Abstract: The fuel cell interconnect units may include a fuel compartment, an air compartment adjacent to the fuel compartment, a plurality of fuel flow fields that are in communication with the fuel compartment and have a fuel outlet, and a plurality of air flow fields that are in communication with the air compartment and have an air outlet.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and kits for enhancing breathing in patients suffering from chronic pulmonary obstructive disease are described. The methods and apparatus rely on increasing flow resistance to expiration in a manner which mimics “pursed lip” breathing which has been found to benefit patients suffering from this disease. In a first example, a device is implanted in a trachea or bronchial passage to increase flow resistance, preferably selectively increase resistance to expiration relative to inspiration. In a second embodiment, a mouthpiece is provided, again to increase resistance to expiration, preferably with a lesser increase in flow resistance to inspiration. In a third embodiment, the patient's trachea or bronchial passage is modified by the application of energy in order to partially close the lumen therethrough.

Abstract: An electrode for a solid-state fuel cell includes a tape having opposite sides joined by a peripheral edge, one of the opposite faces having a plurality of surface depressions therein extending partially through the tape.

Abstract: A partial fuel cell system for converting a flow of a reactant to electricity and a flow of exhaust gases. The partial fuel cell system may include a first heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the flow of exhaust gases and the flow of the reactant, a second heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the flow of exhaust gases and the flow of the reactant, and a flow controller for controlling the flow of the reactant to the second heat exchanger.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and kits for enhancing breathing in patients suffering from chronic pulmonary obstructive disease are described. The methods and apparatus rely on increasing flow resistance to expiration in a manner which mimics “pursed lip” breathing which has been found to benefit patients suffering from this disease. In a first example, a device is implanted in a trachea or bronchial passage to increase flow resistance, preferably selectively increase resistance to expiration relative to inspiration. In a second embodiment, a mouthpiece is provided, again to increase resistance to expiration, preferably with a lesser increase in flow resistance to inspiration. In a third embodiment, the patient's trachea or bronchial passage is modified by the application of energy in order to partially close the lumen therethrough.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and kits for enhancing breathing in patients suffering from chronic pulmonary obstructive disease are described. The methods and apparatus rely on increasing flow resistance to expiration in a manner which mimics “pursed lip” breathing which has been found to benefit patients suffering from this disease. In a first example, a device is implanted in a trachea or bronchial passage to increase flow resistance, preferably selectively increase resistance to expiration relative to inspiration. In a second embodiment, a mouthpiece is provided, again to increase resistance to expiration, preferably with a lesser increase in flow resistance to inspiration. In a third embodiment, the patient's trachea or bronchial passage is modified by the application of energy in order to partially close the lumen therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention may include systems for a fuel cell stack including two or more interconnect units and one or more fuel cells. The interconnect units of the fuel cell stacks may include a fuel compartment, an air compartment adjacent to the fuel compartment, a plurality of fuel flow fields that are in communication with the fuel compartment and have a fuel outlet, and a plurality of air flow fields that are in communication with the air compartment and have an air outlet. At least one of the fuel cells may be adjacent to one of the air flow fields of one interconnect unit and one of the fuel flow fields of the neighboring interconnect unit.

Abstract: An HVAC system for a motor vehicle including one or more ultraviolet light sources that are operatively disposed within one or more portions of the HVAC system and that are effective in treating microorganisms within the HVAC system. The HVAC system may also include one or more sensors and a controller for selectively activating and deactivating the one or more ultraviolet light sources.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to increase fuel cell reliability and maintainability is disclosed. The apparatus includes a recuperating loop consisting of a spiral tube that surrounds a stack or a combination of several stacks. If the fuel cell stacks are externally manifolded, the recuperating loop may also surround the external manifold. The spent hot gases from the stack directly flows over the recuperating loop to transfer heat to a coolant flowing through the loop providing heat exchange by convection and radiation. The spent hot gases may be manifolded and may not flow over the recuperating loop. In this case, the heat exchange is by radiation between the hot fuel cell stack(s) and the recuperating loop.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and kits for enhancing breathing in patients suffering from chronic pulmonary obstructive disease are described. The methods and apparatus rely on increasing flow resistance to expiration in a manner which mimics “pursed lip” breathing which has been found to benefit patients suffering from this disease. In a first example, a device is implanted in a trachea or bronchial passage to increase flow resistance, preferably selectively increase resistance to expiration relative to inspiration. In a second embodiment, a mouthpiece is provided, again to increase resistance to expiration, preferably with a lesser increase in flow resistance to inspiration. In a third embodiment, the patient's trachea or bronchial passage is modified by the application of energy in order to partially close the lumen therethrough.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating urological disorders are provided. In the subject methods, an effective amount of a neurotoxin is intravesically delivered into the bladder lumen of a patient in need thereof. Also provided are compositions, e.g., pharmaceutical preparations and kits, for practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-layered and multifunctional cathode in solid oxide fuel cells having high conductivity, high catalytic activity, minimized coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch, excellent compatibility to other portions of the fuel cell, and reduced temperature operation. The cathode comprises a conductive layer, a catalyst layer and a graded composition layer. The conductive layer has a first density, the catalyst layer has a second density that is less than the first density, and the graded composition layer is characterized by a graded electronic conductivity and a graded ionic conductivity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to increase fuel cell reliability and maintainability is disclosed. The apparatus includes a recuperating loop consisting of a spiral tube that surrounds a stack or a combination of several stacks. If the fuel cell stacks are externally manifolded, the recuperating loop may also surround the external manifold. The spent hot gases from the stack directly flows over the recuperating loop to transfer heat to a coolant flowing through the loop providing heat exchange by convection and radiation. The spent hot gases may be manifolded and may not flow over the recuperating loop. In this case, the heat exchange is by radiation between the hot fuel cell stack(s) and the recuperating loop.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell comprises an anode, a cathode opposite to the anode, and an electrolyte between the anode and cathode. The electrolyte includes a barrier layer that prevents chemical interactions between the electrolyte and the anode, in addition to preventing elemental losses from the electrolyte. The electrolyte further includes a strengthening layer having alternating layer elements that provide fracture resistance to the electrolyte.

Abstract: A compact integrated solid oxide fuel cell power system includes a fuel cell stack, two stages of heat exchange, and a thermal enclosure. The system includes a recuperator which exchanges heat between exhaust gas, heated by oxidizing unspent gases from the fuel cell stack in a combustion chamber, and incoming oxidant to pre-heat the oxidant. The solid oxide fuel cell stack has an internal manifold which exchanges heat between incoming fuel and the preheated oxidant. System components are enclosed by thermal insulation. The system may also include a catalytic partial oxidation reformer to pre-heat the fuel during start up. The system can also include an air compressor, fuel storage tank, and pressure relief valve, providing a portable power system. The air compressor can be used to pressurize the incoming oxidant to the SOFC stack, and to pressurize the fuel storage tank using the pressure relief valve as a pressure regulator.

Abstract: Surgical devices and methods for their use in manipulating internal body objects are provided. The subject devices have proximal and distal ends separated by an elongate member. Located at the distal end is at least one articulated member, and usually two or more articulated members. A manual means for actuating the one or more distal articulated members is located at the proximal end of the device. The elongate member may be flexible or rigid. The subject devices find use in a variety of applications, and are particularly suited for use in applications in which it is desired to manipulate an internal body object from a location external to the body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-layered and multifunctional cathode in solid oxide fuel cells having high conductivity, high catalytic activity, minimized coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch, excellent compatibility to other portions of the fuel cell, and reduced temperature operation. The cathode comprises a conductive layer, a catalyst layer and a graded composition layer. The conductive layer has a first density, the catalyst layer has a second density that is less than the first density, and the graded composition layer is characterized by a graded electronic conductivity and a graded ionic conductivity.

Abstract: Surgical devices and methods for their use in manipulating internal body objects are provided. The subject devices have proximal and distal ends separated by an elongate member. Located at the distal end is at least one articulated member, and usually two or more articulated members. A manual means for actuating the one or more distal articulated members is located at the proximal end of the device. The elongate member may be flexible or rigid. The subject devices find use in a variety of applications, and are particularly suited for use in applications in which it is desired to manipulate an internal body object from a location external to the body.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and kits for enhancing breathing in patients suffering from chronic pulmonary obstructive disease are described. The methods and apparatus rely on increasing flow resistance to expiration in a manner which mimics “pursed lip” breathing which has been found to benefit patients suffering from this disease. In a first example, a device is implanted in a trachea or bronchial passage to increase flow resistance, preferably selectively increase resistance to expiration relative to inspiration. In a second embodiment, a mouthpiece is provided, again to increase resistance to expiration, preferably with a lesser increase in flow resistance to inspiration. In a third embodiment, the patient's trachea or bronchial passage is modified by the application of energy in order to partially close the lumen therethrough.

Abstract: A two-part catalyst comprising a dehydrogenation portion and an oxide-ion conducting portion. The dehydrogenation portion is a group VIII metal and the oxide-ion conducting portion is selected from a ceramic oxide crystallizing in the fluorite or perovskite structure. There is also disclosed a method of forming a hydrogen rich gas from a source of hydrocarbon fuel in which the hydrocarbon fuel contacts a two-part catalyst comprising a dehydrogenation portion and an oxide-ion conducting portion at a temperature not less than about 400.degree. C. for a time sufficient to generate the hydrogen rich gas while maintaining CO content less than about 5 volume percent. There is also disclosed a method of forming partially oxidized hydrocarbons from ethanes in which ethane gas contacts a two-part catalyst comprising a dehydrogenation portion and an oxide-ion conducting portion for a time and at a temperature sufficient to form an oxide.