Abstract: The invention provides a method of reducing dinitrogen to produce ammonia, the method comprising: contacting a cathode of an electrochemical cell with an electrolyte comprising: (i) a metal cation selected from the group consisting of lithium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, zinc, aluminium, vanadium and combinations thereof, wherein the metal cation is present at a concentration of greater than 0.5 mol/L in the electrolyte, (ii) one or more anions comprising at least one negative ion selected from the group consisting of fluorinated sulfonyl imides, fluorinated sulfonyl methides and combinations thereof, (iii) a proton carrier; and (iv) optionally, at least one phosphonium cation, wherein the combined amount of the metal cation and the optional at least one phosphonium cation is greater than 1 mol/L in the electrolyte; supplying dinitrogen to the electrochemical cell for cathodic reduction; and applying a potential at the cathode sufficient to reduce the dinitrogen, thereby producing ammonia.

Abstract: The invention provides a cathode for the nitrogen reduction reaction, comprising an electrically conductive substrate and an electrocatalytic composition on the substrate, wherein the electrocatalytic composition comprises: a support material present in one or more crystalline phases; and metallic clusters dispersed on the support material, the metallic clusters comprising at least one metal selected from ruthenium, iron, rhodium, iridium and molybdenum, wherein at least 80 mass % of the support material is present in a semiconductive crystalline phase having a conduction band minimum energy below (more positive than) ?0.3 V relative to the normal hydrogen electrode (NHE).

Abstract: The invention provides a method of continuous electrochemical dinitrogen reduction to produce ammonia, the method comprising: supplying dinitrogen to an electrochemical cell comprising an electrolyte in contact with at least a cathode; introducing protons to the electrolyte by anodic oxidation of a hydrogen-containing species; and cathodically reducing the dinitrogen in the presence of a metal selected from lithium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, zinc, aluminium and vanadium to produce ammonia, wherein the electrolyte comprises a cationic proton carrier capable of reversible deprotonation to form a neutral proton acceptor, wherein the neutral proton acceptor is an ylide.

Abstract: Electrolytes and electrochemical cells include a novel ionic liquid having a quaternary cation and a boron cluster anion. In some versions, the boron cluster anion will be a functionalized or unfunctionalized icosahedral boranyl or carboranyl anion. Electrochemical cells have an electrolyte including the ionic liquid. In some versions, the ionic liquid is used as a solvent to dissolve an ionic shuttle salt for transport of active material, with an optional co-solvent. Methods to synthesize the ionic liquid include contacting a boron cluster salt with a quaternary salt to form the ionic liquid by a metathesis reaction.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of reducing dinitrogen to produce at least one haloamine compound, the method comprising: contacting a cathode comprising a dinitrogen-activating electrocatalytic composition with an electrolyte; providing dinitrogen, a reducible source of halogen and a source of hydrogen for reaction at the cathode; and applying a potential at the cathode sufficient to reduce the dinitrogen on the dinitrogen-activating electrocatalytic composition in the presence of the reducible source of halogen and the source of hydrogen, thereby producing at least one haloamine compound.

Abstract: The invention provides a cathode for the nitrogen reduction reaction, comprising an electrically conductive substrate and an electrocatalytic composition on the substrate, wherein the electrocatalytic composition comprises: a support material present in one or more crystalline phases; and metallic clusters dispersed on the support material, the metallic clusters comprising at least one metal selected from ruthenium, iron, rhodium, iridium and molybdenum, wherein at least 80 mass % of the support material is present in a semiconductive crystalline phase having a conduction band minimum energy below (more positive than) ?0.3 V relative to the normal hydrogen electrode (NHE).

Abstract: Electrolytes and electrochemical cells include a novel ionic liquid having a quaternary cation and a boron cluster anion. In some versions, the boron cluster anion will be a functionalized or unfunctionalized icosahedral boranyl or carboranyl anion. Electrochemical cells have an electrolyte including the ionic liquid. In some versions, the ionic liquid is used as a solvent to dissolve an ionic shuttle salt for transport of active material, with an optional co-solvent. Methods to synthesize the ionic liquid include contacting a boron cluster salt with a quaternary salt to form the ionic liquid by a metathesis reaction.

Abstract: Electrolytes and electrochemical cells include a novel ionic liquid having a quaternary cation and a boron cluster anion. In some versions, the boron cluster anion will be a functionalized or unfunctionalized icosahedral boranyl or carboranyl anion. Electrochemical cells have an electrolyte including the ionic liquid. In some versions, the ionic liquid is used as a solvent to dissolve an ionic shuttle salt for transport of active material, with an optional co-solvent. Methods to synthesize the ionic liquid include contacting a boron cluster salt with a quaternary salt to form the ionic liquid by a metathesis reaction.

Abstract: Electrolytes and electrochemical cells include a novel ionic liquid having a quaternary cation and a boron cluster anion. In some versions, the boron cluster anion will be a functionalized or unfunctionalized icosahedral boranyl or carboranyl anion. Electrochemical cells have an electrolyte including the ionic liquid. In some versions, the ionic liquid is used as a solvent to dissolve an ionic shuttle salt for transport of active material, with an optional co-solvent. Methods to synthesize the ionic liquid include contacting a boron cluster salt with a quaternary salt to form the ionic liquid by a metathesis reaction.

Abstract: A method of screening an organic salt for potential toxicity if used as a stabilizing agent for live cells or viruses, the method comprising: (a) providing a composition of unilamellar vesicles; then (b) contacting an organic salt to the unilamellar vesicles; and then (c) detecting a change in at least one thermal parameter of the unilamellar vesicles caused by the organic salt at said known concentration. A change in the at least one thermal parameter indicates the organic salt is potentially toxic for use as a stabilizing agent for live cells or viruses. Compositions of organic salts identified by such methods, along with methods of using the same in stabilizing live cells or viruses, are also described.

Abstract: A substantially flat electrolytic capacitor capable of retaining several joules of energy has anode and cathodes held together by a solid or elastomeric solid adhesive which is also the electrolyte within the capacitor.

Abstract: A compact multiple anode electrolytic capacitor suitable for an implantable defibrillator includes three or more layers of an anode using a combination of tunnel etched anodes on the outer layer and a layer of highly etched foil with a solid core in the center. By means of this and similar multiple anode arrangements the capacitor achieves a smaller volume overall. The arrangement further allows the electrolyte and thus the conducting ions to reach the whole surface area of the anode, even pores which originate on the inner layer of the foil, yet at the same time the ions are not able to penetrate all the way through the foil. More layers of anode can be used in the sandwich depending on the desired electrical performance. The high energy density renders the capacitors highly suitable for use in technologically sophisticated biomedical electronic devices such as cardiac pacemakers and defibrillator implanted in the human body.

Abstract: A high surface area electrode formed from filler particles having a high surface to volume ratio in a binder able to support the conduction of ions. The binder may be a hydrophilic polymer and hydrogel able to swell to incorporate a solvent and its dissolved ionic material while retaining its mechanical strength. The swelling may be regulated by control of the degree of cross-linking of the binder material.

Abstract: Compact leak-proof electrolytic capacitors including, between the anode and the cathode, an ultrathin layer of a solid electrolyte, are disclosed. The solid electrolyte comprises a solid solution of (a) an alkali metal salt, a transition metal salt, an ammonium salt, an organic ammonium salt, a zinc salt, a cadmium salt, a mercury salt or a thallium salt of (b) a monbasic, dibasic or tribasic acid other than a haloid acid (c) in a polymer of high solvation power. Preferred salts are the tetrafluoroborates and hexafluoroglutarates of sodium and potassium, and the preferred polymer is a blend of polyethylene oxide with a siloxane-alkylene oxide copolymer. Crosslinking of the polymer is accomplished by using an agent which may be a di -, tri, or polyisocyanate, a multifunctional reagent which is an analogy of the compound to be crosslinked or di - and multifunctional acids, or di - and multifunctional amines. Methods of making such capacitors are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compact leak-proof electrolytic capacitors including, between the anode and the cathode, an ultrathin layer of a solid electrolyte, are disclosed. The solid electrolyte comprises a solid solution of (a) an alkali metal salt, a transition metal salt, an ammonium salt, an organic ammonium salt, a zinc salt, a cadmium salt, a mercury salt or a thallium salt of (b) a monbasic, dibasic or tribasic acid other than a haloid acid (c) in a polymer of high solvation power. Preferred salts are the tetrafluoroborates and hexafluoroglutarates of sodium and potassium, and the preferred polymer is a blend of polyethylene oxide with a siloxane-alkylene oxide copolymer. Crosslinking of the polymer is accomplished by using an agent which may be a di -, tri, or polyisocyanate, a multifunctional reagent which is an analogue of the compound to be crosslinked or di - and multifunctional acids, or di - and multifunctional amines. Methods of making such capacitors are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compact leak-proof electrolytic capacitors including, between the anode and the cathode, an ultrathin layer of a solid electrolyte, are disclosed. The solid electrolyte comprises a solid solution of (a) an alkali metal salt, a transition metal salt or an ammonium salt of (b) a monobasic, dibasic or tribasic acid other than a haloid acid (c) in a polymer of high solvation power. Preferred salts are the tetrafluoroborates and hexafluoroglutarates of sodium and potassium, and the preferred polymer is a blend of polyethylene oxide with a siloxane-alkylene oxide copolymer. Methods of making such capacitors are also disclosed. Rolled solid electrolyte capacitors of this type are characterized by low volume, absence of electrolyte leakage, and minimum dielectric deformation, and are capable of delivering intense bursts of current on demand, thereby being suitable for use in biomedical electronic devices such as cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators implanted in the human body.