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: 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: An electrochemical cell (e.g., a fuel cell) includes an anode layer, a cathode layer, and an electrolyte membrane layer disposed between and spacing apart the anode layer and the cathode layer. The electrochemical cell further includes a functional layer disposed at an interface between the cathode layer and the electrode membrane layer. The functional layer includes a composition including a carbon material, an ionomer material, and optionally an amount of catalyst material.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes first and second electrodes. The first electrode includes first catalyst particles enhancing activity in the electrochemical cell. The second electrode including second catalyst particles enhancing activity in the electrochemical cell. One or both of the first and second catalyst particles are at least partially encapsulated in a silica encapsulation formed from a precursor of a silicon-based copolymer. The silica encapsulation sustains the activity of the first and/or second catalyst particles.

Abstract: A desalination battery includes a working intercalation electrode in a first compartment, a counter intercalation electrode in a second compartment, both compartments including saline water solution with an elevated concentration of dissolved salts, an ion exchange membrane arranged between the compartments, a voltage source arranged to supply voltage to the electrodes, and a sacrificial compound configured to neutralize charge within the first compartment at a predetermined voltage while being consumed by oxidation or reduction reactions upon an activation of the working electrode.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte water electrolyzer (PEWE). The PEWE includes a cathode catalyst layer, an anode catalyst layer, and a polymer electrolyte membrane between and separating the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer. The PEWE further includes a blocking layer disposed between the cathode catalyst layer and configured to resist unwanted diffusion of ions or molecules through the polymer electrolyte water electrolyzer.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell cathode catalyst layer includes electrocatalyst particles, an electrocatalyst support having an electronically conductive porous material including a plurality of pores with a diameter of less than or equal to 10 nm having a surface morphology comprising a plurality of peaks and valleys, the surface morphology being configured to contain the electrocatalyst particles within the plurality of pores and to enhance mass transport of molecular oxygen to the electrocatalyst particles by adsorbing molecular oxygen to the surface morphology, and an ionomer adhered to the electrocatalyst, the electrocatalyst support, or both.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell degradation monitoring method. The method includes applying first and second bias potentials to an electrode of an electrochemical cell during an operating state thereof. The method further includes measuring impedance spectra of the electrode of the electrochemical cell during the operating state biased to the first and second bias potentials. The method also includes determining a deviation in the impedance spectra at the first and second bias potentials. The method determines a degradation state of the electrode of the electrochemical cell in response to the deviation in the impedance spectra at the first and second bias potentials of the electrode of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte water electrolyzer (PEWE). The PEWE includes a cathode catalyst layer, an anode catalyst layer, and a polymer electrolyte membrane between and separating the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer. The PEWE further includes a first blocking layer and/or a second blocking layer. The first blocking layer is disposed between the cathode catalyst layer and configured to resist diffusion of unwanted ions or molecules through the polymer electrolyte membrane. The second blocking layer is disposed between the anode catalyst layer and is configured to resist diffusion of unwanted ions or molecules through the polymer electrolyte membrane.

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: An electrostatic charging air cleaning device. The device includes a pre-charger configured to generate a corona discharge to electrostatically charge particulate matter in an air stream. The device further includes a separator downstream from the pre-charger configured to convey the electrostatically charged particulate matter and formed of an insulative material. The device also includes a collection electrode configured to receive and to absorb the conveyed electrostatically charged particulate matter. The collection electrode includes a substrate material and a coating layer coated onto the substrate material. The coating layer includes a carbon black material and a polymeric binder. The substrate material is a metal plate including mechanical perforations.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a gas diffusion layer (GM) situated between a catalyst layer of the fuel cell and a flow field plate of the fuel cell. The GM has a first region and a second region along a thickness direction of the fuel cell. The first region is adjacent to the catalyst layer and has a first thermal conductivity. The second region is adjacent to the flow field plate and has a second thermal conductivity lower than the first thermal conductivity.

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: Microcracked and crack-free catalyst layers such as for electrodes in electrochemical cells (e.g., fuel cells) and method of making the same are disclosed. The microcracks may improve durability by better tolerating stresses without inducing or propagating into macrocracks. The microcracks also improve efficiency by providing reactant (e.g., oxygen) passages to catalyst in the catalyst layer. The microcracks may be formed in a predetermined pattern to further localize additional reactant passages is conventionally starved or more starved locations.

Abstract: A cathode catalyst layer includes a support substrate having a pore-free outer surface region and porous surface region having a plurality of pores, each of the plurality of pores having a cavity defined by a wall, a first electrocatalyst, and a second electrocatalyst being different from the first electrocatalyst, the first electrocatalyst having a plurality of particles attached to the pore-free outer surface region and the second electrocatalyst having a plurality of particles housed within the cavities of the plurality of pores.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell (e.g., a fuel cell) includes an anode layer, a cathode layer, and an electrolyte membrane layer disposed between and spacing part the anode layer and the cathode layer. The electrochemical cell further includes a functional layer disposed at an interface between the cathode layer and the electrode membrane layer. The functional layer includes a composition including a carbon material, an ionomer material, and optionally an amount of catalyst material.

Abstract: A cathode catalyst layer includes a support substrate having a pore-free surface region and a porous surface region having a plurality of pores, a first electrolyte in direct contact with the pore-free surface region, and a second electrolyte contained within the plurality of pores, the second electrolyte being different from the first electrolyte.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell (e.g., a fuel cell) including an anode catalyst layer, a cathode catalyst layer, and an electrolyte membrane layer extending between the anode catalyst layer the cathode catalyst layer, and a graphene-based layer. The graphene-based layer is disposed between the cathode catalyst layer and the electrolyte membrane layer and/or the anode catalyst layer and the electrolyte membrane layer. The graphene-based layer is configured to suppress crossover gases and metallic cation exchange to enhance performance and durability of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell cathode catalyst layer includes electrocatalyst particles, an electrocatalyst support having an electronically conductive porous material including a plurality of pores with a diameter of less than or equal to 10 nm having a surface morphology comprising a plurality of peaks and valleys, the surface morphology being configured to contain the electrocatalyst particles within the plurality of pores and to enhance mass transport of molecular oxygen to the electrocatalyst particles by adsorbing molecular oxygen to the surface morphology, and an ionomer adhered to the electrocatalyst, the electrocatalyst support, or both.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a flow field plate, a catalyst layer, and a gas diffusion layer (GDL). The flow field plate has at least one channel and at least one land. Each of the at least one channel being positioned between two adjacent lands. The GDL is positioned between the flow field plate and the catalyst layer. The catalyst layer has a first region aligned with the at least one channel and a second region aligned with the at least one land. The first region has a first composition, a first carbon material, and a first carbon ratio of an amount of the first composition to the first carbon material. The second region has a second composition, a second carbon material, and a second carbon ratio of an amount of the second composition to the second carbon material. The first carbon ratio is different than the second carbon ratio.