Abstract: A titanium halide, preferably titanium tetrachloride, is reacted with suitable reductant, preferably an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, under ultrasonic excitation in a liquid reaction medium to form nanometer size particles of titanium which may incorporate unreacted reductant. The nanosized titanium particles may be a precursor for nanosized titanium oxide which is formed by oxidizing the titanium, preferably with a low molecular weight alcohol. When the titanium particles incorporate unreacted reductant the oxidation reaction will yield nanometer sized titanates. The nanosized particles, whether titanium oxide or titanates may be extracted by first filtering them from the reaction medium, followed by washing with water to remove any water-soluble reaction products followed by spray drying.

Abstract: The present invention combines ionization modes produced by, for example, electrospray (ESI), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), and thermospray for analysis of molecules. Specifically, this invention relates to the creation of a new source apparatus combining APCI and ESI which will interface with existing mass spectrometers, as well as the creation of new mass spectrometers where the present invention would be the ionization source.

Abstract: The incorporation of tungsten-containing hydrogen spillover materials into a composite fuel cell anode can be helpful in preserving the carbon catalyst support materials in the fuel cell cathode during periods of hydrogen starvation. Preferred examples of such tungsten-containing hydrogen spillover materials are tungsten oxides and tungsten silicides. These materials, when physically mixed with catalyst-loaded carbon support particles in a composite anode, have shown the ability to promote hydrogen storage in amounts that, during a disruption of hydrogen gas flow, can postpone an anodic potential excursion into the oxygen evolution region for a period of at least several seconds.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the spatial distribution of an ionomer in a fuel cell MEA. The method includes embedding the MEA in an epoxy, and then slicing thin sections from the MEA. The sliced sections are then exposed to a titanium tetrachloride vapor that stains the epoxy. The stained sections are then viewed with, for example, a transmission electron microscope (TEM) where the lighter regions in the TEM image show the ionomer distribution.

Abstract: Films of magnesium mixed with titanium are produced by non-equilibrium alloying processes such as electron beam evaporation of magnesium and titanium ingots in a very low pressure chamber. Such magnesium-titanium films form as single phase solid solutions. Titanium is inherently resistant to corrosion and its admixture with magnesium in solid solution provides a new composition that is less subject to intra-film galvanic corrosion. The magnesium-titanium films also provide relatively hard and strong coatings.

Abstract: A thermoforming methodology for laminated thermoplastic sheets which preserves the class “A” finish and high gloss thereof. In a thermoforming process including heating followed by vacuum and opposing air pressure application, and then followed by application of chilled compressed air, control of spherulite formation using any of: addition of a nucleating agent to the paint film, using the chilled compressed air at a temperature of substantially about 32° F., heating to no more than about 311° F., selecting a paint film having a high melting point temperature, and selecting a paint film that is non-crystalline.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the spatial distribution of an ionomer in a fuel cell MEA. The method includes embedding the MEA in an epoxy, and then slicing thin sections from the MEA. The sliced sections are then exposed to a titanium tetrachloride vapor that stains the epoxy. The stained sections are then viewed with, for example, a transmission electron microscope (TEM) where the lighter regions in the TEM image show the ionomer distribution.

Abstract: A method for evaluating the composition of an MEA for a fuel cell. The method includes soaking the MEA in an unsaturated organic compound for a predetermined period of time, and then allowing the MEA to dry. The method then includes staining the MEA with osmium tetroxide (OsO4) in a closed container. The stained MEA is then encased in an epoxy. Thin sections of the encapsulated MEA are then prepared, and the sections are viewed through a transmission electron microscope. The stained MEA will show dark regions where the ionomer and carbon particles are located and lighter regions that are epoxy filled pores.

Abstract: Films of magnesium mixed with titanium are produced by non-equilibrium alloying processes such as electron beam evaporation of magnesium and titanium ingots in a very low pressure chamber. Such magnesium-titanium films form as single phase solid solutions. Titanium is inherently resistant to corrosion and its admixture with magnesium in solid solution provides a new composition that is less subject to intra-film galvanic corrosion. The magnesium-titanium films also provide relatively hard and strong coatings.

Abstract: The present invention combines ionization modes produced by, for example, electrospray (ESI), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), and thermospray for analysis of molecules. Specifically, this invention relates to the creation of a new source apparatus combining APCI and ESI which will interface with existing mass spectrometers, as well as the creation of new mass spectrometers where the present invention would be the ionization source.

Abstract: A precursor halide compound is reduced to a predetermined product at substantially ambient conditions. The halide is added to an anhydrous liquid reaction medium containing one or more alkali metals or alkaline earth metals as reductants. The metal reductants are dispersed as very small globules in the liquid by cavitation of the liquid, such as by application of high intensity ultrasonic vibrations or high-shear mixing to the reaction vessel. Continued cavitation of the liquid medium affects low temperature reduction of the precursor halide(s) to produce a metal, metal alloy, metal compound, ceramic material, metal matrix-ceramic composite material, or the like. The practice may be applied, for example, to titanium tetrachloride, alone or with other chlorides, to produce titanium metal, titanium alloys (for example Ti-6Al-4V), and titanium compounds (TiSi2).

Abstract: The invention provides a method of reversibly storing hydrogen at industrially practicable temperature and pressure conditions. A stable hydrogen storage hydride is mixed with a destabilizing hydride. The stable hydride is capable of releasing hydrogen at a first energy level. When the stable hydride is in the presence of the destabilizing hydride, the stable hydride releases hydrogen at a second energy level. The second energy level is significantly reduced from the first energy level.

Abstract: A precursor halide compound is reduced to a predetermined product at substantially ambient conditions. The halide is added to an anhydrous liquid reaction medium containing one or more alkali metals or alkaline earth metals as reductants. The metal reductants are dispersed as very small globules in the liquid by cavitation of the liquid, such as by application of high intensity ultrasonic vibrations or high-shear mixing to the reaction vessel. Continued cavitation of the liquid medium affects low temperature reduction of the precursor halide(s) to produce a metal, metal alloy, metal compound, ceramic material, metal matrix-ceramic composite material, or the like. The practice may be applied, for example, to titanium tetrachloride, alone or with other chlorides, to produce titanium metal, titanium alloys (for example Ti-6Al-4V), and titanium compounds (TiSi2).

Abstract: A titanium halide and, optionally, other precursor halides compound are reduced to a predetermined titanium product, suitably at or near ambient conditions. Titanium tetrachloride, for example, is added to an anhydrous liquid reaction medium containing one or more alkali metals or alkaline earth metals as reductants. The metal reductants are dispersed as very small globules in the liquid by cavitation of the liquid reaction medium, such as by application of high intensity ultrasonic vibrations or high-shear mixing to the reaction vessel. Continued cavitation of the liquid medium affects relatively low temperature reduction of the precursor halide(s) to produce a titanium-containing product such as titanium metal, a titanium alloy or compound, or a titanium matrix-ceramic composite material, or the like.

Abstract: A titanium halide and, optionally, other precursor halides compound are reduced to a predetermined titanium product, suitably at or near ambient conditions. Titanium tetrachloride, for example, is added to an anhydrous liquid reaction medium containing one or more alkali metals or alkaline earth metals as reductants. The metal reductants are dispersed as very small globules in the liquid by cavitation of the liquid reaction medium, such as by application of high intensity ultrasonic vibrations or high-shear mixing to the reaction vessel. Continued cavitation of the liquid medium affects relatively low temperature reduction of the precursor halide(s) to produce a titanium-containing product such as titanium metal, a titanium alloy or compound, or a titanium matrix-ceramic composite material, or the like.

Abstract: Methods of generating hydrogen-containing streams having a minimal concentration of gaseous reactive nitrogen-containing compounds, e.g., ammonia, are provided. Hydrogen storage material systems are also provided that generate such hydrogen-containing streams. A first composition comprising a nitride, a second composition comprising a hydride, and a third composition having a cation selected from the group consisting of: alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and mixtures thereof are combined together. The hydrogen-containing stream thus generated has a minimal concentration of gaseous reactive nitrogen-containing compounds.

Abstract: An electrocatalyst for fuel cell applications includes a catalyst support and a noble metal or noble metal-based alloy catalyst supported upon the catalyst support. The catalyst support characteristically includes a Group IV-VI transition metal silicide with or without the mixing of carbon. A fuel cell incorporating the electrocatalyst into the anode and/or cathode is disclosed. Such fuel cell exhibit improved cycling and operating performance.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a hydrogen storage composition having a hydrogenated state and a dehydrogenated state. In the hydrogenated state, such composition comprises an amide and a hydride. In a dehydrogenated state, the composition comprises an imide.

Abstract: The dispersion of metal-element containing additives with hydrogen storage particles of the family of hydrogen-rich materials, M?xM?yNzHd as specified herein, markedly lowers the temperature at which hydrogen is removed from the particles. For example, the dispersion of additives containing one or more of iron, nickel, palladium, or platinum with particles of Li50B17N33H133 provides a composition from which hydrogen is readily removed by heating. Use of these metals as their chloride salts makes particularly effective hydrogen release additives.

Abstract: A metallic nanowire having an aspect ratio of at least 100 and a diameter less than 200 nanometers composed of at least one of bismuth, indium, tin, lead, zinc, antimony and alloys of the same and a method of making the same from a thin film composite.