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 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: Electrochemical and gas phase hydrogen storage alloy compositions that provide superior performance, especially at low temperature, and excellent cycle life characteristics. The alloys of this invention are AB5 type alloys that include a cycle life enhancement element and a low Co concentration. The preferred cycle life enhancement elements include Zr and Si. The cycle life enhancement elements increase the cycle life of the instant alloys by reducing the pulverization of alloy particles upon repeated cycles of charging-discharging or hydriding-dehydriding. The alloys are characterized by low hysteresis on cycling, where hysteresis is measured in terms of mass concentration difference, a parameter related to the activation energy associated with the incorporation of hydrogen into the alloy. The instant alloys are designed to have a low activation energy for hydrogen incorporation and as a result, provide low hysteresis and a more uniform concentration of absorbed hydrogen within the material.

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.

Abstract: Electrochemical and thermal hydrogen storage alloy compositions that provide superior performance, including an electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy that provides superior low temperature discharge characteristics. The alloy compositions include microstructures in the interface region that are highly porous and that include catalytic metallic particles. The microstructures include a large volume fraction of voids having spherical or channel-like shapes and are sufficiently open structurally to facilitate greater mobility of reactive species within the microstructure and in the vicinity of catalytic metallic particles. Greater accessibility to reactive sites accordingly results. The greater mobility of reactive species and/or the greater density of catalytic particles lead to faster kinetics and improved performance (e.g. higher power), especially at low operating temperatures.

Abstract: A catalyst including a catalytic phase supported by an electronically active support matrix. An electronic interaction that occurs between the catalytic phase and support matrix leads to perturbations in the magnitude and/or spatial distribution of electron density at or near the surface of the catalytic phase. The electronic interaction originates from an overlap of wavefunctions associated with electron density of the catalytic phase with wavefunctions associated with electron density of the catalytic phase. Embodiments include those in which the electronic interaction is of the bonding-type, anti-bonding type or donor acceptor type. Filled, partially filled or unoccupied orbital states may participate in the electronic interaction. The perturbation in electron density induced by the electronic interaction modifies the catalytic properties of the catalytic phase.

Abstract: Multi-terminal electronic switching devices comprising a chalcogenide material switchable between a resistive state and a conductive state. The devices include a first terminal, a second terminal and a control terminal. Application of a control signal to the control terminal modulates the conductivity of the chalcogenide material between the first and second terminals and/or the threshold voltage required to switch the chalcogenide material between the first and second terminals from a resistive state to a conductive state. The devices may be used as interconnection devices or signal providing devices in circuits and networks.

Abstract: Multi-terminal field effect devices comprising a chalcogenide material. The devices include a first terminal, a second terminal and a field effect terminal. Application of a gate signal to the field effect terminal modulates the current passing through the chalcogenide material between the first and second terminals and/or modifies the holding voltage or current of the chalcogenide material between the first and second terminals. The devices may be used as interconnection devices in circuits and networks to regulate current flow between circuit or network elements.

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: An electronic device for securing the contents of data storage and processing elements. The device includes a security element and a phase-change element connected in a parallel arrangement. The security element is a three-terminal device, such as a conventional transistor or three-terminal phase-change device, having an ON state and an OFF state which differ with respect to resistance and regulate electronic access to the phase-change element by controlling the flow of electrical current applied to the parallel combination. In the ON state, the resistance of the security element is less than that of the phase-change element, thereby preventing, inhibiting or confusing a determination of the resistance of the phase-change element. In this PROTECT mode, the contents of the phase-change element are secured. In the OFF state, the resistance of the security element is greater than that of the phase-change material so that the resistance of the parallel combination approaches that of the phase-change element.

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: Fuel cell oxygen electrodes and instant startup fuel cells employing the oxygen electrode. The oxygen electrodes operate through the mechanism of redox couples which uniquely provide multiple degrees of freedom in selecting the operating voltages available for such fuel cells. Such oxygen electrodes provide the fuel cells in which they are used a “buffer” or “charge” of oxidizer available within the oxygen electrode at all times. The redox couple materials are modified to inhibit dissolution of the materials into the alkaline electrolyte of the fuel cell, and to match the gas phase kinetics of the active redox couple material with its electrochemical kinetics.

Abstract: An apparatus for making hydrogen storage powder by hydride comminution which includes a hydride reactor with at least one chamber for tumbling powder. An apparatus for making hydrogen storage powder by hydride comminution which includes a hydride reactor having multiple chambers linked to one another, wherein at least one chamber is for heating and at least one chamber is for cooling.

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: Fuel cell oxygen electrode and instant startup fuel cells employing such oxygen electrode. The oxygen electrode operates through the mechanism of redox couples which uniquely provide multiple degrees of freedom in selecting the operating voltages available for such fuel cells. Such oxygen electrodes provide the fuel cells in which they are used a “buffer” or “charge” of oxidizer available within the oxygen electrode at all times.

Abstract: An ambient temperature alkaline fuel cell pack supplied with a non-forced electrolyte and air stream which are circulated through the fuel cell pack via thermal convection resulting from heat produced during the reactions at the hydrogen and air electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a fuel cell having at least one bi-cell. The bi-cells may be stacked in series to achieve a desired power output. Each bi-cell is a unit cell comprising two hydrogen electrodes, two air/oxygen electrodes, two electrolyte distributors and a gas diffuser. The hydrogen electrodes are disposed adjacent to one another and the air/oxygen electrodes are disposed on the outside ends of the hydrogen electrodes. An electrolyte distributor is disposed between each adjacently set hydrogen electrode and air/oxygen electrode. A gas diffuser/distributor is disposed between the hydrogen electrodes. An elastomeric material is injected between the electrodes and distributors to provide mechanical stability. Further, the entire bi-cell is overmolded with an elastomeric material.

Abstract: Fuel cell cathodes and instant startup fuel cells employing the cathodes. The cathodes operate through the valency change mechanism of redox couples which uniquely provide multiple degrees of freedom in selecting the operating voltages available for such fuel cells. Such cathodes provide the fuel cells in which they are used a “buffer” or “charge” of oxidizer available within the cathode at all times.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing a heat transfer management/compartmentalization system for a metal hydride hydrogen storage containment unit. The hydrogen storage alloy is divided into compartments having a honeycomb configuration.