Abstract: The use of fuel cells to produce electricity are known as an environmentally clean and reliable source of energy, and show promise as an automotive power source if the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell can be made less expensive, more durable, reduce or eliminate humidification of the reactive gases, and operate at temperatures encountered during automotive operating conditions. The use of an electro-catalyst formed from heteropoly acids immobilized by a conductive material, such as carbon or platinum black, and stabilizing a metallic black with the immobilized conductive material addressed these automotive fuel cell needs. Coating the fuel cell electrode, polymer electrolyte assembly with a nano-particle catalyst derived from a heteropoly acid provided anodic carbon monoxide tolerance at anodic overpotentials and an active cathodic oxygen reduction. The heteropoly acids can also function as supercapacitor electrode films.

Abstract: The use of fuel cells to produce electricity are known as an environmentally clean and reliable source of energy, and show promise as an automotive power source if the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell can be made less expensive, more durable, reduce or eliminate humidification of the reactive gases, and operate at temperatures encountered during automotive operating conditions. The use of an electro-catalyst formed from heteropoly acids immobilized by a conductive material, such as carbon or platinum black, and stabilizing a metallic black with the immobilized conductive material addressed these automotive fuel cell needs. Coating the fuel cell electrode, polymer electrolyte assembly with a nano-particle catalyst derived from a heteropoly acid provided anodic carbon monoxide tolerance at anodic overpotentials and an active cathodic oxygen reduction. The heteropoly acids can also function as supercapacitor electrode films.

Abstract: The use of fuel cells to produce electricity are known as an environmentally clean and reliable source of energy, and show promise as an automotive power source if the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell can be made less expensive, more durable, reduce or eliminate humidification of the reactive gases, and operate at temperatures encountered during automotive operating conditions. The use of an electro-catalyst formed from heteropoly acids immobilized by a conductive material, such as carbon or platinum black, and stabilizing a metallic black with the immobilized conductive material addressed these automotive fuel cell needs. Coating the fuel cell electrode, polymer electrolyte assembly with a nano-particle catalyst derived from a heteropoly acid provided anodic carbon monoxide tolerance at anodic overpotentials and an active cathodic oxygen reduction. The heteropoly acids can also function as supercapacitor electrode films.

Abstract: Mattress assemblies that provide user comfort via independent suspension and increased airflow generally include a first foam layer; a second foam layer configured with an independent response system overlaying the first foam layer, wherein the second foam layer comprises a floor and a plurality of spaced apart support structures extending at about similar lengths from the floor; and a third foam layer overlaying the second foam layer having a planar top surface facing a user resting on the mattress assembly. In some embodiments, the first foam layer further includes a plurality of channels extending from a top planar surface to a bottom planar surface.

Abstract: Mattress assemblies that provide user comfort and increased airflow generally include multilayered foams having open celled structures. Viscoelastic foams can be utilized having intact windows between adjacent cells of less than 50 percent.

Abstract: The support characteristics within a foam mattress body may be varied by inserting reinforcements into channels cut or otherwise formed within the foam.

Abstract: An improved extendable tailgate for a vehicle with a cargo bed has an upright position and a horizontal position. With the tailgate in the upright position there is a hinged lower edge and an upper edge. The tailgate has a tailgate frame that has a substantially rectangular shape, a width and a height similar to a factory supplied tailgate. There is at least one hollow vertical member extending from the lower edge to the upper edge of the tailgate frame, and an extendable portion approximately the width and the height of the tailgate frame that has at least one vertical member that telescopes from within the hollow vertical member between a retracted position and an extended position. With the extendable tailgate in the extended position, the extendable portion essentially doubles the height of the tailgate.

Abstract: An improved extendable tailgate for a vehicle with a cargo bed has an upright position and a horizontal position. With the tailgate in the upright position there is a hinged lower edge and an upper edge. The tailgate has a tailgate frame that has a substantially rectangular shape, a width and a height similar to a factory supplied tailgate. There is at least one hollow vertical member extending from the lower edge to the upper edge of the tailgate frame, and an extendable portion approximately the width and the height of the tailgate frame that has at least one vertical member that telescopes from within the hollow vertical member between a retracted position and an extended position. With the extendable tailgate in the extended position, the extendable portion essentially doubles the height of the tailgate.

Abstract: The use of fuel cells to produce electricity are known as an environmentally clean and reliable source of energy, and show promise as an automotive power source if the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell can be made less expensive, more durable, reduce or eliminate humidification of the reactive gases, and operate at temperatures encountered during automotive operating conditions. The use of an electro-catalyst formed from heteropoly acids immobilized by a conductive material, such as carbon or platinum black, and stabilizing a metallic black with the immobilized conductive material addressed these automotive fuel cell needs. Coating the fuel cell electrode, polymer electrolyte assembly with a nano-particle catalyst derived from a heteropoly acid provided anodic carbon monoxide tolerance at anodic overpotentials and an active cathodic oxygen reduction. The heteropoly acids can also function as supercapacitor electrode films.

Abstract: A system and a method for retrieving geographic information stored in geodetic coordinates based on one or more input positions based on nongeodetic coordinates includes a programmable processor in combination with a previously loaded database defined in geodetic coordinates. The processor is coupled to a display device and converts the received query position or positions into geodetic coordinates which are then used to retrieve associated geographic or structural information from the database for display.

Abstract: An interior or courtesy light for a motor vehicle which provides general diffused light for the passenger compartment and which also provides directed concentrated light in selected areas of the passenger compartment. The lamp includes a fluorescent bulb defining a linear series of light sources and a plurality of louvers positioned beneath the bulb and selectively positioned to deliver concentrated light to selected areas of the passenger compartment. In a first embodiment, the louvers are fixed and are arranged in a first series directing light to the front passenger area and a second series directing light to the driver's area. In a second embodiment, the louvers are movable and may be selectively positioned by an occupant to provide directed concentrated light to a selected area of the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A stainless steel defender shield is permanently fixed to the shift bowl of the steering column of an automobile. When assembled on a steering column the defender shield moves with the shift bowl when the gear shift is moved. A lock assembly with deadbolt is provided on the defender shield with this deadbolt mounted for radial movement with respect to the shield. The lock is positioned such that when the car is in the park position the deadbolt enters the gate of the shift device at a position such that the gear lever cannot be moved out of the park position.