Abstract: A method of operating a 3-D printer apparatus includes a tank structure with a bottom wall with a printing area defined above and spaced apart from the bottom wall. A gas permeable liquid within the tank overlays the bottom wall of the tank structure defining a first mobile layer below the printing area. An inhibition liquid within the tank overlays the gas permeable liquid defining a second mobile layer below the printing area. A polymerizable resin overlays the inhibition liquid and flows into the printing area. Positioning of an object carrier controlled such that a lower surface of the object carrier is initially located within the polymerizable resin and within the printing area. Operation of a resin curing device beneath the bottom wall provides light to the printing area polymerizing predetermined portions of the polymerizable resin forming an object attached to the lower surface of the object carrier.

Abstract: A method of operating a 3-D printer apparatus includes a tank structure with a bottom wall with a printing area defined above and spaced apart from the bottom wall. A gas permeable liquid within the tank overlays the bottom wall of the tank structure defining a first mobile layer below the printing area. An inhibition liquid within the tank overlays the gas permeable liquid defining a second mobile layer below the printing area. A polymerizable resin overlays the inhibition liquid and flows into the printing area. Positioning of an object carrier controlled such that a lower surface of the object carrier is initially located within the polymerizable resin and within the printing area. Operation of a resin curing device beneath the bottom wall provides light to the printing area polymerizing predetermined portions of the polymerizable resin forming an object attached to the lower surface of the object carrier.

Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed that includes a hood defining at least one opening, and a vent that is positioned within the at least one opening. The vent is reconfigurable between a closed configuration, in which the vent substantially (if not entirely) prevents air flow through the at least one opening in the hood, and at least one open configuration, in which the vent allows air flow through the at least one opening in the hood. The vent includes an integrated shape memory material such that, upon actuation, the shape memory material deforms to thereby reconfigure the vent.

Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed that includes a hood defining at least one opening, and a vent that is positioned within the at least one opening. The vent is reconfigurable between a closed configuration, in which the vent substantially (if not entirely) prevents air flow through the at least one opening in the hood, and at least one open configuration, in which the vent allows air flow through the at least one opening in the hood. The vent includes an integrated shape memory material such that, upon actuation, the shape memory material deforms to thereby reconfigure the vent.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell comprises a proton exchange membrane having an anode side and a cathode side. An anode catalyst layer is on the anode side of the proton exchange membrane and a cathode catalyst layer is on the cathode side of the proton exchange membrane. Each of the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer comprises a metal alloy. A gas diffusion layer is on each of the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer opposite the proton exchange membrane. A sacrificial intercalating agent is between the proton exchange membrane and one of the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer, the sacrificial intercalating agent having sulfonate sites that attract metal cations resulting from dissolution of the metal alloy prior to the metal cations reaching the proton exchange membrane.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly includes a membrane, a gas diffusion layer and a catalyst layer between the membrane and the gas diffusion layer. The catalyst layer comprises catalyst comprising active catalyst particles supported on support particles, a proton conducting ionomer and a phospholipid containing soluble oxygen. One method of preparation includes preparing a catalyst solution comprising a solvent and catalyst, adding proton conducting ionomer to the catalyst solution to form a catalyst ink, saturating a solution of solvent and a phospholipid with oxygen and mixing the saturated phospholipid with the catalyst ink.

Abstract: An active material layer for an electrode of a lithium ion battery has a first active material comprising silicon-based particles, a second active material comprising graphite and conduits between the first active material and the second active material, the conduits being a conductive material and providing area for expansion of the first active material due to lithiation while maintaining contact between the first active material and the second active material.

Abstract: A battery has a three dimensional electrode including a current collector, electron directing members, each electron directing member having a perimeter edge attached to a surface of the current collector with a polymer binder, the electron directing members extending from the surface of the current collector and configured to direct electron flow along a layered direction of the electrode, an active material layer on the current collector and a separator. The electron directing members extend into the active material layer and having a free end in spaced relation to the separator.

Abstract: An electrode comprises a current collector, a conductive buffer layer formed on the current collector that has at least one geometrically configured region and an active material layer formed on the conductive buffer layer. The geometrically configured conductive buffer region can expand and contract between the non-lithiated and lithiated states.

Abstract: An electrode has a first active material layer between a current collector and a separator. The first active material layer comprises an active electrode material and electrically actuated fibers extending from a surface of the current collector and into the active electrode material. The electrically actuated fibers have an actuated state, in which the electrically actuated fibers change dimension in a linear direction under application of an electric field, the electrically actuated fibers configured to direct electrons through the active electrode material in a stacked direction of the electrode, and an unactuated state, in which the electrically actuated fibers are conductive but remain in an original state.

Abstract: Electrocatalysts having non-corrosive, non-carbon support particles are provided as well as the method of making the electrocatalysts and the non-corrosive, non-carbon support particles. Embodiments of the non-corrosive, non-carbon support particle consists essentially of titanium dioxide and ruthenium dioxide. Active catalyst particles of a platinum alloy are deposited onto each non-carbon composite support particle. The electrocatalyst can be used in fuel cells, for example.

Abstract: A method of preparing shape-controlled alloy particles includes dissolving a solvent in a surfactant selected to inhibit particle growth; adding a noble metal precursor and a transition metal precursor to form a mixture; irradiating the mixture with a microwave under reflux for about thirty minutes or less at an irradiation temperature of between 185° C. and 195° C.; cooling the mixture; and drying the mixture at a temperature of between 55° C. and 65° C. to obtain shape-controlled alloy particles having a uniform shape, the shape dependent upon the surfactant used.

Abstract: A non-carbon support particle is provided for use in electrocatalyst. The non-carbon support particle consists essentially of titanium dioxide and ruthenium dioxide. The titanium and ruthenium can have a mole ratio ranging from 1:1 to 9:1 in the non-carbon support particle. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the non-carbon support and electrocatalyst taught herein.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly includes a membrane, a gas diffusion layer and a catalyst layer between the membrane and the gas diffusion layer. The catalyst layer comprises catalyst comprising active catalyst particles supported on support particles, a proton conducting ionomer and a phospholipid containing soluble oxygen. One method of preparation includes preparing a catalyst solution comprising a solvent and catalyst, adding proton conducting ionomer to the catalyst solution to form a catalyst ink, saturating a solution of solvent and a phospholipid with oxygen and mixing the saturated phospholipid with the catalyst ink.

Abstract: Methods of preparing a cathode for a fuel cell include growing nanotubes on a substrate, the nanotubes of a material that is electron conductive; aligning the nanotubes such that the nanotubes extend from the substrate with a free distal end opposite the substrate; and depositing an active catalyst particle on the free distal end of each of the nanotubes. A membrane electrode assembly includes a cathode comprising a layer of electron conducting nanotubes extending from the electrode membrane and aligned such that a free distal end of each electron conducting nanotube is closer to the gas diffusion layer than the electrode membrane; an active catalyst particle attached to the free distal end of each electron conducting nanotube, wherein a diameter of the active catalyst particle is greater than a diameter of a respective electron conducting nanotube; and ionomer between each active catalyst particle and the gas diffusion layer.

Abstract: An electrode comprising a current collector, a conductive buffer layer composed of a conductive polymer formed on the current collector, and an active material layer formed on the conductive buffer layer. The conductive buffer layer can expand and contract between the non-lithiated and lithiated states.

Abstract: A method of making a three dimensional electrode having an active material layered between a current collector and a separator includes growing nanotubes at predetermined points on a first sheet of electron directing material, wherein the electron directing material is highly conductive and chemically inert; aligning the nanotubes in a direction perpendicular to the first sheet; functionalizing a distal end of each nanotube; bonding a second sheet of electron directing material to the functionalized distal end of each nanotube; depositing magnetic particles along the second sheet; applying a magnetic field to the magnetic particles to rotate the first sheet, the second sheet and the nanotubes ninety degrees to form an electron directing structure; and attaching the electron directing structure on a surface of the current collector with a polymer binder. The electron directing structure is configured to direct electron flow along a layered direction of the three dimensional electrode.

Abstract: An active material layers for a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly includes metal oxide particles, a non-ionomer proton conductor and active catalyst particles supported on the metal oxide particles.

Abstract: A method of preparing shape-controlled alloy particles includes dissolving a solvent in a surfactant selected to inhibit particle growth; adding a noble metal precursor and a transition metal precursor to form a mixture; irradiating the mixture with a microwave under reflux for about thirty minutes or less at an irradiation temperature of between 185° C. and 195° C.; cooling the mixture; and drying the mixture at a temperature of between 55° C. and 65° C. to obtain shape-controlled alloy particles having a uniform shape, the shape dependent upon the surfactant used.

Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell comprises a proton exchange membrane having an anode side and a cathode side. An anode catalyst layer is on the anode side of the proton exchange membrane and a cathode catalyst layer is on the cathode side of the proton exchange membrane. Each of the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer comprises a metal alloy. A gas diffusion layer is on each of the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer opposite the proton exchange membrane. A sacrificial intercalating agent is between the proton exchange membrane and one of the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer, the sacrificial intercalating agent having sulfonate sites that attract metal cations resulting from dissolution of the metal alloy prior to the metal cations reaching the proton exchange membrane.