Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly comprising a composite membrane having a first major surface area and a second major surface area comprising a porous polymeric matrix containing ionically conductive solid and ionomeric binder, at least one protective layer disposed adjacent to the porous polymeric matrix membrane comprising an ionomeric binder and an ionically conductive solid, an anode comprising an oxidizing catalyst adjacent said first major surface area of said composite membrane and a cathode comprising a reducing catalyst adjacent said second major surface area of said composite membrane, and a method for manufacturing the same.

Abstract: A panel that is used in forming the panel portions of recreational sport balls, and methods for the production thereof, are provided. The panels may be affixed to an inflatable bladder and include a base layer of polymeric material and a covering layer bonded thereto. The base layer may be bonded to a substrate layer of nonwoven cloth. The covering layer includes at least one conditioning agent that is either a water repellant agent to reduce water and sweat absorption, or an antistatic agent to repel dirt and dust, but may include both agents. The conditioning agent(s) may penetrate into the outer surface of the base layer to form the covering layer bonded thereto. Alternatively, the base layer may resist penetration by the conditioning agent(s) such that the covering layer is bonded to the surface of the base layer. The covering layer may further include an anti-bacterial agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to a microfibrous fuel cell having at least one high quality electrocatalyst layer of a dual-layer structure, i.e., a catalyst layer comprising a catalytic material, and an interfacial composition layer comprising a mixture of catalytic material and electrolyte medium. Said high quality electrocatalyst layer can be formed by various catalyzation methods, including diffusion catalyzation, ion-exchange catalyzation, electrodeposition catalyzation, impregnation catalyzation, chemical deposition catalyzation, and alternating catalyst/electrolyte addition catalyzation. The present invention also relates to a fuel cell assembly comprising multiple such microfibrous fuel cells bundled together, and methods for in situ catalyzation of such fuel cell assembly to form high quality electrocatalyst layers of such dual-layer structure.

Abstract: An electrochemical catalyst electrode to increase bonding durability between covering layers and a metal substrate is made by processing a metal substrate at a high temperature and etching the metal substrate to form a large number of etching pores on granular surfaces; heating the metal substrate to transform the surface thereof to an oxygen interstitial layer; laminating an inner covering layer which is compatible to the oxygen interstitial layer on the metal substrate and deeply planted into the pores to form included angles to increase adhering force between the inner covering layer and the substrate and to reduce peeling on the interface; and forming an outer covering layer on the layers with stabilizing additive added in the outer covering layer to enhance the stability of the outer surface of the covering layers thereby to reduce dissolution of noble metal; and greatly increase stability and durability of the electrode.

Abstract: A process for massively producing tape type flexible printed circuits is provided. The steps of pressing, etching and insulating are executed on a flexible insulation tape in reel-to-reel fashion. Thereafter, the flexible insulation tape is punched to form sprocket holes and cut along the parallel lines where the sprocket holes arrange on to become several winds of narrower flexible circuit tapes. Each flexible circuit tape has tape type flexible printed circuits and sprocket holes at two sides.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly comprising a composite membrane having a first major surface area and a second major surface area comprising a porous polymeric matrix containing ionically conductive solid and ionomeric binder, at least one protective layer disposed adjacent to the porous polymeric matrix membrane comprising an ionomeric binder and an ionically conductive solid, an anode comprising an oxidizing catalyst adjacent said first major surface area of said composite membrane and a cathode comprising a reducing catalyst adjacent said second major surface area of said composite membrane, and a method for manufacturing the same.

Abstract: A composite membrane structure is disclosed comprising a composite membrane and at least one protective layer disposed adjacent to the composite membrane. The composite membrane comprises a porous polymeric matrix and an ionically conductive solid, noble metal or combination thereof dispersed within the matrix, and preferably, a binder. The binder is preferably an ion exchange polymer. The protective layer comprises binder and ionically conductive solid, hygroscopic fine powder or a combination thereof. Also disclosed is a composite membrane comprising an ionically conductive solid, a binder and support polymer. The membrane is formed by casting a solution of the support polymer, ionically conductive solid and binder to form a film. The film may optionally be combined with a protective layer as described above.

Abstract: A image reading device is activated by the light interference of a light path. The image reading device comprises at least a image sensing element, a picture and a image changing mechanism such as a picture conveying module, picture rotating module, a hole or a soft button with picture in the inner side. The user may use finger or other objects to interfere the image generated in the image sensing element. By detecting the changes of the image, a predetermined activation process of the image reading device is therefore started.

Abstract: A process for the delacquering and detinning of a metal substrate is presented comprising the fully electrochemical removal of both an outer polymeric coating and an inner tin coating from a metal substrate. The disclosed method provides a clean metal substrate, and results in wastes which are easily disposed of with minimal cost and minimal environmental impact. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a one-stage process for removing an outer polymeric coating and an inner tin coating from a metal substrate in a single electrolyte bath through electrolytic removal of both the polymeric and tin layers from the metal substrate. An electrically conductive container having the electrolyte bath therein acts as an anode in the process, and the removed tin is plated out on the cathode. In another embodiment, the present invention comprises a two-stage process for removing an outer polymeric coating and an inner tin coating from a metal substrate.