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 feedback-controlled fluid valve and methods of using the same are described herein. One feedback-controlled fluid device includes piston within a valve associated with a conduit, a position sensor to determine a position of the piston relative to a metering cone, a coil to generate a magnetic field within the valve, wherein the magnetic field moves the piston, and wherein a rate of fluid flow through the valve is configured to adjust based on the position of the piston relative to the metering cone.

Abstract: A power generator includes a fuel cell having a proton exchange membrane for generating electricity from hydrogen and oxygen. An oxygen generator is coupled to the proton exchange membrane for providing oxygen to the proton exchange membrane. A hydrogen producing fuel may be used to provide hydrogen to the proton exchange membrane.

Abstract: A power generator includes a hydrogen producing fuel in a first high pressure chamber. A fuel cell having a proton exchange membrane is disposed in a second low pressure chamber. A water absorbing material provides water vapor to the hydrogen producing fuel, and a plurality of valves control hydrogen provided to the fuel cell from the first high pressure chamber, and exposure of the water absorbing material to ambient and the high pressure chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments herein provide for a self-destructing chip including at least a first die and a second die. The first die includes an electronic circuit, and the second die is composed of one or more polymers that disintegrates at a first temperature. The second die defines a plurality of chambers, wherein a first subset of the chambers contain a material that reacts with oxygen in an exothermic manner. A second subset of the chambers contain an etchant to etch materials of the first die. In response to a trigger event, the electronic circuit is configured to expose the material in the first subset of chambers to oxygen in order to heat the second die to at least the first temperature, and is configured to release the etchant from the second subset of the chambers to etch the first die.

Abstract: A device includes a case having a surface with a perforation and a cavity. A membrane is supported by the case inside the cavity and has an impermeable valve plate positioned proximate the perforation. 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 into the cavity as a function of the difference in pressure.

Abstract: A power generator includes a cavity to accept a hydrogen producing fuel cartridge. A channel is coupled to receive hydrogen from the fuel cartridge. A manifold is coupled to the channel to receive hydrogen from the channel, the manifold having an opening to receive oxygen and water vapor, the manifold being positioned to provide the water vapor to the cavity. An array of fuel cell membranes is supported by the manifold to receive hydrogen from the manifold and oxygen from the opening in the manifold.

Abstract: An example fuel cell assembly may include a shaped fuel source that is formed into a desired shape. The shaped fuel source may have an outer surface, and a fuel cell may be mounted directly on the outer surface of the shaped fuel source. In some instances, the fuel cell assembly may also include one or more of a cathode cap, an anode cap, a refill port, and an outer shell disposed around an exterior of the fuel cell assembly, but these are not required.

Abstract: A power generator includes a cavity to accept a hydrogen producing fuel cartridge. A channel is coupled to receive hydrogen from the fuel cartridge. A manifold is coupled to the channel to receive hydrogen from the channel, the manifold having an opening to receive oxygen and water vapor, the manifold being positioned to provide the water vapor to the cavity. An array of fuel cell membranes is supported by the manifold to receive hydrogen from the manifold and oxygen from the opening in the manifold.

Abstract: A hydrogen generating fuel cartridge includes a case having a perforated opening layer. A hydrogen producing fuel is disposed within the case. A hydrogen permeable membrane is disposed between the hydrogen producing fuel and the perforated opening layer in the case. A spring loaded slideable valve plate is positioned adjacent the perforated opening layer such that the slideable valve plate and perforated opening form a valve that is biased in a closed position to prevent hydrogen from escaping from the fuel cartridge.

Abstract: An example fuel cell assembly may include a shaped fuel source that is formed into a desired shape. The shaped fuel source may have an outer surface, and a fuel cell may be mounted directly on the outer surface of the shaped fuel source. In some instances, the fuel cell assembly may also include one or more of a cathode cap, an anode cap, a refill port, and an outer shell disposed around an exterior of the fuel cell assembly, but these are not required.

Abstract: A recharger includes a manifold having an input to couple to a hydrogen generating module and an output port to couple to at least one rechargeable fuel cell. A vacuum pump is coupled to the manifold to evacuate the manifold. A valve is coupled to the manifold between the vacuum pump and the input of the manifold. A controller is coupled to control the vacuum pump and the valve.

Abstract: A hydrogen generating fuel cartridge includes a case having a perforated opening layer. A hydrogen producing fuel is disposed within the case. A hydrogen permeable membrane is disposed between the hydrogen producing fuel and the perforated opening layer in the case. A spring loaded slideable valve plate is positioned adjacent the perforated opening layer such that the slideable valve plate and perforated opening form a valve that is biased in a closed position to prevent hydrogen from escaping from the fuel cartridge.

Abstract: A feedback-controlled fluid valve and methods of using the same are described herein. One feedback-controlled fluid device includes piston within a valve associated with a conduit, a position sensor to determine a position of the piston relative to a metering cone, a coil to generate a magnetic field within the valve, wherein the magnetic field moves the piston, and wherein a rate of fluid flow through the valve is configured to adjust based on the position of the piston relative to the metering cone.

Abstract: A power generator includes a chemical hydride multilayer fuel cell stack. A flow path extends through the fuel cell stack to provide oxygen containing air to the fuel cell stack and to cool the fuel cell stack. A hydrogen generator is coupled to the flow path to receive water vapor from ambient air introduced into the flow path and water vapor generated by the fuel cell stack and to provide hydrogen to the fuel cell stack. A controller separately controls airflow past the fuel cell stack and water vapor provided to the hydrogen generator.

Abstract: An example fuel cell assembly may include a shaped fuel source that is formed into a desired shape. The shaped fuel source may have an outer surface, and a fuel cell may be mounted directly on the outer surface of the shaped fuel source. In some instances, the fuel cell assembly may also include one or more of a cathode cap, an anode cap, a refill port, and an outer shell disposed around an exterior of the fuel cell assembly, but these are not required.

Abstract: Devices and methods for power generation via combined fuel thermolysis and hydrolysis are described herein. For example, one or more embodiments include a housing that includes an air intake, a fuel cartridge adapted to be removably placed within the housing, wherein the fuel cartridge includes a heating element configured to heat a fuel located in the fuel cartridge to cause a release of hydrogen from the fuel, an air conduit disposed about the fuel cartridge in the housing, wherein the air conduit includes a fuel cell portion and a water vapor permeable, hydrogen impermeable membrane portion, and the air conduit is configured to direct oxygen from the air intake to the fuel cell portion and to carry water vapor generated by the fuel cell portion past the membrane portion such that water vapor passes through the membrane portion and causes release of hydrogen from the fuel cartridge.

Abstract: Improved portable power sources such as batteries, fuel cells, power generators and the like can include structure or apparatus that are adapted to provide an indication of the power capacity remaining within the portable power source. In some cases, these power sources may be configured to accommodate remote communication regarding their remaining power capacity.

Abstract: A method of forming a fuel cell stack, wherein the stack includes an anode electrode layer, an adhesive and anode gas diffusion layer coupled to the anode electrode layer, an ion exchange membrane coupled on a first side to the gas diffusion layer opposite the anode electrode layer, an adhesive and cathode gas diffusion layer coupled to a second side of the ion exchange membrane, and a cathode electrode layer coupled to the adhesive and cathode gas diffusion layer opposite the ion exchange membrane. The fuel cell stack may be flexible.

Abstract: An example fuel cell assembly may include a proton exchange membrane (or membrane electrode assembly) that has a first major surface and a second major surface. An anode electrode, which may include a patterned metal layer with a plurality of apertures extending through the patterned metal layer, may also be provided. An anode gas diffusion layer secured to an anode adhesive frame may be situated between the anode electrode and the first major surface of the proton exchange membrane. A cathode electrode may, in some instances, include a patterned metal layer with a plurality of apertures extending through the patterned metal layer. A cathode gas diffusion layer secured to a cathode adhesive frame may be situated between the cathode electrode and the second major surface of the proton exchange membrane. In some instances a fuel cell assembly may be flexible so that the fuel cell assembly can be rolled into a rolled configuration that defines an inner cavity with open ends.