Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell with intrinsic energy storage. The solid oxide fuel cell includes a hydrogen electrode utilizing a modified anode active material. The modified anode active material allows for intrinsic energy storage within the hydrogen electrode which provides for transient response, load leveling applications, a decreased start-up time, and ability to accept charge. The solid oxide fuel cell may also include a modified cathode active material that allows for intrinsic energy storage within the oxygen electrode.

Abstract: Nickel hydroxide material comprising particles with a microstructure including crystallites of less than 103 ? as measured in the 101 direction by x-ray diffraction. A method of making positive electrode material for use in an alkaline rechargeable electrochemical cell comprising forming a metal ion solution and increasing the pH to precipitate positive electrode material with a crystallite structure of 120 ? or less in the 101 direction.

Abstract: A light-plasmon coupling lens including an optically transparent substrate having a light incident surface and a light-plasmon coupling surface opposite the light incident surface. The light-plasmon coupling surface including at least a set of circular concentric peaks/valleys which form a Fourier sinusoidal pattern in the radial direction of the circular concentric peaks/valleys. A conformal layer of metal is deposited on the light-plasmon coupling surface of the substrate and has aperture at the center of thereof through which plasmons are transmitted. An optical recording medium including a light-plasmon coupling lens.

Abstract: A monoblock battery case and a monoblock battery. The monoblock battery case comprises a first and a second container each having partitions that divide the containers into cell compartments. The first container is attached to and co-operates with the second container to form one or more coolant channels disposed between the first and second containers.

Abstract: A quantum limit catalyst. The instant quantum limit catalyst is comprised of atomic aggregations whose dimensions correspond to the quantum limit. In the quantum limit, the atomic aggregations acquire structural configurations and electronic interactions not attainable in the macroscopic limit. The structural configurations possible in the quantum limit correspond to atomic aggregations having bond lengths, bond angles, topologies and coordination environments that differ from those found in the macroscopic limit. The electronic interactions possible in the quantum limit originate from wavefunction overlap and tunneling between atoms and lead to modifications in the magnitude and/or spatial distribution of electron density at catalytic sites to provide improved catalytic properties. Representative quantum limit catalysts include quantum scale atomic aggregations of metal atoms. Examples including catalysts derived from Fe, Mg, V and Co are disclosed.

Abstract: An active composition for an electrode of an electrochemical cell. The active composition comprises an active electrode material and a conductive polymer. The electrochemical cell is preferably a battery cell or a fuel cell.

Abstract: Multi-terminal chalcogenide memory cells having multiple binary or non-binary bit storage capacity and methods of programming same. The memory cells include a pore region containing a chalcogenide material along with three or more electrical terminals in electrical communication therewith. The configuration of terminals delineates spatially distinct regions of chalcogenide material that may be selectively and independently programmed to provide multibit storage. The application of an electrical signal (e.g. electrical current or voltage pulse) between a pair of terminals effects a structural transformation in one of the spatially distinct portions of chalcogenide material. Application of electrical signals to different pairs of terminals within a chalcogenide device effects structural transformations in different portions of the chalcogenide material. The structural states produced by the structural transformations may be used for storage of information values in a binary or non-binary (e.g.

Abstract: A very low emission hybrid electric vehicle incorporating an integrated propulsion system which includes a fuel cell, a metal hydride hydrogen storage unit, an electric motor, high specific power, high energy density nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, and preferably a regenerative braking system. The nickel-metal hydride battery module preferably has a peak power density in relation to energy density as defined by: P>1,375?15E, where P is greater than 600 Watts/kilogram, where P is the peak power density as measured in Watts/kilogram and E is the energy density as measured in Watt-hours/kilogram.

Abstract: Multi-terminal chalcogenide memory cells having multiple binary or non-binary bit storage capacity and methods of programming same. The memory cells include a pore region containing a chalcogenide material along with three or more electrical terminals in electrical communication therewith. The configuration of terminals delineates spatially distinct regions of chalcogenide material that may be selectively and independently programmed to provide multibit storage. The application of an electrical signal (e.g. electrical current or voltage pulse) between a pair of terminals effects a structural transformation in one of the spatially distinct portions of chalcogenide material. Application of electrical signals to different pairs of terminals within a chalcogenide device effects structural transformations in different portions of the chalcogenide material. The structural states produced by the structural transformations may be used for storage of information values in a binary or non-binary (e.g.

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 fluid-cooled battery pack includes; 1) a battery-pack case having coolant inlet and outlet; 2) battery modules within the case such that the battery module is spaced from the case walls and from other battery modules to form coolant flow channels along at least one surface of the bundled batteries; and 3) at least one coolant transport means. The width of the coolant flow channels allows for maximum heat transfer.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage composite material having a Mg—Ni based alloy with a coating of a catalytically active metal deposited on at least a portion of a surface of said Mg—Ni based alloy. The coating is less than about 200 angstroms thick and preferably is formed from iron or palladium. The composite material is capable of adsorbing at least 3 weight percent hydrogen and desorbing at least 1 weight percent hydrogen at 30° C. The Mg—Ni based alloy has a microstructure including both a Mg-rich phase and a Ni-rich phase, micro-tubes having an inner core of Ni-rich material surrounded by a sheathing of Mg-rich material, amorphous structural regions and microcrystalline structural regions.

Abstract: A conductive additive for the positive nickel electrode for electrochemical cells which provides increased performance by suppressing an oxygen evolution reaction occurring parallel to the oxidation of nickel hydroxide, increasing conductivity of the electrode and/or consuming oxygen produced as a result of the oxygen evolution reaction.

Abstract: A multi-terminal logic device. The device includes a phase change material having crystalline and amorphous states in electrical communication with three or more electrical terminals. The phase change material is able to undergo reversible transformations between amorphous and crystalline states in response to applied electrical energy where the amorphous and crystalline states show measurably distinct electrical resistances. Electrical energy in the form of current or voltage pulses applied between a pair of terminals influences the structural state and measured electrical resistance between the terminals. In the instant devices, independent input signals are provided between different pairs of terminals and the output is measured as the resistance between yet another pair of terminals.

Abstract: An error reduction circuit for use in arrays of chalcogenide memory and computing devices. The error reduction circuit reduces the error associated with the output response of chalcogenide devices. In a preferred embodiment, the output response is resistance and the error reduction circuit reduces errors or fluctuations in the resistance. The error reduction circuit includes a network of chalcogenide devices, each of which is nominally equivalent and each of which is programmed into the same state having the same nominal resistance. The inclusion of multiple devices in the network of the instant error reduction circuit provides for a reduction in the contributions of both dynamic fluctuations and manufacturing fluctuations to the error in the output response.

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 conductive additive for the positive nickel electrode for electrochemical cells which provides increased performance by suppressing an oxygen evolution reaction occurring parallel to the oxidation of nickel hydroxide, increasing conductivity of the electrode and/or consuming oxygen produced as a result of the oxygen evolution reaction.

Abstract: A fuel cell. The anode of the fuel cell comprises a hydrogen oxidation catalyst comprising a finely divided metal particulate. The metal particulate may be a nickel and/or nickel alloy particulate having a particle size less than about 100 Angstroms.

Abstract: An optical recording medium includes a crystallizing layer for enhancing the crystallization of a phase change memory layer, an energy storage layer for aiding the state transformations of a phase change memory layer, and/or a modifying element for increasing absorption and contrast at short wavelengths. An optical data storage and retrieval system containing same. Also a light-plasmon coupling lens including an optically transparent substrate having a light incident surface and a light-plasmon coupling surface opposite the light incident surface. The light-plasmon coupling surface including at least a set of circular concentric peaks/valleys which form a Fourier sinusoidal pattern in the radial direction of the circular concentric peaks/valleys. A conformal layer of metal is deposited on the light-plasmon coupling surface of the substrate and has aperture at the center of thereof through which plasmons are transmitted.

Abstract: A reversible hydrogen storage alloy capable of storing large amounts of hydrogen and delivering reversibly large amounts of hydrogen at temperatures ranging from 0° C. up to 40° C. The hydrogen storage alloy is generally composed of titanium, vanadium, and chromium. The alloy may further include manganese. Modifier elements such as zirconium, iron, nickel, molybdenum, ruthenium, and/or cobalt, and scavenger elements such as misch metal, calcium, and/or magnesium may be included in the alloy to improve performance.

Abstract: A catalyst having catalytically active material supported on a carrier matrix. The catalytically active material may be a mixed-valence, nanoclustered oxide(s), an organometallic material or a combination thereof. The supported catalytic material is particularly useful for catalyzing oxygen reduction in a fuel cell, such as an alkaline fuel cell.