Abstract: A support apparatus for floral designers having a work piece frame support for removably securing a workpiece thereon. The work piece frame support including at least one component for preselectively holding the workpiece in a preselected orientation. A support member, the work piece frame support being pivotally secured to the support member proximate one end thereof. A clamping mechanism operably interposed between work piece frame support and the support member for locking the work piece frame support at a preselected angular relationship with respect to the support member. The work piece frame support and the clamping mechanism being collapsible to a position substantially within the support member in order to provide for a compact arrangement when the support apparatus is not in use.

Abstract: Electrodes for an alkaline fuel cell are disclosed. The electrodes include a porous substrate and a catalyst layer supported on the substrate. The catalyst layer includes catalyst particles for catalyzing the electrochemical reaction occurring at the electrode, a hydrophobic binder for providing a network of hydrophobic gas passages communicating with the catalyst particles and hydrophilic catalytically inactive particles for providing a network of liquid transport pathways through the catalyst layer. The liquid transport pathways improve liquid transport through the catalyst layer and electrodes of the present invention provide improved resistance to electrode flooding and electrolyte pumping.

Abstract: Electrodes for an acid fuel cell are disclosed. The electrodes include a porous substrate and a catalyst layer supported on the substrate. The catalyst layer includes catalyst particles, a hydrophobic binder for providing a network of hydrophobic gas passages communicating with the catalyst particles and hydrophilic catalytically inactive particles for providing a network of liquid transport passages throughout the catalyst layer. The electrodes provide improved resistance to flooding and pumping and may be operated at high current density without developing severe concentration polarization.

Abstract: There is disclosed a unitary laminated identification card and insignia comprising a lamination including a sheet element carrying photographic information, such as the likeness of the card bearer, a protective plastic sheet member therefor and a relatively thin embossed insignia member having an insignia pattern, the raised portions of the embossed insignia pattern providing an effect of optical dimensionality (depth) visually detectable through a protective plastic sheet member laminated thereto.

Abstract: Laminar electrical cells and batteries, each cell of which comprises a first electrode formed as a porous layer of electrochemically active particles on an electrically conductive, electrochemically inactive substrate coextensive with the particle layer. The electrochemically inactive substrate is adhered around its periphery to the borders of an aperture in an electrically insulating frame. A separator for each cell overlies the active particle layer of the first electrode and has borders extending beyond the borders of the first electrode and within the borders of the insulating frame. A second electrode for each cell comprises a slurry of electrochemically active particles in contact with the other side of the separator. Methods of making the above cells and batteries from elongated webs of electrically insulating ones of the constituent materials of the cells.

Abstract: Laminar electrical cells and batteries, each cell of which comprises a first electrode formed as a porous layer of electrochemically active particles on an electrically conductive, electrochemically inactive substrate coextensive with the particle layer. The electrochemically inactive substrate is adhered around its periphery to the borders of an aperture in an electrically insulating frame. A separator for each cell overlies the active particle layer of the first electrode and has borders extending beyond the borders of the first electrode and within the borders of the insulating frame. A second electrode for each cell comprises a slurry of electrochemically active particles in contact with the other side of the separator. Methods of making the above cells and batteries from elongated webs of electrically insulating ones of the constituent materials of the cells.

Abstract: Anodes having NiCo.sub.2 O.sub.4 catalyst used in the electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen and oxygen result in anode voltage requirements of less than about 1500 millivolts at 100 milliamperes per square centimeter of anode area. Typically, oxygen evolving anodes comprised of lead or carbon steel are utilized in the electrolysis of water to produce oxygen resulting in high voltage requirements. Anodes containing NiCo.sub.2 O.sub.4 catalyst require substantially reduced voltages and perform well in the conventional alkaline electrochemical production environment.

Abstract: Laminar electrical cells and batteries, each cell of which comprises a first electrode formed as a porous layer of electrochemically active particles on an electrically conductive, electrochemically inactive substrate coextensive with the particle layer. The electrochemically inactive substrate is adhered around its periphery to the borders of an aperture in an electrically insulating frame. A separator for each cell overlies the active particle layer of the first electrode and has borders extending beyond the borders of the first electrode and within the borders of the insulating frame. A second electrode for each cell comprises a slurry of electrochemically active particles in contact with the other side of the separator. Methods of making the above cells and batteries from elongated webs of electrically insulating ones of the constituent materials of the cells.

Abstract: A laminar battery comprising an end terminal formed with a pocket to accept internal components without requiring additional edge thickness in the seal area, incorporating as the separator in at least the cell immediately adjacent the pocketed end terminal a layer of cellophane together with a layer of paper on the side of the cellophane confronting the cathode.

Abstract: A method and system for testing and sorting a production run of sheet-like batteries includes: testing each battery to obtain a first value of electrical energy; placing machine readable indicia on each battery corresponding to the first value; retesting each battery after passage of a period of time to obtain a second value of electrical energy; machine reading the indicia and computing the rate of decay of electrical energy for each battery as a function of the difference between said first and second values per unit time; and sorting the batteries in accordance with the computed rate of decay to separate those batteries having an acceptable rate of decay from those batteries having too great a rate of decay.

Abstract: Cells or multicell batteries are provided with vents comprising fiber-filled plastic tubes. The plastic tube walls are formed of a hydrogen-permeable, liquid-impermeable, plastic material and the fibers which fill the interior of the tube serve to maintain an open gas diffusion passage through the tube. The vents extend through seals between battery components into electrochemically active regions of the battery, into gas permeable regions of the battery outside of the electrochemically active regions, or both. The fiber filled tube can terminate in the cell interior when the end positioned within the cell is sealed with a hydrogen-permeable, liquid-impermeable, plastic layer, or the tube can extend across the battery length or width. At least one end of the tube is open to the atmosphere.