Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing an adjustable constant flow of electrochemical fluid. The apparatus is designed for use in an in-tank electrochemical plating bath sensor. The apparatus and method utilize pumping electrodes placed within an electrode chamber. An electrical potential is applied to the electrodes to produce a gaseous stream which produces vertical movement of the electrochemical fluid through the electrode chamber. The voltage applied to the electrodes is periodically reversed in order to prevent the buildup of metal deposits.

Abstract: A thermally regenerated fuel cell for converting thermal energy into electrical energy. A hydrogen reactive cathode reacts with a solvent-free catholyte and a hydrogen reactive anode reacts with a solvent-free anolyte. Reactants consumed at the electrodes during the electrochemical reaction are regenerated thermally below about 250.degree. C. to replenish the reactants consumed during the generation of electrical energy.

Abstract: An electrode apparatus for use in an electrochemical cell, which permits hydrogen gas generated at the cathode to be recirculated directly to the anode. The electrode apparatus comprises:(a) an ion-permeable membrane separating the anode and cathode compartments and liquids contained therein;(b) hydrogen electrodes (cathode and anode) in their respective compartments and in contact with the membrane, comprising a porous hydrophobic catalytic structure which permits the passage of hydrogen gas both along and perpendicular to the longitudinal surface of the electrode, and having an external portion extending outside of the elctrode compartment and exposing the edge surface of the electrode; and(c) a gas chamber connected to the external portions of the electrodes and providing for transfer of gas from the cathode directly to the anode.

Abstract: An improved sodium-sulfur thermal battery having a sodium electrode and sulfur electrode separated by a porous separator wherein the separator is sufficiently porous to allow preliminary migration of fluid sodium metal, fluid sulfur and fluid sodium polysulfides through the separator during operation of the battery in order to form a mixed polysulfides electrolyte gradient within the porous separator.

Abstract: A method for evaluating characteristics of a printed wiring board by measuring the alternating current impedance spectra of the printed wiring board conductor pattern. The method is useful in evaluating a number of different characteristics, such as moisture content, delamination, interlayer thickness and surface characteristics.

Abstract: An electrode apparatus adapted for use in electrochemical systems having an anode compartment and a cathode compartment in which gas and ions are produced and consumed in the compartments during generation of electrical current. The electrode apparatus includes a membrane for separating the anode compartment from the cathode compartment wherein the membrane is permeable to both ions and gas. The cathode and anode for the assembly are provided on opposite sides of the membrane. During use of the membrane-electrode apparatus in electrochemical cells, the gas and ions generated at the cathode or anode migrate through the membrane to provide efficient transfer of gas and ions between the anode and cathode compartments.

Abstract: A thermoelectrochemical system in which an electrical current is generated between a cathode immersed in a concentrated sulfuric acid solution and an anode immersed in an aqueous buffer solution of sodium bisulfate and sodium sulfate. Reactants consumed at the electrodes during the electrochemical reaction are thermochemically regenerated and recycled to the electrodes to provide continuous operation of the system.

Abstract: An electrochemical capacitor (battery-capacitor) which provides high power density and rapid charging and discharging times ranging from a few milliseconds to a few seconds. The capacitor device includes at least one electrochemical cell having two electrodes and an electrolyte therebetween. The electrodes and electrolyte are capable of rapid redox kinetics with the electrodes being spaced apart by no more than 0.002 inch (5.08.times.10.sup.-3 cm) to thereby provide rapid charging and discharging times.

Abstract: A thermoelectrochemical system in which a continuous electrical current is generated from a heat input below about 250.degree. C. A hydrogen ion reacting cathode is immersed in a chosen Bronsted acid and a hydrogen ion reacting anode is immersed in a chosen Bronsted base. Reactants consumed at the electrodes during the electrochemical reaction are directly regenerated thermally below about 250.degree. C. and recycled to the electrodes to provide continuous operation of the system.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing the strength of the sidewalls of hollow tubular members such as for example metal utility poles is disclosed. The present invention provides a self-contained mechanically actuated testing device which is operable to subject a pole to be tested to a concentrated impact force of a predetermined magnitude, the magnitude being selected such that the impacting portion of the tool will penetrate the sidewall if the strength thereof has diminished below an acceptable level.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the minor constituents present in a plating bath solution which affect plating deposit properties. The method involves applying a predetermined dc potential to a working electrode positioned within the plating bath solution. A constant ac signal is superimposed on the dc potential. The dc potential is varied at a predetermined rate over a predetermined range, which includes potentials which plate and strip the plating deposit. The ac current of the applied ac signal is measured between the working electrode and a counter electrode positioned within the plating bath solution as the dc potential is varied over the predetermined range. The measurement of the ac current in relation to varying dc potential is expressed as an ac current spectra or fingerprint. By optimizing all ac and dc measurement variables, spectra are obtained which contain fine structure and which enable the monitoring of minor plating bath constituents which affect plating deposit properties.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in electroless plating wherein the activity of the plating solution is controlled by regulating the oxygen content of the plating solution. The apparatus includes an outer container in which the stabilized, oxygen-rich plating solution is stored. An oxygen sparger is located in the outer container to introduce a predetermined amount of oxygen into the plating solution to stabilize it. A flux container and plating vessel are located inside the outer container and define a separate flux zone and a separate plating zone, respectively, through which the plating solution is passed. A nitrogen sparger is located within the flux container to purge all or some oxygen from the stabilized plating solution to provide an active plating solution. The active plating solution is passed from the flux container into the plating vessel where plating of the substrate takes place.

Abstract: An improved electroless silver plating process in which the plating rate and plating texture are controlled by regulating the oxygen content of the active electroless silver plating solution. An active electroless silver plating solution is continually removed from the plating zone and exposed to a sufficient amount of an oxygen-containing gas to provide a stabilized silver solution. The stabilized silver solution is then extracted, filtered, replenished with desired chemicals, stored or otherwise handled prior to being recycled back to the plating zone. Prior to the stabilized silver solution being passed back to the plating zone, the stabilized solution is scrubbed in a scrubber zone with a gas capable of displacing oxygen from the stabilized solution to produce an active electroless silver plating solution. The plating rate and surface texture of the plated silver layer are controlled in part by regulating the amount of oxygen removed from the stabilized solution prior to passage through the plating zone.

Abstract: A coating of chromium/chromium oxide is disclosed for coating the surfaces of electrically conducting components of a sodium sulfur battery. This chromium/chromium oxide coating is placed on the surfaces of the electrically conducting components of the battery which are in contact with molten polysulfide and sulfur reactants during battery operation.

Abstract: An improved secondary battery or cell of the type having: (A) an anodic reaction zone containing a molten alkali metal reactant-anode in electrical contact with an external circuit; (B) one or more cathodic reaction zones containing a cathodic reactant which, when said battery or cell is at least partially discharged, is selected from the group consisting of (i) a single phase composition comprising molten polysulfide salts of said anodic reactant and (ii) a two-phase composition comprising molten sulfur and molten sulfur saturated polysulfide salts of said anodic reactant; (C) a cation-permeable barrier to mass liquid transfer interposed between and in contact with said anodic and cathodic reaction zones; and (D) a current collector which at least partially exposed to said cathodic reactant and which is in electrical contact with both said cation-permeable barrier and said external circuit.

Abstract: An improved electrical conversion device of the type comprising:(A) a container-current collector consisting essentially of an inner, load bearing, high strength, noncorrosive and electrically conductive ceramic member clad with a metal exterior;(B) a cation-permeable barrier to mass liquid transfer which is disposed within said container-current collector;(C) a molten alkali metal reactant-anode within the anodic reaction zone;(D) a cathodic reactant within the cathodic reaction zone; and(E) a cathodic electrode; the improvement of the invention comprises adapting the metal clad ceramic member of the device to serve not only as a container-current collector, but also as the cathodic electrode by shaping the metal clad ceramic member such that (i) the inner surface of the electrically conductive ceramic member is disposed in close proximity to at least a portion of the surface of the cation-permeable barrier, and (ii) there are a plurality of open spaces for channels within the cathodic reaction zone through

Abstract: An improved secondary battery or cell of the type having: (A) one or more anodic reaction zones containing a molten alkali metal reactant-anode in electrical contact with an external circuit; (B) one or more cathodic reaction zones containing a cathodic reactant which, when said battery or cell is at least partially discharged, is selected from the group consisting of (i) a single phase composition comprising molten polysulfide salts of said anodic reactant and (ii) a two phase composition comprising molten sulfur and molten sulfur saturated polysulfide salts of said anodic reactant; (C) a cation-permeable barrier to mass liquid transfer interposed between and in contact with said anodic and cathodic reaction zones; and (D) an electrode which is disposed within said cathodic reaction zone such that it is (i) at least partially immersed in said cathodic reactant, and (ii) in electrical contact with both said cation-permeable barrier and said external circuit.

Abstract: An improved secondary battery or cell of the type having: (A) one or more anodic reaction zones; (B) one or more cathodic reaction zones (C) a cation-permeable barrier to mass liquid transfer interposed between and in contact with said anodic and cathodic reaction zones; and (D) an electrode which is disposed within said cathodic reaction zone. The improvement comprises employing an electrode, at least a portion of which consists essentially of a porous metal substrate which (i) is coated, at least in part, with an oxide of a metal selected from the group consisting of: (a) metals of Groups I, II and III of the Periodic Table of elements, (b) Transition Series metals, and (c) tin, lead, antimony and bismuth to a thickness which is greater than about 500 angstroms, but which results in said electrode portion having a resistivity of less than about 4 ohm-cm.sup.

Abstract: An improved secondary battery or cell of the type having: (A) an anodic reaction zone containing a molten alkali metal reactant-anode in electrical contact with an external circuit; (B) one or more cathodic reaction zones containing a cathodic reactant which, when said battery or cell is at least partially discharged, is selected from the group consisting of (i) a single phase composition comprising molten polysulfide salts of said anodic reactant and (ii) a two-phase composition comprising molten sulfur and molten sulfur saturated polysulfide salts of said anodic reactant; (C) a cation-permeable barrier to mass liquid transfer interposed between and in contact with said anodic and cathodic reaction zones; and (D) a current collector which at least partially exposed to said cathodic reactant and which is in electrical contact with both said cation-permeable barrier and said external circuit.

Abstract: An improved secondary battery or cell of the type having: (A) one or more anodic reaction zones containing a molten alkali metal reactant-anode in electrical contact with an external circuit; (B) one or more cathodic reaction zones containing (1) a cathodic reactant comprising a liquid electrolyte which is electrochemically reversibly reactive with said anodic reactant and which, when said battery or cell is at least partially discharged, is selected from the group consisting of (i) a single phase composition comprising molten polysulfide salts of said anodic reactant and (ii) a two phase composition comprising molten sulfur and molten sulfur saturated polysulfide salts of said anodic reactant and (2) an electrode in contact with said liquid electrolyte; and (C) a cation-permeable barrier to mass liquid transfer interposed between and in contact with said anodic and cathodic reaction zones, said electrode being in electrical contact with both said cation-permeable barrier and an external circuit.