Abstract: Improved solid acid electrolyte materials, methods of synthesizing such materials, and electrochemical devices incorporating such materials are provided. The stable electrolyte material comprises a solid acid capable undergoing rotational disorder of oxyanion groups and capable of extended operation at elevated temperatures, that is, solid acids having hydrogen bonded anion groups; a superprotonic, trigonal, tetragonal, or cubic, disordered phase; and capable of being operating at temperatures of ˜100° C. and higher.

Abstract: A solid acid material is used as a proton conducting membrane in an electrochemical device. The solid acid material can be one of a plurality of different kinds of materials. A binder can be added, and that binder can be either a nonconducting or a conducting binder. Nonconducting binders can be, for example, a polymer or a glass. A conducting binder enables the device to be both proton conducting and electron conducting.

Abstract: A liquid organic, fuel cell is provided which employs a solid electrolyte membrane. An organic fuel, such as a methanol/water mixture, is circulated past an anode of a cell while oxygen or air is circulated past a cathode of the cell. The cell solid electrolyte membrane is preferably fabricated from Nafion™. Additionally, a method for improving the performance of carbon electrode structures for use in organic fuel cells is provided wherein a high surface-area carbon particle/Teflon™-binder structure is immersed within a Nafion™/methanol bath to impregnate the electrode with Nafion™. A method for fabricating an anode for use in a organic fuel cell is described wherein metal alloys are deposited onto the electrode in an electro-deposition solution containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid. A fuel additive containing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid for use with fuel cells employing a sulfuric acid electrolyte is also disclosed.

Abstract: Improvements to non-acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.

Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.

Abstract: Composite polymer electrolytes for use in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cells are disclosed. The electrolytes comprise sulfonated-organosilica hybrid electrolyte materials formed into a membrane. The sulfonated-organosilica hybrid electrolyte materials may be formed into a membrane by combining them in solution with Nafion® and solution casting the solution slurry to form a membrane. Alternatively, the sulfonated-organosilica hybrid electrolyte materials may be formed into a membrane by mixing them with an appropriate binder and applying the mixture to a suitable substrate. Also, the sulfonated-organosilica hybrid electrolyte materials may be formed into a membrane by sheer calendaring a co-precipitate of the sulfonated-organosilica hybrid electrolyte materials and Teflon®.

Abstract: Coating materials for coating the electrodes of a fuel cell are disclosed. In one embodiment, the coating materials comprise perfluoroalkanesulfonic acids having the general formula F3C—(CF2)n—SO3H, wherein n ranges from 8 to 17. In another embodiment, the coating materials comprise perfluoroalkanesulfonimides having the general formula CnF2n+1SO2NHO2SF2m+1Cm, wherein the sum of m and n ranges from 8 to 17. These long chain sulfonic acids and imides impart improved electrode performance and decrease polarization.

Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.

Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.

Abstract: An improved direct liquid-feed fuel cell having a solid membrane electrolyte for electrochemical reactions of an organic fuel. Improvements in interfacing of the catalyst layer and the membrane and activating catalyst materials are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved direct liquid-feed fuel cell having a solid membrane electrolyte for electrochemical reactions of an organic fuel. Improvements in interfacing of the catalyst layer and the membrane and activating catalyst materials are disclosed.