Abstract: A system for monitoring a liquid level in a reservoir can include another reservoir and a liquid level monitoring apparatus, the apparatus including two float devices, with each of the float devices measuring the liquid level relative to a respective one of the reservoirs. Another liquid level monitoring apparatus can include two laterally spaced apart elongated float guides, two float devices at least partially reciprocably disposed relative to the respective float guides, and an alignment structure that maintains lateral separation and longitudinal alignment of the float guides. A monitoring method can include positioning one reservoir in another reservoir, and partially immersing a liquid level monitoring apparatus in both of the reservoirs, the apparatus including two float devices, each of the float devices thereby measuring a level of the liquid in a respective one of the reservoirs.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a liquid level in a reservoir can include another reservoir and a liquid level monitoring apparatus, the apparatus including two float devices, with each of the float devices measuring the liquid level relative to a respective one of the reservoirs. Another liquid level monitoring apparatus can include two laterally spaced apart elongated float guides, two float devices at least partially reciprocably disposed relative to the respective float guides, and an alignment structure that maintains lateral separation and longitudinal alignment of the float guides. A monitoring method can include positioning one reservoir in another reservoir, and partially immersing a liquid level monitoring apparatus in both of the reservoirs, the apparatus including two float devices, each of the float devices thereby measuring a level of the liquid in a respective one of the reservoirs.

Abstract: Electrolyte suitable for use in a lithium ion cell or battery. According to one embodiment, the electrolyte includes a fluorinated lithium ion salt and a solvent system that solvates lithium ions and that yields a high dielectric constant, a low viscosity and a high flashpoint. In one embodiment, the solvent system includes a mixture of an aprotic lithium ion solvating solvent and an aprotic fluorinated solvent.

Abstract: A composite thermal switch material suitable for use in controlling short circuits in lithium ion batteries. The switch material comprises a substantially homogeneous matrix of metallic nanoparticles and non-electrically conductive polymeric nanoparticles, the non-electrically conductive polymeric nanoparticles being fused to one another and having a greater thermal expansion coefficient than the metallic nanoparticles, the metallic nanoparticles and the non-electrically conductive polymeric nanoparticles being present in said substantially homogeneous matrix in relative proportions such that the composite thermal switch material is electrically conductive below a switching temperature and is substantially non-electrically conductive at or above the switching temperature.

Abstract: A gas diffusion electrode and method of making the same. According to one embodiment, the electrode comprises a support layer, a first cushioning layer positioned on top of the support layer, a second cushioning layer positioned on top of the first cushioning layer, and a catalyst layer positioned on top of the second cushioning layer. The support layer is a mechanically stable, electrically-conductive, gas porous substrate, such as carbon fiber paper. The first cushioning layer, which is also gas porous, comprises a non-woven mat of electrically-conductive, chemically-inert fibers, preferably carbon nanofibers, bound together with a polymeric binder, such as polytetrafluoroethylene. The second cushioning layer is similar to the first cushioning layer, except that carbon black or a similar electrically-conductive, chemically-inert particulate material is included in addition to or instead of the fibrous material for the purpose of fine-tuning pore size.

Abstract: Metal-oxide gas sensor. According to one embodiment, the sensor includes a layer or pellet of tungsten trioxide (WO3) substituted with one or more added metals. Preferably, the added metals are substituted in a concentration between about 0.005 and 10%, have an oxidation state less than +6, and possess a similar ionic radius to W6+. The substituted metal oxides are preferably formed as nanoparticles and sintered into a dense structure or coating possessing a surface-depletion layer sensitive to the surface adsorption of gas molecules and whose resistance changes in a predictable manner with gas adsorption. The extent of resistance change, rate of change and rate of desorption can be different for different gases, depending on the gas molecule's polarizability, dipole moments and electron configuration. The sensor can be used in a wide range of temperatures and corrosive conditions because of the intrinsic stability of the substituted metal oxides.

Abstract: Electrolyte suitable for use in a lithium ion cell or battery. According to one embodiment, the electrolyte includes a fluorinated lithium ion salt and a solvent system that solvates lithium ions and that yields a high dielectric constant, a low viscosity and a high flashpoint. In one embodiment, the solvent system includes a mixture of an aprotic lithium ion solvating solvent and an aprotic fluorinated solvent.

Abstract: A composite proton exchange membrane and method of manufacturing the same. The composite proton exchange membrane comprises a proton exchange membrane which has been modified by replacing membrane protons in desired areas of the membrane with a cationic polymer. The cationic polymer is preferably formed by introducing a quaternary salt monomer into the membrane and then effecting the polymerization of the monomer. The modified areas of the proton exchange membrane exhibit increased strength, reduced water and gas permeability, reduced proton conductivity and reduced acidity. Accordingly, by modifying the periphery of the membrane, one can obtain an integral sealing edge for the membrane, and by modifying certain interior regions of the membrane, one can divide the membrane into a plurality of sealed segments.

Abstract: A composite proton exchange membrane and method of manufacturing the same. The composite proton exchange membrane comprises a proton exchange membrane which has been modified by replacing membrane protons in desired areas of the membrane with a cationic polymer. The cationic polymer is preferably formed by introducing a quaternary salt monomer into the membrane and then effecting the polymerization of the monomer. The modified areas of the proton exchange membrane exhibit increased strength, reduced water and gas permeability, reduced proton conductivity and reduced acidity. Accordingly, by modifying the periphery of the membrane, one can obtain an integral sealing edge for the membrane, and by modifying certain interior regions of the membrane, one can divide the membrane into a plurality of sealed segments.

Abstract: A composite proton exchange membrane and method of manufacturing the same. The composite proton exchange membrane comprises a proton exchange membrane which has been modified by replacing membrane protons in desired areas of the membrane with a cationic polymer. The cationic polymer is preferably formed by introducing a quaternary salt monomer into the membrane and then effecting the polymerization of the monomer. The modified areas of the proton exchange membrane exhibit increased strength, reduced water and gas permeability, reduced proton conductivity and reduced acidity. Accordingly, by modifying the periphery of the membrane, one can obtain an integral sealing edge for the membrane, and by modifying certain interior regions of the membrane, one can divide the membrane into a plurality of sealed segments.

Abstract: A portable bait tank for keeping fish and fish bait alive includes a circular storage chamber surrounding an aerator. The height of the aerator is less than the height of the storage chamber and the operating level of the water in the storage chamber is above the top of the aerator so water flows over the top of the aerator and is aerated as it cascades to the bottom of the aerator. A pump in the bottom of the aerator returns the aerated water to the storage chamber tangentially to induce and maintain a circular path for the flow of freshly aerated water in the storage chamber to provide maximum oxygen to the fish.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell of the liquid cathode type has an anode made of non-solution alloy of lithium and a companion metal of manganese, silicon, molybdenum, or tungsten.

Abstract: A material is provided which has a positive thermal coefficient of resistance. The material is made of nickel particles sintered in a plastic matrix. The material is suitable in internal elements of electrochemical cells.

Abstract: A primary electrochemical cell having an oxidizable active anode material, a cathode current collector, and an electrolytic solution comprising a liquid cathode material and an electrolyte solute dissolved therein. The cathode current collector includes a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyenes, polyphenylenes, polyheterocyclics, mixtures thereof, copolymers thereof, and cross linked polymers thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting granular materials is disclosed comprising a first conduit having an inlet for introducing the granular material, and transport pump for transporting the material through the first conduit. A nozzle provides a compressible fluid at a relatively high pressure for disaggregating the granular material within the first conduit, the material then proceeds from the first conduit into a second conduit. A relatively low pressure and high volume compressible fluid is supplied to the material to propel the material through the second conduit. There is also provided an adjustment means for changing the position of the nozzle within the first conduit. By adjusting the position of the nozzle, the apparatus can maintain disaggregation when the physical or chemical properties of the granular material are changed thereby preventing clogging of the apparatus due to insufficient disaggregation.

Abstract: A primary electrochemical cell operative to provide a warning indication toward the end of discharge of the cell signalling an approaching end-of-life of the cell. The cell includes a tubular porous carbon cathode structure disposed within a metal housing of the cell together with an anode structure and an electrolytic solution.The anode structure includes first and second electrochemically active elements, for example, lithium and calcium, having different oxidation potentials within the cell and consumable by electrochemical action within the cell during discharge of the cell. The consumption of the active elements during discharge of the cell results in the establishment of different and distinguishable operating voltages for the cell. The active elements are arranged with respect to each other such that the active element of higher oxidation potential (i.e., the lithium) is consumed prior to the other active element (i.e., the calcium).

Abstract: A method for treating carbon-containing cathodes of a primary electrochemical cell for the purpose of reducing the gas pressure in the cell during open circuit and during discharge of the cell. The method of the invention includes purging the carbon-containing cathodes of the cell with sulfur dioxide or thionyl chloride gas to displace water and insoluble gases (oxygen and nitrogen, and argon or helium) entrapped within the carbon of the carbon-containing cathodes. The purge gas is soluble in an electrolytic solution including liquid thionyl chloride as is employed to activate the cell for use in discharge.