Abstract: A portable heating pack utilizing a supercorroding metallic alloy that produces heat and gaseous hydrogen upon contacting a corroding liquid. The portable heating pack provides for the consumption and/or storage of the gaseous hydrogen rather than venting the gaseous hydrogen from the portable heating pack.

Abstract: An active electrode composition comprising a nickel hydroxide material and a pectin. Preferably, the pectin comprises a citrus pectin.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process and apparatus for removing sodium and chloride ions from an aqueous sodium chloride solution, such as seawater or brine. The process includes electrolyzing aqueous sodium chloride to remove chloride and sodium ions in the form of chlorine gas and sodium metal. Preferably, a photovoltaic device, such as a triple junction amorphous silicon solar cell, provides the electrical energy for the electrolysis. The process utilizes electrode material that facilitates the production of chlorine gas and inhibits the evolution of hydrogen from the aqueous sodium chloride solution. The sodium is deposited onto a metal surface having a high hydrogen overpotential to produce sodium amalgam. The processed solution from the electrolysis has a reduced sodium chloride content and may be further processed to produce fresh water for human consumption or agricultural purposes.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and system for charging a metal hydride bed, wherein the metal hydride bed contains a hydrogen storage material. The metal hydride bed is charged using a chemical hydride slurry having a metal hydride, a stabilizing agent and water. As the slurry contacts the metal hydride bed, a catalyst in the metal hydride bed promotes a reaction between the metal hydride of the slurry and water. The reaction produces atomic hydrogen and byproducts. At least a portion of the atomic hydrogen is absorbed by the hydrogen storage material and the remaining atomic hydrogen is disposed from the system or used as fuel in a hydrogen fueled apparatus, such as a fuel cell.

Abstract: Mechanically and thermally improved rechargeable batteries, modules and fluid-cooled battery pack systems. The battery is prismatic in shape with an optimized thickness to width to height aspect ratio which provides the battery with balanced optimal properties when compared with prismatic batteries lacking this optimized aspect ratio. The optimized thickness, width and height allow for maximum capacity and power output, while eliminating deleterious side affects. The battery case design allows for unidirectional expansion which is readily compensated for by applying external mechanical compression counter to that direction. In the module, the batteries are bound within a module bundling/compression means under external mechanical compression which is optimized to balance outward pressure due to expansion and provide additional inward compression to reduce the distance between the positive and negative electrodes, thereby increasing overall battery power.

Abstract: Mechanically and thermally improved rechargeable batteries, modules and fluid-cooled battery pack systems. The battery is prismatic in shape with an optimized thickness to width to height aspect ratio which provides the battery with balanced optimal properties when compared with prismatic batteries lacking this optimized aspect ratio. The optimized thickness, width and height allow for maximum capacity and power output, while eliminating deleterious side affects. The battery case design allows for unidirectional expansion which is readily compensated for by applying external mechanical compression counter to that direction. In the module, the batteries are bound within a module bundling/compression means under external mechanical compression which is optimized to balance outward pressure due to expansion and provide additional inward compression to reduce the distance between the positive and negative electrodes, thereby increasing overall battery power.

Abstract: A portable heating pack utilizing a supercorroding metallic alloy that produces heat and gaseous hydrogen upon contacting a corroding liquid. The portable heating pack provides for the consumption and/or storage of the gaseous hydrogen rather than venting the gaseous hydrogen from the portable heating pack.

Abstract: A complex aluminum hydride doped with a catalytic material adapted to increase the kinetics of hydrogen absorption/desorption of the aluminum hydride without reducing the hydrogen storage capacity of the aluminum hydride.

Abstract: A fuel cell utilizing parallel flow of a hydrogen stream, an oxygen stream, and an electrolyte solution with respect to the electrodes, while maintaining mechanical support within the fuel cell. The fuel cell utilizes encapsulated electrodes to maintain a high air flow rate and low pressure throughout the fuel cell. The fuel cell is also designed to maintain mechanical support within the fuel cell while the electrodes expand and contract in response to the absorption of oxygen and hydrogen. Gas is predistributed by the compression plates and electrode plates to supply the electrodes with high concentrations of oxygen from air.

Abstract: A hybrid fuel cell including at least one cathode, at least one anode, and at least one oxygen evolution electrode. The oxygen evolution electrode works in combination with the anode to produce hydrogen and/or oxygen as an electrolyzer while the anode and cathode work in combination to provide an electrical current as a fuel cell. The cathode and the oxygen evolution electrode may operate alone or in tandem during operation of the hybrid fuel cell.

Abstract: A vehicle drive system powered by a hybrid fuel cell including at least one cathode, at least one anode, and at least one auxiliary electrode. The auxiliary electrode works in combination with the anode to provide a current as a rechargeable battery while the anode and cathode work in combination to provide an electrical current as a fuel cell. The cathode and the auxiliary electrode may operate alone or in tandem to provide an electrical current.

Abstract: A hybrid fuel cell/battery including at least one cathode, at least one anode, and at least one auxiliary electrode. The auxiliary electrode works in combination with the anode to provide a current as a rechargeable battery while the anode and cathode work in combination to provide an electrical current as a fuel cell. The cathode and the auxiliary electrode may operate alone or in tandem to provide an electrical current.

Abstract: A hybrid fuel cell/battery including one or more electrochemical cell units comprising at least one cathode, at least one anode, and at least one auxiliary electrode. The auxiliary electrode works in combination with the anode to provide a current as a rechargeable battery while the anode and cathode work in combination to provide an electrical current as a fuel cell. The cathode and the auxiliary electrode may operate alone or in tandem to provide an electrical current.

Abstract: A double layered oxygen electrode impregnated with an active catalyst material and method of making. The design of the oxygen electrode promotes oxygen dissociation and absorption within the oxygen electrode. The oxygen electrode has differing layers of hydrophobicity which allow chemical impregnation of the active catalyst material into the oxygen electrode where the active catalyst material is needed most.

Abstract: An active material for a negative electrode used in an electrochemical cell comprising a highly active, high surface area hydrogen storage material alloy which provides for high power output, fast activation, increased cycle life, and a hydrogen precharge in-situ. The highly active, high surface area hydrogen storage material is formed by first forming an alloy of a hydrogen storage alloy and aluminum and leaching the aluminum out of the alloy.

Abstract: A fuel cell utilizing parallel flow of a hydrogen stream, an oxygen stream, and an electrolyte solution with respect to the electrodes, while maintaining mechanical support within the fuel cell. The fuel cell utilizes framed electrodes to maintain a high air flow rate and low pressure throughout the fuel cell. The fuel cell is also designed to maintain mechanical support within the fuel cell while the electrodes expand and contract in response to the absorption of oxygen and hydrogen. Gas is predistributed by the compression plates and frames to supply the electrodes with high concentrations of oxygen from air.

Abstract: A method for the production and storage of hydrogen. The hydrogen is produced via electrolysis and as the hydrogen is formed it is absorbed into a hydrogen storing cathode. Once the hydrogen storing cathode has become completely hydrided, it is shipped to end users as a metal hydride supply of hydrogen.

Abstract: An active electrode composition comprising an active electrode material and a binder where the binder comprises a monosaccharide, a disaccharide, a pectin or a molasses. Preferably, the active electrode material is nickel hydroxide.

Abstract: A method and system for electrochemically purifying an impure stream of hydrogen. Hydrogen is absorbed into a gas diffusion anode from the impure hydrogen stream and oxidized to form hydrogen ions and electrons which are released into an alkaline solution. An electrolytic cathode also positioned in the alkaline solution decomposes water to form hydrogen and hydroxyl ions which combine with the hydrogen ions to maintain equilibrium of the system.

Abstract: A photovoltaic driven electrolytic water desalination process is disclosed herein. The process utilizes electrical energy provided by a photovoltaic device, such as a triple junction amorphous silicon solar cell, to induce a water splitting reaction in brackish water. The photovoltaic device provides an electrical potential across an anode and a cathode in contact with the brackish water and the electrical potential induces the water splitting reaction. The water splitting reaction liberates oxygen gas and hydrogen gas from brackish water. Collection and subsequent recombination of the oxygen gas and hydrogen gas in a reaction chamber provides for the spontaneous formation of purer, non-brackish water. The recombination reaction of oxygen gas and hydrogen gas to form water is an exothermic process that liberates energy in the form of thermal energy and/or electrical energy.