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: Electrochemical and thermal hydrogen storage alloy compositions that provide superior performance, including an electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy that provides superior low temperature discharge characteristics. The alloy compositions include microstructures in the interface region that are highly porous and that include catalytic metallic particles. The microstructures include a large volume fraction of voids having spherical or channel-like shapes and are sufficiently open structurally to facilitate greater mobility of reactive species within the microstructure and in the vicinity of catalytic metallic particles. Greater accessibility to reactive sites accordingly results. The greater mobility of reactive species and/or the greater density of catalytic particles lead to faster kinetics and improved performance (e.g. higher power), especially at low operating temperatures.

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: Electrochemical and thermal hydrogen storage alloy compositions that provide superior performance, including an electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy that provides superior low temperature discharge characteristics. The alloy compositions include microstructures in the interface region that are highly porous and that include catalytic metallic particles. The microstructures include a large volume fraction of voids having spherical or channel-like shapes and are sufficiently open structurally to facilitate greater mobility of reactive species within the microstructure and in the vicinity of catalytic metallic particles. Greater accessibility to reactive sites accordingly results. The greater mobility of reactive species and/or the greater density of catalytic particles lead to faster kinetics and improved performance (e.g. higher power), especially at low operating temperatures.

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 modified Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy which has at least one of the following characteristics: 1) an increased charge/discharge rate capability over that the base Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy; 2) a formation cycling requirement which is reduced to one tenth that of the base Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy; or 3) an oxide surface layer having a higher electrochemical hydrogen storage catalytic activity than the base Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy. The electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy includes an oxide surface having metallic particles dispersed therein, wherein the particles are from 10-40 Angstroms in size.

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 process for producing hydrogen gas from hydrocarbon and oxygenated hydrocarbon compounds. The process includes combining a hydrocarbon or oxygenated hydrocarbon compound with a base to form a mixture that undergoes a reaction to produce hydrogen gas. The reaction mixture optionally includes water and/or a catalyst. In a preferred embodiment, hydrogen production occurs from methanol in the liquid phase without the production of environment harmful by-product gases.

Abstract: A modified Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy which has at least one of the following characteristics: 1) an increased charge/discharge rate capability over that the base Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy; 2) a formation cycling requirement which is reduced to one tenth that of the base Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy; or 3) an oxide surface layer having a higher electrochemical hydrogen storage catalytic activity than the base Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy.

Abstract: A method for making a composite positive electrode material for use in electrochemical cells. The composite material comprises a particle of positive electrode material and a nucleating particle at least partially embedded within the interior of the particle of positive electrode material.

Abstract: A method of activating a hydrogen storage alloy or a hydrogen storage alloy electrode. The method includes the step of contacting the hydrogen storage alloy or hydrogen storage alloy electrode with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide where the concentration of the alkali metal hydroxide is at least about 40 weight percent. The method produces a hydrogen storage alloy and hydrogen storage alloy electrode with increased surface area.

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 composite positive electrode material for use in electrochemical cells. The composite material includes a particle of positive electrode material and a nucleating particle at least partially embedded within the interior of the particle of positive electrode 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.

Abstract: A process for producing hydrogen gas from hydrocarbon and oxygenated hydrocarbon compounds. The process includes combining a hydrocarbon or oxygenated hydrocarbon compound with a base to form a mixture that undergoes a reaction to produce hydrogen gas. The reaction mixture optionally includes water and/or a catalyst. In a preferred embodiment, hydrogen production occurs from methanol in the liquid phase without the production of environmentally harmful by-product gases.

Abstract: A method for making a composite positive electrode material for use in electrochemical cells. The composite material comprises a particle of positive electrode material and a nucleating particle at least partially embedded within the interior of the particle of positive electrode material.

Abstract: A method for making a composite positive electrode material for use in electrochemical cells. The composite material includes a particle of positive electrode material and a conductive material at least partially embedded within the interior of the particle of positive electrode material.

Abstract: A composite positive electrode material for use in electrochemical cells. The composite material includes a particle of positive electrode material and a nucleating particle at least partially embedded within the interior of the particle of positive electrode material.

Abstract: A method for making a composite positive electrode material for use in electrochemical cells. The composite material includes a particle of positive electrode material and a conductive material at least partially embedded within the interior of the particle of positive electrode material.

Abstract: A modified Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy which has at least one of the following characteristics: 1) an increased charge/discharge rate capability over that the base Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy; 2) a formation cycling requirement which is reduced to one tenth that of the base Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy; or 3) an oxide surface layer having a higher electrochemical hydrogen storage catalytic activity than the base Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy.