Abstract: Described herein is a plurality of acicular particles dispersed with ionomer binder for use in an electrolyzer. The acicular particles comprise a microstructured core with a layer of catalytic material on at least one portion of the surface of the microstructured core. The catalytic material comprises iridium and the microstructured core comprises at least one of a polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon and heterocyclic compounds. The acicular particles are substantially free of platinum.

Abstract: Described herein is a process for the reduction of carbon dioxide comprising: providing an electrochemical device comprising an anode, a cathode, and a polymeric anion exchange membrane therebetween, wherein the polymeric anion exchange membrane comprises an anion exchange polymer, wherein the anion exchange polymer comprises at least one positively charged group selected from a guanidinium, a guanidinium derivative, an N-alkyl conjugated heterocyclic cation, or combinations thereof; introducing a composition comprising carbon dioxide to the cathode; and applying electrical energy to the electrochemical device to effect electrochemical reduction of the carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A water electrolyzer comprises a membrane, a cathode and an anode. The membrane comprises a first membrane layer comprising a first ion-conductive polymer, a second membrane layer comprising a second ion-conductive polymer, and a platinized nanostructured layer disposed between the first layer and the second layer. The platinized nanostructured layer comprises close-packed whiskers having at least one of platinum or platinum oxide disposed thereon. The cathode is disposed on the membrane and comprises a first catalyst consisting essentially of both metallic Pt and Pt oxide. The anode is disposed on the opposite surface of the membrane and comprises a second catalyst comprising at least 95 percent by weight of collectively metallic Ir and Ir oxide, calculated as elemental Ir, based on the total weight of the second catalyst, wherein at least one of metallic Ir or Ir oxide is present. Membranes and methods of making them are also disclosed.

Abstract: A water electrolyzer comprising a membrane comprising at least one of metallic Pt or Pt oxide, a cathode, and an anode. The cathode comprises a first catalyst consisting essentially of both metallic Pt and Pt oxide. The anode comprising a second catalyst comprising at least 95 percent by weight of collectively metallic Ir and Ir oxide present, calculated as elemental Ir, based on the total weight of the second catalyst.

Abstract: Described herein is a process for the reduction of carbon dioxide comprising: providing an electrochemical device comprising an anode, a cathode, and a polymeric anion exchange membrane therebetween, wherein the polymeric anion exchange membrane comprises an anion exchange polymer, wherein the anion exchange polymer comprises at least one positively charged group selected from a guanidinium, a guanidinium derivative, an N-alkyl conjugated heterocyclic cation, or combinations thereof; introducing a composition comprising carbon dioxide to the cathode; and applying electrical energy to the electrochemical device to effect electrochemical reduction of the carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Water electrolyzer comprising a membrane having first and second opposed major surfaces, a thickness extending between the first and second major surfaces, and first, second, and third regions equally spaced across the thickness, wherein the first region is the closest region to the first major surface, wherein the second region is the closest region to the second major surface, wherein the third region is located between the first and second regions, wherein the first and third regions are each essentially free of both metallic Pt and Pt oxide, and wherein the second region comprises at least one of metallic Pt or Pt oxide; a cathode comprising a first catalyst on the first major surface of the membrane; and an anode comprising a second catalyst on the second major surface of the membrane.

Abstract: Water electrolyzer comprising a membrane having first and second opposed major surfaces and comprising at least one of metallic Pt or Pt oxide supported by at least one of nanostructured whiskers (e.g., perylene red nanostructured whiskers), carbon nanotubes (e.g., single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) (sometimes referred to as “buckytubes”) or multiple wall carbon nanotubes (MWNT)), fullerenes (sometimes referred to as “buckyballs”), carbon nanofibers, carbon microfibers, graphene, oxide (e.g., at least one of alumina, silica, tin oxide, titania, or zirconia), or clay; a cathode comprising a first catalyst on the first major surface of the membrane; and an anode comprising a second catalyst on the second major surface of the membrane.

Abstract: A sensor element includes first and second conductive electrodes that include interconnected carbon fibers. At least one or the first or second conductive electrodes is porous. The electrodes are separated by a porous dielectric detection layer including a sorbent material. Methods of making a sensor element and analyzing an analyte vapor are also disclosed.

Abstract: Electrode membrane assembly having an oxygen evolution reaction electrodes, the electrode membrane assembly comprising nanostructured whiskers with at least one of metallic Ir or Ir oxide thereon. These oxygen evolution reaction electrodes when paired with suitable hydrogen evolution electrodes are useful, for example, in generating H2 and O2 from water.

Abstract: Described herein is a process for the reduction of carbon dioxide comprising: providing an electrochemical device comprising an anode, a cathode, and a polymeric anion exchange membrane therebetween, wherein the polymeric anion exchange membrane comprises an anion exchange polymer, wherein the anion exchange polymer comprises at least one positively charged group selected from a guanidinium, a guanidinium derivative, an N-alkyl conjugated heterocyclic cation, or combinations thereof; introducing a composition comprising carbon dioxide to the cathode; and applying electrical energy to the electrochemical device to effect electrochemical reduction of the carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A humidity sensor element includes a dielectric substrate, a nonporous conductive electrode disposed on the dielectric substrate, a permeable conductive electrode having a thickness in a range of from 4 to 10 nanometers and permeable by water vapor, and a detection layer sandwiched between the nonporous conductive electrode and the permeable conductive electrode. The permeable conductive electrode is parallel to the nonporous electrode. Both conductive electrodes have respective conductive leads attached thereto. The detection layer includes a copolymer having monomeric units comprising wherein M represents H, or an alkali metal. A humidity sensor including the humidity sensor element is also disclosed.

Abstract: A humidity sensor element includes a dielectric substrate, a nonporous conductive electrode disposed on the dielectric substrate, a permeable conductive electrode having a thickness in a range of from 4 to 10 nanometers and permeable by water vapor, and a detection layer disposed between the nonporous conductive electrode and the permeable conductive electrode. Both conductive electrodes have respective conductive leads attached thereto. The detection layer includes a sulfonated copolymer including monomeric units comprising (I) and (II), Wherein x and y are independently integers in the range of from 2 to 6, and wherein each M independently represents H or an alkali metal. A humidity sensor including the humidity sensor element is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sensor element includes first and second conductive electrodes that include interconnected carbon fibers. At least one or the first or second conductive electrodes is porous. The electrodes are separated by a porous dielectric detection layer including a sorbent material. Methods of making a sensor element and analyzing an analyte vapor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A humidity sensor element includes a dielectric substrate, a nonporous conductive electrode disposed on the dielectric substrate, a permeable conductive electrode having a thickness in a range of from 4 to 10 nanometers and permeable by water vapor, and a detection layer disposed between the nonporous conductive electrode and the permeable conductive electrode. Both conductive electrodes have respective conductive leads attached thereto. The detection layer includes a sulfonated copolymer including monomeric units comprising (I) and (II), Wherein x and y are independently integers in the range of from 2 to 6, and wherein each M independently represents H or an alkali metal. A humidity sensor including the humidity sensor element is also disclosed.

Abstract: A humidity sensor element includes a dielectric substrate, a nonporous conductive electrode disposed on the dielectric substrate, a permeable conductive electrode having a thickness in a range of from 4 to 10 nanometers and permeable by water vapor, and a detection layer sandwiched between the nonporous conductive electrode and the permeable conductive electrode. The permeable conductive electrode is parallel to the nonporous electrode. Both conductive electrodes have respective conductive leads attached thereto. The detection layer includes a copolymer having monomeric units comprising wherein M represents H, or an alkali metal. A humidity sensor including the humidity sensor element is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly includes first and second compression members. Two or more membrane electrode assembly (MEA) stacks are disposed between the compression members, each MEA stack having a positive and negative end. A first current collector is electrically coupled to a positive end of a first stack of the MEA stacks. A second current collector is electrically coupled to a negative end of a second stack of the MEA stacks. A current shunt is disposed between the compression members and electrically couples the MEA stacks.

Abstract: A fuel cell cathode catalyst is provided which comprises nanostructured elements comprising microstructured support whiskers bearing nanoscopic catalyst particles. The nanoscopic catalyst particles are made by the alternating application of first and second layers, the first layer comprising platinum and the second layer being an alloy or intimate mixture of iron and a second metal selected from the group consisting of Group VIb metals, Group VIIb metals and Group VIIIb metals other than platinum and iron, where the atomic ratio of iron to the second metal in the second layer is between 0 and 10, where the planar equivalent thickness ratio of the first layer to the second layer is between 0.3 and 5, and wherein the average bilayer planar equivalent thickness of the first and second layers is less than 100 ?.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly includes two or more plate assemblies stacked together. Each plate assembly includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) sandwiched between an anode plate and a cathode plate. At least one of the anode plate and the cathode plate has a first flow field on a side facing the MEA and a second flow field on a side facing away from the MEA. The first flow field is of a first uniform depth, and the second flow field is of a second uniform depth. In one configuration, the first and second uniform depths are the same.

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack includes two or more plate assemblies stacked together. Each plate assembly includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) disposed between a first plate and second plate. One of the first and second plates is an anode plate and the other is a cathode plate. The first and second plates each include a first side facing the MEA and a second side facing away from the MEA. The plates include flow fields on the first sides and gas manifold holes coupled to gas distribution passages of the fuel cell stack. The first plates each further include a flow path carrying gases from at least one of the gas manifold holes to the flow field of the first plate. The flow path is formed at least in part by channels on the second side of an adjacent second plate when the plate assemblies are stacked together.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly includes first and second compression members at first and second ends of the fuel cell assembly. A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) stack is disposed between the compression members. The MEA stack includes a fluid flow passage that allows gases to flow between the first and second ends of the fuel cell assembly. A fastening member connecting the first and second compression members and is disposed within the fluid flow passage of the MEA stack.