Abstract: A method is provided for making a ceramic lithium ion conducting membrane and for making an anode pouch for a lithium-seawater battery. The method for making the ceramic membrane includes adding pore formers into a liquid slurry of LTAP (Li2O—Al2O3—SiO2—P2O5—TiO2) powder. The liquid slurry is converted into porous green tape and the porous green tape is laminated onto the top of nonporous green tapes to form a stack. The stack is sintered and the pore formers are decomposed to create pores in the top layer of the ceramic membrane. The porous ceramic membrane is used to create a more robust hermetic seal in an anode pouch for the battery compared to a seal made with a nonporous ceramic membrane.

Abstract: A modified battery cell for simulating failure conditions includes an electrical cell and a controllable voltage source. A transistor gate is joined to a positive output of the source and to a negative tab of the cell at the transistor source. One side of a resistor implanted in the cell is joined to the transistor drain and the other side is joined to the cell positive tab. Controlling voltage source voltage allows current to flow from the transistor source to the transistor drain and through the resistor. Current flow through the resistor causes heating within the electrical cell that can be monitored to simulate an electrical cell failure. A method for testing an electrical cell is also provided.

Abstract: A modified battery cell for simulating failure conditions includes a multiple layer electrical cell. A transistor having a source, a gate, and a drain is positioned in the cell. A controllable voltage source is provided, joined to the gate and source of the transistor. The transistor source is further joined to a first location within said electrical cell multiple layers, and the transistor drain is electrically joined to a second location within said electrical cell multiple layers. Voltage from the controllable voltage source can reduce resistance between said transistor source and said transistor drain for simulating a fault condition between the first location and the second location.

Abstract: A method for testing an internal short circuits in an electrochemical cell is provided. A transistor is implanted in the cell, and it is electrically connected to a controllable voltage source. The transistor is joined between positive and negative components of the cell. The transistor is maintained at high resistance before start of testing. The voltage source is used to reduce electrical resistance in the transistor to simulate an internal short circuit in the electrochemical cell. Thermal runaway propagation in the cell is measured.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a cathode pouch, an anode pouch, and a membrane separating the anode and cathode pouch. A lithium-based catholyte is inside the cathode pouch and between the membrane and pouch. A cathode current collector is located in contact with the catholyte. An anolyte having a silicon based lithium receiving material is between the anode pouch and the membrane. An anode current collector is located in contact with the anolyte. The volume between the anode pouch and the membrane contracts and expands in order to accommodate changes in anolyte volume during charging and discharge of the cell.

Abstract: A bipolar electrode fabricated with a combination of materials that will physically separate the catholyte from the metal anode of the electrode while providing high electrical conductivity between the metal anode and the catalyst cathode. This is accomplished by layering the catalyst cathode over a composite of conductive adhesive and conductive foil that is then affixed to the metal anode.

Abstract: A synthetic muscle comprises an outer layer having an interior filled with a proton containing electrolyte. A first electrode extends into the interior, and a second electrode extends through the interior. The second electrode is attached to the outer layer at two locations. An ion selective microporous membrane extends through the interior along the length of the second electrode and is also attached to the out layer at the two locations. The ion selective membrane is also attached to the second electrode at a plurality of points along its length, defining a plurality of pockets of the ion selective membrane. The ion elective membrane is generally disposed between the two electrodes. The two electrodes are in communication through a power source. Using the power source, an electroosmotic flow is established across the ion exchange membrane from the first electrode to the second electrode, inflating the pockets and constricting the outer layer.

Abstract: An electrochemical potentiometric titration method that entails titration of a known volume of a catholyte containing an unknown amount of hydrogen peroxide in a titration cell having two electrodes, a platinum working electrode and a silver/silver chloride reference electrode. A known concentration of a titrant is added to the catholyte in the titration cell. Simultaneously, as the titrant is added the potential between the working electrode and the reference electrode is monitored. The point at which all of the hydrogen peroxide has been consumed is signaled when the cell potential changes abruptly. Since the concentration of the titrant is already known, the amount of titrant added (concentration multiplied by volume) is directly related to the amount of hydrogen peroxide consumed. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide is calculated from the volume of catholyte and the moles of hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: An electrochemical potentiometric titration method that entails titration of a known volume of a catholyte containing an unknown amount of hydrogen peroxide in a titration cell having two electrodes, a platinum working electrode and a silver/silver chloride reference electrode. A known concentration of a titrant is added to the catholyte in the titration cell. Simultaneously, as the titrant is added the potential between the working electrode and the reference electrode is monitored. The point at which all of the hydrogen peroxide has been consumed is signaled when the cell potential changes abruptly. Since the concentration of the titrant is already known, the amount of titrant added (concentration multiplied by volume) is directly related to the amount of hydrogen peroxide consumed. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide is calculated from the volume of catholyte and the moles of hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A bipolar electrode fabricated with a combination of materials that will physically separate the catholyte from the metal anode of the electrode while providing high electrical conductivity between the metal anode and the catalyst cathode. This is accomplished by layering the catalyst cathode over a composite of conductive adhesive and conductive foil that is then affixed to the metal anode.

Abstract: A new treatment method for ion exchange membranes used in semi-fuel cells that accelerates the wetting of the membranes by aqueous electrolyte solutions, thus reducing the start up time for metal/hydrogen peroxide-based semi-fuel cells. Specifically, a NAFION® membrane that is intended for dry storage in a semi-fuel cell is treated with glycerin (glycerol) to enhance its rate of absorption of electrolyte solution when the semi-fuel cell is activated.

Abstract: A new treatment method for ion exchange membranes used in semi-fuel cells that accelerates the wetting of the membranes by aqueous electrolyte solutions, thus reducing the start up time for metal/hydrogen peroxide-based semi-fuel cells. Specifically, a Nafion® membrane that is intended for dry storage in a semi-fuel cell is treated with glycerin (glycerol) to enhance its rate of absorption of electrolyte solution when the semi-fuel cell is activated.

Abstract: An electrochemical potentiometric titration method that entails titration of a known volume of a catholyte containing an unknown amount of hydrogen peroxide in a titration cell having two electrodes, a platinum working electrode and a silver/silver chloride reference electrode. A known concentration of a titrant is added to the catholyte in the titration cell. Simultaneously, as the titrant is added the potential between the working electrode and the reference electrode is monitored. The point at which all of the hydrogen peroxide has been consumed is signaled when the cell potential changes abruptly. Since the concentration of the titrant is already known, the amount of titrant added (concentration multiplied by volume) is directly related to the amount of hydrogen peroxide consumed. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide is calculated from the volume of catholyte and the moles of hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A direct charging electrostatic flocking method is provided for the fabrication of a fibrous structure. Fibers are deposited directly on a first electrically conductive surface while a second electrically conductive surface with an adhesive thereon is disposed over the first surface. A vacuum is created in the space between the first electrically conductive surface and the second electrically conductive surface. The vacuum is then filled with sulfur hexafluoride gas. An electric field is generated between the first and second electrically conductive surfaces. The fibers leave the first electrically conductive surface, accelerate through the electric field and sulfur hexafluoride gas, and are coupled on one end thereof to the adhesive. As a result of using sulfur hexafluoride rather than air there is an increase in fiber density of the fibrous structure.