Abstract: A gas electrode includes a plurality of stacked layers (2, 3, 4), wherein the first layer (2) is in contact with a solid substrate (1) while the last layer (4) has a free outer surface to be contacted with a gas, each layer being made of at least one mixed oxide selected from the group including perovskites and Ruddlesden-Popper phases, the micro-structure of the first layer (2) being different from that of the last layer (4), the porosity of the different layers (2, 3, 4) increasing from the first layer (2) towards the last layer (4), and the different layers stacked on each other defining a network of a solid interconnected material between the free outer surface of the last layer (4) and the solid substrate with a total thickness higher than 1 ?m. A method for making such an electrode and its use in an electrochemical cell are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oxide material of general formula (I) A2?x?yA?XA?yM1?z M?Z04+?, wherein A and A? are independently a metal cation of a group formed by lanthanides and/or alkalis and/or alkaline earths, A? is a cationic gap, i.e. a cation vacancy A and/or A?, M and M? are independently a metal of a group formed by transition metals such as 0<y<0.30, preferably 0<y=0.20; 0<?<0.25, preferably 0<?<0.10; 0=x=1; and 0=z=1. An air electrode containing said material and an electric power producing device in the form of a fuel cell provided with at least one electrochemical cell comprising said electrode are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for water electrolysis consisting in using an electrode containing at least one type of oxide material of general formula A2?x?yA?xA?yM1?zM?zO4+?, wherein A is a lanthanide and/or alkaline and/or alkaline earth metal cation, A? is at least one lanthanide and/or alkaline and/or alkaline earth metal cation, A? is a cation gap, M is a transition metal element, M? is at least one type of transition metal element, wherein said metal is such that 0<y<0.30, preferably 0<y?0.20; ?0 1??<0 25, preferably 0??<0.

Abstract: A method for preparing an oxide (P), which includes the steps of (i) forming a solid phase compound (O) based on an oxide containing molecular entities (1) chosen from optionally substituted ammonium, diammonium, diazan-ium or diazandium, the entities being distributed within the solid matrix, and (ii) eliminating the entities (1) from the solid phase compound (O) by reacting the solid phase compound (O) with a gaseous stream containing a break-down reactant for the entities (1), and isolating the resulting solid material (P).

Abstract: An improved heat insulating jacket slit lengthwise thereof held closed by a unique pair of dissimilar separable snap-lock seam members formed of extruded plastic and designed for heat-fused assembly to the inner plastic layer of flexible laminated sheeting having an outer layer nonfusible to said seam members. Each seam member includes a narrow groove sized to snugly seat and conceal the adjacent lateral edge of the sheeting. Each seam member includes internesting snap-lock members positioned to interlock when laminated sheeting fused thereto is wrapped about ducting. A blanket of resilient heat insulating material is laminated to the inner plastic layer of the sheeting and aids in holding the seam members interlocked.

Abstract: Enclosed is an improved snap-on heat insulating jacket for ducting and method uniquely designed for simplicity and ease of assembly. Resilient heat insulating material is laminated to a flexible sheet plastic main body provided with interlocking snap-on seam members positioned, when closed, for concealment by an external guard flap coated on its inwardly facing surface with pressure sensitive adhesive thereby to embrace the ducting with a cover having a substantially continuous smooth outer surface free of foreign matter collecting crevices and the like.

Abstract: A reversible mechanical unit of the "slave" type comprising a motor element and position detector is controlled by an assembly which delivers command signals relating to the positions of the motor element. Means are provided for delivering an error signal .epsilon. which is proportional to the difference between the signals delivered respectively by the detector and the control assembly. A signal delivered by a generator and having an amplitude which is proportional to the signal .epsilon. produces direct action on the torque of the motor element; the error signal and the torque are thus in one-to-one correspondence, the error signal being fed back into the control assembly.