Abstract: A fuel tank inerting system is disclosed, comprising a fuel tank and an electrochemical cell comprising a cathode and an anode separated by a separator comprising an anion transfer medium. A cathode fluid flow path is in operative fluid communication with a catalyst at the cathode between a cathode fluid flow path inlet and a cathode fluid flow path outlet. An anode fluid flow path is in operative fluid communication with a catalyst at the anode, and includes an anode fluid flow path outlet. An electrical connected to a power source is arranged to provide a voltage difference between the anode and the cathode. An air source is in operative fluid communication with either or both of the cathode flow path inlet and the anode flow path inlet. An inert gas flow path is in operative fluid communication with the cathode flow path outlet and the fuel tank.

Abstract: A novel molded foam pool float (10) and ottoman (12) are formed of a continuous form of semi-rigid, pliable foam of constant density. The pool float (10) has an elongate shape which partially circumscribes a user, having an enclosed end (24) with a headrest (38), two arms (26, 28) symmetrically extending from opposite sides of the enclosed end (24), and an open end (30) disposed between ends (34, 36) of the arms (26, 28). The headrest (38) extends upward from the enclosed end (24), above the arms (26, 28) to provide both a headrest and a chin rest, depending upon the orientation of the pool float (10) to the user. The upper surfaces (58, 60) of the arms (26, 28) are preferably recessed beneath respective sides of the arms (26, 28) and have a pebbled texture. Void recesses (72, 74, 76) are provided in the lower side (16) of the pool float (10) for trapping air to provide enhanced flotation and reduce the unit costs of the foam for the pool float (10).

Abstract: A gas sensor for detecting one or more contaminants in a refrigerant includes a housing having disposed therein a membrane electrode assembly comprising a sensing electrode, a counter electrode, and a solid polymer electrolyte disposed between the sensing electrode and the counter electrode. The sensing electrode comprises nanoparticles of a first catalyst comprising noble metal. The counter electrode comprises nanoparticles of a second catalyst comprising noble metal. The sensing electrode in the sensor has been preconditioned by exposure under a positive voltage bias to a preconditioning gas comprising the contaminant(s) or their precursors or derivatives.

Abstract: An example generator cooling arrangement includes an electrochemical hydrogen pump configured to receive and adjust a fluid containing hydrogen and to provide a refined supply of hydrogen. An electric power generator receives the supply of hydrogen. The refined supply of hydrogen is used to remove thermal energy from the electric power generator.

Abstract: An example generator cooling arrangement includes an electrochemical hydrogen pump configured to receive and adjust a fluid containing hydrogen and to provide a refined supply of hydrogen. An electric power generator receives the supply of hydrogen. The refined supply of hydrogen is used to remove thermal energy from the electric power generator.

Abstract: An electrochemical separator includes an electrochemical reactor that has an anode and a cathode. An aqueous working liquid circulates through the electrochemical reactor. The aqueous working liquid contains water and electrochemically active organic molecules dissolved in the water. The electrochemically active organic molecules are quinones functionalized with one or more ionic groups.

Abstract: An electrochemical device includes a plurality of electrode assemblies that define a plurality of electrochemically active areas. A non-electrically-conductive manifold includes a common manifold passage and a plurality of branch passages that extend, respectively, between the electrochemically active areas and the common manifold passage. Each of the branch passages includes a first region and a second region that differ in surface area.

Abstract: A heat transfer system is disclosed including a plurality of modules arranged in a stack. The stack modules include electrocaloric element and electrodes on each side of the film. A fluid flow path is disposed between two or more electrocaloric elements. A first electrical bus element (18) in electrical contact with the first electrode (14), and a second electrical bus element (20) in electrical contact with second electrode (16). The first electrical bus element is electrically connected to at least one other electrical bus of another electrocaloric element in the stack at the same polarity as said first electrical bus, or the second electrical bus element is electrically connected to at least one other electrical bus of another electrocaloric element in the stack at the same polarity as said second electrical bus.

Abstract: A method of producing inert gas uses an electrochemical gas separator with a proton exchange membrane to produce oxygen-depleted air and a water vapor transport module to dehumidify oxygen-depleted air. A drying mechanism is leveraged in conjunction with the water vapor transport module to dry the oxygen-depleted air. The dried oxygen-depleted air is then used in a location requiring inerting.

Abstract: A flow battery includes at least one electrochemical cell that has a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode and a separator arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode. A first storage portion and a second storage portion are respectively fluidly connected with the at least one electrochemical cell. A first liquid electrolyte and a second liquid electrolyte are located in the respective first storage portion and second storage portion. The first electrode has an area over which it is catalytically active with regard to the first liquid electrolyte and the second electrode has an area over which it is catalytically active with regard to the second liquid electrolyte such that the area of the first electrode is greater than the area of the second electrode.

Abstract: A flow battery includes a cell that has a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode and an electrolyte separator layer arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode. A supply/storage system is external of the at least one cell and includes first and second vessels that are fluidly connected with the at least one cell. First and second fluid electrolytes are located in the supply/storage system. The electrolyte separator layer includes a hydrated ion-exchange membrane of a polymer that has a carbon backbone chain and side chains extending from the carbon backbone chain. The side chains include hydrophilic chemical groups with water molecules attached by secondary bonding to form clusters of water domains. The clusters have an average maximum cluster size no greater than 4 nanometers, with an average number of water molecules per hydrophilic chemical group, ? (lambda), being greater than zero.

Abstract: A flow battery includes a cell stack that has electrochemically active cells and manifolds that define common manifold passages in fluid communication with the electrochemically active cells. A supply/storage system is external of the cell stack and includes at least one vessel fluidly connected with respective ones of the common manifold passages. Fluid electrolytes are in the supply/storage system. At least one of the fluid electrolytes is an ionic-conductive fluid. The manifolds extend in a length direction through the cell stack. The common manifold passages include a common manifold passage P that varies in cross-section along the length direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that intercept access to mainframe computing systems' messaging systems. For example, a method may include using a replacement messaging interface adapter to intercept a messaging request being directed from a client program to a messaging interface module of a messaging subsystem that is identified by a messaging stub interface module that implements a documented messaging interface. The method may also include performing an auxiliary function on the messaging request. The method may additionally include transmitting the messaging request to the messaging interface module of the messaging subsystem. The method may further include receiving a response from the messaging subsystem. Additionally, the method may include providing the response to the client program.

Abstract: A flow battery that includes an electrochemical cell having first and second half-cells and an ion-selective separator there between wherein a fluid pressure differential across the ion-selective separator for a controlled amount of time is selectively utilized to urge a concentration imbalance of the electrochemically active species between the first and second electrolytes toward a concentration balance.

Abstract: A method and system for storing and/or discharging electrical energy that has a cost, which method includes steps of: (a) providing a flow battery system comprising at least one flow battery cell and a controller; (b) operating the flow battery cell at a power density having a first value; and (c) changing the power density at which the flow battery cell is operated from the first value to a second value as a function of the cost of the electrical energy, wherein the power density is changed using the controller, and wherein the second value is different than the first value.

Abstract: A flow battery includes at least a cell that has a first electrode, a second electrode and an electrolyte separator layer arranged between the electrodes. A supply/storage system is external of the cell and includes a first vessel fluidly connected in a first loop with the first electrode and a second vessel fluidly connected in a second loop with the second electrode. The first loop and the second loop are isolated from each other. The supply/storage system is configured to fluidly connect the first loop and the second loop to move a second liquid electrolyte from the second vessel into a first liquid electrolyte in the first vessel responsive to a half-cell potential at the first electrode being less than a defined threshold half-cell potential.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ion-exchange membrane that includes a molecular barrier for influencing permeation selectivity through the membrane. The membrane includes fluorinated carbon backbone chains and fluorinated side chains that extend off of the fluorinated carbon backbone chains. The fluorinated side chains include acid groups for ionic conductivity. The acid groups surround and define permeable domains that are free of the fluorinated carbon backbone chains. Molecular barriers are located in the permeable domains and influence permeability through the domains.

Abstract: An electrochemical device includes first and second spaced-apart electrodes. The first electrode is configured for redox reactions with a liquid electrolyte solution and the second electrode is configured for redox reactions with each of a gaseous reductant and a gaseous oxidant. An electrolyte separator is arranged between the electrodes.

Abstract: A flow battery includes at least one cell that has a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode and an electrolyte separator layer that is arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode. A storage portion is fluidly connected with the at least one cell. At least one liquid electrolyte includes an electrochemically active specie and is selectively deliverable to the at least one cell. An electric circuit is coupled with the first electrode and the second electrode. The circuit includes a voltage-limiting device that is configured to limit a voltage potential across the first electrode and the second electrode in response to a transition of the at least one cell from an inactive, shut-down mode with respect to an active, charge/discharge mode.

Abstract: A method of determining a distribution of electrolytes in a flow battery includes providing a flow battery with a fixed amount of fluid electrolyte having a common electrochemically active specie, a portion of the fluid electrolyte serving as an anolyte and a remainder of the fluid electrolyte serving as a catholyte. An average oxidation state of the common electrochemically active specie is determined in the anolyte and the catholyte and, responsive to the determined average oxidation state, a molar ratio of the common electrochemically active specie between the anolyte and the catholyte is adjusted to increase an energy discharge capacity of the flow battery for the determined average oxidation state.