Abstract: This disclosure provides corrosion-resistant coatings that significantly improve corrosion resistance compared to the prior art. The corrosion protection system senses gradients in electrical potential, pH, and metal ion concentration, and then automatically halts corrosion. Some variations provide a gradient-responsive corrosion-resistant coating comprising: a first layer comprising a transition metal oxide and mobile cations; a second layer comprising a biphasic polymer, wherein the biphasic polymer contains ionic groups, wherein the biphasic polymer comprises a discrete phase and a continuous transport phase, wherein the continuous transport phase is capable of delivering oligomers in response to corrosion byproducts, and wherein the oligomers are ionically crosslinkable with metal cations from a base metal substrate.

Abstract: Some variations provide a sensing system configured to measure the concentration of an antimicrobial agent in a polymer, comprising: a polymer containing (i) a discrete solid structural phase comprising a solid structural polymer and (ii) a continuous transport phase comprising a solid transport polymer and capable of containing the antimicrobial agent; and an antimicrobial-agent sensor that chemically senses the antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial-agent sensor is disposed on a surface of, and in mass transport with, the polymer. The antimicrobial-agent sensor contains a responsive material disposed on or within a carrier material. The responsive material is chemically reactive with the antimicrobial agent and exhibits an observable and quantifiable property change upon chemically reacting with the antimicrobial agent. The observable and quantifiable property change may involve chromaticity, optical transparency, ionic conductivity, or electronic conductivity, for example.

Abstract: Some variations provide a system for sensing a chemical active in a coating, the system comprising: a coating disposed on a substrate; a chemical active contained within the coating, wherein the chemical active is mobile within the coating, and wherein the chemical active is ionically and/or electrically conductive; a first electrode and a second electrode configured to measure AC impedance within the coating; and an electrical meter configured in electrical communication with the first and second electrodes to read a signal corresponding to the AC impedance. Some methods comprise: pressing electrodes against the coating; reading out an impedance value; and converting the impedance value to a concentration of the chemical active in the coating. Other methods comprise: adding a solvent to a coating surface; pressing electrodes against a surface region; reading out an impedance value; and converting the impedance value to a concentration of the chemical active in the coating.

Abstract: Antimicrobial coatings that are transparent and not easily stained are disclosed. Some variations provide a transparent antimicrobial structure comprising: a discrete solid structural phase comprising a solid structural polymer with a glass-transition temperature from 25° C. to 300° C.; a continuous transport phase interspersed within the discrete solid structural phase, wherein the continuous transport phase comprises a solid transport material; and an antimicrobial agent contained within the continuous transport phase, wherein the antimicrobial agent is dissolved in a fluid and/or in a solid solution with the continuous transport phase. The discrete solid structural phase and the continuous transport phase are separated by an average phase-separation length selected from 100 nanometers to 500 microns. This invention resolves the trade-off between antifouling and fluorinated material content. This invention also resolves the trade-off between transport of absorbed molecules and transparency.

Abstract: An antimicrobial coating is disclosed that provides fast transport rates of biocides for better effectiveness to deactivate SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses or bacteria on common surfaces. Some variations provide an antimicrobial structure comprising: a solid structural phase comprising a solid structural material; a continuous transport phase that is interspersed within the solid structural phase, wherein the continuous transport phase comprises a solid transport material; and an antimicrobial agent contained within the continuous transport phase, wherein the solid structural phase and the continuous transport phase are separated by an average phase-separation length from about 100 nanometers to about 500 microns. The antimicrobial structure is capable of destroying at least 99.99% of bacteria and/or viruses in 10 minutes of contact. Many options are disclosed for suitable materials to form the solid structural phase, the continuous transport phase, and the antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: An antimicrobial coating is disclosed that provides fast transport rates of biocides for better effectiveness to deactivate SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses or bacteria on common surfaces. Some variations provide an antimicrobial structure comprising: a solid structural phase comprising a solid structural material; a continuous transport phase that is interspersed within the solid structural phase, wherein the continuous transport phase comprises a solid transport material; and an antimicrobial agent contained within the continuous transport phase, wherein the solid structural phase and the continuous transport phase are separated by an average phase-separation length from about 100 nanometers to about 500 microns. The antimicrobial structure is capable of destroying at least 99.99 wt % of bacteria and/or viruses in 10 minutes of contact. Many options are disclosed for suitable materials to form the solid structural phase, the continuous transport phase, and the antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: An antimicrobial coating is disclosed that provides fast transport rates of biocides for better effectiveness to deactivate SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses or bacteria on common surfaces. Some variations provide an antimicrobial structure comprising: a solid structural phase comprising a solid structural material; a continuous transport phase that is interspersed within the solid structural phase, wherein the continuous transport phase comprises a solid transport material; and an antimicrobial agent contained within the continuous transport phase, wherein the solid structural phase and the continuous transport phase are separated by an average phase-separation length from about 100 nanometers to about 500 microns. The antimicrobial structure is capable of destroying at least 99.99 wt % of bacteria and/or viruses in 10 minutes of contact. Many options are disclosed for suitable materials to form the solid structural phase, the continuous transport phase, and the antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: A regenerative fuel cell is provided by the present invention. In the methods and systems described herein, a source of fuel is partially oxidized to release protons and electrons, without total oxidation to carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide. The partially oxidized fuel can be regenerated, by reduction, when the fuel cell is reversed. Other variations of the invention provide a convenient system for hydrogen storage, including steps for both release and recapture of hydrogen.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of reversibly storing hydrogen at industrially practicable temperature and pressure conditions. A stable hydrogen storage hydride is mixed with a destabilizing hydride. The stable hydride is capable of releasing hydrogen at a first energy level. When the stable hydride is in the presence of the destabilizing hydride, the stable hydride releases hydrogen at a second energy level. The second energy level is significantly reduced from the first energy level.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions for reversible storage of hydrogen at industrially practicable temperature and pressure conditions. Hydrogen storage material systems comprising stable hydrides and destabilizing hydrides. When the stable hydride is in the presence of the destabilizing hydride, the stable hydride releases hydrogen at a lower energy level than it would in the absence of the destabilizing hydride.

Abstract: A material mixture is disclosed for storage of hydrogen for a hydrogen-using device and release of hydrogen on demand of the hydrogen-using device, especially by heating of the mixture. Such a mixture suitably comprises a solid hydrogen-containing lithium compound (e.g. LiBH4) and a solid magnesium compound, MgX, the magnesium compound being reactive with the lithium compound to release hydrogen and yield solid by products containing lithium and X. X may include one or more of F, Cl, OH, O, S, Se, Si, CO3, SO4, Cu, Ge, Ni, (OH)Cl, and P2O7.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of reversibly storing hydrogen at industrially practicable temperature and pressure conditions. A stable hydrogen storage hydride is mixed with a destabilizing hydride. The stable hydride is capable of releasing hydrogen at a first energy level. When the stable hydride is in the presence of the destabilizing hydride, the stable hydride releases hydrogen at a second energy level. The second energy level is significantly reduced from the first energy level.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions for reversible storage of hydrogen at industrially practicable temperature and pressure conditions. Hydrogen storage material systems comprising stable hydrides and destabilizing hydrides. When the stable hydride is in the presence of the destabilizing hydride, the stable hydride releases hydrogen at a lower energy level than it would in the absence of the destabilizing hydride.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a system for methods of producing and releasing hydrogen from hydrogen storage compositions having a hydrogenated state and a dehydrogenated state. In the hydrogenated state, such a composition comprises a hydride and a hydroxide. In a dehydrogenated state, the composition comprises an oxide. A first reaction is conducted between a portion of the hydride and water to generate heat sufficient to cause a second hydrogen production reaction between a remaining portion of the hydride and the hydroxide.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a hydrogen storage composition having a hydrogenated state and a dehydrogenated state. In the hydrogenated state, such composition comprises a hydride and a hydroxide. In a dehydrogenated state, the composition comprises an oxide. The present invention also provides methods of and compositions for regenerating a species of a hydroxide and a hydride material.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a hydrogen storage composition having a hydrogenated state and a dehydrogenated state. In the hydrogenated state, such composition comprises a hydride and a hydroxide. In a dehydrogenated state, the composition comprises an oxide. The present invention also provides methods of producing hydrogen, including for mobile fuel cell device applications.