Abstract: A method of forming an anode comprising zinc for an alkaline cell. The method involves mixing zinc particles with binders including preferably polyvinylalcohol, surfactant and water to form a wet paste. The wet paste is molded into the near shape of the cell's anode cavity and then heated to evaporate water. A solid porous zinc mass is formed having microscopic void spaces between the zinc particles. The solid mass can be inserted into the cell's anode cavity and aqueous alkaline electrolyte, preferably comprising potassium hydroxide, then added. The solid mass absorbs the aqueous electrolyte and expands to fill the anode cavity to form the final fresh anode. Zinc fibers may be added to increase the structural integrity of the solid mass.

Abstract: An alkaline cell having an anode comprising zinc, a cathode comprising manganese dioxide and an electrolyte comprising polyvinylbenzyltrimethylammoniumhydroxide. The anode can comprise particulate zinc dispersed within an aqueous gel comprising crosslinked polyvinylbenzyltrimethylammoniumhydroxide polymer. Optionally, aqueous KOH can be added to the gel. The anode and cathode are desirably in the shape of a slab each having a pair of opposing parallel flat faces defining two opposing ends. The zinc particles dispersed in crosslinked polyvinylbenzytrimethylammoniumhydroxide polymer can be concentrated at one end of the anode slab with the opposing end being clear of zinc. The clear end of the anode preferably also comprising polyvinylbenzlytrimethylammoniumhydroxide functions as a separator between anode and cathode. The cathode slab comprises a mixture of particulate manganese dioxide, graphite, and linear polyvinylbenzyltrimethylammoniumhydroxide polymer.

Abstract: An alkaline cell having an anode comprising zinc, a cathode comprising manganese dioxide and an electrolyte comprising polyvinylbenzyltrimethylammoniumhydroxide. The anode can comprise particulate zinc dispersed within an aqueous gel comprising crosslinked polyvinylbenzyltrimethylammoniumhydroxide polymer. Optionally, aqueous KOH can be added to the gel. The anode and cathode are desirably in the shape of a slab each having a pair of opposing parallel flat faces defining two opposing ends. The zinc particles dispersed in crosslinked polyvinylbenzytrimethylammoniumhydroxide polymer can be concentrated at one end of the anode slab with the opposing end being clear of zinc. The clear end of the anode preferably also comprising polyvinylbenzlytrimethylammoniumhydroxide functions as a separator between anode and cathode. The cathode slab comprises a mixture of particulate manganese dioxide, graphite, and linear polyvinylbenzyltrimethylammoniumhydroxide polymer.

Abstract: Improved razors and razor blades and processes for producing razor blades or similar cutting tools with sharp and durable cutting edges, by hard-carbon coating of blades with amorphous diamond, preferably using a filtered cathodic arc plasma source. A coating of amorphous diamond having at least 40 percent sp3 carbon bonding, a hardness of at least 45 gigapascals and a modulus of at least 400 gigapascals is applied to the sharpened edge of a substrate. The substrate may be mechanically honed, and there is no interlayer between the substrate and the amorphous diamond coating. The coating imparts stiffness and rigidity to a thin blade while maintaining a high aspect ratio.

Abstract: Improved razors and razor blades and processes for producing razor blades or similar cutting tools with sharp and durable cutting edges, by hard-carbon coating of blades with amorphous diamond, preferably using a filtered cathodic arc plasma source. A coating of amorphous diamond having at least 40 percent sp3 carbon bonding, a hardness of at least 45 gigapascals and a modulus of at least 400 gigapascals is applied to the sharpened edge of a substrate. The substrate may be mechanically honed, and there is no interlayer between the substrate and the amorphous diamond coating. The coating imparts stiffness and rigidity to a thin blade while maintaining a high aspect ratio.

Abstract: Improved razors and razor blades and processes for producing razor blades or similar cutting tools with sharp and durable cutting edges, by hard-carbon coating of blades with amorphous diamond, preferably using a filtered cathodic arc plasma source. A coating of amorphous diamond having at least 40 percent sp3 carbon bonding, a hardness of at least 45 gigapascals and a modulus of at least 400 gigapascals is applied to the sharpened edge of a substrate. The substrate may be mechanically honed, and there is no interlayer between the substrate and the amorphous diamond coating. The coating imparts stiffness and rigidity to a thin blade while maintaining a high aspect ratio.

Abstract: Improved razors and razor blades and processes for producing razor blades or similar cutting tools with sharp and durable cutting edges, by hard-carbon coating of blades with amorphous diamond, preferably using a filtered cathodic arc plasma source. A coating of amorphous diamond having at least 40 percent sp3 carbon bonding, a hardness of at least 45 gigapascals and a modulus of at least 400 gigapascals is applied to the sharpened edge of a substrate. The substrate may be mechanically honed, and there is no interlayer between the substrate and the amorphous diamond coating. The coating imparts stiffness and rigidity to a thin blade while maintaining a high aspect ratio.

Abstract: A razor blade includes a substrate with a wedge-shaped edge, a layer of molybdenum on the tip and flanks of the wedge-shaped edge, the thickness of the molybdenum layer preferably being in the range of about 50-500 angstroms, and a layer of diamond or diamond-like material on the molybdenum layer that preferably has a thickness of about 200-2,000 angstroms and that defines a tip radius of less than about 500 angstroms, an aspect ratio in the range of 1:13-3:1, a hardness of at least thirteen gigapascals and an L5 wet wool felt cutter force of less than 0.8 kilogram.

Abstract: An emission system includes emitter support structure with a plurality of flow passages therethrough and an array of emitter members that are in adjacent relation to the flow passages and that project outwardly from a surface of the support structure with the free ends of the emitter members spaced from one another and from the support structure (in the nature of cut pile or tufted rug structure in particular embodiments), and thermal excitation structure for flowing fuel through the passages and establishing a combustion condition at the surface to heat the emitter members to thermally emissive temperature.

Abstract: A thermophotovoltaic system includes structure defining a diffusion flame burner having separate but adjacent fuel and oxidant inlets, and structure defining a combustion chamber in which an emitter structure is disposed for exposure to combustion products of the burner. The combustion products heat the emitter structure and cause the emission of spectrally distributed radiation. Disposed in optically coupled relation to the emitter structure are one or more photocells for converting energy radiated by the emitter structure to electrical energy, a close match between the spectrum of the photon energy radiated from the emitter structure and the electron production threshold of the photocell array resulting in enhanced efficiency. One portion of the combustion product stream is flowed from the combustion chamber through a recuperator to heat the incoming oxidant, and another portion of the combustion product stream is flowed into the combustion chamber.