Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fuel cell stack is provided. The method provides forming an inspectable preassembly of multiple fuel cell assemblies that may be termed a pseudostack. Each fuel cell in the pseudostack has permanent electrical interconnections and sealing connections on only one of the two electrodes, namely an anode layer or a cathode layer. For example, an anode interconnect may be firmly attached to the anode layer by means of a bonding agent and a sealing agent used to seal passages on the anode layer of the fuel cell. Alternatively, seals and permanent electrical connections may be made on the cathode layer of the fuel cell, and not on the anode layer.

Abstract: A cathode composition and a rechargeable electrochemical cell comprising same are disclosed. The cathode composition is described as comprising (i) particles including a transition metal selected from the group consisting of Ni, Fe, Cr, Mn, Co, V, and combinations thereof; (ii) alkali halometallate; (iii) alkali halide; (iv) source of Zn; and (v) source of chalcogenide. Also described is a rechargeable electrochemical cell comprising the composition. The source of Zn and source of chalcogenide in the cathode composition of a cell may be effective to improve the extractable capacity of cells, and decrease the cell resistance, relative to their absence.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a cathode composition is provided that includes at least one transition metal or a transition metal salt, wherein the transition metal is at least one selected from the group consisting of nickel, iron, cobalt, chromium, manganese, molybdenum, and antimony; an alkali metal halide; a salt comprising an alkali metal halide and a metal halide; and a metal polysulfide compound MSn wherein M is a metal and n is an integer equal to or greater than 2. The salt comprising an alkali metal halide and a metal halide has a melting point of less than about 300° C. An energy storage device comprising the electrode composition is also provided.

Abstract: A cathode composition and a rechargeable electrochemical cell comprising same are disclosed. The cathode composition is described as comprising particles of one or more transition metal, alkali halometallate having a melting point of less than about 300 degrees Celsius, and at least one phosphorus composition additive selected from P-O compositions, P-halogen compositions, P-O-halogen compositions, and their reaction products and combinations. Also described is a rechargeable electrochemical cell comprising the composition. The phosphorus composition additive in the cathode composition of a cell is effective to lower the capacity degradation rate of the cell during operation relative to absence of the additive, and effective to lower the internal resistance of the cell when under operating conditions relative to absence of the additive.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fuel cell stack is provided. The method provides forming an inspectable preassembly of multiple fuel cell assemblies that may be termed a pseudostack. Each fuel cell in the pseudostack has permanent electrical interconnections and sealing connections on only one of the two electrodes, namely an anode layer or a cathode layer. For example, an anode interconnect may be firmly attached to the anode layer by means of a bonding agent and a sealing agent used to seal passages on the anode layer of the fuel cell. Alternatively, seals and permanent electrical connections may be made on the cathode layer of the fuel cell, and not on the anode layer.

Abstract: A method for making a proton-conducting membrane is described. The method includes the steps of combining a protonated, layered inorganic material with a proton-conducting organic polymer in a liquid medium; exfoliating the layered inorganic material, so that individual layers of the inorganic material are suspended in the liquid medium and spaced from each other; and the polymer is absorbed onto the surface of the individual layers. In this manner, a polymer-inorganic composite is formed. The liquid can then be removed, to recover the resulting membrane. Related electrolysis and fuel cell devices are also described, which incorporate the proton-conducting membrane.

Abstract: An article is provided. The article may include an electrochemical cell. The cell may include a molten electrolyte, and at least one molten electrode. The cell may include a structure for separating an anode from a cathode, while enabling ionic communication between the anode and cathode. An energy storage device comprising the article is also provided. Methods related to the article and the energy storage device may be provided.

Abstract: A device or system for operating one or more electrochemical cells, such as a rechargeable fuel cell, is provided. A plurality of subsystems include a humidity level control subsystem, a reagent gas delivery subsystem, and a gas scrubbing subsystem. A method for operating the device or system is also provided.

Abstract: A fuel cell apparatus is provided that includes an electrochemical energy conversion device comprising an anode and a cathode. The cathode receives an air gas stream flowing thereto. The apparatus further includes a humidity exchange component and a gas scrubber component. The humidity exchange component controls a humidity level in the gas stream flowing toward the cathode. The gas scrubber component includes an active material that reduces a carbon dioxide content level from the air gas stream. A method of using the apparatus is provided.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell comprises at least one hollow manifold, an anode, an electrolyte, and a cathode. The at least one hollow manifold comprises a wall that defines a chamber therein. A plurality of openings extending through, such that the plurality of openings are in flow communication with the chamber. The anode is formed on an exterior surface of the wall. The electrolyte is deposited on the anode, and the cathode is deposited on the electrolyte.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fabricating a high performance reflective material for use on scintillator elements in a computed tomograph (CT) imaging device. Adjacent scintillator elements are separated by gaps filled with a reflective coating layer. In one embodiment, the reflective coating layer consists of a surface level coating layer, an adhesion layer, a metallic reflective layer, and a top layer consisting of either a barrier coating layer or a polymeric encapsulant, or both. In another embodiment, the metallic reflective coating layer is applied to the scintillator element via an electroless metal deposition process utilizing a reducing agent and a metal complex. The CT reflectors formed by either embodiment have improved light output, minimized cross talk, higher geometric efficiency, and decreased performance degradation as compared with current CT reflectors that utilize organic binders and titanium dioxide fillers is achieved.

Abstract: A pixilated scintillator array for a radiation detector of an imaging system includes a plurality of scintillator pixels arranged side by side in an array. The scintillator pixels are separated from adjacent scintillator pixels by gaps. Each scintillator pixels includes a top surface, a plurality of side surfaces, and a first layer covering the top surface and the side surfaces of each scintillator pixel. The first layer is formed from a smoothing coating. A second layer formed from a reflective metal coating covers the first layer, and a third layer formed from a barrier coating covers the second layer.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell comprises at least one hollow manifold, an anode, an electrolyte, and a cathode. The at least one hollow manifold comprises a wall that defines a chamber therein. A plurality of openings extending through, such that the plurality of openings are in flow communication with the chamber. The anode is formed on an exterior surface of the wall. The electrolyte is deposited on the anode, and the cathode is deposited on the electrolyte.