Abstract: A combinatorial process for production of material libraries from a single sample, comprising forming a diffusion multiple in the single sample, wherein the diffusion multiple comprises a plurality of interdiffusion regions at interfacial locations of dissimilar metals, metal oxides, or alloys, and wherein the diffusion multiple comprises at least three layers of the metals, non-metals, metal oxides, or alloys; and evaluating properties of the diffusion multiple as a function of composition at about the interdiffusion regions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising reacting a metal borohydride with a metal chloride composition that comprises magnesium chloride in a solvent to form a reaction mixture; wherein either the metal borohydride, the metal chloride composition or both the metal borohydride and the metal chloride composition are soluble in the solvent and a formed metal chloride is insoluble in the solvent; removing the solvent from the reaction mixture to produce a borohydride complex; treating the borohydride complex to obtain magnesium borohydride; extracting magnesium borohydride solvate; and desolvating the magnesium borohydride solvate to form magnesium borohydride.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and material for storing and retrieving hydrogen are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a storage component, and this component comprises a hydrogen storage medium. The hydrogen storage medium comprises an aluminoborane hydride AlBxHn wherein x is equal to or greater than 4 and n is equal to or greater than 10. The method for storing and retrieving hydrogen comprises providing a source of hydrogen; providing a storage component, the component comprising a hydrogen storage medium, wherein the hydrogen storage medium comprises boron and aluminum in a molar ratio equal to or greater than 4 and at least one catalyst; and exposing the medium to hydrogen from the source. The material comprises an aluminoborane hydride AlBxHn wherein x is equal to or greater than 4 and n is equal to or greater than 10 and at least one catalyst selected from hydrides, fluorides, chlorides, oxides, elements and alloys and combination thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for preparing magnesium borohydride. The method includes the step of reacting a metal borohydride with a metal salt composition in a solvent, to form a reaction mixture. The metal salt composition comprises at least one magnesium salt. The metal borohydride and the metal salt composition are insoluble in the solvent. The method further includes the step of grinding the reaction mixture to produce a composition that includes magnesium borohydride; and removing the solvent from the composition. Another embodiment of this invention relates to a new material. The material is an orthorhombic crystal phase of magnesium borohydride.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising reacting a metal borohydride with a metal chloride composition in a solvent to form a reaction mixture, wherein the metal chloride composition comprises magnesium chloride; wherein the metal borohydride and the metal chloride composition are insoluble in the solvent; grinding the reaction mixture to produce a composition that comprises magnesium hydridoborohydride; and removing the solvent from the composition. Disclosed herein too is a composition comprising magnesium hydridoborohydride having the formula MgnH(BH4)2n-1 where n is about 3 to about 7. Disclosed herein too is a method of manufacturing hydrogen comprising heating a composition comprising magnesium hydridoborohydride.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises a hydrogen storage system for storing and releasing hydrogen, a fuel cell in fluid communication with the hydrogen storage system for receiving released hydrogen from the hydrogen storage system and for electrochemically reacting the hydrogen with an oxidant to produce electricity and an anode exhaust. A catalytic combustor is in fluid communication with the fuel cell for receiving the anode exhaust and for catalytically reacting the anode exhaust to produce an offgas having an elevated temperature that is greater than the temperature of the anode exhaust. The heat from the offgas is used to release the hydrogen from the hydrogen storage system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising reacting a metal borohydride with a metal chloride composition that comprises magnesium chloride in a solvent to form a reaction mixture; wherein either the metal borohydride, the metal chloride composition or both the metal borohydride and the metal chloride composition are soluble in the solvent and a formed metal chloride is insoluble in the solvent; removing the solvent from the reaction mixture to produce a borohydride complex; treating the borohydride complex to obtain magnesium borohydride; extracting magnesium borohydride solvate; and desolvating the magnesium borohydride solvate to form magnesium borohydride.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises a hydrogen storage system for storing and releasing hydrogen, a fuel cell in fluid communication with the hydrogen storage system for receiving released hydrogen from the hydrogen storage system and for electrochemically reacting the hydrogen with an oxidant to produce electricity and an anode exhaust. A catalytic combustor is in fluid communication with the fuel cell for receiving the anode exhaust and for catalytically reacting the anode exhaust to produce an offgas having an elevated temperature that is greater than the temperature of the anode exhaust. The heat from the offgas is used to release the hydrogen from the hydrogen storage system. An electrical heater is coupled to the catalytic combustor to enable cold start of the fuel cell and the storage system.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment of a turbine component (which may be a blade) comprises a substrate comprising a silicide-based material, a plurality of through holes disposed in the substrate, the holes being configured to receive an airflow, a silicide coating disposed at the surfaces of the substrate and the through holes, and a thermal barrier coating disposed at the silicide coating. In another exemplary embodiment the silicide coating may be replaced by a Laves phase-containing layer. In still another exemplary embodiment the silicide coating may be replaced by a diffusion barrier layer disposed at a surface of the substrate and a platinum group metal layer disposed at the diffusion barrier layer. One exemplary embodiment of a blade may comprise an airfoil comprising a silicide-based material and through holes disposed therein, a cooling plenum disposed in the airfoil, and a base configured to receive the airfoil in a dovetail fit, the base comprising a superalloy.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises a hydrogen storage system for storing and releasing hydrogen, a fuel cell in fluid communication with the hydrogen storage system for receiving released hydrogen from the hydrogen storage system and for electrochemically reacting the hydrogen with an oxidant to produce electricity and an anode exhaust. A catalytic combustor is in fluid communication with the fuel cell for receiving the anode exhaust and for catalytically reacting the anode exhaust to produce an offgas having an elevated temperature that is greater than the temperature of the anode exhaust. The heat from the offgas is used to release the hydrogen from the hydrogen storage system.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises a hydrogen storage system for storing and releasing hydrogen, a fuel cell in fluid communication with the hydrogen storage system for receiving released hydrogen from the hydrogen storage system and for electrochemically reacting the hydrogen with an oxidant to produce electricity and an anode exhaust. A catalytic combustor is in fluid communication with the fuel cell for receiving the anode exhaust and for catalytically reacting the anode exhaust to produce an offgas having an elevated temperature that is greater than the temperature of the anode exhaust. The heat from the offgas is used to release the hydrogen from the hydrogen storage system.

Abstract: A composition that includes a storage material is provided. The storage material includes at least one of AlLi, Al2Li3, Al4Li9, Al3Mg2, Al12Mg17, AlB12, Al4C3, AlTi2C, AlTi3C, AlZrC2, Al3Zr5C, Al3Zr2C4, Al3Zr2C7, AlB2, AlB12, AlSi, B6Ca, B6K, B12Li, B6Li, B4Li, B3Li, B2Li, BLi, B6Li7, BLi3, Ca2Si, CaSi, CaSi2, Ge4K, GeK, GeK3, GeLi3, Ge5Li22, Mg2Ge, Ge4Na, GeNa, GeNa3, KSi, KC4, K4Si23, K4C3, LiC, Li4C3, LiC6, Li22Si5, Li13Si4, Li7Si3, Li12Si7, MgB2, MgB4, MgB7, MgC2, Mg2C3, Mg2Si, NaB6, NaB15, NaB16, Na4C3, NaC4, NaSi, NaSi2, or Na4Si23. An article including the storage material, and a system including the article are also provided.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the thermal exposure of a selected metal component which has been exposed to changing temperature conditions is described. The voltage distribution on a surface of the metal component, or on a metallic layer which lies over the component, is first obtained. The voltage distribution usually results from a compositional change in the metal component. The voltage distribution is then compared to a thermal exposure-voltage model which expresses voltage distribution as a function of exposure time and exposure temperature for a reference standard corresponding to the metal component. In this manner, the thermal exposure of the selected component can be obtained. A related device for evaluating the thermal exposure of a selected metal component is also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for making and screening a combinatorial library comprising disposing in a substrate comprising graphite or boron carbide at least one reactant, wherein the reactants are lithium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, calcium, aluminum or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing reactants; heat treating the substrate to create a diffusion multiple; contacting the diffusion multiple with hydrogen having at least two phases; detecting any absorption of hydrogen; and/or detecting any desorption of hydrogen.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for making a combinatorial library comprising disposing on a substrate comprising silicon, silicon nitride, silicon carbide or silicon boride at least one reactant, wherein the reactants are lithium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, calcium, aluminum or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing reactants; heat treating the substrate to create a diffusion multiple having at least two phases; contacting the diffusion multiple with hydrogen; detecting any absorption of hydrogen; and/or detecting any desorption of hydrogen.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for making and screening a combinatorial library comprising disposing in a substrate comprising boron, boron nitride, or boron carbide at least one reactant, wherein the reactants are lithium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, calcium, aluminum or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing reactants; heat treating the substrate to create a diffusion multiple having at least two phases; contacting the diffusion multiple with hydrogen; detecting any absorption of hydrogen; and/or detecting any desorption of hydrogen.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for making and screening a combinatorial library, comprising disposing on a substrate comprising aluminum at least one reactant comprising lithium, germanium, magnesium, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing; heat treating the substrate to create a diffusion multiple having at least one phase; contacting the diffusion multiple with hydrogen; detecting any absorption of hydrogen; and/or detecting any desorption of hydrogen.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and material for storing and retrieving hydrogen are presented. The apparatus comprises a storage component, and this component comprises a hydrogen storage medium. The hydrogen storage medium comprises gallium. The method for storing and retrieving hydrogen comprises providing a source of hydrogen; providing a storage component, the component comprising a hydrogen storage medium, wherein the hydrogen storage medium comprises gallium; and exposing the medium to hydrogen from the source. The material comprises at least about 10 atom percent gallium, with the balance comprising at least one of aluminum and boron. The material is a metallic alloy.

Abstract: A method for identification and evaluation of the hydrogen storage capacity of materials is presented, the method comprising providing a plurality of materials, wherein the plurality of materials comprise an array of synthesized hydrides and analyzing hydrogen content in the plurality of materials.

Abstract: A turbine engine component comprising a substrate made of a nickel-base or cobalt-base superalloy and a protective coating overlying the substrate, the coating formed by electroplating at least two platinum group metals selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium and iridium. The protective coating is typically heat treated to increase homogeneity of the coating and adherence with the substrate. The component typically further comprises a ceramic thermal barrier coating overlying the protective coating. Also disclosed are methods for forming the protective coating on the turbine engine component by electroplating the platinum group metals.