is produced from a reaction of carbonaceous matter with a base and water, preferably through the formation of a bicarbonate or carbonate by-product. The base-facilitated hydrogen-producing reactions are thermodynamically more spontaneous and are able to produce hydrogen gas at less extreme reaction conditions than conventional reformation or gasification reactions of carbonaceous matter. In another embodiment, the instant reactions permit the production of hydrogen from carbonaceous matter without the production of carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide. In a preferred embodiment, the carbonaceous matter is coal or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: A method of producing hydrogen gas from a reaction of an organic substance having multiple alcohol functionality with a base. Hydrogen can be produced in a reaction of a base with an organic substance having multiple alcohol functionality that may proceed through the formation of a bicarbonate or carbonate compound as a byproduct. In some embodiments, the reaction may occur in the presence of water. The preferred organic substances include diols, triols, and higher order alcohols. Non-cyclic (linear or branched) organic substances having multiple alcohol functionality are among the preferred reactants. The instant base-facilitated hydrogen-producing reactions are thermodynamically more spontaneous than the corresponding conventional reformation reactions of the organic substances and can produce hydrogen at less extreme reaction conditions. The preferred reactants further include low volatility organic substances having multiple alcohol functionality.

Abstract: A base-facilitated reformation reaction. Hydrogen is produced from a reaction of an organic substance with a base to form bicarbonate ion or carbonate ion as a by-product. The base-facilitated reformation reactions are thermodynamically more spontaneous than conventional reformation reactions and are able to produce hydrogen gas at less extreme reaction conditions than conventional reformation reactions. In one embodiment, the instant base-facilitated reactions produce hydrogen gas from an organic substance at a lower temperature than is possible for the production of hydrogen gas from the organic substance in a conventional reformation reaction. In another embodiment, the instant base-facilitated reformation reactions produce hydrogen gas from an organic substance at a faster rate at a particular temperature than is possible from the conventional reformation reaction of the organic substance.

Abstract: A process for producing hydrogen gas is disclosed. In one embodiment, the process for produces hydrogen gas from biofuel reformation. The process includes the step of reacting a biofuel with a naturally occurring base.

Abstract: The present invention relates to rechargeable nickel metal hydride batteries and methods for making the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to rechargeable nickel metal hydride batteries having a precharge in the negative electrode sufficient for oxidation prevention in the negative electrode. The present invention discloses a nickel metal hydride battery, wherein the precharge of the negative electrode may be supplied by a variety of sources. The positive active material of the positive electrode may have positive active particles, such as nickel hydroxide, having a precursor coating that incorporates cobalt material capable of forming a conductive network. Sources other than cobalt-containing materials in the positive electrode include hydrogen gas provided directly to the negative active material, nickel aluminum mixed with the negative active material, the etching of the negative active material with an alkaline solution and borohydride chemically charging the negative active material.

Abstract: A method of activating a hydrogen storage alloy. The method includes the step of contacting the hydrogen storage alloy with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide where the concentration of the alkali metal hydroxide is at least about 42 weight percent. The method produces a hydrogen storage alloy with increased surface area.

Abstract: A method for making a catalyst having catalytically active material supported on a carrier matrix. The catalytically active material may be a mixed-valence, nanoclustered oxide(s), an organometallic material or a combination thereof. In one method, a metal salt solution is combined with a metal complexing agent to form a metal complex. The metal complex is then combined with a suspension that includes a carrier matrix and the system is subjected to ultrasonic agitation. A base is then added to induce a controlled crystallization of a catalytic nanocluster metal material onto the carrier matrix. The supported catalytic material is particularly useful for catalyzing oxygen reduction in a fuel cell, such as an alkaline fuel cell.

Abstract: A catalyst having catalytically active material supported on a carrier matrix. The catalytically active material may be a mixed-valence, nanoclustered oxide(s), an organometallic material or a combination thereof. The supported catalytic material is particularly useful for catalyzing oxygen reduction in a fuel cell, such as an alkaline fuel cell.

Abstract: A process for producing hydrogen gas from a reaction of an organic substance and a base with a recycling of a carbonate or bicarbonate by-product and a regeneration of the base. In one embodiment, reaction of an organic substance and a base produces hydrogen gas and a metal carbonate. The instant invention provides recycling of the metal carbonate by-product. In a preferred embodiment, the metal carbonate by-product is soluble and recycling includes a three step process. In a first step, the soluble metal carbonate is reacted with a metal hydroxide to form a weakly soluble or insoluble metal carbonate that precipitates in a metathesis reaction. The metal hydroxide reactant of the hydrogen producing reaction is also formed in the metathesis reaction and remains in solution. Precipitation of the carbonate thus permits ready isolation of the carbonate by-product, while leaving behind an aqueous metal hydroxide phase that can be returned to and further utilized in the hydrogen producing reaction.

Abstract: A method of producing hydrogen gas from a reaction of an organic substance having multiple alcohol functionality with a base. Hydrogen can be produced in a reaction of a base with an organic substance having multiple alcohol functionality that may proceed through the formation of a bicarbonate or carbonate compound as a byproduct. In some embodiments, the reaction may occur in the presence of water. The preferred organic substances include diols, triols, and higher order alcohols. Non-cyclic (linear or branched) organic substances having multiple alcohol functionality are among the preferred reactants. The instant base-facilitated hydrogen-producing reactions are thermodynamically more spontaneous than the corresponding conventional reformation reactions of the organic substances and can produce hydrogen at less extreme reaction conditions. The preferred reactants further include low volatility organic substances having multiple alcohol functionality.

Abstract: An industrial catalyst having: a support; a plurality of metallic particulates distributed throughout the support; and a metal at least partially covering the surface of the support. A method for making a catalyst including the steps of: forming a support with non-noble metal particulates distributed throughout the support; and at least partially covering the surface of the support with a metal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to rechargeable nickel metal hydride batteries and methods for making the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to rechargeable nickel metal hydride batteries having a precharge in the negative electrode sufficient for oxidation prevention in the negative electrode. The present invention discloses a nickel metal hydride battery, wherein the precharge of the negative electrode may be supplied by a variety of sources. The positive active material of the positive electrode may have positive active particles, such as nickel hydroxide, having a precursor coating that incorporates cobalt material capable of forming a conductive network. Sources other than cobalt-containing materials in the positive electrode include hydrogen gas provided directly to the negative active material, nickel aluminum mixed with the negative active material, the etching of the negative active material with an alkaline solution and borohydride chemically charging the negative active material.

Abstract: An industrial catalyst having: a support; a plurality of metallic particulates distributed throughout the support; and a metal at least partially covering the surface of the support. A method for making a catalyst including the steps of: forming a support with non-noble metal particulates distributed throughout the support; and at least partially covering the surface of the support with a metal.

Abstract: A method of producing hydrogen gas from a reaction of carbon monoxide with a base. Hydrogen is produced in a reaction of a base with carbon monoxide that proceeds through the formation of a bicarbonate or carbonate compound as a by-product. In some embodiments, the reaction may occur in the presence of water and may produce carbon dioxide as a by-product. The instant base-facilitated hydrogen-producing reactions are thermodynamically more spontaneous than the water-gas shift reaction and are able to produce hydrogen gas from carbon monoxide at greater reaction rates than is possible with the water-gas shift reaction. Carbon monoxide in a purified or unpurified state or as a component within a mixture of gases is suitable for use in the instant invention. Metal hydroxides are the preferred base reactant. The base reactant can be in the solid phase, molten phase, liquid phase or solution phase.

Abstract: A base-facilitated reaction for the production of hydrogen from biomass or component(s) thereof. Hydrogen is produced from a reaction of naturally occurring organic matter with a base to form a bicarbonate or carbonate compound as a by-product. The base-facilitated hydrogen-producing reactions are thermodynamically more spontaneous than conventional-type reformation reactions and are able to produce hydrogen gas at less extreme reaction conditions than conventional-type reformation reactions. The preferred reactants are biomass, components of biomass, and mixtures of components of biomass. Especially preferred are base-facilitated reactions in which hydrogen is produced from carbohydrates or mixtures of carbohydrates, include monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides, and cellulose. The instant reactions can occur in the liquid phase or solid.

Abstract: Methods for producing hydrogen gas from organic substances. According to the methods, hydrogen is produced from an electrochemical reaction of an organic substance with water or a base. The instant methods permit the production of hydrogen at lower operating voltages or lower operating temperatures relative to water electrolysis. Operable organic substances include alcohols, ethers, carboxylic acids, aldehydes, and ketones. In a preferred embodiment, hydrogen gas is produced from an electrochemical reaction of methanol in the presence of a base such as NaOH or KOH.

Abstract: A low temperature alkaline fuel cell having a hydrogen electrode and an oxygen electrode, both of which are comprised of high performance non-precious metal catalytic materials providing high performance at low temperatures.

Abstract: A method of starting a nickel metal hydride battery in cold weather. The method includes the step of discharging the battery through a short circuit.

Abstract: An electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy including an oxide surface having metallic catalytic particles distributed throughout, wherein said metallic catalytic particles have an average particle size of 10-40 Angstroms in size.