Abstract: A group of modular planar structural foam sections are laid on the ground directly underneath the liner of an above-ground pool. The foam panels are cut so that they fit tightly side-by-side covering all areas within the frame. The joints between the panels are then filled by caulking and taped over to smooth the top surface of the joints. The result is an improved pool underlayment system which provides many advantages, including cushioning of swimmer impact to help prevent shallow diving injuries.

Abstract: A support plate for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell includes a porous support body that has a central portion and a peripheral portion integral with and circumferentially completely surrounding the central portion, and a sealing body of elastomeric sealing material that completely fills the pores of the peripheral portion to make it impermeable to fluids. The support plate may be assembled with another one and with a proton exchange membrane interposed between the two support plates to form an assembly, and the sealing body then peripherally joins and seals the assembly and fills any gaps that may be present between the peripheral portions due to the absence of the membrane from such regions and thus to peripherally encapsulate the membrane.

Abstract: A butyl rubber/ethylene propylene latex sealant for use in fuel cells is disclosed. The sealant is comprised of between about 50 wt % and about 99 wt % butyl rubber and about 10 wt % to about 50 wt % ethylene propylene latex. Conventional fillers can be added to the sealant to attain or enhance various properties such as: desired viscosity, specific gravity, stability, strength, oxidation resistance, and accelerated cure.

Abstract: A graphite separator plate for an electrochemical cell stack is formed from component parts which are joined together edge to edge. The edges of the plates are scarfed to increase the bond area and a heat activated fluoropolymer adhesive is used to bond adjacent plates together. This allows production of plates with a larger surface areas thereby improving the economics of the cell stack.

Abstract: A method for fabricating porous carbon sheet material and in particular for fabricating porous carbon fuel cell electrode substrates comprises coating carbon fibers with a mixture of furfuryl alcohol and a catalyst which polymerizes furfuryl alcohol, forming the fibers into a mat or sheet of the desired size and thickness, heating the mat to polymerize the furfuryl alcohol and to cure the resin so formed, and further heating the mat to carbonize the resin.Phosphoric acid is the preferred polymerization catalyst when the sheet material is to be used as a fuel cell electrode substrate. The method produces electrode substrates which are highly porous yet strong and which are also corrosion resistant, thermally conductive and electrically conductive.