Abstract: A computational method for determining a location and an amount of a transition metal M in surface facets of a Pt—M alloy using a density functional theory includes receiving a particle size and a surface facet distribution of the Pt—M alloy and a total concentration of M in the Pt—M alloy; calculating a total number of M atoms in the Pt—M alloy based on the particle size and the surface facet distribution of the Pt—M alloy and the total concentration of M in the Pt—M alloy; and predicting a mixing energy between Pt and at least one of the total number of M atoms in a subsurface layer of each of the surface facets of the Pt—M alloy when Pt is mixed with the at least one of the total number of M atoms.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the quality of water or leaks within a household plumbing system via machine learning are provided. Appliances can be connected to a plumbing system, wherein each appliance includes one or more sensors configured to output sensor data regarding a property of the water being utilized by that appliance. A processor is programmed to receive the sensor data and establish boundaries of normal operation. Then, when additional sensor data is received, the processor uses machine learning to classify that sensor data as being either within normal operation, or outside the bounds of normal operation. If the sensor data indicates the water property is outside the bounds, an output signal can be generated to inform the user.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell catalyst support includes a fibrous catalyst support material. The fibrous catalyst support material includes a mixed metal oxide material of magnesium (Mg) and titanium (Ti) with a general formula of MgaTibO5-x, where 0?x?3, and a ratio of a to b is greater than 0.01 and less than 0.8.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting a crack in an automotive windshield and alerting a user of the same. This can allow the user to repair the crack before the user might otherwise detect the crack by his/her own visual inspection. The windshield can be provided with emitters configured to emit signals (e.g., sound, light, etc.) and corresponding detectors configured to detect the emitted signals. Signal profiles or signatures can be stored that represent normal measurements when there is no crack. Upon detecting a signal signature that deviates from the stored normal signal signatures, the system can notify the user of a potential crack in the windshield. The system can also determine the location of the crack based upon which of the detectors detect a change in the detected signal.

Abstract: A gallium nitride (GaN) growth layer includes a first surface, a second surface, and a bulk region extending between the first and second surfaces, the bulk region having a polycrystalline material with coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of about 2-25 ppm/K above 800 K and one or more spinel compounds having formula (I):(ZnxCd1-x) (CryAl1-y)2O4 (I), where x and y are any number between 0 and 1, one of the first and second surfaces including a GaN epitaxial growth region.

Abstract: Methods and structures for reducing process and final deformation of gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor devices are provided. The methods include forming at least one multi-layered structure on at least one surface(s) a semiconductor substrate. The multi-layered structure(s) are formed by applying at least a first amorphous layer on at least one surface(s) of the semiconductor substrate, the first amorphous layer having a first thermal expansion coefficients (CTE), and applying a second amorphous layer on the first amorphous layer, the second amorphous layer having a second thermal expansion coefficient, different from the first thermal expansion coefficient.

Abstract: An alkaline electrochemical cell component includes a bulk portion and a surface portion including a conductive, electrochemically and chemically stable material having one or more compounds of formula (I): La(Ni1-xCux)O3 (I), where 0<=x<=1, the electrochemical cell having a pH>7.

Abstract: An electrochemical system includes a hydrogen diffusion barrier physically separating the system into a hydrogen rich zone and a hydrogen poor zone, an electronic component located in the hydrogen poor zone and exposed to hydrogen diffusing from the hydrogen rich zone, a hydrogen pump, located in the hydrogen rich zone and the hydrogen poor zone, including: a cathode, an anode, an electrolyte separating the cathode and the anode, an anode encapsulation contacting the anode and a portion of the electrolyte, and an external electrical circuit biased to drive H+ current from the anode to the cathode to pump hydrogen diffusing from the hydrogen rich zone into the hydrogen poor zone back into the hydrogen rich zone.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a membrane, a catalyzed electrode facing the membrane, the electrode including a magnetic electrocatalyst in contact with an ionomer, an electromagnet, and a controller programmed to activate the electromagnet to form an oscillating magnetic field arranged to selectively increase temperature of the magnetic electrocatalyst, based on one or more conditions, to increase kinetics of a reaction at the catalyzed electrode or remove water from the electrode.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a structure for power electronics which includes epitaxially growing a GaN semiconductor layer is provided. The method includes growing buffer layers formed of AlN and AlxGa(1-x)N, wherein 0<x<1, on a Si substrate before growing the semiconductor layer on the buffer layers. The method also includes growing deformation compensation layers formed of SiO2, SiCxN(1-x), SiN, SiCxO(1-x), SiC, SiNxO(1-x), Al2O3, and/or Cr2O3, wherein 0<x<1, on the substrate opposite the semiconductor layer. The deformation compensation layers compensate for deformation of the structure that occurs while growing the semiconductor and buffer layers and deformation that occurs while cooling the structure. The method further includes estimating epitaxial growth stress, interface stress, and thermal stress of the structure, and adjusting the temperature and or thickness of the layers based on the estimated epitaxial growth stress, interface stress, and/or thermal stress.

Abstract: An atmospheric CO2 capture system includes a compartment housing a solid CO2 sorbent, an exchange fluid including a chemical component with selectivity towards CO2, and an electrochemical cell in fluid communication with the compartment, the system having a cycle including a first state of sorbing CO2 from incoming air onto the solid CO2 sorbent until a saturation point is reached; a second state of regenerating the sorbent by flooding the compartment with the exchange fluid to detach CO2 from the saturated sorbent and bind the detached CO2 to the chemical component; and a third state of regenerating the chemical component by detaching CO2 from the chemical component in the electrochemical cell and releasing the CO2 from the system.

Abstract: A fuel cell proton exchange membrane (PEM) includes a peroxide decomposition radical scavenger material, where the peroxide decomposition radical scavenger material is M/MOx (1?x?3), and M is Ta, W, Dy, Mo, La, Nd, V, Gd, Er, or Sm. The peroxide decomposition radical scavenger material may be mixed with at least one of Ce/CeOx (0.5?x?4) and Mn/MnOx (0.5?x?4).

Abstract: An electrochemical cell component including a bulk portion and a surface portion comprising a chromium getter multi-elemental oxide material having a formula (I): AxByOz (I), where A is Ba, Ca, Cr, Mg, or Sr, B is Al, Bi, C, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Ti, Y, or Zn, x is a number selected from 1 to 8, y is a number selected from 1 to 64, and z is a number selected from 1 to 103, the multi-elemental oxide being configured to prevent chromium poisoning of the component.

Abstract: A venthole of a micromechanical device is sealed with laser irradiation. A micromechanical device has a substrate, such as silicon. The substrate has an upper surface, and defines a venthole leading to a chamber that contains a device, and a trench extending downward from the upper surface and located offset from the venthole. A laser pulse is applied to the substrate at or within the trench. This causes a portion of the substrate located below the upper surface to melt and travel laterally to close off and seal the venthole laterally from beneath the upper surface.

Abstract: A fuel cell electrode protective layer forming method is disclosed. The method includes forming primary defects in a carbon-based protective layer material via a formation step. The primary defects are configured to transport fuel cell products and/or reactants representing a transported portion of a total fuel cell products and/or reactants. The difference between the total fuel cell products and/or reactants and the transported portion is an untransported portion. The method further includes activating secondary defects in the carbon-based protective layer material via an activation step. The secondary defects are configured to transport a portion of the untransported portion of the total fuel cell reactants and/or products. The activation step is different than the formation step.

Abstract: A high temperature electrochemical cell includes a solid electrolyte separating a cathode and an anode, an anode flow field adjacent the anode, a cathode flow field, having an exhaust gas stream pathway, downstream from the cathode, and a thermal management system including a controller programmed to, in response to the exhaust gas stream temperature input, activate at least one component, configured to reduce temperature of the exhaust gas stream to a temperature within a threshold range corresponding to a temperature range promoting condensation of Cr-containing gas into solid, liquid, or aqueous Cr2O3 and H2CrO4, the high temperature electrochemical cell having an operating temperature of about 600-1000° C.

Abstract: A high temperature electrochemical cell component includes a bulk portion and a surface portion including one or more alkaline earth metal-containing, cobalt free and nickel free, oxides reactive with Cr(HO2)2 such that a most stable reaction between each one of the oxides and the Cr(HO2)2 has a reaction energy of about ?0.1 to ?0.35 eV/at, the oxide(s) being non-reactive with water, the high temperature electrochemical cell having an operating temperature of about 600-1000ºC.

Abstract: A venthole of a micromechanical device is sealed with laser irradiation. A micromechanical device has a substrate, such as silicon. The substrate has an upper surface, and defines a venthole leading to a chamber that contains a device, and a trench extending downward from the upper surface and located offset from the venthole. A laser pulse is applied to the substrate at or within the trench. This causes a portion of the substrate located below the upper surface to melt and travel laterally to close off and seal the venthole laterally from beneath the upper surface.

Abstract: A device includes a tribological assembly including first and second mechanical components in relative motion with respect to each other, the assembly having a silver-alloy surface and an additive lubricant including at least one component of the formulas (Ia) or (II): MxNOy (Ia), where M is Ca, V, Sb, Ni, or Ag, x (M:N ratio) is any number between 0.25 and 2, and y (O:N ratio) is any number between 1 and 8; MxSiOy (II), where M is Mg or Al, x (M:Si ratio) is any number between 0.5 and 2, and y (O:Si ratio) is any number between 2.5 and 6, the device being a sealed constant-pressure device.

Abstract: A fuel cell electrode protective layer forming method is disclosed. The method includes forming primary defects in a carbon-based protective layer material via a formation step. The primary defects are configured to transport fuel cell products and/or reactants representing a transported portion of a total fuel cell products and/or reactants. The difference between the total fuel cell products and/or reactants and the transported portion is an untransported portion. The method further includes activating secondary defects in the carbon-based protective layer material via an activation step. The secondary defects are configured to transport a portion of the untransported portion of the total fuel cell reactants and/or products. The activation step is different than the formation step.