Abstract: Slurry electrodes can deliver direct current (DC) nerve conduction block to neural tissue. Such slurry electrodes can include an ionically conductive membrane having a first side and a second side. Slurry electrodes can also include a mechanism that is configured to encapsulate a slurry against the first side of the ionically conductive membrane. The slurry can include an ionically conductive material and a plurality of electrically conducting high surface area particles. The mechanism and the first side of the ionically conductive membrane make up a housing for the slurry. Slurry electrodes can also include a connector configured to establish an electrical connection between the slurry and the DC generator.

Abstract: A composite membrane for use in flow batteries is contemplated. The membrane comprises a hydrogel, such as poly(vinyl alcohol), applied to a polymeric microporous film substrate. This composite is interposed between two half cells of a flow battery. The resulting membrane and system, as well as corresponding methods for making the membrane and making and operating the system itself, provide unexpectedly good performance at a significant cost advantage over currently known systems.

Abstract: Chronic pain management can be achieved by electrically anesthetizing a peripheral nerve with on-demand electrical nerve block (OD-ENB). OD-ENB can be provided by an implantable capsule. Externally, at least a portion of the capsule can be constructed of a conductive membrane and the rest of the capsule comprises a biocompatible material. A blocking electrode contact, a return electrode contact, and a powering/communication component can be within the capsule. The blocking electrode contact can deliver a direct current (DC) through a portion of the conductive membrane to block conduction in the neural tissue to provide the OD-ENB. The return electrode contact can receive a return current from the neural tissue through another portion of the conductive membrane. The powering/communication component can communicate with one or more external components located external to the patient's body to receive a power signal. Notably the capsule has no internal battery.

Abstract: Chronic pain management can be achieved by electrically anesthetizing a peripheral nerve with on-demand electrical nerve block (OD-ENB). OD-ENB can be provided by an implantable capsule. Externally, at least a portion of the capsule can be constructed of a conductive membrane and the rest of the capsule comprises a biocompatible material. A blocking electrode contact, a return electrode contact, and a powering/communication component can be within the capsule. The blocking electrode contact can deliver a direct current (DC) through a portion of the conductive membrane to block conduction in the neural tissue to provide the OD-ENB. The return electrode contact can receive a return current from the neural tissue through another portion of the conductive membrane. The powering/communication component can communicate with one or more external components located external to the patient's body to receive a power signal. Notably the capsule has no internal battery.

Abstract: The present disclose relates to slurry electrodes that can deliver direct current (DC) nerve conduction block to neural tissue. Such slurry electrodes can include an ionically conductive membrane having a first side and a second side. Slurry electrodes can also include a mechanism that is configured to encapsulate a slurry against the first side of the ionically conductive membrane. The slurry can include an ionically conductive material and a plurality of electrically conducting high surface area particles. The mechanism and the first side of the ionically conductive membrane make up a housing for the slurry. Slurry electrodes can also include a connector configured to establish an electrical connection between the slurry and the DC generator.

Abstract: A composite membrane for use in flow batteries is contemplated. The membrane comprises a hydrogel, such as poly(vinyl alcohol), applied to a polymeric microporous film substrate. This composite is interposed between two half cells of a flow battery. The resulting membrane and system, as well as corresponding methods for making the membrane and making and operating the system itself, provide unexpectedly good performance at a significant cost advantage over currently known systems.

Abstract: The present disclose relates to slurry electrodes that can deliver direct current (DC) nerve conduction block to neural tissue. Such slurry electrodes can include an ionically conductive membrane having a first side and a second side. Slurry electrodes can also include a mechanism that is configured to encapsulate a slurry against the first side of the ionically conductive membrane. The slurry can include an ionically conductive material and a plurality of electrically conducting high surface area particles. The mechanism and the first side of the ionically conductive membrane make up a housing for the slurry. Slurry electrodes can also include a connector configured to establish an electrical connection between the slurry and the DC generator.

Abstract: Accelerated recovery from direct current (DC) nerve block can be achieved using repolarization. A direct current (DC) waveform can be applied to a nerve for a time sufficient to achieve nerve block. The DC waveform can be switched to another DC waveform of reversed polarity, which can be applied for a second time, causing the nerve to enter a repolarization cycle to accelerate recovery time for the nerve. Moreover, simply applying a subthreshold DC waveform to the nerve for a time by itself can enhance a response of the nerve without blocking conduction in the nerve.

Abstract: A capacity-expanding separated interface nerve electrode (SINE) can be used to deliver a nerve conduction block to one or more nerves. The SINE can include a source electrode coupled to a waveform generator. The source electrode can deliver an electrical neuromodulation signal (e.g., a direct current (DC) signal) to an ionically conductive medium. The SINE can also include a vessel holding the ionically conductive medium, which can include a material that facilitates a transformation of the electrical neuromodulation signal to an ionic neuromodulation signal with a high charge capacity. The SINE can also include a nerve interface that can deliver the ionic neuromodulation signal to a nerve. The SINE can be used in combination with a return electrode that is also coupled to the waveform generator.

Abstract: A battery system comprising a sealed aqueous flow battery that employs a passive, in-tank electrolyte recombination system. The recombination system allows for electrolyte stabilization in batteries where hydrogen evolution may occur as a side reaction without the need to use any externally-supplied rebalancing reactants. The system is a passive system that does not require a control system, additional pumps, or pumping energy.

Abstract: A composite membrane for use in flow batteries is contemplated. The membrane comprises a hydrogel, such as poly(vinyl alcohol), applied to a polymeric microporous film substrate. This composite is interposed between two half cells of a flow battery. The resulting membrane and system, as well as corresponding methods for making the membrane and making and operating the system itself, provide unexpectedly good performance at a significant cost advantage over currently known systems.

Abstract: The present disclose relates to slurry electrodes that can deliver direct current (DC) nerve conduction block to neural tissue. Such slurry electrodes can include an ionically conductive membrane having a first side and a second side. Slurry electrodes can also include a mechanism that is configured to encapsulate a slurry against the first side of the ionically conductive membrane. The slurry can include an ionically conductive material and a plurality of electrically conducting high surface area particles. The mechanism and the first side of the ionically conductive membrane make up a housing for the slurry. Slurry electrodes can also include a connector configured to establish an electrical connection between the slurry and the DC generator.

Abstract: Chronic pain management can be achieved by electrically anesthetizing a peripheral nerve with on-demand electrical nerve block (OD-ENB). OD-ENB can be provided by an implantable capsule. Externally, at least a portion of the capsule can be constructed of a conductive membrane and the rest of the capsule comprises a biocompatible material. A blocking electrode contact, a return electrode contact, and a powering/communication component can be within the capsule. The blocking electrode contact can deliver a direct current (DC) through a portion of the conductive membrane to block conduction in the neural tissue to provide the OD-ENB. The return electrode contact can receive a return current from the neural tissue through another portion of the conductive membrane. The powering/communication component can communicate with one or more external components located external to the patient's body to receive a power signal. Notably the capsule has no internal battery.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a capacity-expanding separated interface nerve electrode (SINE), which can be used to deliver a nerve conduction block to one or more nerves. The SINE can include a source electrode coupled to a waveform generator. The sour electrode can deliver an electrical neuromodulation signal (e.g., a direct current (DC) signal) to an ionically conductive medium. The SINE can also include a vessel holding the ionically conductive medium, which can include a material that facilitates a transformation of the electrical neuromodulation signal to an ionic neuromodulation signal with a high charge capacity. The SINE can also include a nerve interface that can deliver the ionic neuromodulation signal to a nerve. The SINE can be used in combination with a return electrode that is also coupled to the waveform generator.

Abstract: A composite membrane for use in flow batteries is contemplated. The membrane comprises a hydrogel, such as poly(vinyl alcohol), applied to a polymeric microporous film substrate. This composite is interposed between two half cells of a flow battery. The resulting membrane and system, as well as corresponding methods for making the membrane and making and operating the system itself, provide unexpectedly good performance at a significant cost advantage over currently known systems.

Abstract: A battery system comprising a sealed aqueous flow battery that employs a passive, in-tank electrolyte recombination system. The recombination system allows for electrolyte stabilization in batteries where hydrogen evolution may occur as a side reaction without the need to use any externally-supplied rebalancing reactants. The system is a passive system that does not require a control system, additional pumps, or pumping energy.

Abstract: An iron based redox flow cell. The redox flow cell comprises a first half-cell comprising a first electrolyte providing a source of Fe2+ ions and an electrode disposed within the first half-cell; a second half-cell comprising a second electrolyte providing a source of Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions and an electrode disposed within the second half-cell; and a separator between the first and second half-cells, where (a) the second electrolyte comprises a Fe3+ stabilizing agent; (b) the first electrolyte comprises a hydrogen evolution suppressing agent; or (c) the first electrolyte comprises a hydrogen evolution suppressing agent, and the second electrolyte comprises a Fe3+ stabilizing agent.

Abstract: An iron based redox flow cell. The redox flow cell comprises a first half-cell comprising a first electrolyte providing a source of Fe2+ ions and an electrode disposed within the first half-cell; a second half-cell comprising a second electrolyte providing a source of Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions and an electrode disposed within the second half-cell; and a separator between the first and second half-cells, where (a) the second electrolyte comprises a Fe3+ stabilizing agent; (b) the first electrolyte comprises a hydrogen evolution suppressing agent; or (c) the first electrolyte comprises a hydrogen evolution suppressing agent, and the second electrolyte comprises a Fe3+ stabilizing agent.

Abstract: The invention is a flexible, micro-fabricated fuel cell and fuel cell stack that can be helically wound or bend into cylindrical shapes. The electrolyte is a proton exchange membrane (PEM) upon which can be printed, by ink jet means, the anode and cathode electrodes and the current collectors that convey current to or from the edges of the PEM which has a thickness on the order of 0.001 to 0.010 inch. Pluralities of the series connected fuel cell stacks can be arranged in electrical and physical parallel with one another to provide what are batteries of fuel cell stacks that can be connected by manifolds to sources of fuel and oxidizer. The invention is directed to a thin, light-weight, flexible fuel cell assembly that can be produced in ambient conditions using standard micro-fabrication techniques, such as thick film printing and ink jet deposition. Thick film printing techniques, screen printing or ink jet printing, are used to deposit porous current collectors on either side of the membrane.

Abstract: The invention is a flexible, micro-fabricated fuel cell and fuel cell stack that can be helically wound or bend into cylindrical shapes. The electrolyte is a proton exchange membrane (PEM) upon which can be printed, by ink jet means, the anode and cathode electrodes and the current collectors that convey current to or from the edges of the PEM which has a thickness on the order of 0.001 to 0.010 inch. Pluralities of the series connected fuel cell stacks can be arranged in electrical and physical parallel with one another to provide what are batteries of fuel cell stacks that can be connected by manifolds to sources of fuel and oxidizer. The invention is directed to a thin, light-weight, flexible fuel cell assembly that can be produced in ambient conditions using standard micro-fabrication techniques, such as thick film printing and ink jet deposition. Thick film printing techniques, screen printing or ink jet printing, are used to deposit porous current collectors on either side of the membrane.