Abstract: An electrode plate is disclosed. The electrode plate includes a plate having an active area, a feed region in fluid communication with the active region, and a tunnel region in fluid communication with the feed region and a manifold region, an ultralyophobic coating on one or more of at least a portion of the tunnel region, at least a portion of the feed region, and an interface between the tunnel region and the manifold region. Fuel cells using the electrode plate and methods of making electrode plates are also described.

Abstract: An electrode plate is disclosed. The electrode plate includes a plate having an active area, a feed region in fluid communication with the active region, and a tunnel region in fluid communication with the feed region and a manifold region, an ultralyophobic coating on one or more of at least a portion of the tunnel region, at least a portion of the feed region, and an interface between the tunnel region and the manifold region. Fuel cells using the electrode plate and methods of making electrode plates are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for forming a heat sink laminate and a heat sink laminate formed by the method. In the method a particle mixture is formed from a metal, an alloy or mixtures thereof with a ceramic or mixture of ceramics. The mixture is kinetically sprayed onto a first side of a dielectric material to form a metal matrix composite layer. The second side of the dielectric material is thermally coupled to a heat sink baseplate, thereby forming the heat sink laminate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for forming a heat sink laminate and a heat sink laminate formed by the method. In the method a particle mixture is formed from a metal, an alloy or mixtures thereof with a ceramic or mixture of ceramics. The mixture is kinetically sprayed onto a first side of a dielectric material to form a metal matrix composite layer. The second side of the dielectric material is thermally coupled to a heat sink baseplate, thereby forming the heat sink laminate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for forming a heat sink laminate and a heat sink laminate formed by the method. In the method a particle mixture is formed from a metal, an alloy or mixtures thereof with a ceramic or mixture of ceramics. The mixture is kinetically sprayed onto a first side of a dielectric material to form a metal matrix composite layer. The second side of the dielectric material is thermally coupled to a heat sink baseplate, thereby forming the heat sink laminate.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for kinetic spray coating of substrate surfaces by impingement of air or gas entrained powders of small particles in a range up to at least 106 microns accelerated to supersonic velocity in a spray nozzle. Preferably powders of metals, alloys, polymers and mixtures thereof or with semiconductors or ceramics are entrained in unheated air and passed through an injection tube into a larger flow of heated air for mixing and acceleration through a supersonic nozzle for coating of an article by impingement of the yieldable particles. A preferred apparatus includes a high pressure air supply carrying entrained particles exceeding 50 microns through an injection tube into heated air in a mixing chamber for mixing and acceleration in the nozzle. The mixing chamber is supplied with high pressure heated air through a main air passage having an area ratio relative to the injection tube of at least 80/1.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for kinetic spray coating of substrate surfaces by impingement of air or gas entrained powders of small particles in a range up to at least 106 microns accelerated to supersonic velocity in a spray nozzle. Preferably powders of metals, alloys, polymers and mixtures thereof or with semiconductors or ceramics are entrained in unheated air and passed through an injection tube into a larger flow of heated air for mixing and acceleration through a supersonic nozzle for coating of an article by impingement of the yieldable particles. A preferred apparatus includes a high pressure air supply carrying entrained particles exceeding 50 microns through an injection tube into heated air in a mixing chamber for mixing and acceleration in the nozzle. The mixing chamber is supplied with high pressure heated air through a main air passage having an area ratio relative to the injection tube of at least 80/1.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus and method for forming carbon fibers in a gas phase reaction is disclosed wherein a reactor defines a reaction chamber with a closed end and an outlet and a reactant feed tube which extends generally axially therewithin. Gaseous reactants are injected into the reactor through an opening of the feed tube. The feed tube and chamber are constructed and arranged to define a passageway which is a gas flow path. The reactor includes purge means for intermittently and forcibly moving any fibers clogging the passageway out of the reactor, and means for intermittently oxidizing carbonaceous material in the passageway of the reactor. In use, a period of fiber formation is followed by a forced purge. Periodically, an oxidation purge is used to essentially cleanse the reactor.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus and method for forming carbon fibers in a gas phase reaction is disclosed wherein a reactor defines a reaction chamber with a closed end and an outlet, and a reactant feed tube which extends generally axially therewithin. Gaseous reactants are injected into the reactor through an opening of the feed tube. Preferred reactants include methane, natural gas, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and an iron-containing compound dispersed in a carrier gas. The apparatus includes purge means for intermittently and forcibly moving any fibers clogging the reactor out of the reactor; and means for intermittently oxidizing carbonaceous material in the reactor. In use, a period of fiber formation is followed by one or more purge steps to essentially cleanse the reactor.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus for forming carbon fibers in a continuous gas phase reaction is disclosed wherein a reactor defines a vertical reaction chamber with a close upper end and a lower outlet, with a vertical reactant feed tube which extends generally axially therewithin. Gaseous reactants are injected into the reactor through an opening of the feed tube. The feed tube and chamber are constructed and arranged to define a gas flow path which extends generally axially upward through the feed tube into the chamber and thereafter generally axially downward through the chamber. Preferably, the tube and reactor chamber are radially spaced and concentric. The feed tube may encompasss a capillary tube which supplies a vaporizable liquid reactant. The reactor and feed tube are each elongate and of a material which is relatively resistent to heat and corrosion and are preferably of a mullite material. The feed tube extends more than one-half of the axial length of the reactor.