Abstract: A method for forming electrical connections between parts of a fuel cell that includes subjecting a contact paste positioned between the parts to alternating flows of gasses having varying high and low partial pressures of oxygen. This method demonstrates the ability to form conductive interconnections that have sufficient mechanical stability because these pastes can be cured at a temperature less than the temperatures of the surrounding materials thus allowing desired portions to be cured while allowing other portions such as the glass or ceramic portions to maintain their desired mechanical and electrical properties.

Abstract: A method for automatically selecting a region of interest covering a heated area, in the context of high intensity focused ultrasonic technology achieves automatic selection of the region of interest on the basis of the phase recognition completed in a magnetic resonance data acquisition and the position of the focus of a focused ultrasonic sensor. The method includes the steps of acquiring the phase data of a scanned area during a scanning process, then determining a heated area in the scanned area according to the phase data acquired; and in a displayed image acquired by the image reconstruction, demarcating a region of interest covering the heated area according to a predetermined size of said region of interest that covers and is larger than the heated area.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for accelerating MR temperature imaging used in MR-monitored high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy, temperature changes are determined at the focus of the ultrasound during MR temperature imaging; determining the ideal acceleration rate needed for data sampling according to the temperature changes at said focus is determined, the variable-density (VD) data sampling in k-space is adjusted according to the determined ideal acceleration rate, and the data obtained from sampling are reconstructed to form an image. The capability of accelerating MR temperature imaging with both good temporal resolution and good spatial resolution is improved by determining the acceleration rate according to temperature changes at the ultrasound focus and by adjusting the VD data sampling of k-space and thereby the benefits of good flexibility, feasibility and stability are achieved.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for accelerating MR temperature imaging used in MR-monitored high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy, temperature changes are determined at the focus of the ultrasound during MR temperature imaging; determining the ideal acceleration rate needed for data sampling according to the temperature changes at said focus is determined, the variable-density (VD) data sampling in k-space is adjusted according to the determined ideal acceleration rate, and the data obtained from sampling are reconstructed to form an image. The capability of accelerating MR temperature imaging with both good temporal resolution and good spatial resolution is improved by determining the acceleration rate according to temperature changes at the ultrasound focus and by adjusting the VD data sampling of k-space and thereby the benefits of good flexibility, feasibility and stability are achieved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the preparation of electrodes for use in solid oxide fuel cells. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods for the preparation of ceramic electrodes that provide high ionic and electronic conduction, high porosity and high surface area. Additionally, the methods of the invention allow for controlled and optimized properties of ionic and electronic phases for a particular operating condition. Advantageously, the methods of the invention allow for the fabrication of SOFC electrodes using low processing temperatures and inexpensive techniques requiring no specialized equipment.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a nanostructured solid oxide fuel cell includes dispersing ceria and doped ceria nanoparticles in a first colloidal solution, atomizing the first colloidal solution into a spray, depositing the spray onto a substrate to form a thin film electrolyte, dispersing a nanocomposite powder including ceria and CuO in the first solution, forming a second colloidal solution, atomizing the second colloidal solution into a second spray, and depositing the second spray over the thin film electrolyte as an interfacial layer.

Abstract: The invention comprises novel undoped and doped nanometer-scale CeO2 particles as well as a novel semi-batch reactor method for directly synthesizing the novel particles at room temperature. The powders exhibited a surface area of approximately 170 m2/g with a particle size of about 3-5 nm, and are formed of single crystal particles that are of uniform size and shape. The particles' surface area could be decreased down to 5 m2/g, which corresponds to a particle size of 100 nm, by thermal annealing at temperatures up to 1000° C. Control over the particle size, size distribution and state of agglomeration could be achieved through variation of the mixing conditions such as the feeding method, stirrer rate, amount of O2 gas that is bubbled through the reactor, the temperature the reaction is carried out at, as well as heating the final product at temperatures ranging from 150° to 1000° C.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a nanostructured solid oxide fuel cell includes dispersing ceria and doped ceria nanoparticles in a first colloidal solution, atomizing the first colloidal solution into a spray, depositing the spray onto a substrate to form a thin film electrolyte, dispersing a nanocomposite powder including ceria and CuO in the first solution, forming a second colloidal solution, atomizing the second colloidal solution into a second spray, and depositing the second spray over the thin film electrolyte as an interfacial layer.

Abstract: The invention comprises novel undoped and doped nanometer-scale CeO2 particles as well as a novel semi-batch reactor method for directly synthesizing the novel particles at room temperature. The powders exhibited a surface area of approximately 170 m2/g with a particle size of about 3–5 nm, and are formed of single crystal particles that are of uniform size and shape. The particles' surface area could be decreased down to 5 m2/g, which corresponds to a particle size of 100 nm, by thermal annealing at temperatures up to 1000° C. Control over the particle size, size distribution and state of agglomeration could be achieved through variation of the mixing conditions such as the feeding method, stirrer rate, amount of O2 gas that is bubbled through the reactor, the temperature the reaction is carried out at, as well as heating the final product at temperatures ranging from 150° to 1000° C.

Abstract: The invention comprises novel undoped and doped nanometer-scale CeO2 particles as well as a novel semi-batch reactor method for directly synthesizing the novel particles at room temperature. The powders exhibited a surface area of approximately 170 m2/g with a particle size of about 3-5 nm, and are formed of single crystal particles that are of uniform size and shape. The particles' surface area could be decreased down to 5 m2/g, which corresponds to a particle size of 100 nm, by thermal annealing at temperatures up to 1000° C. Control over the particle size, size distribution and state of agglomeration could be achieved through variation of the mixing conditions such as the feeding method, stirrer rate, amount of O2 gas that is bubbled through the reactor, the temperature the reaction is carried out at, as well as heating the final product at temperatures ranging from 150° to 1000° C.