Abstract: Electrodes for polymer electrolyte membrane and direct methanol fuel cells comprise carbon nanotubes and catalytically active metal. In one embodiment, anode electrodes are prepared by depositing catalytic metal on carbon nanotubes, and forming the carbon nanotubes into a membrane. Anode electrodes comprising carbon nanotubes provide higher fuel cell performance with a much lower platinum loading than conventional carbon-based electrode material having a much higher platinum loading. In another embodiment, a catalyst ink comprising carbon nanotubes and a catalytic metal-loaded carbon powder was used to form an electrode membrane. The catalyst ink comprising carbon nanotubes and catalyst-loaded carbon powder can optionally comprise an ionically conductive polymer, such as a perfluorosulfonic acid/PTFE copolymer. In another embodiment, a fuel cell electrode comprising carbon nanotubes and catalytically active metal is a free-standing electrode.

Abstract: An optical reader/player for reading and reproducing signals stored in an optical recording medium (CD, DVD, HD-DVD) possessing specific physical characteristics. If the measured characteristics of the polymer of the optical medium do not coincide with those of polymers authorized to be used to make optical recording media for the reader/player, the optical medium will not be read or played.

Abstract: An apparatus used in high pressure electrolytic cell operation which allows a cell to be operated at high pressures while providing balanced interface pressures between circulating liquids and gases. Each liquid and gas compartment in the cell is connected to a holding tank. Gas pressure in the holding tank is allowed to build up to the pressure required for cell operation before it is released. Positive displacement pumps circulate liquids through the cell at a pressure equal to the pressure of gases contained in the holding tanks. Gases are back-pressured into the gas compartments of the cell at a pressure equal to the pressure of the gases contained in the holding tanks thereby balancing the pressures of gases and liquids in the cell while allowing for circulation of the liquids.

Abstract: An apparatus, used in operation of electrolytic cells, to balance the interface pressure between liquid electrolyte and gas within the pores of a vertically disposed gas electrode. An electrode is sectioned into a plurality of lateral, or horizontal, gas compartments, vertically superposed, along one face of the electrode. The opposite face of the electrode is exposed to the liquid electrolyte. Each lateral compartment is supplied with gas. Each lateral compartment is also connected, via a separate gas line, to the bottom of a separate vertical chamber in a weir system. Each chamber has a vertical height equal to the depth of its respective cell compartment beneath the surface of the liquid electrolyte. The top of each weir chamber is provided with an overflow weir. Further, the chambers are arranged so that the overflow weir of each chamber flows into the next chamber, in order of decreasing vertical height. Gas is allowed to escape each lateral electrode compartment into a weir chamber.