Abstract: Waterless electrochemical transdermal alcohol sensor. In one embodiment, the sensor includes a proton exchange membrane imbibed with an imbibing liquid that includes at least one cationic substance that is liquid at room temperature. As examples, the cationic substance may be one or more ionic liquids with an imidazolium, phosphonium, ammonium, pyridinium, pyrrolidinium, or sulfonium backbone structure. The imbibing of the proton exchange membrane with the cationic substance obviates the need for the periodic addition of water to the electrochemical cell. The sensor additionally includes a sensing electrode, which is bonded to one side of the proton exchange membrane, and a counter electrode and a reference electrode, both of which are bonded to the opposite side of the proton exchange membrane. The sensor may be incorporated into a wearable transdermal alcohol sensor device, which, in turn, may be incorporated into a system for detecting transdermal alcohol.

Abstract: An anode catalyst suitable for use in an electrolyzer. The anode catalyst includes a support and a plurality of catalyst particles disposed on the support. The support may include a plurality of metal oxide or doped metal oxide particles. The catalyst particles, which may be iridium, iridium oxide, ruthenium, ruthenium oxide, platinum, and/or platinum black particles, may be arranged to form one or more aggregations of catalyst particles on the support. Each of the aggregations of catalyst particles may include at least 10 particles, wherein each of the at least 10 particles is in physical contact with at least one other particle. The support particles and their associated catalyst particles may be dispersed in a binder.

Abstract: A composite membrane that is suitable for use in an electrochemical cell, an electrochemical cell including the composite membrane, and a method of making the composite membrane. In one embodiment, the composite membrane includes a porous support and a solid electrolyte. The porous support is a unitary structure made of a polymer that is non-conductive to ions. The porous support is shaped to include a plurality of straight-through pores. The solid electrolyte has alkali ion conductivity and preferably completely fills at least some of the pores of the porous support. A variety of techniques may be used to load the solid electrolyte into the pores. According to one technique, the solid electrolyte is melted and then poured into the pores of the porous support. Upon cooling, the electrolyte re-solidifies, forming a monolithic structure within the pores of the porous support.

Abstract: Waterless electrochemical transdermal alcohol sensor. In one embodiment, the sensor includes a proton exchange membrane imbibed with an imbibing liquid that includes at least one cationic substance that is liquid at room temperature. As examples, the cationic substance may be one or more ionic liquids with an imidazolium, phosphonium, ammonium, pyridinium, pyrrolidinium, or sulfonium backbone structure. The imbibing of the proton exchange membrane with the cationic substance obviates the need for the periodic addition of water to the electrochemical cell. The sensor additionally includes a sensing electrode, which is bonded to one side of the proton exchange membrane, and a counter electrode and a reference electrode, both of which are bonded to the opposite side of the proton exchange membrane. The sensor may be incorporated into a wearable transdermal alcohol sensor device, which, in turn, may be incorporated into a system for detecting transdermal alcohol.

Abstract: A three-dimensional, porous anode material suitable for use in a lithium-ion cell. The three-dimensional, porous anode material includes active anode particles embedded within a carbon matrix. The porous structure of this novel anode material allows for the expansion and contraction of the anode without the anode delaminating or breaking apart, thus improving the life-cycle of the lithium-ion cell. An example of this three-dimensional porous anode material is a porous silicon-carbon composite formed using a bi-continuous micro-emulsion (BME) template.

Abstract: A composite membrane that is suitable for use in an electrochemical cell, an electrochemical cell including the composite membrane, and a method of making the composite membrane. In one embodiment, the composite membrane includes a porous support and a solid electrolyte. The porous support is a unitary structure made of a polymer that is non-conductive to ions. The porous support is shaped to include a plurality of straight-through pores. The solid electrolyte has alkali ion conductivity and preferably completely fills at least some of the pores of the porous support. A variety of techniques may be used to load the solid electrolyte into the pores. According to one technique, the solid electrolyte is melted and then poured into the pores of the porous support. Upon cooling, the electrolyte re-solidifies, forming a monolithic structure within the pores of the porous support.

Abstract: A three-dimensional, porous anode material suitable for use in a lithium-ion cell. The three-dimensional, porous anode material includes active anode particles embedded within a carbon matrix. The porous structure of this novel anode material allows for the expansion and contraction of the anode without the anode delaminating or breaking apart, thus improving the life-cycle of the lithium-ion cell. An example of this three-dimensional porous anode material is a porous silicon-carbon composite formed using a bi-continuous micro-emulsion (BME) template.

Abstract: An anode catalyst suitable for use in an electrolyzer. The anode catalyst includes a support and a plurality of catalyst particles disposed on the support. The support may include a plurality of metal oxide or doped metal oxide particles. The catalyst particles, which may be iridium, iridium oxide, ruthenium, ruthenium oxide, platinum, and/or platinum black particles, may be arranged to form one or more aggregations of catalyst particles on the support. Each of the aggregations of catalyst particles may include at least 10 particles, wherein each of the at least 10 particles is in physical contact with at least one other particle. The support particles and their associated catalyst particles may be dispersed in a binder.

Abstract: Epoxy polymers for dental use including the reaction product of a diepoxide oligomer and a bridged dipolyamine are described. The epoxy polymers include the reaction product of diepoxide oligomers comprised of bisphenol A diepoxide oligomers and/or bisphenol F diepoxide oligomers and bridged dipolyamine monomers having two polyamine regions and a hydrocarbon region of at least 28 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A gutta percha point includes a shaft having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The shaft defines a first region having a first taper, the first region extending from the first end of the shaft, and a second region having a second taper, the second region extending between the first tapered region and the second end of the shaft. The second taper of the second region is greater than the first taper of the first region. The shaft may include a third region extending between the second region and the second end of the shaft.

Abstract: Epoxy-based root canal dental compositions and root canal sealing dental filling systems including an epoxy-based root canal dental composition are described. The dental compositions include an epoxy polymer comprising a plurality of amide monomers, a plurality of diepoxide monomers and at least one fumed silica. In a preferred embodiment, the dental composition contains substantially no silicone or mineral oil.