Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention are directed toward a fuel cell assembly comprising a fuel cell casing and one or more fuel cell elements comprised of electrode and electrolyte material. The fuel cell casing is configured with threads and the fuel cell elements can be threadingly engaged in the fuel cell casing.

Abstract: A fuel cell has a MEMS fuel-cell structure including an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte, formed on a substrate, a portion of the substrate being removed from beneath the MEMS structure to leave the MEMS structure suspended in membrane form. An opening may extend through the substrate to leave the MEMS fuel-cell structure in a cantilevered configuration, supported by only one edge. Additional openings may be formed to relieve mechanical stress near an edge or edges supporting the MEMS fuel-cell structure, and/or to limit heat-conducting paths. Specially adapted methods are disclosed for fabricating the MEMS-based fuel cell in any of its various configurations.

Abstract: A fuel cell is disclosed that includes a passive support having a fine pore region disposed between a first coarser pore region and a second coarser pore region. An exemplary fuel cell has an electrolyte material positioned in the fine pore region and a first electrode material positioned in the first coarser pore region and a second electrode material positioned in the second coarser pore region. Other exemplary devices and/or methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for making a photonic structure, including creating a first vapor stream of a first vapor material, the first vapor stream having a first non-uniform flux in at least one direction; and moving a substrate in at least a portion of the vapor stream. In addition, the method includes depositing the first vapor material on a first major surface of said substrate, and forming a first layer and a density gradient in the first layer during deposition. The first layer is disposed on and the density gradient is in a direction perpendicular to the first major surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tuneable phase shifter and/or attenuator comprising a waveguide having a channel and a piece of photo-responsive material (18) disposed within the waveguide along an internal wall of said channel, a light source disposed outside the waveguide to emit light through an aperture (30) of said internal wall to impinge on at least part of an outside surface of said piece of photo-responsive material (18).

Abstract: The present system and method provides a mechanism for monitoring the level of fullness of a cryopump by measuring the cryopump adsorption capacity. An ion gauge or other total pressure gauge is in contact with the condensing or adsorbing panels of the pump. The gauge sensor, for example, can be connected to a tube or duct leading to the central core of the pump where the adsorbing charcoal is located. At this location in the pump, the gauge is exposed to low-boiling-point gases, such as hydrogen, neon and helium, while being substantially shielded from other gases such as nitrogen, argon, oxygen, or water vapor. By connecting a gauge to this location of the pump, the gauge can be used to monitor the absorption capacity of the pump.

Abstract: A fuel cell in accordance with a present invention includes a plurality of reactant channels.

Abstract: A method for making a porous film includes the steps of forming a cermet film and/or a ceramic film by depositing or co-depositing suitable materials on a substrate, and causing metal in the material(s) to reduce and/or to diffuse to the cermet film surface and/or the ceramic film surface to render the porous film.

Abstract: A method of forming a fuel cell electrode includes providing a substrate and at least one deposition device, developing a deposition characteristic profile having at least one porous layer based on pre-determined desired electrode properties, forming a film in accordance with the deposition characteristic profile by sputtering material from the deposition device while varying a relative position of the substrate in relation to the deposition device with respect to at least a first axis.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a fuel cell support structure includes forming a plurality of pores through a substrate and actively controlling a shape or size of the pores formed through the substrate.

Abstract: Various embodiments related to fuel cells and/or fuel cell systems are disclosed herein. The various embodiments comprise methods and systems that are capable of collecting and/or using hydrogen obtained from an anode effluent stream, integrating hydrogen storage units, and/or are capable of supplying hydrogen and/or heat to a fuel cell stack.

Abstract: The present invention relates to various embodiments of an applicator and a coating assembly for applying coatings to substrates as well as a method for using the present invention in the application of many types of coatings. The applicator has an internal length that is less than its external length, thereby resulting in the center point at least one end surface being recessed into the interior of the applicator.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for applying crystalline materials to a substrate by applying a cation and an anion and crystallizing at least a portion of the reaction product of the cation and the anion. The application of at least one of the cation or the anion is actively controlled such that it is applied in a patternwise or blanketwise fashion.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments of the invention, a fuel cell assembly may comprise a flow passageway having a region of graduated cross sectional area along the flow passageway for maintaining a reaction equilibrium. The region may be defined be the arrangement of stacked fuel cell elements alone or in combination with additional shaped spacers.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention are directed towards electrode-electrolyte composites. The electrode-electrolyte composites comprise electrode material and electrolyte material. At least a portion of the electrode material is present as a plurality of discrete regions having conductive contact with the electrolyte material.

Abstract: A fuel cell is disclosed that includes a passive support having a fine pore region disposed between a first coarser pore region and a second coarser pore region. An exemplary fuel cell has an electrolyte material positioned in the fine pore region and a first electrode material positioned in the first coarser pore region and a second electrode material positioned in the second coarser pore region. Other exemplary devices and/or methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrode suitable for use in a fuel cell includes a passive support having pores wherein the passive support has an asymmetric pore morphology with respect to at least one dimension of the passive support; and an electrode material positioned in the pores of the passive support. An exemplary electrode includes an electrode material of a metal and/or metal oxide. An exemplary porous electrode includes a deposited electrolyte layer that blocks at least some pores of the porous electrode. An exemplary method includes reducing an electrode material positioned in pores of a passive support to create secondary porosity and/or to limit agglomeration. Other exemplary devices and/or methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention are directed toward a fuel cell assembly comprising a fuel cell casing and one or more fuel cell elements comprised of electrode and electrolyte material. The fuel cell casing is configured with threads and the fuel cell elements can be threadingly engaged in the fuel cell casing.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell includes supplying a gas stream to the fuel cell and oscillating the gas stream.

Abstract: The invention concerns co-deposited films with nano-columnar structures. A film of the invention is formed upon a substrate, and includes a nano-columnar structure of a first material and a co-deposited second material.