Abstract: Crystals formed of a solid-solution of NiSiF.sub.6 6H.sub.2 O provide very good materials for filtering ultraviolet light and will not deteriorate in temperatures as high as 115.degree. C. They are particularly useful in sensing devices which seek to identify the presence of ultraviolet light in the UV missile warning band.

Abstract: Crystals formed of a solid-solution of K.sub.2 Ni(SO.sub.4).sub.2 6H.sub.2 O provide very good materials for filtering ultraviolet light and will not deteriorate in temperatures as high as 110.degree. C. They are particularly useful in sensing devices which seek to identify the presence of ultraviolet light in the UV missile warning band.

Abstract: Crystals formed of a solid-solution of Ni(BF.sub.4).sub.2 6H.sub.2 O provide very good materials for filtering ultraviolet light and will not deteriorate in temperatures as high as 110.degree. C. They are particularly useful in sensing devices which seek to identify the presence of ultraviolet light in the UV missile warning band.

Abstract: A bifunctional gas diffusion electrode used in an electrochemical energy cell wherein a multi-ply composite layer containing an embedded metal screen current collector provides electrical power via the reduction of oxygen from air in the presence of an electrolyte and a catalyst. The electrode stores electrical power via the evolution of oxygen in the presence of an electrolyte and another catalyst. More than one composite layer may be used. Each ply of any particular composite layer is made of carbon-containing material of varying wettability and a fluorocarbon material. Each hydrophobic central ply contain a metal screen current collector. These central plies are prepared in a way to foster fissuring throughout the ply. Such fissuring, along with a hydrophilic impregnate forced into these fissures, permits controlled electrolyte penetration of the hydrophobic ply.

Abstract: Both a method and apparatus for separating zirconium isotopes by balanced ion migration in a counterflowing electrolyte are disclosed herein. In the method of the invention, zirconium chloride is dissolved in a solution of HCl, and a voltage of between 2 and 50 volts is applied across the electrolyte to create a flow of zirconium ions toward the cathode, and a counterflow of chlorine ions toward the anode which is balanced such that the lighter weight isotopes of zirconium migrate toward the cathode while the heavier weight zirconium isotopes stay in the vicinity of the anode. The apparatus of the invention includes a polarizing assembly formed from a bundle of small diameter glass tubes aligned between the anode and the cathode. The internal shape of the tubes impedes kinetic agitation movement of the zirconium ions in all directions except in the direction between the anode and the cathode, thereby expediting the separation process.

Abstract: The invention is both a system and method for continuously separating heavier from lighter isotopes of a particular element, such as zirconium. The system comprises a housing, a column assembly rotatably mounted with respect to the housing which includes a plurality of vertically oriented separation cells arranged in a circle, each of which contains a packing material, both a feed electrolyte source and a barren electrolyte source, each of which has an outlet mounted in the housing for continuously introducing either a feed electrolyte or a barren electrolyte into each of the cells as they rotate past the outlets, and upper and lower electrodes disposed over the upper and lower ends of the separation cells for inducing the electromigration of the lighter zirconium ions toward the lower ends of each of the separation cells. A drain assembly disposed beneath the column assembly continuously collects isotopic enriched electrolyte from the bottom ends of the separation cells.

Abstract: The invention is both a system and method for continuously separating heavier from lighter isotopes of a particular element, such as zirconium. The system comprises a housing, a column assembly rotatably mounted with respect to the housing which includes a plurality of vertically oriented separation cells arranged in a circle, each of which contains a packing material, both a feed electrolyte source and a barren electrolyte source, each of which has an outlet mounted in the housing for continuously introducing either a feed electrolyte or a barren electrolyte into each of the cells as they rotate past the outlets, and upper and lower electrodes disposed over the upper and lower ends of the separation cells for inducing the electromigration of the lighter zirconium ions toward the lower ends of each of the separation cells. A drain assembly disposed beneath the column assembly continuously collects isotopic enriched electrolyte from the bottom ends of the separation cells.

Abstract: Disclosed is a battery having an anode selected from the group consisting of magnesium, zinc, and mixtures and alloys thereof, an oxygen electrode as the cathode, and means for maintaining the anode and the cathode in an electricity-generating relationship when the battery is placed in salt water. Also disclosed is a method of producing electricity by positioning the anode and cathode in a saline electrolyte whereby the reactionM+20H.sup.- .fwdarw.M(OH).sub.2 +2e.sup.-occurs at the anode and the reactionO.sub.2 +2H.sub.2 O+4e.sup.- .fwdarw.20H.sup.31occurs at the anode, where M is magnesium, zinc, aluminum, or mixtures or alloys thereof.

Abstract: A silver-iron battery is made comprising a case 14 and a cover 15 within which are disposed at least one silver electrode 11, at least one iron electrode 12, a separator system 13 between the electrodes and an alkaline electrolyte, where the separator system contains at least a layer of low density polyethylene, having a density of from about 0.91 g./cm.sup.3 to about 0.92 g./cm.sup.3, graft co-polymerized with an acrylic material, disposed next to the silver electrodes, and at least a layer of high density polyethylene, having a density of from about 0.95 g./cm.sup.3 to about 0.96 g./cm.sup.3, graft co-polymerized with an acrylic material, disposed next to the iron electrodes, and where a layer of cellophane can also be included next to the low density polyethylene and a middle layer of low density polyethylene and be included between the cellophane and the high density polyethylene.

Abstract: A phosphoric acid fuel cell having an improved electrolyte comprising concentrated H.sub.3 PO.sub.4 and at least 0.5 wt. percent lauryl dimethyl amine.

Abstract: The zirconium 91 isotopic content of zirconium is reduced by forming a solution of a zirconium compound and a scavenger of 8-hydroxyquinoline or its derivatives, and irradiating the solution with light at a wavelength which excites the compound so that it reacts with the scavenger. Because the molecules containing the zirconium 91 isotope remain excited longer, they react disproportionately with the scavenger. The reaction product, which precipitates from the solution, is therefore enriched in the zirconium 91 isotope. Micelle-forming agents can be added to the solution to enhance the isotopic enrichment.

Abstract: A process for the separation of zirconium values from hafnium values wherein a solution of a zirconium chelate complex and a hafnium chelate complex, each having a common ligand, is irradiated with light, of a wavelength between 300 nm and 700 nm, in the presence of a scavenger, such that one of the metal chelate complexes is excited and reacts with the scavenger to form a reaction product that is separated from the solution while the other of the metal chelate complex remains stable and is retained in the solution.

Abstract: A high capacity battery material is made, consisting essentially of hydrated Ni(II) hydroxide, and about 5 wt. % to about 40 wt. % of Ni(IV) hydrated oxide interlayer doped with alkali metal cations selected from potassium, sodium and lithium cations.

Abstract: A battery plate is made by loading a supporting porous metallic plaque with an electrode paste comprising: (1) NiCO.sub.3, (2) cobalt additive, (3) sufficient water to form a paste, and optionally (4) a deflocculant.

Abstract: An iron active electrode and method of preparing same in which iron sulfate is calcined in an oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature in the range of from about 600.degree. C. to about 850.degree. C. for a time sufficient to produce an iron oxide with a trace amount of sulfate. The calcined material is loaded into an electrically conductive support and then heated in a reducing atmosphere at an elevated temperature to produce activated iron having a trace amount of sulfide which is formed into an electrode plate.

Abstract: A high capacity battery material is made, consisting essentially of hydrated Ni(II) hydroxide, and about 5 wt. % to about 40 wt. % of Ni(IV) hydrated oxide interlayer doped with alkali metal cations selected from potassium, sodium and lithium cations.

Abstract: Uranium ore deposits which contain uranium in the relatively insoluble tetravalent state are readily selectively leached in situ to recover relatively pure uranium compounds, by: (a) passing through the ore deposit a relatively dilute aqueous leach solution of ammonium bicarbonate, ferric ammonium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and a source of oxygen, the leach solution converting the tetravalent uranium to hexavalent uranium which readily dissolves in the leach solution; (b) withdrawing the reacted leach solution enriched in dissolved uranium from the ore deposit; and (c) stripping the uranium from the withdrawn leach solution. The stripping of the uranium from the leach solution is preferably accomplished by countercurrent flow of the enriched leach solution to a column of base anion exchange material which preferentially extracts the uranium.

Abstract: The oxidation of uranium is catalyzed with water-soluble copper or zinc chelates. An aqueous solution is prepared containing carbonate or bicarbonate ion, an oxidizer such as hydrogen peroxide or oxygen, and a water-soluble copper or zinc chelate which has at least two amino, carboxylic acid, or thiocarboxylic acid donor groups. The solution is pumped into an underground deposit of uranium. The water-soluble +4 state uranium is oxidized to the water-soluble +6 state which forms a complex with the carbonate ion. The solution is pumped to the surface and is recycled after precipitation of the uranium.

Abstract: A battery electrode plate is made by loading a supporting porous metallic plaque with active battery material made by: (1) hydrolyzing the reaction product of a fuse-melted starting material comprising an admixture of nickel oxide, sodium peroxide and an amount of an oxide containing, alkali metal, non-reactive flux material effective to allow a melt-fusion reaction of the starting material at temperatures of between about 650.degree. C to about 925.degree. C, the hydrolyzed solid reaction product containing electrochemically active nickel hydrated oxides and hydroxide forms, (2) if desirable, drying the product below about 65.degree. C, and (3) preferably adding, at some step in the method, an amount of cobalt containing additive effective to provide about 2 wt.% to about 10 wt.% cobalt in the active battery material based on nickel oxide plus cobalt content.

Abstract: An electrode plate is made by loading a supporting porous metallic plaque with active battery material made by: (1) hydrolyzing the reaction product of a starting material comprising an admixture of Ni oxide and effective amounts of sodium peroxide fused at temperatures between about 800.degree.-1150.degree. C, the hydrolyzed solid reaction product containing electrochemically active Ni hydrated oxides and hydroxide forms, (2) if desirable, drying the product below about 65.degree. C, and (3) adding, at some step in the method, an amount of cobalt containing additive effective to provide about 2-12 wt% total Co in the active battery material based on Ni oxide plus Co content.