Abstract: An electrolyte reservoir layer disposed behind and adjacent one of the catalyst layers of a fuel cell is porous and hydrophilic to the electrolyte. In one embodiment the reservoir layer includes impregnations of hydrophobic material on the catalyst facing surface thereof and holes leading from the other surface to the impregnations for providing reactant gas passages through the reservoir layer to the catalyst layer. The impregnations of hydrophobic material are designed to provide good distribution of the reactant gas into the catalyst layer without consuming a large volume of the reservoir. In a preferred embodiment the reservoir is also the electrode substrate whereby the catalyst layer is bonded to the surface thereof.

Abstract: A support material for platinum, platinum alloys, or other noble metal catalyst, is made from carbon particles by heat treating the carbon until it is at least partially graphitized, depositing a metal on the heat treated carbon particles which will catalyze the oxidation of graphite in an oxidizing atmosphere, and oxidizing the surfaces of the heat treated carbon particles at the sites of the catalyst crystals to pit or etch the surfaces at these sites. When this material is used as a support for platinum it reduces the rate of platinum migration when the supported platinum catalyst is heated in the presence of a liquid, thereby reducing the loss of platinum surface area which often occurs under these conditions.

Abstract: In a neutral section of an overhead electric traction system the contact wire and at least one catenary wire of one of two adjacent sections of the overhead electric traction system are secured to one end of an elongate insulated runner and the contact wire and at least one catenary wire of the other sections are secured to the other end of said elongate insulated runner or to one end of a second elongate insulated runner. At least one metallic member is positioned between and is spaced from the ends of said insulated runner, or separates and is connected to the other ends of said insulated runners, the undersurfaces of the contact wires, said insulated runner or runners and the elongate metallic member lying in a substantially common plane.

Abstract: A support material for platinum, platinum alloys, or other noble metal catalyst, is made from carbon particles by heat treating the carbon until it is at least partially graphitized, depositing a metal on the heat treated carbon particles which will catalyze the oxidation of graphite in an oxidizing atmopshere, and oxidizing the surfaces of the heat treated carbon particles at the sites of the catalyst crysals to pit or etch the surfaces at these sites. When this material is used as a support for platinum it reduces the rate of platinum migration when the supported platinum catalyst is heated in the presence of a liquid, thereby reducing the loss of platinum surface area which often occurs under these conditions.

Abstract: An insulated runner for use in an overhead electric traction system comprises at least one elongate reinforcing body of high tensile strength made wholly or substantially of insulating material, for example a rod of resin bonded glass fiber, and provided with metal terminal fittings, and at least one body of abrasion-resistant ceramic or vitreous material which is associated with, and extends lengthwise between the terminal fittings of, the reinforcing body and which provides an effective running surface. The outermost surface of the insulated runner between its terminal fittings is of an insulating material that is resistant to tracking. The abrasion-resistant body may enclose fully the part of the reinforcing body extending between the terminal fittings. Preferably, however, the reinforcing body and parts of the abrasion-resistant body are enclosed throughout their lengths by a body of a resin composition or other tracking-resistant material.