Abstract: A flow battery system includes a first tank including a hydrogen reactant, a second tank including a bromine electrolyte, and at least one cell including a first electrolyte side operably connected to the first tank and a second electrolyte side operably connected to the second tank. The battery system further includes a direct connection line directly connecting the first tank and the second tank and configured such that the hydrogen reactant passes between the first tank and the second tank.

Abstract: One or more embodiments relates to a portable, personal device for providing cooking and power and adapted for use with a burner, the device including a plurality of metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells (MS-SOFCs) coupled together; a microelectronic control circuit connected to at least the MS-SOFCs; a light source coupled to at least the microelectronic control circuit; and at least one USB port coupled to at least the microelectronic control circuit; whereby the device is able to simultaneously provide light and power a personal device.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to electrode structures. In one aspect, a method includes: providing an electrode layer comprising a ceramic, the ceramic being porous; providing a catalyst precursor, the catalyst precursor being a cathode catalyst precursor or an anode catalyst precursor; infiltrating the catalyst precursor in a first side of the electrode layer; after the infiltrating operation, heating the electrode layer to about 750° C. to 950° C., the catalyst precursor forming a catalyst, the catalyst being a cathode catalyst or an anode catalyst; infiltrating the catalyst precursor in the first side of the electrode layer; after the infiltrating operation, heating the electrode layer to about 300° C. to 700° C., the catalyst precursor forming the catalyst, the catalyst being the cathode catalyst or the anode catalyst.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enabling communication, without breaching the engine firewall, between a datalogger located on one side of the firewall and one or more sensor devices that are located on the opposite side of the firewall. The systems and methods described herein can allow a transmitting node (i.e., a transmitting datalogger) to transmit collected data (from an auxiliary sensor) to a receiving node (i.e., a receiving datalogger) while reducing or minimizing various difficulties associated with addition of an auxiliary sensor in the engine environment. The transmission of data from the transmitting node to the receiving node can correspond to wired data communication or wireless data communication.

Abstract: One or more embodiments relates to a portable, personal device for providing cooking and power and adapted for use with a burner, the device including a plurality of metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells (MS-SOFCs) coupled together; a microelectronic control circuit connected to at least the MS-SOFCs; a light source coupled to at least the microelectronic control circuit; and at least one USB port coupled to at least the microelectronic control circuit; whereby the device is able to simultaneously provide light and power a personal device.

Abstract: The Ce—H2 redox flow cell is optimized using commercially-available cell materials. Cell performance is found to be sensitive to the upper charge cutoff voltage, membrane boiling pretreatment, methanesulfonic-acid concentration, (+) electrode surface area and flow pattern, and operating temperature. Performance is relatively insensitive to membrane thickness, Cerium concentration, and all features of the (?) electrode including hydrogen flow. Cell performance appears to be limited by mass transport and kinetics in the cerium (+) electrode. Maximum discharge power of 895 mW cm?2 was observed at 60° C.; an energy efficiency of 90% was achieved at 50° C. The Ce—H2 cell is promising for energy storage assuming one can optimize Ce reaction kinetics and electrolyte.

Abstract: A flow battery system includes a first tank having a hydrogen reactant, a second tank having a bromine electrolyte, at least one cell including a hydrogen reactant side operably connected to the first tank through an ¾ feed and return system and a bromine electrolyte side operably connected to the second tank, and a crossover return system. The crossover return system includes a vessel operably connected to the ¾ feed and return system and configured to receive an effluent containing a first portion of the hydrogen reactant and a second portion of the bromine electrolyte, the vessel configured to separate the first portion from the second portion. A first return line returns the first portion of the hydrogen reactant to the first tank and a second return line returns the bromine electrolyte to the second tank.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enabling communication, without breaching the engine firewall, between a datalogger located on one side of the firewall and one or more sensor devices that are located on the opposite side of the firewall. The systems and methods described herein can allow a transmitting node (i.e., a transmitting datalogger) to transmit collected data (from an auxiliary sensor) to a receiving node (i.e., a receiving datalogger) while reducing or minimizing various difficulties associated with addition of an auxiliary sensor in the engine environment. The transmission of data from the transmitting node to the receiving node can correspond to wired data communication or wireless data communication.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to electrode structures. In one aspect, a method includes: providing an electrode layer comprising a ceramic, the ceramic being porous; providing a catalyst precursor, the catalyst precursor being a cathode catalyst precursor or an anode catalyst precursor; infiltrating the catalyst precursor in a first side of the electrode layer; after the infiltrating operation, heating the electrode layer to about 750° C. to 950° C., the catalyst precursor forming a catalyst, the catalyst being a cathode catalyst or an anode catalyst; infiltrating the catalyst precursor in the first side of the electrode layer; after the infiltrating operation, heating the electrode layer to about 300° C. to 700° C., the catalyst precursor forming the catalyst, the catalyst being the cathode catalyst or the anode catalyst.

Abstract: The Ce—H2 redox flow cell is optimized using commercially-available cell materials. Cell performance is found to be sensitive to the upper charge cutoff voltage, membrane boiling pretreatment, methanesulfonic-acid concentration, (+) electrode surface area and flow pattern, and operating temperature. Performance is relatively insensitive to membrane thickness, Cerium concentration, and all features of the (?) electrode including hydrogen flow. Cell performance appears to be limited by mass transport and kinetics in the cerium (+) electrode. Maximum discharge power of 895 mW cm?2 was observed at 60° C.; an energy efficiency of 90% was achieved at 50° C. The Ce—H2 cell is promising for energy storage assuming one can optimize Ce reaction kinetics and electrolyte.

Abstract: Various embodiments may comprise an ion exchange membrane (IEM) redox flow cell comprising a IEM, a negative electrode in contact with a reactive fluid, a liquid electrolyte comprising reactants, a positive electrode in contact with the liquid electrolyte, and a diffusion barrier layer disposed between the IEM and the positive electrode, and wherein the negative electrode is isolated from the positive electrode by the IEM.

Abstract: A flow battery system includes a first tank having a hydrogen reactant, a second tank having a bromine electrolyte, at least one cell including a hydrogen reactant side operably connected to the first tank through an ¾ feed and return system and a bromine electrolyte side operably connected to the second tank, and a crossover return system. The crossover return system includes a vessel operably connected to the ¾ feed and return system and configured to receive an effluent containing a first portion of the hydrogen reactant and a second portion of the bromine electrolyte, the vessel configured to separate the first portion from the second portion. A first return line returns the first portion of the hydrogen reactant to the first tank and a second return line returns the bromine electrolyte to the second tank.

Abstract: A flow battery system includes a first tank including a hydrogen reactant, a second tank including a bromine electrolyte, and at least one cell including a first electrolyte side operably connected to the first tank and a second electrolyte side operably connected to the second tank. The battery system further includes a direct connection line directly connecting the first tank and the second tank and configured such that the hydrogen reactant passes between the first tank and the second tank.

Abstract: The present invention provides electrochemical device structures having integrated seals, and methods of fabricating them. According to various embodiments the structures include a thin, supported electrolyte film with the electrolyte sealed to the support. The perimeter of the support is self-sealed during fabrication. The perimeter can then be independently sealed to a manifold or other device, e.g., via an external seal. According to various embodiments, the external seal does not contact the electrolyte, thereby eliminating the restrictions on the sealing method and materials imposed by sealing against the electrolyte.

Abstract: Several members make up a joint in a high-temperature electrochemical device, wherein the various members perform different functions. The joint is useful for joining multiple cells (generally tubular modules) of an electrochemical device to produce a multi-cell segment-in-series stack for a solid oxide fuel cell, for instance. The joint includes sections that bond the joining members to each other; one or more seal sections that provide gas-tightness, and sections providing electrical connection and/or electrical insulation between the various joining members. A suitable joint configuration for an electrochemical device has a metal joint housing, a first porous electrode, a second porous electrode, separated from the first porous electrode by a solid electrolyte, and an insulating member disposed between the metal joint housing and the electrolyte and second electrode.

Abstract: A method is described for producing layered structures comprising a porous metal layer and a ceramic containing layer comprising wherein a porous green ceramic layer is provided, and thereafter loose metal particles are applied to the green ceramic layer before sintering. In one embodiment, the green ceramic layer, after application of the loose metal particles, is dried to drive off the solvent and cause interpenetration of the metal particles. In another embodiment loose particles can be removed from the composite such as by shaking, and the green ceramic/loose metal particles composite compressed to cause further interpenetration of the metal particles prior to sintering.

Abstract: A method of joining dissimilar materials having different ductility, involves two principal steps: Decoration of the more ductile material's surface with particles of a less ductile material to produce a composite; and, sinter-bonding the composite produced to a joining member of a less ductile material. The joining method is suitable for joining dissimilar materials that are chemically inert towards each other (e.g., metal and ceramic), while resulting in a strong bond with a sharp interface between the two materials. The joining materials may differ greatly in form or particle size. The method is applicable to various types of materials including ceramic, metal, glass, glass-ceramic, polymer, cermet, semiconductor, etc., and the materials can be in various geometrical forms, such as powders, fibers, or bulk bodies (foil, wire, plate, etc.). Composites and devices with a decorated/sintered interface are also provided.

Abstract: The feasibility of adding glass to conventional SOFC cathode contact materials in order to improve bonding to adjacent materials in the cell stack is assessed. A variety of candidate glass compositions were added to LSM and SSC. The important properties of the resulting composites, including conductivity, sintering behavior, CTE, and adhesion to LSCF and MCO-coated 441 stainless steel were used as screening parameters. The most promising CCM/glass composites were coated onto MCO-coated 441 stainless steel substrates and subjected to ASR testing at 800° C. In all cases, ASR is found to be acceptable. Indeed, addition of glass is found to improve bonding of the CCM layer without sacrificing acceptable conductivity.

Abstract: A segmented-in-series high temperature solid-state electro-chemical device in which the cell segments are supported on a substrate comprising a porous metal layer for mechanical strength and a non-conducting porous layer for electrical insulation between cell segments is fabricated by co-sintering at least the metal substrate, insulating layer, an electrode and electrolyte. This allows for efficient manufacturing and the use of a thinner electrolyte (e.g., less than 40 microns thick) than in conventional designs, with a resulting performance improvement attributable at least in part to increased ionic conductivity. Alternative structures for the cell and interconnect repeat segments which are supported on a metallic substrate, as well as methods for producing said structures, specific compositions of the interconnect, and Al-containing compositions for the metallic substrate are described.

Abstract: A method for infiltrating a metal salt into a porous structure is described wherein the pores of the porous structure are first flooded with a solvent before contacting the salt mixture to the structure. In one embodiment the metal salt is in molten form when brought into contact with the flooded porous structure. In another embodiment, the metal salt is first brought into contact with the porous structure, and the mixture heated to melt the salt and evaporate the solvent. Thereafter the metal salt can be further reacted to convert it to a desired composition.