Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid latex comprising polymeric particles having core-shell structure, wherein: (1) the comonomers of the core comprise: (a) monovinyl aromatic compounds, and (b) unsaturated carboxylic acid esters; (2) the comonomers of the shell comprise: (a) monovinyl aromatic compounds, and (b) conjugated dienes; wherein the glass transition temperature of the core is in the range of ?50° C. to 50° C., and the glass transition temperature of the shell is in the range of ?50° C. to 50° C. The invention also relates to the use of the hybrid latex in polymer waterproofing membrane and polymer modified mortars.

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 device includes a first electrode and a second electrode spaced from the first electrode to define a volume. An anion exchange membrane and a cation exchange membrane are disposed within the volume. A controller controls a supply of electrical current from an electrical source to the first electrode and to the second electrode. The electrical current supply is controlled to switch from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation providing electrical current having a reverse polarity during each cycle. The electrical current is supplied at a controlled cycle rate and for a controlled duration. The cycle rate is greater than about 100 hertz and less than about 10 kilohertz.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that relates to an electrochemical cell assembly. The apparatus is capable of controlling water loss from a fuel cell, at least in part by separating gas and liquid fluid flows. A variety of flow designs are provided that separate liquid electrolyte flow from reagent gas flow. Some flow designs may be suitable for one or more of fuel cells, rechargeable fuel cells, and batteries such as metal hydride batteries. Furthermore, some embodiments may include a single electrochemical cell, or plurality of cells arranged in parallel or in series. Some embodiments may also relate to methods of mitigating water loss from an electrochemical cell assembly.

Abstract: A copolymer is disclosed, having aminobenzoic or substituted aminobenzoic and comonomer repeating units. Methods of preparing the copolymer by polymerizing a reaction mixture comprising aminobenzoic acid in the presence of at least one strong acid and optionally at least one initiator are disclosed. Compositions and films comprising at least one such copolymer, composites comprising a film as described above overlaid by another coating, methods of coating a metal surface with such a composition or film, and methods of protecting a metallic surface comprising applying to the surface a film comprising an electroconductive copolymer as described above are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus including a housing having walls is provided. The walls of the housing each have inner surfaces and outer surfaces. The walls may include apertures extending from the inner surface to the outer surface. The inner surfaces of the walls define a volume. The volume includes an electrode. The volume further includes a water-controlling separator disposed between the inner surface of the housing and the electrode. The water-controlling separator can block a flow of liquid from the electrode through the apertures to the ambient environment while allowing oxidant to flow from the ambient environment through the apertures to the electrode.

Abstract: A device includes a first electrode and a second electrode spaced from the first electrode to define a volume. An anion exchange membrane and a cation exchange membrane are disposed within the volume. A controller controls a supply of electrical current from an electrical source to the first electrode and to the second electrode. The electrical current supply is controlled to switch from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation providing electrical current having a reverse polarity during each cycle. The electrical current is supplied at a controlled cycle rate and for a controlled duration. The cycle rate is greater than about 100 hertz and less than about 10 kilohertz.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling humidity in a fuel cell is provided. The apparatus can include a housing having an interior surface defining a volume and containing at least one fuel cell disposed within the volume. The apparatus may also include a plurality of electrodes disposed within the volume. The apparatus can include an aperture defined by the housing through which at least one air gas stream can be in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of electrodes. The apparatus can include a humidity-controlling component, wherein the humidity-controlling component is in fluid communication with the air gas stream prior to the air gas stream contacting the at least one of the plurality of electrodes, and humidity-controlling component being capable of controlling a relative humidity of the air gas stream. A method for controlling humidity in a fuel cell is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that relates to an electrochemical cell assembly. The apparatus is capable of controlling water loss from a fuel cell, at least in part by separating gas and liquid fluid flows. A variety of flow designs are provided that separate liquid electrolyte flow from reagent gas flow. Some flow designs may be suitable for one or more of fuel cells, rechargeable fuel cells, and batteries such as metal hydride batteries. Furthermore, some embodiments may include a single electrochemical cell, or plurality of cells arranged in parallel or in series. Some embodiments may also relate to methods of mitigating water loss from an electrochemical cell assembly.

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 supercapacitor desalination cell is provided. The cell includes electrodes formed of conducting materials that are configured to adsorb ions in a charging state of the cell and desorb the ions in a discharging state of the cell. The conducting materials comprise conducting composites. An insulating spacer is disposed between the two electrodes and is configured to electrically isolate one electrode from the other. Further, the cell includes a first current collector coupled to the first electrode, and a second current collector coupled to the second electrode. Further, an energy recovery converter may be operatively associated with the cell and configured to recover energy released by the cell while transforming from a charging state to a discharging state. The converter is configured to transfer at least a portion of the recovered energy to a grid in the discharging state of the cell.

Abstract: A corrosion detection apparatus is provided. The corrosion detection apparatus is capable of detecting corrosion on a surface of a pipe or a vessel where the surface contacts a fluid that is corrosive to the surface. The corrosion detection apparatus includes a corrodible element having a contact surface; at least two electrodes that are in electrical communication with each other through a segment of the corrodible element; and a detector in communication with the at least two electrodes. The detector detects a characteristic impedance value from the at least two electrodes through the corrodible element segment.

Abstract: An electrode for use in a fuel cell or a battery is provided. The electrode may include a porous main body that may include a metal hydride defining a pore volume effective for preventing water starvation in the fuel cell or battery. An associated method for making and/or using is provided.

Abstract: A galvanic cell structure is provided. The galvanic cell structure includes an outer cylinder featuring air inlets, a cathode, an anode, a membrane separating the cathode from the anode, and an inner cylinder featuring fluid inlets that may provide a volume for storing and/or transferring fluid for use in the galvanic cell.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided. The cell may include at least one anode; at least one cathode; and an electrolyte composition contacting the anode and the cathode. The electrolyte composition may include an alkali and a hydrophilic additive having one or more functional groups effective for bonding with water.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly may be provided that includes a first cathodic electrode and a second cathodic electrode; an anodic electrode positioned between the first cathodic electrode and the second cathodic electrode; a first membrane positioned between the first cathodic electrode and the anodic electrode; a second membrane positioned between the second cathodic electrode and the anodic electrode; and a seal ring for sealing the fuel cell assembly, the seal ring comprising a water-refilling mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus including a housing having walls is provided. The walls of the housing each have inner surfaces and outer surfaces. The walls may include apertures extending from the inner surface to the outer surface. The inner surfaces of the walls define a volume. The volume includes an electrode. The volume further includes a water-controlling separator disposed between the inner surface of the housing and the electrode. The water-controlling separator can block a flow of liquid from the electrode through the apertures to the ambient environment while allowing oxidant to flow from the ambient environment through the apertures to the electrode.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention relate to a membrane assembly for use in a galvanic cell, the membrane assembly comprising an anionic layer in contact with an electrolyte base, a cationic layer in contact with an electrolyte acid and an intermediate layer separating the anionic layer and cationic layer.

Abstract: A third electrode frame structure for use in a fuel cell or battery is provided. The third electrode frame structure may include a first electrode, a separator positioned on an outer perimeter of the first electrode, and a frame third electrode coupled to the separator. The separator may be positioned in a same plane between the first electrode and the third frame electrode.

Abstract: A galvanic cell with a closed structure is provided. The cell may include a galvanic cell unit having a metal hydride anode, separators positioned on opposite sides of the metal hydride anode, oxygen electrodes positioned adjacent to the separators on sides opposite to the metal hydride anode, insulator plates positioned in contact with the oxygen electrodes, an electrolyte in contact with any one or more of the metal hydride anode, oxygen electrodes, insulator plates, or separators, and a pressure vessel enclosing the galvanic cell unit.