Abstract: The dispersion of metal-element containing additives with hydrogen storage particles of the family of hydrogen-rich materials, M?xM?yNzHd as specified herein, markedly lowers the temperature at which hydrogen is removed from the particles. For example, the dispersion of additives containing one or more of iron, nickel, palladium, or platinum with particles of Li50B17N33H133 provides a composition from which hydrogen is readily removed by heating. Use of these metals as their chloride salts makes particularly effective hydrogen release additives.

Abstract: A hydrogen delivery system for a fuel cell is provided that uses hydrogen as a reactant. A fluid storage vessel contains a hydrogen storage material that reversibly releases and stores hydrogen gas. The released hydrogen gas exits the fluid storage vessel, is pressurized by a fluid pressurization device, and then stored in a ballast vessel. The hydrogen gas is delivered as a reactant to the fuel cell from the ballast vessel at a pressure greater than or equal to the operating pressure of the fuel cell. Variations of the above described hydrogen delivery systems are further disclosed, as well as methods of delivering hydrogen to a fuel cell.

Abstract: A low-cost filled skutterudite for advanced thermoelectric applications is disclosed. The filled skutterudite uses the relatively low-cost mischmetal, either alone or in addition to rare earth elements, as a starting material for guest or filler atoms.

Abstract: A system comprising solid media and a gaseous atmosphere, said solid media having a first condition which is hydrogenated and a second condition which is partially or fully dehydrogenated relative to said first condition, and wherein said gaseous atmosphere comprises nitrogen.

Abstract: A method of improving the thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) of a high-efficiency thermoelectric material is disclosed. The method includes the addition of fullerene (C60) clusters between the crystal grains of the material. It has been found that the lattice thermal conductivity (?L) of a thermoelectric material decreases with increasing fullerene concentration, due to enhanced phonon-large defect scattering. The resulting power factor (S2/?) decrease of the material is offset by the lattice thermal conductivity reduction, leading to enhanced ZT values at temperatures of between 350 degrees K and 700 degrees K.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a novel quaternary hydrogen storage composition having a hydrogenated state and a dehydrogenated state. Further, the present invention provides methods of storing hydrogen in a hydrogen storage composition, and methods of releasing hydrogen by reacting a nitride composition and a hydride composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of reversibly producing a source of hydrogen gas comprising mixing together a plurality of hydrogen-containing starting materials; and then heating the mixed materials at a temperature sufficient to release hydrogen. Upon release of hydrogen, there is formed a residue which comprises at least one material different from the starting materials. There is also synergy whereby it is possible to regenerate at least one of the hydrogen-containing starting materials by exposing hydrogen gas to the aforesaid residue.