Abstract: A cooling system for a fuel tank of an aircraft includes a temperature sensor, a cooling system, and a control module. The temperature sensor detects a fuel temperature within the fuel tank. The cooling system maintains the fuel temperature below a control temperature. The phase change cooling system includes a heat exchanger. A cooling fluid flows through the heat exchanger and is in thermal communication with a surface of the fuel tank. The control module is in signal communication with the temperature sensor and the cooling system. The control module includes control logic for monitoring the temperature sensor, determining if the fuel temperature is above the control temperature, and generating an activation signal.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery is externally heated to induce thermal runaway, and material expelled from the battery is analyzed.

Abstract: An aircraft comprises a rechargeable battery including an array of battery cells, and means for mitigating consequences of failure of the rechargeable battery due to aircraft operating cycles.

Abstract: A cooling system for a fuel tank of an aircraft includes a temperature sensor, a cooling system, and a control module. The temperature sensor detects a fuel temperature within the fuel tank. The cooling system maintains the fuel temperature below a control temperature. The phase change cooling system includes a heat exchanger. A cooling fluid flows through the heat exchanger and is in thermal communication with a surface of the fuel tank. The control module is in signal communication with the temperature sensor and the cooling system. The control module includes control logic for monitoring the temperature sensor, determining if the fuel temperature is above the control temperature, and generating an activation signal.

Abstract: Fuel cell designs and techniques for converting chemical energy into electrical energy uses a fuel cell are disclosed. The designs and techniques include an anode to receive fuel, a cathode to receive oxygen, and an electrolyte chamber in the fuel cell, including an electrolyte medium, where the electrolyte medium includes an inorganic salt mixture in the fuel cell. The salt mixture includes pre-determined quantities of at least two salts chosen from a group consisting of ammonium trifluoromethanesulfonate, ammonium trifluoroacetate, and ammonium nitrate, to conduct charge from the anode to the cathode. The fuel cell includes an electrical circuit operatively coupled to the fuel cell to transport electrons from the cathode.

Abstract: Disclosed are developments in high temperature fuel cells including ionic liquids with high temperature stability and the storage of inorganic acids as di-anion salts of low volatility. The formation of ionically conducting liquids of this type having conductivities of unprecedented magnitude for non-aqueous systems is described. The stability of the di-anion configuration is shown to play a role in the high performance of the non-corrosive proton-transfer ionic liquids as high temperature fuel cell electrolytes. Performance of simple H2(g) electrolyte/O2(g) fuel cells with the new electrolytes is described. Superior performance both at ambient temperature and temperatures up to and above 200° C. are achieved. Both neutral proton transfer salts and the acid salts with HSO?4 anions, give good results, the bisulphate case being particularly good at low temperatures and very high temperatures.

Abstract: A neutral protic salt electrolyte and a protic-salt imbibed polymer electrolyte membrane exhibiting high ionic conductivity and thermal stability at temperatures greater than 100° C. without requiring additional humidification systems or hydrating water is disclosed. The protic salt is the neutral product of acids and bases for which the proton transfer energy lies in the range from 0.5 to 1.5 eV. A polymer electrolyte membrane having the general formula: wherein A is a repeating unit in the main chain, B is a crosslinker chain, C is an end group, YZ is a neutralized couple at chain end, IL is an ionic liquid, and NP is a nanoparticle which absorbs the protic liquid yielding membranes that combine high mechanical strength with high conductivity. The present polymer electrolyte membrane is useful in high temperature fuel cells for automotive, industrial, and mobile communication applications.

Abstract: Fuel cell designs and techniques for converting chemical energy into electrical energy uses a fuel cell are disclosed. The designs and techniques include an anode to receive fuel, a cathode to receive oxygen, and an electrolyte chamber in the fuel cell, including an electrolyte medium, where the electrolyte medium includes an inorganic salt mixture in the fuel cell. The salt mixture includes pre-determined quantities of at least two salts chosen from a group consisting of ammonium trifluoromethanesulfonate, ammonium trifluoroacetate, and ammonium nitrate, to conduct charge from the anode to the cathode. The fuel cell includes an electrical circuit operatively coupled to the fuel cell to transport electrons from the cathode.

Abstract: A neutral protic salt electrolyte and a protic-salt imbibed polymer electrolyte membrane exhibiting high ionic conductivity and thermal stability at temperatures greater than 100° C. without requiring additional humidification systems or hydrating water is disclosed. The protic salt is the neutral product of acids and bases for which the proton transfer energy lies in the range from 0.5 to 1.5 eV. A polymer electrolyte membrane having the general formula: wherein A is a repeating unit in the main chain, B is a crosslinker chain, C is an end group, YZ is a neutralized couple at chain end, Il is an ionic liquid, and NP is a nanoparticle which absorbs the protic liquid yielding membranes that combine high mechanical strength with high conductivity. The present polymer electrolyte membrane is useful in high temperature fuel cell for automotive, industrial, and mobile communication applications.

Abstract: Disclosed are developments in high temperature fuel cells including ionic liquids with high temperature stability and the storage of inorganic acids as di-anion salts of low volatility. The formation of ionically conducting liquids of this type having conductivities of unprecedented magnitude for non-aqueous systems is described. The stability of the di-anion configuration is shown to play a role in the high performance of the non-corrosive proton-transfer ionic liquids as high temperature fuel cell electrolytes. Performance of simple H2(g)electrolyte/O2(g) fuel cells with the new electrolytes is described. Superior performance both at ambient temperature and temperatures up to and above 200° C. are achieved. Both neutral proton transfer salts and the acid salts with HSO?4 anions, give good results, the bisulphate case being particularly good at low temperatures and very high temperatures.