Abstract: The present application relates to devices that assist the human trunk, and provides a device for human trunk assistance, which includes: a trunk link (1), coupled to an upper back of a user through back straps (2); two thigh links (3), coupled to left and right thighs of the user through leg straps (4) respectively; two hip joint hinges (5), placed align to left and right hip joints of the user respectively, and configured for rotatably coupling the trunk link (1) and the two thigh links (3); and a torque generator (6), coupling to the two hip joint hinges (5) through Bowden cables (7), and configured to generate an assist torque to reduce moment burden to the user.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device for assisting an upper arm of a user, which includes: a support mechanism configured for supporting the device on a torso of the user; an arm link member connectable to the upper arm: a joint member coupled with the arm link member and the support mechanism, and a force generating member arranged on the support mechanism. The device, in use, transfers a load from the upper arm, through the joint member to the torso. The force generating member is configured for providing a resisting torque between the arm link member and support mechanism, and the force generating member is mechanically configured to apply a relatively larger resisting torque at a predetermined range of motion of the upper arm and to apply a relatively lesser resisting torque outside the predetermined range.

Abstract: Atomically dispersed platinum-group metal-free catalyst and method for synthesizing the same. According to one embodiment, the catalyst is made by a method in which, in a first step, a metal oxide/zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF) composite is formed by combining (i) nanoparticles of an oxide of at least one of iron, cobalt, nickel, manganese, and copper, (ii) a hydrated zinc salt, and (iii) an imidazole. Then, in a second step, the metal oxide/ZIF composite is thermally activated, i.e., carbonized, to form an M-N—C catalyst. Thereafter, the M-N—C catalyst may be mixed with a quantity of ammonium chloride, and then the M-N—C/NH4Cl mixture may be pyrolyzed. The foregoing NH4Cl treatment may improve the intrinsic activity of the catalyst. Then, a thin layer of nitrogen-doped carbon may be added to NH4Cl-treated M-N—C catalyst by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Such CVD treatment may improve the stability of the catalyst.

Abstract: Hybrid catalyst suitable for use in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell and method of preparing same. In one embodiment, the hybrid catalyst is iron-free and includes an Mn—N—C support and platinum-containing nanoparticles that are dispersed on the Mn—N—C support. The Mn—N—C support preferably comprises atomically dispersed and nitrogen coordinated MnN4 moieties and has a particle size of about 30 to 200 nm. The platinum-containing nanoparticles preferably have a particle size ranging from about 2 to 8 nm and are made of platinum or a platinum-cobalt intermetallic alloy, such as a cubic L12 Pt3Co alloy or a tetragonal L10 PtCo alloy. The hybrid catalyst may be made by combining a quantity of a hexachloroplatinic acid solution with a quantity of an Mn—N—C support, sonicating the mixture in an ice bath, freeze-drying the sonicated product, calcinating the freeze-dried product under a forming gas, and heating the calcinated product.

Abstract: Atomically dispersed platinum-group metal-free catalyst and method for synthesizing the same. According to one embodiment, the catalyst is made by a method in which, in a first step, a metal oxide/zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF) composite is formed by combining (i) nanoparticles of an oxide of at least one of iron, cobalt, nickel, manganese, and copper, (ii) a hydrated zinc salt, and (iii) an imidazole. Then, in a second step, the metal oxide/ZIF composite is thermally activated, i.e., carbonized, to form an M-N—C catalyst. Thereafter, the M-N—C catalyst may be mixed with a quantity of ammonium chloride, and then the M-N—C/NH4Cl mixture may be pyrolyzed. The foregoing NH4Cl treatment may improve the intrinsic activity of the catalyst. Then, a thin layer of nitrogen-doped carbon may be added to NH4Cl-treated M-N—C catalyst by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Such CVD treatment may improve the stability of the catalyst.