Abstract: An apparatus determines gas sorption properties of a large number of material samples simultaneously. The apparatus includes a switchable manifold of low-volume conduits and an array of sensors, where each low-volume conduit fluidly couples a single sample of gas-sorbing material to a dedicated detector. The switchable manifold is also configured to fluidly couple the samples to a vacuum source or a dosing gas source. Because of the very low internal volume of the conduits, essentially all gas released from a particular sample is accurately detected by the corresponding detector, either through sorption of the released gas, by measuring pressure, or by other means. In this way, a very accurate measurement of the quantity of gas released by the sample is made. In one embodiment, the array of sensors includes hydride-based sensors, which contain a material that forms an optically and/or electrically responsive hydride upon exposure to hydrogen-containing gas.

Abstract: A gas sorption sample chamber contains a plurality of thin-film substrates and fluidly couple said substrates to a Sieverts' device or other gas sorption analyzer. The thin-film substrates are held in proximity to each other in the sample chamber in a columnar arrangement, either in a stacked or slightly spaced configuration, to reduce free-gas volume in the sample chamber, thereby improving sorption test accuracy. The interior geometry of the chamber is configured to provide a minimal clearance between the thin-film substrates and the internal surfaces of the chamber, so that essentially all of the chamber volume is occupied by thin-film sample material and inactive substrate material. To facilitate use in a glove box, the chamber may be configured with a removable sample cartridge in which thin-film substrates are placed so that all substrates may be loaded and unloaded as a group.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention contemplate an apparatus that determines gas sorption properties of a large number of material samples simultaneously, by sequentially measuring the pressure in a plurality of sample chambers until all chambers have reached equilibrium pressure. In most applications, it is most useful to quantify the sorption capacity of a material under specific conditions, i.e., at a certain temperature and pressure. Because sorption capacity is determined by bringing a material sample to an equilibrium state with a dosing gas, detailed kinetic data related to the sorption properties of a material are not absolutely necessary. Therefore, complete pressure-time curves are not typically necessary, and only the equilibrium pressure of a material sample for a given quantity of dosing gas is required.

Abstract: Hydrogen is stored in materials that absorb and desorb hydrogen with temperature dependent rates. A housing is provided that allows for the storage of one or more types of hydrogen-storage materials in close thermal proximity to a fuel cell stack. This arrangement, which includes alternating fuel cell stack and hydrogen-storage units, allows for close thermal matching of the hydrogen storage material and the fuel cell stack. Also, the present invention allows for tailoring of the hydrogen delivery by mixing different materials in one unit. Thermal insulation alternatively allows for a highly efficient unit. Individual power modules including one fuel cell stack surrounded by a pair of hydrogen-storage units allows for distribution of power throughout a vehicle or other electric power consuming devices.

Abstract: A liquid sample holder prevents the removal of liquid or vapor portions of a sample material from a sample reservoir when a working fluid is desorbed from the sample material. The apparatus includes a sample reservoir and a liquid trap, both of which are contained in a housing. The liquid trap is positioned above the sample reservoir, and a flow path is configured to fluidly couple the sample reservoir to a gas port located in an upper portion of the housing by passing through the liquid trap. The liquid trap may include a baffle assembly, a porous mesh of high surface area material, or a combination of both.

Abstract: An apparatus determines gas sorption properties of a large number of material samples simultaneously. The apparatus includes a switchable manifold of low-volume conduits and an array of sensors, where each low-volume conduit fluidly couples a single sample of gas-sorbing material to a dedicated detector. The switchable manifold is also configured to fluidly couple the samples to a vacuum source or a dosing gas source. Because of the very low internal volume of the conduits, essentially all gas released from a particular sample is accurately detected by the corresponding detector, either through sorption of the released gas, by measuring pressure, or by other means. In this way, a very accurate measurement of the quantity of gas released by the sample is made. In one embodiment, the array of sensors includes hydride-based sensors, which contain a material that forms an optically and/or electrically responsive hydride upon exposure to hydrogen-containing gas.

Abstract: An apparatus determines gas sorption properties of a large number of material samples simultaneously. The apparatus includes a switchable manifold of low-volume conduits and an array of sensors, where each low-volume conduit fluidly couples a single sample of gas-sorbing material to a dedicated detector. The switchable manifold is also configured to fluidly couple the samples to a vacuum source or a dosing gas source. Because of the very low internal volume of the conduits, essentially all gas released from a particular sample is accurately detected by the corresponding detector, either through sorption of the released gas, by measuring pressure, or by other means. In this way, a very accurate measurement of the quantity of gas released by the sample is made. In one embodiment, the array of sensors includes hydride-based sensors, which contain a material that forms an optically and/or electrically responsive hydride upon exposure to hydrogen-containing gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus (herein referred to as a “gas sorption/desorption analyzer”) for measuring the gas sorption properties of substances (for example hydrogen sorption by metal alloys). Measurements include: Pressure Composition Temperature isotherm (PCT), Kinetic, Cycle-life, and density. Measurements are made by sorption of aliquots of gas to or from a sample of the substance. The amount of gas in each aliquot is determined from the gas pressure and temperature in calibrated reservoir volumes. The apparatus comprises components rated for operation up to 200 atm, a plurality of sensors covering a broad pressure range, and minimized volumes to enable accurate measurements of small samples. Aliquot pressures are controlled using a feed-back controlled pressure regulator that can also be used for constant pressure sorption measurements. The gas temperature is regulated using a temperature controlled enclosure.

Abstract: A gas sorption sample chamber contains a plurality of thin-film substrates and fluidly couple said substrates to a Sieverts' device or other gas sorption analyzer. The thin-film substrates are held in proximity to each other in the sample chamber in a columnar arrangement, either in a stacked or slightly spaced configuration, to reduce free-gas volume in the sample chamber, thereby improving sorption test accuracy. The interior geometry of the chamber is configured to provide a minimal clearance between the thin-film substrates and the internal surfaces of the chamber, so that essentially all of the chamber volume is occupied by thin-film sample material and inactive substrate material. To facilitate use in a glove box, the chamber may be configured with a removable sample cartridge in which thin-film substrates are placed so that all substrates may be loaded and unloaded as a group.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention contemplate an apparatus that determines gas sorption properties of a large number of material samples simultaneously, by sequentially measuring the pressure in a plurality of sample chambers until all chambers have reached equilibrium pressure. In most applications, it is most useful to quantify the sorption capacity of a material under specific conditions, i.e., at a certain temperature and pressure. Because sorption capacity is determined by bringing a material sample to an equilibrium state with a dosing gas, detailed kinetic data related to the sorption properties of a material are not absolutely necessary. Therefore, complete pressure-time curves are not typically necessary, and only the equilibrium pressure of a material sample for a given quantity of dosing gas is required.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus (herein referred to as a “gas sorption/desorption analyzer”) for measuring the gas sorption properties of substances (for example hydrogen sorption by metal alloys). Measurements include: Pressure Composition Temperature isotherm (PCT), Kinetic, Cycle-life, and density. Measurements are made by sorption of aliquots of gas to or from a sample of the substance. The amount of gas in each aliquot is determined from the gas pressure and temperature in calibrated reservoir volumes. The apparatus comprises components rated for operation up to 200 atm, a plurality of sensors covering a broad pressure range, and minimized volumes to enable accurate measurements of small samples. Aliquot pressures are controlled using a feed-back controlled pressure regulator that can also be used for constant pressure sorption measurements. The gas temperature is regulated using a temperature controlled enclosure.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for directly preparing alkali metal aluminum hydrides such as NaAlH4 and Na3AlH6 from either the alkali metal or its hydride, and aluminum. The hydride thus prepared is doped with a small portion of a transition metal catalyst compound, such as TiCl3, TiF3, or a mixture of these materials, in order to render them reversibly hydridable. The process provides for mechanically mixing the dry reagents under an inert atmosphere followed by charging the mixed materials with high pressure hydrogen while heating the mixture to about 125° C. The method is relatively simple and inexpensive and provides reversible hydride compounds which are free of the usual contamination introduced by prior art wet chemical methods.

Abstract: The present embodiment relates to a method for preparing a composite graphite-silicon negative electrode material whereby an essentially dry mixture of graphite carbon powder and an element or elements selected from the new IUPAC Group Number 12-15 of the Periodic Table of Elements that can form alloys or compounds with lithium is prepared to provide an electrochemically active mixture. A mechanical agitation process serves to mix the constituent materials and to produce a fine dispersion with intimate contact between graphite and the Group 12-15 materials. A lithium ion battery negative electrode of this composition takes synergistic advantage of the high lithium capacity of some IUPAC Group materials and the long cycle-life of graphite negative electrode materials.

Abstract: Photolytic and photo-catalytic reactions have the potential to passivate water- or air-borne bio-hazardous materials. This invention describes a device to be used as a means for disinfecting water contaminated with organic compounds or biological agents such as bacteria, or viruses. The present invention relates to a device utilizing an inert substrate matrix to support a photoactive catalyst and a means for transmitting high energy light, especially ultraviolet light. The matrix presents a large surface area in direct contact with the contaminated water or air. The matrix transmits or is transparent to light emanating from a source such as a UV lamp. The substrate matrix provides a means for light to interact in close proximity with the photoactive catalysts and organic matter in the water or air.

Abstract: A method for directly preparing alkali metal aluminum hydrides such as NaAlH4 and Na3AlH6 from either the alkali metal or its hydride, and aluminum. The hydride thus prepared is doped with a small portion of TiAl3, in order to improve the reaction kinetics of the hydride compound thus formed. The process provides for mechanically mixing the dry reagents under an inert atmosphere followed by charging the mixed materials with high pressure hydrogen while heating the mixture to about 125° C.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for directly preparing alkali metal aluminum hydrides such as NaAlH4 and Na3AlH6 from either the alkali metal or its hydride, and aluminum. The hydride thus prepared is doped with a small portion of a transition metal catalyst compound, such as TiCl3, TiF3, or a mixture of these materials, in order to render them reversibly hydridable. The process provides for mechanically mixing the dry reagents under an inert atmosphere followed by charging the mixed materials with high pressure hydrogen while heating the mixture to about 125° C. The method is relatively simple and inexpensive and provides reversible hydride compounds which are free of the usual contamination introduced by prior art wet chemical methods.