Abstract: A fuel storage device in accordance with a present invention includes a fuel containing substance and a heater in thermal communication with the fuel containing substance.

Abstract: A method of facilitating a chemical reaction includes raising a temperature of a protective layer covering a catalyst in the presence of a chemical solution.

Abstract: A means for determining the concentration of a hydrogen-rich fuel in a fuel solution within the anode reservoir of a fuel cell. The fuel concentration is determined using a dye mixture responsive to fuel concentration within a fuel solution. As fuel is consumed, the fuel concentration decreases. As the fuel concentration decreases, the dye changes color. The resulting color changes occur within the anode reservoir of the fuel cell, or within a dye chamber in fluid contact with the anode reservoir, and are made visible by a window. A color strip and fuel scale may be included to facilitate fuel concentration determination based on the color of the fuel solution. Additionally, a valve responsive to dye color may act to control fuel delivery.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a fuel supply for a fuel cell. The fuel supply includes a fuel storage area configured to hold a fuel solution, a fuel solution outlet configured to pass the fuel solution from the fuel storage area, a waste storage area, a waste inlet configured to pass waste into the waste storage area, and a movable barrier separating the fuel storage area and the waste storage area. The movable barrier is configured to move as fuel solution is passed from the fuel storage area and waste solution is passed into the waste storage area to simultaneously decrease the volume of the fuel storage area and increase the volume of the waste storage area.

Abstract: Hydrogen generation system. A source of sodium borohydride is carried on a flexible substrate that moves from a feed roll to a takeup roll. A reaction among sodium borohydride, a catalyst and water evolves hydrogen and forms a by-product that is removed from the reaction area.

Abstract: Hydrogen generation system. A source of sodium borohydride is carried on a flexible substrate that moves from a feed roll to a takeup roll. A reaction among sodium borohydride, a catalyst and water evolves hydrogen and forms a by-product that is removed from the reaction area.

Abstract: A means for determining the concentration of a hydrogen-rich fuel in a fuel solution within the anode reservoir of a fuel cell. The fuel concentration is determined using a float responsive to fuel solution density. As fuel is consumed, the fuel concentration decreases. As the fuel concentration decreases, the density of the fuel solution increases, causing the float to rise. A window may be included in the anode reservoir or in an attached float chamber to facilitate inspection of the position of the float. A fuel scale may be included to facilitate fuel concentration determination based on the position of the float within the fuel solution. Additionally, a valve responsive to float position may act to control fuel delivery.

Abstract: A method of facilitating a chemical reaction includes raising a temperature of a protective layer covering a catalyst in the presence of a chemical solution.

Abstract: A fuel storage device in accordance with a present invention includes a fuel containing substance and a heater in thermal communication with the fuel containing substance.

Abstract: Hydrogen generation system. A source of sodium borohydride is carried on a flexible substrate that moves from a feed roll to a takeup roll. A reaction among sodium borohydride, a catalyst and water evolves hydrogen and forms a by-product that is removed from the reaction area.

Abstract: A fuel cartridge in accordance with one of the present inventions includes a fuel reservoir, a reaction chamber, and a passive structure adapted to resist fluid flow from the fuel reservoir to the reaction chamber. A reaction chamber in accordance with one of the present inventions includes an external housing, defining a first reactant inlet, a liquid outlet and a gas outlet, and a substantially gas permeable/substantially liquid impermeable structure that separates the first reactant inlet and the liquid outlet from the gas outlet.

Abstract: A protective case is disclosed that has a preventative agent disposed therein for safely housing an object or material with an adverse characteristic such as high heat or volatility is disclosed. The preventative agent normalizes the adverse characteristic from the object or material before that characteristic can reach the outside environment.

Abstract: A means for determining the concentration of a hydrogen-rich fuel in a fuel solution within the anode reservoir of a fuel cell. The fuel concentration is determined using a float responsive to fuel solution density. As fuel is consumed, the fuel concentration decreases. As the fuel concentration decreases, the density of the fuel solution increases, causing the float to rise. A window may be included in the anode reservoir or in an attached float chamber to facilitate inspection of the position of the float. A fuel scale may be included to facilitate fuel concentration determination based on the position of the float within the fuel solution. Additionally, a valve responsive to float position may act to control fuel delivery.

Abstract: A means for determining the concentration of a hydrogen-rich fuel in a fuel solution within the anode reservoir of a fuel cell. The fuel concentration is determined using a dye mixture responsive to fuel concentration within a fuel solution. As fuel is consumed, the fuel concentration decreases. As the fuel concentration decreases, the dye changes color. The resulting color changes occur within the anode reservoir of the fuel cell, or within a dye chamber in fluid contact with the anode reservoir, and are made visible by a window. A color strip and fuel scale may be included to facilitate fuel concentration determination based on the color of the fuel solution. Additionally, a valve responsive to dye color may act to control fuel delivery.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a fuel supply for a fuel cell. The fuel supply includes a fuel storage area configured to hold a fuel solution, a fuel solution outlet configured to pass the fuel solution from the fuel storage area, a waste storage area, a waste inlet configured to pass waste into the waste storage area, and a movable barrier separating the fuel storage area and the waste storage area. The movable barrier is configured to move as fuel solution is passed from the fuel storage area and waste solution is passed into the waste storage area to simultaneously decrease the volume of the fuel storage area and increase the volume of the waste storage area.

Abstract: The present invention provides a container which has multiple protective characteristics integrated into the container. The protective container for containing a material and protecting against adverse exposure to the material includes a durable outer casing; an inner casing in direct contact with the material, which is less durable than the outer casing; and at lease one layer of a preventative agent disposed between the inner and outer casings for disabling the material upon failure of the inner casing. The protective container provides improved active control to prevent accidental adverse exposure to the container contents.