Abstract: A method and apparatus for mineralizing organic contaminants in water or air provides photochemical oxidation in a unique two-phase or three-phase boundary system formed in each pore of a TiO.sub.2 membrane in a photocatalytic reactor. In the three-phase system, gaseous oxidant, liquid contaminant, and solid semiconductor photocatalyst meet and engage in an efficient oxidation reaction. The porous membrane has pores which have a region wherein the meniscus of the liquid varies from the molecular diameter of water to that o f a capillary tube resulting in a diffusion layer that is several orders of magnitude smaller than the closest known reactors. The photocatalytic reactor operates effectively at ambient temperature and low pressures.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for using gas and liquid phase cathodic depolarizers in an electrochemical cell having a cation exchange membrane in intimate contact with the anode and cathode. The electrochemical conversion of cathodic depolarizers at the cathode lowers the cell potential necessary to achieve a desired electrochemical conversion, such as ozone evolution, at the anode. When gaseous cathodic depolarizers, such as oxygen, are used, a gas diffusion cathode having the cation exchange membrane bonded thereto is preferred. When liquid phase cathodic depolarizers are used, the cathode may be a flow-by electrode, flow-through electrode, packed-bed electrode or a fluidized-bed electrode in intimate contact with the cation exchange membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lightweight fuel cell system that operates with fuel and oxidant gases at near atmospheric pressures. The fuel cell system uses a monopolar cell design where the electrode surfaces are sufficiently accessible to the gases that it is not necessary for the oxidizer and reducer gases to be compressed. The fuel cell is ideal for personal use due to its light weight, compact size and self contained operation. An added feature of the present invention is that individual fuel cells may be linked together to achieve greater voltages or currents.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved proton exchange membrane for use in electrochemical cells having internal passages parallel to the membrane surface, an apparatus and process for making the membrane, membrane and electrode assemblies fabricated using the membrane, and the application of the membrane and electrode assemblies to a variety of devices, both electrochemical and otherwise. The passages in the membrane extend from one edge of the membrane to another and allow fluid flow through the membrane and give access directly to the membrane for purposes of hydration.

Abstract: The present invention provides electronically conducting polymer films formed from photosensitive formulations of pyrrole and an electron acceptor that have been selectively exposed to UV light, laser light, or electron beams. The formulations may include photoinitiators, flexibilizers, solvents and the like. These solutions can be used in applications including printed circuit boards and through-hole plating and enable direct metallization processes on non-conducting substrates. After forming the conductive polymer patterns, a printed wiring board can be formed by sensitizing the polymer with palladium and electrolytically depositing copper.

Abstract: A system for testing electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices includes means for sensing the current from the storage device and varying the load across the storage device in response to the current sensed. The system is equally adaptable to batteries and fuel cells. Means is also provided to sense system parameters from a plurality of locations within the system. Certain parameters are then stored in digital form for archive purposes and certain other parameters are used to develop control signals in a host processor.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell for the production of ozone utilizing an anodic electrocatalyst and a membrane and electrode assembly formed by bonding a polytetrafluoroethylene-containing, proton exchange polymer-impregnated, gas diffusion cathode to a proton exchange membrane.

Abstract: A photo-activated semiconductor device is adapted to be exposed to light energy. Two physically separated electrocatalysts are placed in electrical contact with the photo-activated semiconductor device. An electrolytic solution physically separated from the semiconductor device is placed in electrical contact with both electrocatalysts. A method for supplying electrical energy to an anode and a cathode is an electrochemical reaction zone containing an electrolytic solution which comprises positioning a photo-activated semiconductor device having separate donor and acceptor regions external to an electrolytic solution. The doner region is electrically connected to a cathode and the acceptor region is electrically connected to the anode. A portion of the photo-activated semiconductor device is exposed to a source of radiation which is external to the reaction zone. The products derived from the electrolytic solution are collected for later use.

Abstract: A photo-activated semiconductor device is adapted to be exposed to light energy. Two physically separated electrocatalysts are placed in electrical contact with the photo-activated semiconductor device. An electrolytic solution physically separated from the semiconductor device is placed in electrical contact with both electrocatalysts. A method for supplying electrical energy to an anode and a cathode is an electrochemical reaction zone containing an electrolytic solution which comprises positioning a photo-activated semiconductor device having separate donor and acceptor regions external to an electrolytic solution. The donor region is electrically connected to a cathode and the acceptor region is electrically connected to the anode. A portion of the photo-activated semiconductor device is exposed to a source of radiation which is external to the reaction zone. The products derived from the electrolytic solution are collected for later use.