Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a process for electroless deposition of metal atoms on an electrode to form a core and shell structure. The process includes treating a carbon-containing support by contacting the carbon-containing support with a treatment. The carbon-containing support is impregnated with a core component metal to form at least one seed site on the carbon-containing support. A predetermined amount of shell component metal is deposited on the at least one seed site of the core component through electroless deposition by contacting the carbon-containing support with a metal salt and a reducing agent. The shell component forms at least one complete monolayer on the core component. The amount of the shell component deposited is predetermined by using the surface area of the core component.

Abstract: An electrochemical fuel cell system adapted for maintaining the efficient production of electrical power. The system comprises a fuel supply containing a hydrogen rich gaseous fuel for delivery to a fuel cell. A fuel supply conduit connects the fuel supply and the fuel cell for delivering a fuel stream of the hydrogen rich gaseous fuel to the fuel cell. An impurity sensor is carried by the fuel supply conduit for detecting impurities in the fuel stream prior to the impurities entering the fuel cell. A heating mechanism is provided in communication with the impurity sensor being operatively associated with the fuel cell for changing the temperature of the fuel cell. The heating mechanism raises the temperature of the fuel cell from a normal operating temperature to an elevated operating temperature when the impurity sensor detects impurities in the fuel stream to prevent the impurities from interfering with fuel cell efficiency.

Abstract: An electrochemical fuel cell system comprising a fuel supply of hydrogen rich gaseous fuel for delivery to a fuel cell. A fuel supply conduit connects the fuel supply and the fuel cell for delivering a fuel stream of the hydrogen rich gaseous fuel to the fuel cell. An impurity sensor is carried by the fuel supply conduit for detecting impurities in the fuel stream prior to the impurities entering the fuel cell. A pressure adjusting mechanism is provided in communication with the impurity sensor being operatively associated with the fuel cell for changing the pressure of the fuel cell. The pressure adjusting mechanism raises the pressure of the fuel cell from a normal operating pressure to an elevated operating pressure when the impurity sensor detects impurities in the fuel stream to prevent the impurities from interfering with fuel cell efficiency.

Abstract: An electrochemical fuel cell system adapted for maintaining the efficient production of electrical power. The system comprises a fuel supply containing a hydrogen rich gaseous fuel for delivery to a fuel cell. A fuel supply conduit connects the fuel supply and the fuel cell for delivering a fuel stream of the hydrogen rich gaseous fuel to the fuel cell. An impurity sensor is carried by the fuel supply conduit for detecting impurities in the fuel stream prior to the impurities entering the fuel cell. A heating mechanism is provided in communication with the impurity sensor being operatively associated with the fuel cell for changing the temperature of the fuel cell. The heating mechanism raises the temperature of the fuel cell from a normal operating temperature to an elevated operating temperature when the impurity sensor detects impurities in the fuel stream to prevent the impurities from interfering with fuel cell efficiency.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a method for customer-driven design of a charge storage device. The method comprises the steps of: providing more than one model of a charge storage device, the model adapted to convert at least one input to at least one output; and providing an interface, the interface being adapted to pass input from the customer to the model, the interface being adapted to pass output from the model to the customer, and the interface being adapted to hide the model from the customer. In operation, the customer addresses the interface with input. The interface directs the input to at least one of the models. The model generates an output that is passed through the interface to the customer.

Abstract: An electrocatalytic cathode that will allow hydrogen peroxide, H.sub.2 O..2, to behave electrochemically within an Al-H.sub.2 O.sub.2 battery system is provided. The electrocatalytic cathode is comprised of nickel specially coated with one or a combination of the following six metals: platinum, ruthenium, rhodium, osmium, palladium, and iridium. The use of nickel coated with the appropriate combination of metals reduces the problems of excessive peroxide decomposition, thereby producing a battery that can operate efficiently by producing a high voltage at a high current density. The electrocatalytic cathode is produced by pretreating a nickel electrode with a hydrochloric acid bath and then by applying the metal coating by plating methods.