Abstract: A sanitizing device includes a sanitizing component for sanitizing a surface, liquid, gas, and/or associated surrounding environment. The sanitizing component may be an electrochemical cell having an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte component, that works in cooperation with a power source and a precursor material. The electrochemical cell, power source and precursor material may be supported by a housing. Upon application of potential across the electrodes of the electrochemical cell, a sanitizer is formed from the precursor material. The housing contains an outlet for releasing the sanitizer.

Abstract: A method is provided for synthesizing synthesis gas from carbon dioxide obtained from atmospheric air or other available carbon dioxide source and water using a sodium-conducting electrochemical cell. Synthesis gas is also produced by the coelectrolysis of carbon dioxide and steam in a solid oxide fuel cell or solid oxide electrolytic cell. The synthesis gas produced may then be further processed and eventually converted into a liquid fuel suitable for transportation or other applications.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes of making solutions of alkali alkoxides in their corresponding alcohols using an electrolytic process. In one embodiment, sodium methoxide in methanol is made from methanol and aqueous sodium hydroxide solution, where the aqueous sodium hydroxide solution is present in the anolyte compartment and a solution of sodium methoxide in methanol is present in the catholyte compartment, the two compartments are separated by a ceramic membrane that selectively transports sodium ions under the influence of an electric potential, and wherein the composition of the solution of sodium methoxide in methanol in the catholyte compartment of the electrolytic cell comprises between at least about 2% by weight sodium methoxide and at most about 20% by weight sodium methoxide.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes of making solutions of metal alcoholates in their corresponding alcohols using an electrolytic process. In one embodiment, sodium methylate in methanol is made from methanol and sodium hydroxide solution. The sodium hydroxide solution is placed in the anolyte compartment and the methanol is placed in the catholyte compartment, and the two compartments are separated by a ceramic membrane that selectively transports sodium under the influence of current. In preferred embodiments, the process is cost-effective and not environmentally harmful.

Abstract: A solid electrolyte thermoelectrochemical system which employs a non-porous solid electrolyte as membrane between an anode compartment and a cathode compartment. The system utilizes the principles of a concentration cell using a non-porous inorganic solid electrolyte membrane and ionic solutions of differing concentration.

Abstract: An improved gas diffusion electrode composed of a perovskite-type oxide dispersed in a mixture of carbon black and a hydrophobic binder polymer. An improved catalyst for use in the electrochemical reduction of oxygen comprising a perovskite-type compound having alpha and beta sites, and having a greater molar ratio of cations at the beta site. A particularly good reduction catalyst is a neodymium calcium manganite. An improved method of dispersing the catalysts with carbon in a reaction layer of the electrode improves performance of the electrode and the oxygen reduction process. This is provided by adding carbon black to an aqueous solution of metal salts before it is heated to a gel and then to a char and then calcined. Optionally, a quantity of the desired oxide catalyst can be premixed with a portion the carbon before adding the carbon to an aqueous solution of the metal salts to be heated.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes of making solutions of metal alcoholates in their corresponding alcohols using an electrolytic process. In a preferred embodiment, sodium methylate in methanol is made from methanol and sodium hydroxide solution. The sodium hydroxide solution is placed in the anolyte compartment and the methanol is placed in the catholyte compartment, and the two compartments are separated by a ceramic membrane that selectively transports sodium under the influence of current. In preferred embodiments, the process is cost-effective and not environmentally harmful.

Abstract: A process for producing ceramic, or ceramic composite, components having microfeatures by creating a chemical reaction in a castable slurry to bond nano-sized or submicron-sized ceramic powders. The bonding process that gives coherency and strength to the material creates a reaction product or gel-phase resulting from a chemical reaction between the ceramic powder and a reagent, such as an acid, alkali, or inorganic salt solution, that binds the ceramic powder. This gel-phase can be de-hydrated, cured, or crystallized by a higher-temperature firing step, but at a temperature lower than the temperature range at which sintering starts to occur in the ceramic (typically lower than 1,000°C.