Abstract: Method and system for detection and quantification of oxidizable organics in water. The method involves the partial electrolytic decomposition of the oxidizable organics in a short time frame, preferably less than five seconds, and does not involve the use of toxic reagents. The system includes an electrochemical sensor probe that, in turn, includes a boron-doped diamond microelectrode array. The system additionally includes an electronic transducer and a computing device. The system utilizes an analysis technique to convert sensor signal to a result that can be correlated with COD or BOD values obtained by standard methods. The method and system are particularly suitable for, but not limited to, use in monitoring of water quality at wastewater treatment plants. By employing the method before and after adding aerobic microorganisms to the sample, the method may be used to distinguish biologically oxidizable organics from total oxidizable organics.

Abstract: Method and system for detection and quantification of oxidizable organics in water. The method involves the partial electrolytic decomposition of the oxidizable organics in a short time frame, preferably less than five seconds, and does not involve the use of toxic reagents. The system includes an electrochemical sensor probe that, in turn, includes a boron-doped diamond microelectrode array. The system additionally includes an electronic transducer and a computing device. The system utilizes an analysis technique to convert sensor signal to a result that can be correlated with COD or BOD values obtained by standard methods. The method and system are particularly suitable for, but not limited to, use in monitoring of water quality at wastewater treatment plants. By employing the method before and after adding aerobic microorganisms to the sample, the method may be used to distinguish biologically oxidizable organics from total oxidizable organics.

Abstract: An electrochemical device, such as a fuel cell or an electrolyzer. In one embodiment, the electrochemical device includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), an anodic gas diffusion medium in contact with the anode of the MEA, a cathodic gas diffusion medium in contact with the cathode, a first bipolar plate in contact with the anodic gas diffusion medium, and a second bipolar plate in contact with the cathodic gas diffusion medium. Each of the bipolar plates includes an electrically-conductive, non-porous, liquid-permeable, substantially gas-impermeable membrane in contact with its respective gas diffusion medium, the membrane including a solid polymer electrolyte and a non-particulate, electrically-conductive material, such as carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, and/or metal nanowires.

Abstract: An electrochemical device, such as a fuel cell or an electrolyzer. In one embodiment, the electrochemical device includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), an anodic gas diffusion medium in contact with the anode of the MEA, a cathodic gas diffusion medium in contact with the cathode, a first bipolar plate in contact with the anodic gas diffusion medium, and a second bipolar plate in contact with the cathodic gas diffusion medium. Each of the bipolar plates includes an electrically-conductive, non-porous, liquid-permeable, substantially gas-impermeable membrane in contact with its respective gas diffusion medium, the membrane including a solid polymer electrolyte and a non-particulate, electrically-conductive material, such as carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, and/or metal nanowires.

Abstract: A composite thermal switch material suitable for use in controlling short circuits in lithium ion batteries. The switch material comprises a substantially homogeneous matrix of metallic nanoparticles and non-electrically conductive polymeric nanoparticles, the non-electrically conductive polymeric nanoparticles being fused to one another and having a greater thermal expansion coefficient than the metallic nanoparticles, the metallic nanoparticles and the non-electrically conductive polymeric nanoparticles being present in said substantially homogeneous matrix in relative proportions such that the composite thermal switch material is electrically conductive below a switching temperature and is substantially non-electrically conductive at or above the switching temperature.

Abstract: Metal-oxide gas sensor. According to one embodiment, the sensor includes a layer or pellet of tungsten trioxide (WO3) substituted with one or more added metals. Preferably, the added metals are substituted in a concentration between about 0.005 and 10%, have an oxidation state less than +6, and possess a similar ionic radius to W6+. The substituted metal oxides are preferably formed as nanoparticles and sintered into a dense structure or coating possessing a surface-depletion layer sensitive to the surface adsorption of gas molecules and whose resistance changes in a predictable manner with gas adsorption. The extent of resistance change, rate of change and rate of desorption can be different for different gases, depending on the gas molecule's polarizability, dipole moments and electron configuration. The sensor can be used in a wide range of temperatures and corrosive conditions because of the intrinsic stability of the substituted metal oxides.