Abstract: Blended compositions that can include one or more thermoplastic polymers and one or more organic fillers and methods for making and using same. The blended composition can have a Notched Izod Impact Strength of at least 20 J/m to about 600 J/m, measured according to ASTM D256-10, and a melt index of about 1 g/10 min to about 100 g/10 min, measured according to ASTM D1238-13, procedure B. The thermoplastic copolymer can include a blend of a polypropylene homopolymer and a copolymer of propylene and a comonomer. The comonomer can include ethylene, a C4 to C20 olefin, or any mixture thereof. The copolymer of propylene and the comonomer can include about 0.5 wt % to about 40 wt % of the comonomer. The blended composition can include about 5 wt % to about 30 wt % of the organic filler based on the combined weight of the thermoplastic copolymer and the organic filler.

Abstract: Blended compositions that can include one or more thermoplastic polymers and one or more organic fillers and methods for making and using same. The blended composition can have a Notched Izod Impact Strength of at least 20 J/m to about 600 J/m, measured according to ASTM D256-10, and a melt index of about 1 g/10 min to about 100 g/10 min, measured according to ASTM D1238-13, procedure B. The thermoplastic copolymer can include a blend of a polypropylene homopolymer and a copolymer of propylene and a comonomer. The comonomer can include ethylene, a C4 to C20 olefin, or any mixture thereof. The copolymer of propylene and the comonomer can include about 0.5 wt % to about 40 wt % of the comonomer. The blended composition can include about 5 wt % to about 30 wt % of the organic filler based on the combined weight of the thermoplastic copolymer and the organic filler.

Abstract: A method of forming a material for reversible hydrogen storage within a storage tank includes charging a mixture of a metal amide and a metal hydride to the storage tank, and chemically reacting the mixture at a reaction condition within the storage tank to form a thermally conducting composite material situated in the storage tank and for reversibly storing hydrogen. The composite material includes a three-dimensional and interconnected framework including a conductive metal. A method for reversibly storing hydrogen includes providing a storage tank and in situ chemically forming a composite material by charging a mixture of a metal amide and a metal hydride to the storage tank and chemically reacting the mixture at a reaction condition to form a thermally conducting composite material including a metal hydride and a substantially unreactive elemental metal framework. Hydrogen is absorbed into the composite material and is desorbed from the composite material.

Abstract: A system for reversibly storing hydrogen includes a storage tank with an internal volume with a thermally conducting composite material situated within the storage tank and having a three-dimensional and interconnected framework of a conductive metal within the internal volume of the storage tank.

Abstract: According to at least one aspect of the present invention, an ammonia borane containing hydrogen storage material is provided to be present with substantially reduced formation of borazine or diborane. In at least one embodiment, the hydrogen storage material includes at least one ammonia borane (NH3BH3); and at least one amide of the formula M(NH2)x, wherein M is a cationic element or a combination of two or more cationic elements from groups 1 to 14 of the periodic table and x represents a total cationic charge to charge balance M.

Abstract: A system for reversibly storing hydrogen includes a storage tank with an internal volume with a thermally conducting composite material situated within the storage tank and having a three-dimensional and interconnected framework of a conductive metal within the internal volume of the storage tank.

Abstract: According to at least one aspect of the present invention, an ammonia borane containing hydrogen storage material is provided to be present with substantially reduced formation of borazine or diborane. In at least one embodiment, the hydrogen storage material includes at least one ammonia borane (NH3BH3); and at least one amide of the formula M(NH2)x, wherein M is a cationic element or a combination of two or more cationic elements from groups 1 to 14 of the periodic table and x represents a total cationic charge to charge balance M.

Abstract: According to at least one aspect of the present invention, a hydrogen storage material is provided. In at least one embodiment, the material comprises a borohydride compound of the formula M(BH4)n, wherein M includes Ca and n is an integer of 2 to 6; and a destabilizing agent selected from the group consisting of Cr, ScH2, and combinations thereof. In at least another embodiment, the material comprises a metal borohydride M(BH4)n, wherein M includes Li and n is an integer of 1 to 5, and a destabilizing agent of Cr.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing the kinetic properties of solid-state hydrogen storage materials are disclosed. The methods of the present invention comprise a process of utilizing built-in, ancillary reactions to effectually catalyze primary hydrogen storage reactions. This self-catalysis process gives rise to novel mechanisms for solid-state hydrogen storage compositions that benefit from enhanced kinetic properties, thereby increasing the usefulness of hydrogen storage technologies. The methods of enhancing the kinetic properties of hydrogen storage compositions by implementing a self-catalyzing reaction mechanism generally include formulating a hydrogen desorption pathway in a hydrogen storage composition, the pathway including a hydrogen releasing reaction and an ancillary reaction; and selecting the ancillary reaction to produce a product that serves to enhance the kinetic properties of the hydrogen releasing reaction.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage material. The hydrogen storage material is a combination of LiBH4 with MHx, wherein greater than about 50% of M comprises Al.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for optimizing heat treatment of precipitation-hardened alloys having at least one precipitate phase by decreasing aging time and/or aging temperature using thermal growth predictions based on a quantitative model. The method includes predicting three values: a volume change in the precipitation-hardened alloy due to transformations in at least one precipitation phase, an equilibrium phase fraction of at least one precipitation phase, and a kinetic growth coefficient of at least one precipitation phase. Based on these three values and a thermal growth model, the method predicts thermal growth in a precipitation-hardened alloy. The thermal growth model is particularly suitable for Al—Si—Cu alloys used in aluminum alloy components. The present invention also discloses a method to predict heat treatment aging time and temperature necessary for dimensional stability without the need for inexact and costly trial and error measurements.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for optimizing heat treatment of precipitation-hardened alloys having at least one precipitate phase by decreasing aging time and/or aging temperature using thermal growth predictions based on a quantitative model. The method includes predicting three values: a volume change in the precipitation-hardened alloy due to transformations in at least one precipitation phase, an equilibrium phase fraction of at least one precipitation phase, and a kinetic growth coefficient of at least one precipitation phase. Based on these three values and a thermal growth model, the method predicts thermal growth in a precipitation-hardened alloy. The thermal growth model is particularly suitable for Al-Si-Cu alloys used in aluminum alloy components. The present invention also discloses a method to predict heat treatment aging time and temperature necessary for dimensional stability without the need for inexact and costly trial and error measurements.

Abstract: A miniaturized solid-oxide fuel cell and process for making the same are provided. A fuel cell is provided that contains an electrolyte material, electrodes, and interconnects. Manifolds can be placed either within the electrodes or within the interconnects. Techniques common to the microelectronic industry are used to manufacture a miniaturized fuel cell. The miniaturized fuel cell is created by stacking individual fuel cells over one another to maintain a sufficient level of power density and durability.