Abstract: An orientation independent delivery device including a replaceable cartridge that may be installed on a foundation. A cartridge includes a gas chamber, a delivery chamber, a gas cell, and a delivery aperture. The gas chamber includes a gas-side rigid portion and a gas-side flexible barrier. The gas-side flexible barrier is sealed to the gas-side rigid portion. The delivery chamber includes a delivery-side rigid portion and a delivery-side flexible barrier. The delivery-side flexible barrier is sealed to the delivery-side rigid portion and is oriented adjacent to the gas-side flexible barrier. The gas cell is coupled to the gas-side rigid portion of the gas chamber. The gas cell increases a gas pressure within the gas chamber to expand the gas-side flexible barrier. Expansion of the gas-side flexible barrier applies a compressive force to the delivery-side flexible barrier allowing a delivery material to escape from the delivery chamber.

Abstract: An orientation independent delivery device. The delivery device includes a gas chamber, a delivery chamber, a gas cell, and a delivery aperture. The gas chamber includes a gas-side rigid portion and a gas-side flexible barrier. The gas-side flexible barrier is sealed to the gas-side rigid portion. The delivery chamber includes a delivery-side rigid portion and a delivery-side flexible barrier. The delivery-side flexible barrier is sealed to the delivery-side rigid portion and is oriented adjacent to the gas-side flexible barrier. The gas cell is coupled to the gas-side rigid portion of the gas chamber. The gas cell increases a gas pressure within the gas chamber to expand the gas-side flexible barrier. Expansion of the gas-side flexible barrier applies a compressive force to the delivery-side flexible barrier allowing a delivery material to escape from the delivery chamber.

Abstract: An orientation independent delivery device including a replaceable cartridge that may be installed on a foundation. A cartridge includes a gas chamber, a delivery chamber, a gas cell, and a delivery aperture. The gas chamber includes a gas-side rigid portion and a gas-side flexible barrier. The gas-side flexible barrier is sealed to the gas-side rigid portion. The delivery chamber includes a delivery-side rigid portion and a delivery-side flexible barrier. The delivery-side flexible barrier is sealed to the delivery-side rigid portion and is oriented adjacent to the gas-side flexible barrier. The gas cell is coupled to the gas-side rigid portion of the gas chamber. The gas cell increases a gas pressure within the gas chamber to expand the gas-side flexible barrier. Expansion of the gas-side flexible barrier applies a compressive force to the delivery-side flexible barrier allowing a delivery material to escape from the delivery chamber.

Abstract: An orientation independent delivery device. The delivery device includes a gas chamber, a delivery chamber, a gas cell, and a delivery aperture. The gas chamber includes a gas-side rigid portion and a gas-side flexible barrier. The gas-side flexible barrier is sealed to the gas-side rigid portion. The delivery chamber includes a delivery-side rigid portion and a delivery-side flexible barrier. The delivery-side flexible barrier is sealed to the delivery-side rigid portion and is oriented adjacent to the gas-side flexible barrier. The gas cell is coupled to the gas-side rigid portion of the gas chamber. The gas cell increases a gas pressure within the gas chamber to expand the gas-side flexible barrier. Expansion of the gas-side flexible barrier applies a compressive force to the delivery-side flexible barrier allowing a delivery material to escape from the delivery chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved method for regenerating materials from a desulfurization/demetallation reaction. The desulfurization/demetallation reaction preferably has products including one or more of an alkali sulfide, polysulfide or hydrosulfide, or alkali earth sulfide, polysulfide, or hydrosulfide. The method includes the steps of reacting the desulfurization/demetallation products with a halogen, liberating and removing sulfur from the product, and then electrolyzing the halogenated products to separate the halogen from the alkali metal or alkali earth metal.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for pumping fluids such as fluid medications are disclosed. In illustrative embodiments of the invention, the architectural geometry of one or more fluid containing chambers within a fluid delivery device is constructed to incorporate design parameters that function to control movement of fluids within the device. Typical embodiments of the invention provide osmotic pumps that use such elements to control various fluid delivery parameters.

Abstract: An improved gas diffusion electrode composed of a perovskite-type oxide dispersed in a mixture of carbon black and a hydrophobic binder polymer. An improved catalyst for use in the electrochemical reduction of oxygen comprising a perovskite-type compound having alpha and beta sites, and having a greater molar ratio of cations at the beta site. A particularly good reduction catalyst is a neodymium calcium manganite. An improved method of dispersing the catalysts with carbon in a reaction layer of the electrode improves performance of the electrode and the oxygen reduction process. This is provided by adding carbon black to an aqueous solution of metal salts before it is heated to a gel and then to a char and then calcined. Optionally, a quantity of the desired oxide catalyst can be premixed with a portion the carbon before adding the carbon to an aqueous solution of the metal salts to be heated.

Abstract: A zinc alloy anode-based electrochemical cell, which generates gases and/or energy, is disclosed. The structure of the cell is such that a zinc alloy anode material is the integral part of housing and is in contact with an alkaline electrolyte containing minor amounts of corrosion inhibitors. The electrolyte which contains no zinc powder metal, may be in direct contact with the cathode thereby simplifying cell construction by elimination of a separator material. The cell is environmentally friendly, containing no mercury or cadmium or other toxic metals and is cost effective as it eliminates expensive amalgamated zinc powder and separator material.

Abstract: A storage stable fluid delivery device including a gas generator in which moisture (water) is involved in the gas generation reaction in which moisture containment is utilized to prevent or retard water loss as disclosed. The moisture containment may be a moisture impermeable membrane as a permanent part of the device and may be utilized in conjunction with the gas generator when the membrane has high gas permeability for the gas being generated. The fluid delivered by such device is typically a liquid having some particular utility in its environment. The liquid dispensed may be a pharmaceutical or some other liquid having a beneficial or curative effect upon an animal or human patient or it may be a liquid such as an insecticide, fumigant, fragrance or other liquid having a relatively high vapor pressure.

Abstract: A fluid delivery apparatus includes a housing having an open end and an interior surface. The interior of the housing defines a cavity within the housing. The cavity, in combination with a piston-like member, defines a reservoir for containing a fluid (e.g. such as an aromatic or other solvent or a solvent in which has been dissolved an aromatic substance). The piston has a port, and fits in piston-like arrangement within a cylinder contained within the housing. The piston moves within the housing, and movement of the piston acts to displace fluid from the port upon contraction of the reservoir (e.g. when the annular piston is driven into the device). Preferably, a fluid tight membrane covers the housing's open end. The apparatus also preferably further includes a conduit to transport fluid from the housing of the reservoir. The conduit has, on a first end, an exterior circumference sized and shaped to interact with the port of the annular member.

Abstract: An electrically controlled pump (20) for dispersing a volatile substance into a local environment includes an enclosure defining a volume, a moveable member (52) separating the enclosure into first (54) and second (56) chambers (the second chamber containing non-solid composition which includes a volatile substance), an electrochemical cell (48) for generating gas. The electrochemical cell is associated with the enclosure, and is in fluid communication with the first chamber. A port preferably communicates the second chamber with a medium for dispersing the volatile substance into the local environment. Also, a case (58) may encase the pump and hold it in an upright position with respect to a surface upon which the case is positioned.

Abstract: An improved, gas-generating electrochemical cell utilizing a metal hydroxide containing cathode is disclosed. An electrolytic cell having an alkaline electrolyte, a metal hydroxide-containing cathode and a carbonaceous anode generator, a gas uniformly for use in a fluid delivery device. The cells and fluid delivery devices are sized to be particularly useful for delivery of small quantities of fluid over a prolonged period.

Abstract: A storage stable fluid delivery device including a gas generator in which moisture (water) is involved in the gas generation reaction in which moisture containment is utility to prevent or retard water loss as disclosed. The moisture containment may be a moisture impermeable membrane as a permanent part of the device and may be utilized in conjunction with the gas generator when the membrane has high gas permeability for the gas being generated. The fluid delivered by such device is typically a liquid having some particular utility in its environment. The liquid dispensed may be a pharmaceutical or some other liquid having a beneficial or curative effect upon an animal or human patient or it may be a liquid such as an insecticide, fumigant, fragrance or other liquid having a relatively high vapor pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-contained device which continuously dispenses a packaged fluid. The device is particularly suited for applications where several months may lapse before performance is manually initiated, after which a consistent steady flow is required for an extended period until the packaged fluid is exhausted. The device is also particularly suited for applications where ease of fabrication and where availability of materials are important factors. A button cell battery provides a driving force to reduce atmospheric oxygen at a simple air cathode, ions are transported through an ion-exchange membrane, and oxygen gas is released at a simple anode. The effective transport of oxygen gas pressurizes a chamber resulting in fluid contained in a flexible bladder within the chamber to be forced through an outlet. This device is intended to be very low in cost and thus disposable.

Abstract: A device for generating controlled quantities of gas at predictable rates from an electrochemical cell containing a decomposable metal carbonate, bicarbonate or basic carbonate is disclosed. The cell provides more than one molecule of gas from the anode per 4 electrons passing through the cell circuit. The generated gas is comprised of carbon dioxide or a mixture of carbon dioxide and oxygen.

Abstract: Ceramic materials are disclosed which have comprehensive characteristics of high ion-conductivity for alkali metal cations at low temperatures, high selectivity for alkali metal ions, good current efficiency and stability in water and corrosive media under static and electrochemical conditions. Also disclosed is an electrochemical cell, the electrolyte of which employs the disclosed ceramic materials, for use in electrolysis of aqueous alkali salt solutions to form caustic.

Abstract: A self-contained device which continuously dispenses a packaged fluid is disclosed. The device is particularly suited for applications where several months may lapse before performance is manually initiated, after which a consistent steady flow is required for an extended period until the packaged fluid is exhausted. The device is particularly suited for applications where ease of fabrication is important. The device utilizes an electrochemicalIy-generated gas, such as oxygen or nitrogen, to pressurize the packaged fluid to dispense it. Oxygen can be electrochemically released from a solid anode material of the general form AxOy as A ions migrate across a suitable ion-conducting electrolyte. Alternatively, nitrogen can be the pressurizing gas wherein it is electrochemically released from a solid, anode material of the general form A'.sub..alpha. N.sub..beta. where A' is a cation, as A' ions migrate across a suitable ion-conducting electrolyte.

Abstract: A self-contained, gas-generating electrochemical cell has been invented. The cell contains an anode which is exposed to water or water containing material, a water permeable, ion-conducting separator between the anode from the cathode and a cathode composed of an electrochemically decomposable chemical compound which produces water in the presence of protons and electrons.An exemplary cell contains silver oxide as a principal component of the cathode, water as the principal anode component and a proton conducting membrane. The silver oxide reacts with protons electrically driven through said membrane and electrons from a power-source to form elemental silver and water. Deposition of elemental silver in the cathode compartment is advantageous inasmuch as it improves the electronic conductivity of the material in the cathode compartment. Water, in the anode, decomposes to protons and molecular oxygen while releasing electrons.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-contained device which continuously dispenses a packaged fluid. The device is particularly suited for applications where several months may lapse before performance is manually initiated, after which a consistent steady flow is required for an extended period until the packaged fluid is exhausted. The device is also particularly suited for applications where ease of fabrication and where availability of materials are important factors. A button cell battery provides a driving force to reduce atmospheric oxygen at a simple air cathode, ions are transported through an ion-exchange membrane, and oxygen gas is released at a simple anode. The effective transport of oxygen gas pressurizes a chamber resulting in fluid contained in a flexible bladder within the chamber to be forced through an outlet. This device is intended to be very low in cost and thus disposable.

Abstract: A self-contained device which continuously dispenses a packaged fluid is disclosed. The device is particularly suited for applications where several months may lapse before performance is manually initiated, after which a consistent steady flow is required for an extended period until the packaged fluid is exhausted. The device is particularly suited for applications where ease of fabrication is important. The device utilizes an electrochemically-generated gas, such as oxygen or nitrogen, to pressurize the packaged fluid to dispense it. Oxygen can be electrochemically released from a solid anode material of the general form AxOy as A ions migrate across a suitable ion-conducting electrolyte. Alternatively, nitrogen can be the pressurizing gas wherein it is electrochemically released from a solid, anode material of the general form A'.sub..alpha. N.sub..beta. where A' is a cation, as A' ions migrate across a suitable ion-conducting electrolyte.