Abstract: A fuel cell diffusion layer providing a preferential path by which liquid reactants or byproducts may be supplied to or removed from a direct oxidation fuel cell is described. The modified diffusion layer will be typically on the cathode side of the fuel cell and its use is to eliminate or minimize flooding of the cathode diffusion layer area, which is a performance limiting condition in direct methanol fuel cells. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the diffusion layer includes a substrate that is coated with a microporous layer. A pattern may be embossed into the diffusion layer, to create preferential flow paths by which water will travel and thereby be removed from the cathode catalyst area. This avoids cathode flooding and avoids build up of potentially destructive pressure by possible cathodic water accumulation.

Abstract: A sensor outputs a signal related to a concentration of methanol in an aqueous solution adjacent the sensor. A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is included with an anode side and a cathode side. An anode current collector supports the anode side of the MEA and has a flow channel therethrough for flowing a stream of the aqueous solution and forms a physical barrier to control access of the methanol to the anode side of the MEA. A cathode current collector supports the cathode side of the MEA and is configured for air access to the cathode side of the MEA. A current sensor is connected to measure the current in a short circuit across the sensor electrodes to provide an output signal functionally related to the concentration of methanol in the aqueous solution.

Abstract: An air breathing direct methanol fuel cell is provided with a membrane electrode assembly, a conductive anode assembly that is permeable to air and directly open to atmospheric air, and a conductive cathode assembly that is permeable to methanol and directly contacting a liquid methanol source. Water loss from the cell is minimized by making the conductive cathode assembly hydrophobic and the conductive anode assembly hydrophilic.

Abstract: A fuel cell which provides improved performance during a cold start. Several embodiments are provided to enable the controlled introduction of fuel into the cathode of the fuel cell such that oxidation occurs, heat is released and the temperature of the fuel cell is raised. Such fuel may be introduced into the cathode directly or may be introduced into the anode and allowed to crossover an electrolytic membrane. Alternatively, the fuel may be directed through a special conduit which allows oxidation of some of the fuel as it flows through.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for regulating methanol concentration in a direct methanol fuel cell system without the need for a methanol concentration sensor. One or more operating characteristics of the fuel cell, such as the potential across the load, open circuit potential, potential at the anode proximate to the end of the fuel flow path or short circuit current of the fuel cell, are used to actively control the methanol concentration.

Abstract: In accordance with the purposes of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention is directed to an electrode having a conducting polymer active material for use in an ultracapacitor. The conducting polymer active material is electropolymerized onto a carbon paper substrate from a mixed solution of a dimer of (3,3′ bithiophene) (BT) and a monomer that is selected from the group of thiophenes derived in the 3-position, having an aryl group attached to thiophene in the 3-position or having aryl and alkly groups independently attached to thiophene in the 3 and 4 positions.

Abstract: A sealed ultracapacitor assembly is formed with first and second electrodes of first and second conducting polymers electrodeposited on porous carbon paper substrates, where the first and second electrodes each define first and second exterior surfaces and first and second opposing surfaces. First and second current collector plates are bonded to the first and second exterior surfaces, respectively. A porous membrane separates the first and second opposing surfaces, with a liquid electrolyte impregnating the insulating membrane. A gasket formed of a thermoplastic material surrounds the first and second electrodes and seals between the first and second current collector plates for containing the liquid electrolyte.

Abstract: The fuel utilization of a direct methanol fuel cell is enhanced for improved cell efficiency. Distribution plates at the anode and cathode of the fuel cell are configured to distribute reactants vertically and laterally uniformly over a catalyzed membrane surface of the fuel cell. A conductive sheet between the anode distribution plate and the anodic membrane surface forms a mass transport barrier to the methanol fuel that is large relative to a mass transport barrier for a gaseous hydrogen fuel cell. In a preferred embodiment, the distribution plate is a perforated corrugated sheet. The mass transport barrier may be conveniently increased by increasing the thickness of an anode conductive sheet adjacent the membrane surface of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A new class of electrochemical capacitors provides in its charged state a positive electrode including an active material of a p-doped material and a negative electrode including an active material of an n-doped conducting polymer, where the p-doped and n-doped materials are separated by an electrolyte. In a preferred embodiment, the positive and negative electrode active materials are selected from conducting polymers consisting of polythiophene, polymers having an aryl group attached in the 3-position, polymers having aryl and alkyl groups independently attached in the 3- and 4-positions, and polymers synthesized from bridged dimers having polythiophene as the backbone. A preferred electrolyte is a tetraalykyl ammonium salt, such as tetramethylammonium trifluoromethane sulphonate (TMATFMS), that provides small ions that are mobile through the active material, is soluble in acetonitrile, and can be used in a variety of capacitor configurations.

Abstract: An electroplated element is formed to include an insulating substrate, a conducting polymer polymerized in situ on the substrate, and a metal layer deposited on the conducting polymer. In one application a circuit board is formed by polymerizing pyrrole on an epoxy-fiberglass substrate in a single step process and then electrodepositing a metal over the resulting polypyrrole polymer. No chemical deposition of the metal is required prior to electroplating and the resulting layer of substrate-polymer-metal has excellent adhesion characteristics. The metal deposition is surprisingly smooth and uniform over the relatively high resistance film of polypyrrole. A continuous manufacturing process is obtained by filtering the solution between successive substrates to remove polymer formed in the solution, by maintaining the solution oxidizing potential within selected limits, and by adding a strong oxidant, such as KMnO.sub.

Abstract: An enzyme electrode is prepared with a composite coating on an electrical conductor. The composite coating is formed from a casting solution of a perfluorosulfonic acid polymer, an enzyme, and a carbon supported catalyst. The solution may be cast directly on the conductor surface or may be formed as a membrane and applied to the surface. The perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer formed from the casting solution provides an insoluble biocompatible protective matrix for the enzyme and acts to retain the enzyme for long term availability in the electrode structure. The carbon supported catalyst provides catalytic sites throughout the layer for the oxidation of hydrogen peroxide from the enzyme reactions. The carbon support then provides a conductive path for establishing an electrical signal to the electrical conductor.

Abstract: A conducting polymer film with an improved space filling is formed on a metal electrode surface. A self-assembling monolayer is formed directly on the metal surface where the monolayer has a first functional group that binds to the metal surface and a second chemical group that forms a chemical bonding site for molecules forming the conducting polymer. The conducting polymer is then conventioonally deposited by electrochemical deposition. In one example, a conducting film of polyaniline is formed on a gold electrode surface with an intermediate monolayer of p-aminothiophenol.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor electrode is formed from an electronic conductor coated with a casting solution containing a perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer and a selected enzyme. The selected enzyme catalyzes a reaction between a predetermined substance in a solution and oxygen to form an electrochemically active compound that is detected at the electronic conductor. The resulting perfluorosulfonic acid polymer provides a stable matrix for the enzyme for long lived enzyme activity, wherein only thin coatings are required on the metal conductor. The polymer also advantageously repels interfering substances from contacting the enzyme and contains quantities of oxygen to maintain a sensing capability during conditions of oxygen depletion in the sample. In one particular embodiment, glucose oxidase is mixed with the perfluorosulfonic acid ionomer to form an electrode for glucose detection.

Abstract: Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell performance with CO contamination of the H.sub.2 fuel stream is substantially improved by injecting O.sub.2 into the fuel stream ahead of the fuel cell. It is found that a surface reaction occurs even at PEM operating temperatures below about 100.degree. C. to oxidatively remove the CO and restore electrode surface area for the H.sub.2 reaction to generate current. Using an O.sub.2 injection, a suitable fuel stream for a PEM fuel cell can be formed from a methanol source using conventional reforming processes for producing H.sub.2.

Abstract: Electrochromic devices based on anodic iridium oxide as the electrochromic material have been made. These devices exhibit long term stability, memory, and good response times, e.g., less than 80 msec. for reflectivity changes of about 70% (50 msec. for 50% changes). Devices using an anodic iridium oxide film immersed in a sulfate electrolyte have been operated for more than 6.times.10.sup.5 coloration/bleaching cycles at 0.5 Hz without noticeable change in properties. Response times and stability are also improved by a heat treatment of the anodic iridium oxide at temperatures between 40 and 100 degrees C.