Abstract: Nanometer sized particles containing titanium and platinum are prepared by a sonochemical process. Compounds of the metals are dissolved, suspended, or diluted in a low vapor pressure liquid medium, preferably at a sub-ambient temperature. A reducing gas is bubbled through the liquid as it is subjected to cavitation to affect the reductive decomposition of the metal compounds. Titanium and platinum are co-precipitated in very small particles.

Abstract: Nanometer to micrometer sized particles containing platinum and having selected morphologies are prepared by a sonochemical process. A compound of platinum is dissolved, suspended, or diluted in a suitable liquid medium at a predetermined concentration and the liquid is maintained at a predetermined temperature from sub-ambient temperatures to above ambient temperatures. A reducing gas is bubbled through the liquid as it is subjected to cavitation at a controlled power to affect the reductive decomposition of the platinum compound. The morphology of the precipitated platinum particles can be varied widely by varying the described concentration, temperature and power parameters.

Abstract: The durability of a fuel cell having a polymer electrolyte membrane with an anode on one surface and an oxygen-reducing cathode on the other surface is improved by replacing conductive carbon matrix materials in an electrode with a matrix of electrically conductive metal compound particles. The electrode includes a catalyst supported on a nanosize metal oxides and electrically conductive nanosize matrix particles of a metal compound. One or more metal compounds such as a boride, carbide, nitride, silicide, carbonitride, oxyboride, oxycarbide, or oxynitride of a metal such as cobalt, chromium, nickel, molybdenum, neodymium niobium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, and zirconium is suitable. For example, the combination of platinum particles deposited on titanium dioxide support particles mixed in a conductive matrix of titanium carbide particles provides an electrode with good oxygen reduction capability and corrosion resistance in an acid environment.

Abstract: The durability of a fuel cell having a polymer electrolyte membrane with an anode on one surface and an oxygen-reducing cathode on the other surface is improved by substituting electrically conductive titanium carbide or titanium nitride particles for carbon particles as oxygen-reducing and hydrogen-oxidizing catalyst supports. For example nanosize platinum particles deposited on nanosize titanium carbide or titanium nitride support particles provide good oxygen reduction capability and are corrosion resistant in an acid environment.

Abstract: Resistivity ? values of a lubricating oil are repeatedly determined at a predetermined temperature (range) as it is in use in a working mechanism such as a vehicle engine. Such accumulated properties over operating time of the working lubricant can be plotted graphically to display a curve with, for example, a first portion where d?/dt>0, a maximum ?max at a time t1 where d?/dt=0, a second portion where d?/dt<0, a minimum ?min at a time t2 where d?/dt again is zero, and a third portion where d?/dt>0. Furthermore, there can exist another time t3, where d?/dt exhibits a discontinuous change (increase) with time. Characteristics of the ? vs. t curve, including, the values of t1, t2, t3, ?max, ?min, and the ratio ?max/?min can be compared with like data on like lubricant oils in estimating the remaining useful life of the present operating lubricant oil.

Abstract: A cell for the measurement of resistivity and/or permittivity of a liquid, under variable ac frequency energizing, preferably includes a first set of n+1 metal plates interleaved with a second set of n places, both sets of plates preferably being of the same size and shape for the liquid filling the spaces between facing plates. The two sets of alternating plates are separately electrically interconnected. The plates are supported at their peripheries in spaced apart and insulated relationship so that, during variable ac frequency testing, current flow through the liquid is in a path perpendicular to the facing plates.

Abstract: A fuel cell having a polymer electrolyte membrane containing fluorine atoms distributed along the polymer chains, and metal conductors and/or catalysts, is protected from fluoride ion degradation of the metal components by a fluoride ion sequestering agent fixed in the cell or flowing through the cell. In a preferred embodiment, the fluoride ion scavenger comprises a suitable number of azacrown moieties attached to polymer constituents in the electrolyte membrane or in electrodes.

Abstract: A fuel cell having a polymer electrolyte membrane containing fluorine atoms distributed along the polymer chains, and metal conductors and/or catalysts. The cell is protected from metal ion degradation of cell components, especially the polymer electrolyte, by a metal ion sequestering or chelating agent fixed in the cell or flowing through the cell. In a preferred embodiment, the metal ion-sequestering agent comprises a suitable number of metal ion-binding molecular crown moieties attached to polymer constituents in the electrolyte membrane or in electrodes.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprising a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) that is made up of a membrane sandwiched between first and second electrodes, a contaminant peroxide, damaging to the MEA, and at least one constituent with the contaminant peroxide that prevents, or at least inhibits, decomposition of at least one of the first electrode, the second electrode, the membrane, and any combination thereof.