Abstract: The instant invention includes a spherical porous secondary silicon-based particle and methods for producing the same. The spherical porous secondary silicon-based particle is comprised of agglomerated primary silicon-based nanoparticles. The secondary particle comprises a carbon coating that reduces the effective exposed surface area of the primary particles to the electrolyte, thus improving first cycle efficiency. The secondary particle further comprises porous regions that enable the silicon nanoparticles to expand during lithiation. Advantages include ease of castability with micron-sized spherical particles, ease of mixing spherical particles, ease of flow for spherical particles in various processing steps, and ease with obtaining higher loading, which translates to higher areal capacity and overall energy density of the cell. A readily scalable process for producing the particles using low-cost materials and low-cost processing methods is disclosed.

Abstract: A novel electrochemical cell is disclosed in multiple embodiments. The instant invention relates to an electrochemical cell design. In one embodiment, the cell design can electrolyze water into pressurized hydrogen using low-cost materials. In another embodiment, the cell design can convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity. In another embodiment, the cell design can electrolyze water into hydrogen and oxygen for storage, then later convert the stored hydrogen and oxygen back into electricity and water. In some embodiments, the cell operates with a wide internal pressure differential.

Abstract: A novel electrochemical cell is disclosed in multiple embodiments. The instant invention relates to an electrochemical cell design. In one embodiment, the cell design can electrolyze water into pressurized hydrogen using low-cost materials. In another embodiment, the cell design can convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity. In another embodiment, the cell design can electrolyze water into hydrogen and oxygen for storage, then later convert the stored hydrogen and oxygen back into electricity and water. In some embodiments, the cell operates with a wide internal pressure differential.

Abstract: A novel electrochemical cell is disclosed in multiple embodiments. The instant invention relates to an electrochemical cell design. In one embodiment, the cell design can electrolyze water into pressurized hydrogen using low-cost materials. In another embodiment, the cell design can convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity. In another embodiment, the cell design can electrolyze water into hydrogen and oxygen for storage, then later convert the stored hydrogen and oxygen back into electricity and water.

Abstract: The instant invention includes a spherical porous secondary silicon-based particle and methods for producing the same. The spherical porous secondary silicon-based particle is comprised of agglomerated primary silicon-based nanoparticles. The secondary particle comprises a carbon coating that reduces the effective exposed surface area of the primary particles to the electrolyte, thus improving first cycle efficiency. The secondary particle further comprises porous regions that enable the silicon nanoparticles to expand during lithiation. Advantages include ease of castability with micron-sized spherical particles, ease of mixing spherical particles, ease of flow for spherical particles in various processing steps, and ease with obtaining higher loading, which translates to higher areal capacity and overall energy density of the cell. A readily scalable process for producing the particles using low-cost materials and low-cost processing methods is disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are a composition including a hydrogen-selective porous composite, a hydrogen gas sensor device including the hydrogen-selective porous composite, a kit for detecting hydrogen including the hydrogen gas sensor device, and a method for detecting hydrogen including contacting a hydrogen-comprising gas to the hydrogen selective porous composite. The method may include, for example: providing a hydrogen-comprising gas; providing a hydrogen-selective porous composite, the hydrogen-selective porous composite comprising cerium oxide; contacting the hydrogen-comprising gas to the hydrogen-selective porous composite; and selectively detecting hydrogen in the hydrogen-comprising gas according to a decrease in an electrical resistance of the hydrogen-selective porous composite.

Abstract: A novel electrochemical cell is disclosed in multiple embodiments. The instant invention relates to an electrochemical cell design. In one embodiment, the cell design can electrolyze water into pressurized hydrogen using low-cost materials. In another embodiment, the cell design can convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity. In another embodiment, the cell design can electrolyze water into hydrogen and oxygen for storage, then later convert the stored hydrogen and oxygen back into electricity and water.

Abstract: A liquid fuel battery is described, having a vented case, an internal fuel chamber, and a plurality of substantially planar vertically stacked battery elements having separated fuel-sides and air sides. Such sides are separated by a series of anodic and cathodic seals. In one embodiment, a cathode contains doped carbon nanofibers and may be treated with polytetrafluoroethylene or another hydrophobic material. An anode current collector and/or cathode current collector may contain perforated metal, including metal mesh. Battery elements may be U-shaped to maximize the efficiency of the air-fuel interaction. The cathode is active for oxygen reduction and inactive for fuel oxidation.

Abstract: A chromium-free water-gas shift catalyst. In contrast to industry standard water-gas catalysts including chromium, a chromium-free water-gas shift catalyst is prepared using iron, boron, copper, aluminum and mixtures thereof. The improved catalyst provides enhanced thermal stability and avoidance of potentially dangerous chromium.

Abstract: A method of forming boron nitride nanoparticles. A plurality of precursor molecules comprising boron, nitrogen and hydrogen may be decomposed in a first heating zone to form a plurality of gaseous molecules that contain bonded boron and nitrogen, followed by heating to a second, higher temperature thereby causing the gaseous molecules to react and nucleate to form a plurality of boron nitride nanoparticles. Depending on processing temperatures, the boron nitride nanoparticles may include amorphous, crystalline, and spherical forms, or combinations thereof. Precursor molecules may include ammonia borane, borazine, cycloborazanes, polyaminoborane, polyiminoborane, and mixtures thereof. The boron nitride nanoparticles may be incorporated into a variety of dispersions, composites, and coatings; and in some embodiments, may be a component of a propellant.

Abstract: Provided are a composition including a hydrogen-selective porous composite, a hydrogen gas sensor device including the hydrogen-selective porous composite, a kit for detecting hydrogen including the hydrogen gas sensor device, and a method for detecting hydrogen including contacting a hydrogen-comprising gas to the hydrogen selective porous composite. The method may include, for example: providing a hydrogen-comprising gas; providing a hydrogen-selective porous composite, the hydrogen-selective porous composite comprising cerium oxide; contacting the hydrogen-comprising gas to the hydrogen-selective porous composite; and selectively detecting hydrogen in the hydrogen-comprising gas according to a decrease in an electrical resistance of the hydrogen-selective porous composite.

Abstract: A method of forming boron nitride nanoparticles. A plurality of precursor molecules comprising boron, nitrogen and hydrogen may be decomposed in a first heating zone to form a plurality of gaseous molecules that contain bonded boron and nitrogen, followed by heating to a second, higher temperature thereby causing the gaseous molecules to react and nucleate to form a plurality of boron nitride nanoparticles. Depending on processing temperatures, the boron nitride nanoparticles may include amorphous forms, crystalline forms, or combinations thereof. Precursor molecules may include ammonia borane, borazine, cycloborazanes, polyaminoborane, polyiminoborane, and mixtures thereof. The boron nitride nanoparticles may be incorporated into a variety of dispersions, composites, and coatings; and in one embodiment, may be a component of a propellant, wherein the boron nitride nanoparticles may confer a range of advantages to gun barrels in which such propellants may be fired.

Abstract: A hydrogen sensitive composite sensing material based on cerium oxide with or without additives to enhance sensitivity to hydrogen, reduce cross-sensitivities to interfering gases, or lower the operating temperature of the sensor, and a device incorporating these hydrogen sensitive composite materials including a support, electrodes applied to the support, and a coating of hydrogen sensitive composite material applied over the electroded surface. The sensor may have in integral heater. The sensor may have a tubular geometry with the heater being inserted within the tube. A gas sensor device may include a support, electrodes applied to the support, and a dual sensor element to cancel unwanted effects on baseline resistance such as those resulting from atmospheric temperature changes. The hydrogen sensitive composite material or other gas sensitive materials may be used in the dual element gas sensor device.

Abstract: A liquid fuel battery is described, having a vented case, an internal fuel chamber, and a plurality of substantially planar vertically stacked battery elements having separated fuel-sides and air sides. Such sides are separated by a series of anodic and cathodic seals. In one embodiment, a cathode contains doped carbon nanofibers and may be treated with polytetrafluoroethylene or another hydrophobic material. An anode current collector and/or cathode current collector may contain perforated metal, including metal mesh. Battery elements may be U-shaped to maximize the efficiency of the air-fuel interaction. The cathode is active for oxygen reduction and inactive for fuel oxidation.

Abstract: A method for making a doped carbon bifunctional electrode capable of facilitating the oxygen reduction reaction and the oxygen evolution reaction that is not susceptible to performance degradation when operated bi-functionally for oxygen reduction and evolution. In one embodiment, a doped carbon catalyst is prepared by mixing a metal precursor with a high surface area support, impregnated with at least one organic phosphorus and/or organic nitrogen compound, and then pyrolyzed at high temperature under an inert or reducing atmosphere containing volatile carbon and/or nitrogen species. The doped-carbon catalyst may be coated on a conductive porous support and dispersed as an ink infiltrated into a porous conductive support. In another embodiment, a catalyst precursor, such as an iron salt and/or cobalt salt solution mixed with a binder, such as cellulosic binder, is infiltrated into a porous support, and pyrolized such that carbon catalyst fibers are anchored directly on the support.

Abstract: A method of forming boron nitride nanoparticles. A plurality of precursor molecules comprising boron, nitrogen and hydrogen may be decomposed in a first heating zone to form a plurality of gaseous molecules that contain bonded boron and nitrogen, followed by heating to a second, higher temperature thereby causing the gaseous molecules to react and nucleate to form a plurality of boron nitride nanoparticles. Depending on processing temperatures, the boron nitride nanoparticles may include amorphous forms, crystalline forms, or combinations thereof. Precursor molecules may include ammonia borane, borazine, cycloborazanes, polyaminoborane, polyiminoborane, and mixtures thereof. The boron nitride nanoparticles may be incorporated into a variety of dispersions, composites, and coatings; and in one embodiment, may be a component of a propellant, wherein the boron nitride nanoparticles may confer a range of advantages to gun barrels in which such propellants may be fired.

Abstract: A hydrogen sensitive composite sensing material based on cerium oxide with or without additives to enhance sensitivity to hydrogen, reduce cross-sensitivities to interfering gases, or lower the operating temperature of the sensor, and a device incorporating these hydrogen sensitive composite materials including a support, electrodes applied to the support, and a coating of hydrogen sensitive composite material applied over the electroded surface. The sensor may have in integral heater. The sensor may have a tubular geometry with the heater being inserted within the tube. A gas sensor device may include a support, electrodes applied to the support, and a dual sensor element to cancel unwanted effects on baseline resistance such as those resulting from atmospheric temperature changes. The hydrogen sensitive composite material or other gas sensitive materials may be used in the dual element gas sensor device.

Abstract: A sensor and method of use for detection of low levels of carbon monoxide in gas mixtures. The approach is based on the change in an electrical property (for example: resistance) that occurs when carbon monoxide is selectively absorbed by a film of copper chloride (or other metal halides). The electrical property change occurs rapidly with both increasing and decreasing CO contents, varies with the amount of CO from the gas stream, and is insensitive to the presence of hydrogen. To make a sensor using this approach, the metal halide film will deposited onto an alumina substrate with electrodes. The sensor may be maintained at the optimum temperature with a thick film platinum heater deposited onto the opposite face of the substrate. When the sensor is operating at an appropriate (and constant) temperature, the magnitude of the electrical property measured between the interdigital electrodes will provide a measure of the carbon monoxide content of the gas.