Abstract: A power generator includes a container having a cross section suitable for wearing by a person, the container including a nano-porous insulation. A fuel cell and fuel cell cartridge are disposed within the container. Power management electronics are supported by the container and coupled to the fuel cell. A charge storage device is supported by the container and electrically coupled to the power management electronics and the fuel cell. A connector is supported by the container and coupled to the charge storage device to distribute power to one or more electrical loads.

Abstract: A device includes a container having a top plate containing an array of oxygen limiting pinholes and a chamber to hold a chemical hydride fuel, a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly supported within the container between the top plate and the chamber positioned to receive oxygen from the pinholes and hydrogen from the chamber, and a valve assembly positioned to regulate additional flow of oxygen to the fuel cell proton exchange membrane electrode assembly responsive to hydrogen pressure in the chamber.

Abstract: A cooling system includes a dual plate structure having a porous material disposed between the plates such that the porous material is sealed from ambient at a pressure less than ambient. A cooling device is thermally coupled to a mobile device supported by the structure and actively removes heat from the mobile device.

Abstract: A thermal insulation device includes a first plate, a second plate formed to nest adjacent the first plate with a gap between the first and second plates, a porous material disposed in the gap between the plates, a sealing layer disposed between the first and second plates such that the porous material is sealed from ambient at a pressure less than ambient, and a vapor generating material disposed in the gap.

Abstract: Methods and devices for generating power using PEM fuel cell power systems comprising a rotary bed reactor for hydrogen generation are disclosed. Hydrogen is generated by the hydrolysis of fuels such as lithium aluminum hydride and mixtures thereof. Water required for hydrolysis may be captured from the fuel cell exhaust. Water is preferably fed to the reactor in the form of a mist generated by an atomizer. An exemplary 750 We-h, 400 We PEM fuel cell power system may be characterized by a specific energy of about 550 We-h/kg and a specific power of about 290 We/kg.

Abstract: Methods and devices for generating power using PEM fuel cell power systems comprising a rotary bed reactor for hydrogen generation are disclosed. Hydrogen is generated by the hydrolysis of fuels such as lithium aluminum hydride and mixtures thereof. Water required for hydrolysis may be captured from the fuel cell exhaust. Water is preferably fed to the reactor in the form of a mist generated by an atomizer. An exemplary 750 We-h, 400 We PEM fuel cell power system may be characterized by a specific energy of about 550 We-h/kg and a specific power of about 290 We/kg.

Abstract: A power source includes a container, a fuel cell stack disposed within the container, the fuel cell stack having an anode side and a cathode side, a. hydrogen producing fuel disposed within the container arid positioned to provide hydrogen to anode side of the fuel cell stack, and a pump disposed within the hydrogen producing fuel to circulate water vapor through the hydrogen producing fuel. A capacitor may be coupled to receive electricity generated by the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A thermal insulation device includes a first plate, a second plate formed to nest adjacent the first plate with a gap between the first and second plates, a porous material disposed in the gap between the plates, a sealing layer disposed between the first and second plates such that the porous material is sealed from ambient at a pressure less than ambient, and a vapor generating material disposed in the gap.

Abstract: A power generator includes a power generator cavity adapted to receive a fuel cartridge, a protrusion disposed with in the cavity to engage a check valve of the fuel cartridge, a fuel cell to convert hydrogen and oxygen to electricity and to generate water vapor, and a passage to transport hydrogen from the cavity to the fuel cell and water vapor to the cavity.

Abstract: A power generator and method include passing ambient air via an ambient air path past a cathode side of the fuel cell to a water exchanger, picking up water from the cathode side of the fuel cell and exhausting air and nitrogen to ambient, passing hydrogen via a recirculating hydrogen path past an anode side the fuel cell to the water exchanger, where the water exchanger transfers water from the ambient air path comprising a cathode stream to the recirculating hydrogen path comprising an anode stream, and passing the water to a hydrogen generator to add hydrogen to the recirculating hydrogen path and passing the hydrogen via the recirculating hydrogen path past the anode side of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A power generator includes a housing, a chemical hydride fuel block adapted to be removably placed within the housing, an air conduit disposed about the chemical hydride fuel block in the housing. The air conduit includes a fuel cell portion and a water vapor permeable, hydrogen impermeable membrane portion. The housing has an air intake opening to draw air into the housing and through the air conduit to provide oxygen to the fuel cell portion and to carry water vapor generated by the fuel cell portion past the permeable membrane portion such that water vapor passes through the membrane and causes release of hydrogen from the fuel block.

Abstract: A power generator includes a case having a surface with a perforation and a cavity containing a gas generating fuel. A membrane is supported by the case inside the cavity, the membrane having an impermeable valve plate positioned proximate the perforation, wherein the membrane is water vapor permeable and gas impermeable and flexes responsive to a difference in pressure between the cavity and outside the cavity to selectively allow water vapor to pass through the perforation to the fuel as a function of the difference in pressure. A fuel cell membrane is supported by the case and positioned to receive hydrogen at an anode side of the fuel cell membrane and to receive oxygen from outside the power generator at a cathode side of the fuel cell membrane.

Abstract: A power generator and method include passing ambient air via an ambient air path past a cathode side of the fuel cell to a water exchanger, picking up water from the cathode side of the fuel cell and exhausting air and nitrogen to ambient, passing hydrogen via a recirculating hydrogen path past an anode side the fuel cell to the water exchanger, where the water exchanger transfers water from the ambient air path comprising a cathode stream to the recirculating hydrogen path comprising an anode stream, and passing the water to a hydrogen generator to add hydrogen to the recirculating hydrogen path and passing the hydrogen via the recirculating hydrogen path past the anode side of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A device includes a container, an oxygen-to-water selectively permeable membrane supported by the container, a chamber disposed in the container to hold a hydrogen generating fuel, and a proton exchange membrane fuel cell supported within the container between the oxygen-to-water selectively permeable membrane and the chamber.

Abstract: A device includes a case having a surface with a perforation and a first cavity containing a gas generating fuel. A first membrane is supported by the case inside the first cavity. The first membrane has an impermeable valve plate positioned proximate the perforation. The first membrane is water vapor permeable and gas impermeable and flexes responsive to a difference in pressure between the cavity and outside the cavity to selectively allow water vapor to pass through the perforation to the fuel as a function of the difference in pressure. A second membrane that is water vapor permeable gas impermeable is coupled between an outside of the case exposed to ambient atmospheric gas and the valve plate creating a reference pressure second cavity configured to reduce the effects of ambient pressure transients on the difference in pressure. A fuel cell membrane may be included in the device to produce electricity.

Abstract: A power source includes a container, a hydrogen fuel disposed within the container, a fuel cell wrapped around the hydrogen fuel within the container, electronics supported within the container and coupled to receive current from the fuel cell, a sensor coupled to the electronics to provide data representative of a sensed condition, and a charge storage device within the container and coupled to provide current to the electronics.

Abstract: A power generator and method include passing ambient air via an ambient air path past a cathode side of the fuel cell to a water exchanger, picking up water from the cathode side of the fuel cell and exhausting air and nitrogen to ambient, passing hydrogen via a recirculating hydrogen path past an anode side the fuel cell to the water exchanger, where the water exchanger transfers water from the ambient air path comprising a cathode stream to the recirculating hydrogen path comprising an anode stream, and passing the water to a hydrogen generator to add hydrogen to the recirculating hydrogen path and passing the hydrogen via the recirculating hydrogen path past the anode side of the fuel cell.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed related to hydrogen-generating compositions for a fuel cell. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a hydrogen-generating composition comprising a hydride and a Lewis acid. Various embodiments provide methods of using a hydrogen fuel cell including generating hydrogen gas using the composition, fuel cell systems including the composition, and methods of making the composition.

Abstract: A power generator includes a power generator cavity adapted to receive a fuel cartridge, a protrusion disposed with in the cavity to engage a check valve of the fuel cartridge, a fuel cell to convert hydrogen and oxygen to electricity and to generate water vapor, and a passage to transport hydrogen from the cavity to the fuel cell and water vapor to the cavity.

Abstract: A power source includes a container, a hydrogen fuel disposed within the container, a fuel cell wrapped around the hydrogen fuel within the container, electronics supported within the container and coupled to receive current from the fuel cell, a sensor coupled to the electronics to provide data representative of a sensed condition, and a charge storage device within the container and coupled to provide current to the electronics.