Abstract: A process for producing hydrogen gas is disclosed. In one embodiment, the process for produces hydrogen gas from biofuel reformation. The process includes the step of reacting a biofuel with a naturally occurring base.

Abstract: A fuel cell. The anode of the fuel cell comprises a hydrogen oxidation catalyst comprising a finely divided metal alloy particulate. The metal alloy particulate has an average particle size of less than about 100 Angstroms.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy having an atomically engineered microstructure that both physically and chemically absorbs hydrogen. The atomically engineered microstructure has a predominant volume of a first microstructure which provides for chemically absorbed hydrogen and a volume of a second microstructure which provides for physically absorbed hydrogen. The volume of the second microstructure may be at least 5 volume % of atomically engineered microstructure. The atomically engineered microstructure may include porous micro-tubes in which the porosity of the micro-tubes physically absorbs hydrogen. The micro-tubes may be at least 5 volume % of the atomically engineered microstructure. The micro-tubes may provide proton conduction channels within the bulk of the hydrogen storage alloy and the proton conduction channels may be at least 5 volume % of the atomically engineered microstructure.

Abstract: A method for making a catalyst having catalytically active material supported on a carrier matrix. The catalytically active material may be a mixed-valence, nanoclustered oxide(s), an organometallic material or a combination thereof. In one method, a metal salt solution is combined with a metal complexing agent to form a metal complex. The metal complex is then combined with a suspension that includes a carrier matrix and the system is subjected to ultrasonic agitation. A base is then added to induce a controlled crystallization of a catalytic nanocluster metal material onto the carrier matrix. The supported catalytic material is particularly useful for catalyzing oxygen reduction in a fuel cell, such as an alkaline fuel cell.

Abstract: A method of making a catalyst. The method comprises the step of leaching a portion of the bulk of an alloy. The alloy may be a hydrogen storage alloy.

Abstract: A method for converting nickel into a nickel salt solution. Nickel is dissolved and reacted in an oxygen-enriched acidic solution to produce a nickel salt solution as illustrated in the following chemical equation, wherein X is a conjugate base: Ni+H2X+½O2->NiX+H2O.

Abstract: A modified A2B7 type hydrogen storage alloy having reduced hysteresis. The alloy consists of a base AxBy hydrogen storage alloy, where A includes at least one rare earth element and also includes magnesium, B includes at least nickel, and the atomic ratio of x to y is between 1:2 and 1:5. The base alloy is modified by the addition of at least one modifier element which has an atomic volume less than about 8 cm3/mole, and is added to the base alloy in an amount sufficient to reduce the absorption/desorption hysteresis of the alloy by at least 10% when compared with the base alloy.

Abstract: A BCC phase hydrogen storage alloy capable of storing approximately 4.0 wt. % hydrogen and delivering reversibly up to 3.0 wt. % hydrogen at temperatures up to 110° C. The hydrogen storage alloys also possess excellent kinetics whereby up to 80% of the hydrogen storage capacity of the hydrogen storage alloy may be reached in 30 seconds and 80% of the total hydrogen storage capacity may be desorbed from the hydrogen storage alloy in 90 seconds. The hydrogen storage alloys also have excellent stability which provides for long cycle life.

Abstract: A reversible hydrogen storage alloy for electrochemical and thermal hydrogen storage having excellent kinetics and improved performance at low temperatures and excellent cycle life. The compositions of the hydrogen storage alloy is modified to achieve excellent performance at low temperatures and excellent cycle life via non-stoichiometric hydrogen storage alloy compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to rechargeable nickel metal hydride batteries and methods for making the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to rechargeable nickel metal hydride batteries having a precharge in the negative electrode sufficient for oxidation prevention in the negative electrode. The present invention discloses a nickel metal hydride battery, wherein the precharge of the negative electrode may be supplied by a variety of sources. The positive active material of the positive electrode may have positive active particles, such as nickel hydroxide, having a precursor coating that incorporates cobalt material capable of forming a conductive network. Sources other than cobalt-containing materials in the positive electrode include hydrogen gas provided directly to the negative active material, nickel aluminum mixed with the negative active material, the etching of the negative active material with an alkaline solution and borohydride chemically charging the negative active material.

Abstract: A fuel cell. The anode of the fuel cell comprises a hydrogen oxidation catalyst comprising a finely divided metal particulate. The metal particulate may be a nickel and/or nickel alloy particulate having a particle size less than about 100 Angstroms.

Abstract: An industrial catalyst having: a support; a plurality of metallic particulates distributed throughout the support; and a metal at least partially covering the surface of the support. A method for making a catalyst including the steps of: forming a support with non-noble metal particulates distributed throughout the support; and at least partially covering the surface of the support with a metal.

Abstract: A nickel hydroxide material for use as an active material in positive electrodes for electrochemical cells. The nickel hydroxide material includes one or more modifiers which provide for a small crystallite size and high capacity without adversely affecting performance of the nickel hydroxide material.

Abstract: A BCC phase hydrogen storage alloy capable of storing approximately 4.0 wt. % hydrogen and delivering reversibly up to 3.0 wt. % hydrogen at temperatures up to 110° C. The hydrogen storage alloys also possess excellent kinetics whereby up to 80% of the hydrogen storage capacity of the hydrogen storage alloy may be reached in 30 seconds and 80% of the total hydrogen storage capacity may be desorbed from the hydrogen storage alloy in 90 seconds. The hydrogen storage alloys also have excellent stability which provides for long cycle life.

Abstract: A magnesium-based hydrogen storage material including magnesium or a magnesium-based hydrogen storage alloy and a hydrogen desorption catalyst which is insoluble in said magnesium-based hydrogen storage alloy and is in the form of: 1) discrete dispersed regions of catalytic material in the bulk of said magnesium or magnesium-based hydrogen storage alloy; 2) discrete dispersed regions on the surface of particles of said magnesium or magnesium-based hydrogen storage alloy; 3) a continuous or semi-continuous layer of catalytic material on the surface of said magnesium or magnesium-based hydrogen storage alloy which is in bulk or particulate form; or 4) combinations thereof. Methods of producing the material are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage composite material having a Mg—Ni based alloy with a coating of a catalytically active metal deposited on at least a portion of a surface of said Mg—Ni based alloy. The coating is less than about 200 angstroms thick and preferably is formed from iron or palladium. The composite material is capable of adsorbing at least 3 weight percent hydrogen and desorbing at least 1 weight percent hydrogen at 30° C. The Mg—Ni based alloy has a microstructure including both a Mg-rich phase and a Ni-rich phase, micro-tubes having an inner core of Ni-rich material surrounded by a sheathing of Mg-rich material, amorphous structural regions and microcrystalline structural regions.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a process for making nickel sulfate by converting nickel metal into nickel sulfate, which may be converted to nickel hydroxide. Nickel metal is dissolved in sulfuric acid and oxygen containing gas is introduced to produce a nickel sulfate solution having nickel sulfate and water as illustrated in the following chemical equation. Ni+H2SO4+½O2?NiSO4+H2O The nickel sulfate is filtered and sulfuric acid is continually added to maintain stoichiometry within a reactor until the nickel metal is dissolved. The sulfuric acid, oxygen containing gas and nickel metal may be heated to facilitate the desired reaction. Then, the nickel sulfate may be utilized to produce nickel hydroxide.

Abstract: A method of making a catalyst. The method comprises the step of leaching alloy particles. Preferably, the alloy particles are hydrogen storage alloy particles.

Abstract: A method of starting a nickel metal hydride battery in cold weather. The method includes the step of discharging the battery through a short circuit.

Abstract: A low temperature alkaline fuel cell having a hydrogen electrode and an oxygen electrode, both of which are comprised of high performance non-precious metal catalytic materials providing high performance at low temperatures.