Abstract: A method of and fuel cell system for limiting an amount of a fuel crossing over a membrane in a fuel cell, the method including determining an appropriate molecular ratio of the fuel and water for a fuel-water mixture 503; and controlling an amount of the fuel-water mixture that is available to an anode side of the membrane 507 in the fuel cell according to an amount of the fuel that will be electro-oxidized by the fuel cell. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell membrane 103 having an anode layer 107, a cathode layer 109, and an electrolyte layer 111 where the cathode layer is exposed to an oxygen source, and a fuel delivery system 105 including a fuel chamber 119 disposed around and proximate to the anode layer at a side opposite to the electrolyte layer, the fuel delivery system implementing the method above.

Abstract: A method of and fuel cell system for limiting an amount of a fuel crossing over a membrane in a fuel cell, the method including determining an appropriate molecular ratio of the fuel and water for a fuel-water mixture 503; and controlling an amount of the fuel-water mixture that is available to an anode side of the membrane 507 in the fuel cell according to an amount of the fuel that will be electro-oxidized by the fuel cell. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell membrane 103 having an anode layer 107, a cathode layer 109, and an electrolyte layer 111 where the cathode layer is exposed to an oxygen source, and a fuel delivery system 105 including a fuel chamber 119 disposed around and proximate to the anode layer at a side opposite to the electrolyte layer, the fuel delivery system implementing the method above.

Abstract: A gas pressure regulator (100) includes a mechanical primary stage (102), preferably including a spring valve, and an electronic secondary stage (104), preferably including a micromachined pressure regulator, the combination of the mechanical primary stage and the electronic secondary stage suitable for relatively precise low pressure near zero flow rates with reasonable energy consumption rates, such as encountered when supplying fuel to a low power fuel cell system.

Abstract: A fuel cell power source (100) for use in electronic systems includes a fuel cell system (130) and a controller (150). The controller (150) computes net power requirements of a load device from one or more power functional information sources; and determines an operating point of the fuel cell system (130) by matching the net power requirements with the power characteristics of the fuel cell system (130).

Abstract: A method for humidifying a fuel stream for a direct methanol fuel cell. An ultrasonic transducer (122) is used to create a vapor of methanol without heating. Water is also vaporized with an ultrasonic transducer (132) to create a vapor of water without heating. The water vapor and the methanol vapor are combined (240) in a certain ratio to form a humidified fuel vapor which is presented to an anode (112) of the direct methanol fuel cell (110). The ratio of water to methanol can be adjusted automatically by a sensor (180) that monitors the current drawn by the load (170) on the fuel cell.

Abstract: A housing (12) for use in a portable electronic device (10) includes an outer visible surface (14). The outer visible surface (14) is composed of an appearance changing substance responsive to an environmental stimulus.

Abstract: An electronic device (100) is provided with a plurality of activatable indicia (112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 1102) that are located proximate keys buttons (108, 109, 110) that are used to control the communication device (100). The activatable indicia (112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 1102) are activated in order to identify to a user one or more of the buttons (108, 109 110) to be pressed in order to in the course of entering a command, or to indicate to the user to reorient an antenna of the electronic device in order to improve signal strength.

Abstract: A compound curved shaped housing part (104) includes integrated activatable electrochromic indicia (114, 116, 118, 120). The indicia are formed by coating an internal surface (302) of a transparent plastic shell (402) with a sequence of layers including: optionally a separate transparent conductor (408), an electrochromic material layer (410), an electrolyte layer (412), optionally a separate ion donor layer (414), optionally an insulator layer 418 and a second conductive layer. Laser etching is used to provide access to the transparent conductor layer. The insulator layer is patterned to provide access for electrodes to underlying layers. Laser etching is used to pattern the second conductive layer to define interconnected electrodes (322-332), traces (314-318), and electrical contacts (304-312).

Abstract: Carbon nanostructures (21) are surface modified by adding pendant alcohol groups (25) capable of chemical reaction. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (23) is disposed on the surface of the carbon such that it renders the carbon nanostructure capable of forming a substantially uniform stable dispersion in water.

Abstract: Wireless communication devices (102, 104, 106, 108, 110) include multi-state visual indicating devices (114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 126, 128) that are operable to alert users that wireless communication links or connections have been established between two or more devices. Upon establishing a connection, the wireless devices share indicia activation information (e.g., color or timing sequence information) and the multi-state visual indicating devices in the devices operate according to the indicia activation information to apprise users that the connection has been established. Activatable indicia (216, 214, 216, 218) that are preferably integral with the wireless device housings inform the device users as to the state of communication.

Abstract: A method for humidifying a fuel stream for a direct methanol fuel cell. An ultrasonic transducer (122) is used to create a vapor of methanol without heating. Water is also vaporized with an ultrasonic transducer (132) to create a vapor of water without heating. The water vapor and the methanol vapor are combined (240) in a certain ratio to form a humidified fuel vapor which is presented to an anode (112) of the direct methanol fuel cell (110). The ratio of water to methanol can be adjusted automatically by a sensor (180) that monitors the current drawn by the load (170) on the fuel cell.

Abstract: An improved hydrogen storage medium in the form of a fabric (124, 504, 704) comprises a yarn (300, 400) that includes carbon nanofibers or carbon nanotubes (302, 404) and elastomeric fibers (304, 402). The fabric (124, 504, 704) is volume efficient arrangement of the he carbon nanofibers or carbon nanotubes (302, 404) and is consequently characterized as a high density energy storage medium. According a preferred embodiment an hydrogen storage device (100) comprises a flexible container (104) that includes the fabric (124). The flexibility of the container (104) in combination with the flexibility of the fabric (124) allows the hydrogen storage device 100 to be accommodate in irregularly shaped spaces. According to an embodiment of the invention a battery (700) that uses the fabric (704) as a hydrogen storing anode is provided.

Abstract: A method of and fuel cell system for limiting an amount of a fuel crossing over a membrane in a fuel cell, the method including determining an appropriate molecular ratio of the fuel and water for a fuel-water mixture 503; and controlling an amount of the fuel-water mixture that is available to an anode side of the membrane 507 in the fuel cell according to an amount of the fuel that will be electro-oxidized by the fuel cell. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell membrane 103 having an anode layer 107, a cathode layer 109, and an electrolyte layer 111 where the cathode layer is exposed to an oxygen source, and a fuel delivery system 105 including a fuel chamber 119 disposed around and proximate to the anode layer at a side opposite to the electrolyte layer, the fuel delivery system implementing the method above.

Abstract: A gas pressure regulator (100) includes a mechanical primary stage (102), preferably including a spring valve, and an electronic secondary stage (104), preferably including a micromachined pressure regulator, the combination of the mechanical primary stage and the electronic secondary stage suitable for relatively precise low pressure near zero flow rates with reasonable energy consumption rates, such as encountered when supplying fuel to a low power fuel cell system.

Abstract: An electronic device (100) is provided with a plurality of activatable indicia (112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 1102) that are located proximate keys buttons (108, 109, 110) that are used to control the communication device (100). The activatable indicia (112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 1102) are activated in order to identify to a user one or more of the buttons (108, 109 110) to be pressed in order to in the course of entering a command, or to indicate to the user to reorient an antenna of the electronic device in order to improve signal strength.

Abstract: A device housing (20) for a portable electronic device (10) includes an outer visible surface (30). At least one portion (35) of the outer visible surface (30) is composed of one or more optical fibers (40). The one or more optical fibers (40) are illuminated using a light source coupled to at least one end of the one or more optical fibers (40) to provide decorative characteristics and operational functions.

Abstract: A fuel cell power source (100) for use in electronic systems includes a fuel cell system (130) and a control means (150). The control means (150) computes net power requirements of a load device from one or more power functional information sources; and determines an operating point of the fuel cell system (130) by matching the net power requirements with the power characteristics of the fuel cell system (130).

Abstract: A housing (12) for use in a portable electronic device (10) includes an outer visible surface (14). The outer visible surface (14) is composed of an appearance changing substance responsive to an environmental stimulus.