Abstract: A blowerless heat exchanger apparatus based on micro-jet entrainment is disclosed. The heat exchanger apparatus incorporates a number of fins regularly spaced apart from each other and parallel to each other, thus letting air currents flow in the space defined between them. A dense array of micro-jet nozzles can be fabricated on the fins surface pointing to the flow direction of the air movement in order to induce increase airflow. The air from an air compressor delivers sufficient airflow on the fins surface utilizing micro-jets entrainment. The micro-jet entrainment confirms strong turbulent around the micro-jets and suggests significant heat transfer enhancement. The turbulence from the micro-jets enhance the heat transfer coefficient, potentially by an order of magnitude, therefore allowing much larger fin spacing and leads to huge reduction of flow resistance and overall power consumption.

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 hydrogen generator includes a container with multiple concentric hollow cylinders of chemical hydride fuel disposed within the container. A water vapor source is disposed within the container and operable to deliver water vapor to the cylinders of chemical hydride fuel. Generated hydrogen is provided via a hydrogen output port formed in the container.

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: A hydrogen producing fuel comprises a chemical hydride and metal hydride. In one embodiment the chemical hydride evolves hydrogen spontaneously upon exposure to water vapor, and the metal hydride reversibly absorbs/desorbs hydrogen based on temperature and pressure. The hydrogen producing substance may be formed in the shape of a pellet and may be contained within a hydrogen and water vapor permeable, liquid water impermeable membrane.

Abstract: A flexible fuel cell stack is also described that 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 incorporated into a power generator that includes a hydrogen producing fuel.

Abstract: A power generator includes a hydrogen generator that generates hydrogen in response to water vapor. A solid oxide fuel cell is coupled to the hydrogen generator for receiving hydrogen and is coupled to a source of oxygen.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of islands each carrying multiple cantilevers. The apparatus also includes a fluidic network having a plurality of channels separating the islands. The channels are configured to provide fluid to the islands, and the fluid at least partially fills spaces between the cantilevers and the islands. Heat from the islands vaporizes the fluid filling the spaces between the cantilevers and the islands to transfer the heat away from the islands while driving the cantilevers into oscillation. The apparatus may also include a casing configured to surround the islands and the fluidic network to create a vapor chamber, where the vapor chamber is configured to retain the vaporized fluid. The islands and the fluidic network could be formed in a single substrate, or the islands could be separate and attached together by a binder located within the channels of the fluidic network.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator having a hydrogen generating reaction between a chemical hydride and vapor from a liquid having a freezing point below 0° C. The liquid is selected from alcohols such as ethanol and methanol used pure or diluted with distilled water, and distilled water that has had a non-reactive salt such as calcium chloride or magnesium chloride dissolved therein.

Abstract: A power generator includes a hydrogen producing fuel and a fuel cell stack layer that includes a proton exchange membrane. An anode layer and a cathode layer are disposed on opposite surfaces of the fuel cell stack. A capacitor layer is integrated with the other layers and electrically coupled to the anode layer and the cathode layer.

Abstract: A power generator includes a hydrogen producing fuel and a fuel cell stack layer that includes a proton exchange membrane. An anode layer and a cathode layer are disposed on opposite surfaces of the fuel cell stack. A capacitor layer is integrated with the other layers and electrically coupled to the anode layer and the cathode layer.

Abstract: A power generator includes a hydrogen producing fuel and a hydrogen storage element. A fuel cell having a proton exchange membrane separates the hydrogen producing fuel from ambient. A valve is positioned between the hydrogen storage element and the hydrogen producing fuel and the fuel cell. Hydrogen is provided to the fuel cell from the hydrogen storage element if demand for electricity exceeds the hydrogen producing capacity of the hydrogen producing fuel.

Abstract: A variable thermal resistance system having a hermetically sealed enclosure around a component. There may be a gap or space between the internal surface of the enclosure and the external surface of the component. A gas, such as a gas from a low vapor pressure solid placed on the internal surface of the enclosure or liquid on a porous internal surface of the enclosure, may fill the space or gap. The gas may have low thermal conduction at low temperatures and high thermal conduction at high temperatures. This may reduce an amount of energy required by a constant temperature maintaining mechanism for the component. At low temperatures less heat is conducted from the component and at high temperatures more heat is conducted from the component so as to reduce the heating and cooling requirements of the temperature maintaining mechanism.

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 power generator includes a fuel container adapted to hold a hydrogen containing fuel. A sliding valve is coupled between a fuel cell and a fuel container. A pressure responsive actuator is coupled to the two stage valve and the fuel container.

Abstract: A power generator includes a fuel container adapted to hold a hydrogen containing fuel. A two stage valve is coupled between a fuel cell and a fuel container and between a water reservoir and the fuel container. A pressure responsive actuator is coupled to the two stage valve and the fuel container.

Abstract: A portable fuel cell charger has a water source and an electrolyzer coupled to the water source and adapted to be coupled to a power source. A fuel cell cartridge coupler is coupled to the electrolyzer and is adapted to be coupled to a fuel cell cartridge for providing pressurized hydrogen from the electrolyzer to the fuel cell cartridge.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a power generator comprising one or more fuel cells and a fuel, wherein the fuel comprises an alkali metal silicide.

Abstract: A self-calibrating carbon dioxide sensor that includes a carbon dioxide detector and a carbon dioxide gas generator. In some embodiments, the carbon dioxide gas generator includes a heating element and a carbon dioxide gas releasing solid material in thermal communication with the heating element. The carbon dioxide gas releasing solid material releases carbon dioxide when heated by the heating element. Methods of calibrating a self-calibrating carbon dioxide sensor are also disclosed.