Abstract: A method of encapsulating an article having first and second surfaces, includes positioning a first molding section in a sealing relationship with the first surface of the article and positioning a second molding section adjacent the second surface of the article. The first molding section is filled first thereby forcing the second surface of the article into a sealing engagement with the second molding section. The second molding section is then filled.

Abstract: A unitary polymer substrate having a plurality of microfibers projecting from a surface is provided. The presence of the microfibers greatly increases the surface area and can impart a cloth-like feel to the surface. The projecting microfibers may have a variety of forms, including frayed-end microfibers, tapered microfibers, microfibers having an expanded cross-sectional shape, and microfibers having a very high aspect ratio. A number of methods of producing unitary polymer structures with a plurality of projecting microfibers are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses and methods for producing molded products such as floor mats, including automotive floor mats. In one embodiment, a molding process is provided for producing a molded product using a mold having a lower plate and an upper plate. The molding process includes steps of filling a first cavity of the lower plate with a liquid molding material of a first color, placing the upper plate on top of the lower plate such that a convex portion of the upper plate extends into the first cavity of the lower plate and contacts the molding material in the lower plate, and curing the liquid molding material.

Abstract: The invention is a novel body armor that comprises a metallic layer having a surface contoured for close fitting to the wearer, the layer bounded by an outer perimeter, a second layer of organic material located adjacent the metallic layer, the layer of organic material having the same surface contour as the metallic layer, an inter-layer of releasably engageable fasteners inserted between the metallic layer and the organic material layer to form a multi-layer laminate, and a layer of semi-flexible plastic surrounding and in contact with the outer surfaces of the metallic layer, to form an armor unit cover.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic recording media made possible to improve reliability and durability of the magnetic recording media with an extremely thin overcoat. A magnetic recording media made by forming at least a magnetic coat and an overcoat on a substrate of non-magnetic magnetic disk on which surface a liquid lubricant having a structure of perfluoropolyether is coated, wherein average roughness of overcoat surface Ra is less than 0.8 nm, said overcoat being a diamond-like-carbon with a thickness in a range of 1.5-4.5 nm, and said lubricant on said carbon overcoat containing a lubricant component having a structure represented by chemical formula (1): (where, p=5-36, q=4-30, x=1-5).

Abstract: Provided is a recording medium provided with a porous ink-receiving layer containing thermoplastic resin particles and an inorganic pigment laminated on a substrate, wherein the pore radius distribution curve of said porous ink-receiving layer has a maximum peak in a pore radius range of from 1 &mgr;m to 10 &mgr;m and at least one peak in a pore radius range of from 0.001 &mgr;m to 0.1 &mgr;m and the total volume of pores having radii of from 0.1 &mgr;m to 20 &mgr;m is not less than 0.5 cm3/g.

Abstract: A recording material comprising a substrate and an ink receiving layer formed thereon, wherein said substrate has a thickness of 38-200 &mgr;m, said ink receiving layer is a porous layer comprising particles and a resin and has a thickness of not less than 40 &mgr;m and not more than 105 &mgr;m, and wherein the recording material has a curl value of not more than +10 mm, and a recording material comprising a substrate and an ink absorption layer formed thereon, wherein the ink absorption layer has a surface strength of not less than 80 g weight/cm. The recording material thus obtained affords sharp recording of images having extremely high water resistance and free of bleeding by the ink jet recording method particularly using oily ink. The material hardly curls even under severe environment associated with radically changing humidity, temperature and the like, thereby ensuring stable transportability of the recording material without trouble caused by being in contact with a priting head.

Abstract: A security document or device having a substrate (2), a smooth highly reflective layer (1) applied to the substrate (2) and having a reflectivity of at least 60 gloss units, a raised printed image (3) of lines or dots applied to said reflective layer (1) by a printing process and having a height of about 10 to 100 &mgr;m, and typically about 30 &mgr;m, and a similar spacing being adjacent lines or dots, the hue chroma value of the ink used to print the image being between 30 and about 50 chroma units tending towards a saturation value of 60 chroma units, the lightness of the ink being at least 50 L degrees (lightness units), and typically between 70 and 100 L degrees.

Abstract: A highly effective, micron-scale micro heat barrier structure and process for manufacturing a micro heat barrier based on semiconductor and/or MEMS fabrication techniques. The micro heat barrier has an array of non-metallic, freestanding microsupports with a height less than 100 microns, attached to a substrate. An infrared reflective membrane (e.g., 1 micron gold) can be supported by the array of microsupports to provide radiation shielding. The micro heat barrier can be evacuated to eliminate gas phase heat conduction and convection. Semi-isotropic, reactive ion plasma etching can be used to create a microspike having a cusp-like shape with a sharp, pointed tip (<0.1 micron), to minimize the tip's contact area. A heat source can be placed directly on the microspikes. The micro heat barrier can have an apparent thermal conductivity in the range of 10−6 to 10−7 W/m-K. Multiple layers of reflective membranes can be used to increase thermal resistance.

Abstract: To ensure that a camouflage structure will not lose its effectiveness even in changing temperatures (day/night, sunshine/clouds) when protecting against reconnaissance in the IR range, the camouflage structure features varying emissivity tendencies in the atmospheric windows II (3-5 um) and III (8-14 um). In other words, the emissivity in the IR range is not constant and at a certain level, but it has an increasing or decreasing tendency in at least one selected spectral range.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide functional films which can exhibit a variety of functions using functional fine particles, in particular, a transparent conductive film having a low resistance value using conductive fine particles. The functional film of the present invention is a functional film comprising a support and a functional layer on at least one surface of the support, wherein the above functional layer contains functional fine particles, and a ratio (&sgr;1/&sgr;2) between a dispersion value (&sgr;2) obtainable from the alignment of the functional fine particles at the front surface of the functional layer and a dispersion value (&sgr;1) obtainable from the alignment of the functional fine particles at the opposite surface of the functional layer is from 1.2 to 1.85.

Abstract: A label for a container has a transparent first foil (2) consisting of a transparent nonslip material (4), which can be a thermoplastic elastomer, a transparent second foil (3) consisting of a transparent material (5) with tensile strength, such as polypropylene, and an adhesive layer (9). The second foil (3) is arranged between the first foil (2) and the adhesive layer. The second foil (3) is provided with an imprint (17.3) on a side facing the adhesive layer (9) and the imprint (17.3) is embedded in the adhesive layer. In another embodiment the label includes a transparent foil (21), which is made of a transparent material (24) with tensile strength, a nonslip coating (22) on a first side (34). The coating (22) is preferably a lacquer coating (23). These labels provide a nonslip gripping surface on a container and are dimension stable, which facilities imprinting.

Abstract: A composite material comprising a core layer comprising filler and synthetic resin and containing the filler having a weight 0.7 times or more the product of volume of the core layer and bulk density of the filler; and a surface layer comprising a thermosetting resin reinforced by long fibers extending parallel in a longitudinal direction thereof, the surface layer being laminated on the core layer to cover at least one surface of the core layer with respect to a thickness direction thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas-barrier film which is produced through applying a layer containing a metallic compound to a surface of a processed-polymer layer produced from a mixture of a polyalcohol and at least one poly(meth)acrylic polymer selected from the group consisting of poly(meth)acrylic acids and partially neutralized poly(meth)acrylic acids. The invention also provides a laminated gas-barrier film containing the aforementioned gas-barrier film either surface of which is laminated on with a plastic film. The gas-barrier film exhibits excellent gas-barrier properties and can be produced through a simple, convenient process.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultraviolet-curable pressure sensitive adhesive composition comprising an ultraviolet-curable pressure sensitive adhesive component and a phosphorus type photopolymerization initiator. Also disclosed is an ultraviolet-curable pressure sensitive adhesive sheet obtained by coating a substrate with the ultraviolet-curable pressure sensitive adhesive composition. The ultraviolet-curable pressure sensitive adhesive composition is capable of retaining ultraviolet curing properties even if the ultraviolet-curable pressure sensitive adhesive sheet is brought into contact with wash water for a long period of time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wrap for a napkin, ice cream cone or similar item made up of at least two plies, including a top sheet and a base sheet, in which the two plies are laminated together releasably. Preferably, the lamination of the two plies is accomplished with a dry residue adhesive such that the adhered together surfaces of the two plies are non-tacky after the top ply is removed from the base ply. Printing may be provided on all four surfaces presented by a wrap of the invention to add value to the wrap, for example to present a game to the user or to present the user with coupons.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive adhesive composition is described, which comprises a polyester having an improved molecular structure and can find wide applications, which polyester has both a good mechanical strength and a good flexibility, is obtained from starting material components essentially comprising an aliphatic diol having a carbonate structure in the main chain thereof, and at least one of a polyhydric alcohol having three or more hydroxyl groups and a polycarboxylic acid having three or more carboxyl groups, and has a number average molecular weight of 5,000 or more and a degree of dispersion of 2.2 or more.

Abstract: High strength polyethylene fibers and their applications, for example, chopped fibers, ropes, nets, ballistic materials or items, protective gloves, fiber reinforced concrete products, helmets, and other products obtained therefrom, in which the fiber is characterized in that: it contains a high molecular weight polyethylene consisting essentially of a repeating unit of ethylene; it has an intrinsic viscosity number of 5 or larger and an average strength of 22 cN/dtex or higher; and the measurement of the fiber by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) exhibits a temperature-increasing DCS curve having at least one endothermic peak over a temperature region of 140° C. to 148° C. (on the low temperature side) and at least one endothermic peak over a temperature region of 148° C.

Abstract: A deformable, shrinkable fiber that is dimensionally stable at normal body temperatures of approximately 37° C. in the dry state, but is dimensionally unstable (i.e. shrinks and distorts) when wet at the same temperature. The fiber comprises a fiber forming polymer that has a dry glass transition temperature (“dry Tg”) of greater than or equal to 42° C. and a wet glass transition temperature (“wet Tg”) of less than or equal to 32° C. A method of making said fiber and absorbent article(s) made therefrom are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, useful for making lyocell fibers, having a high hemicellulose content, a low copper number and including cellulose that has a low average degree of polymerization (D.P.), wherein greater than 4% of pulp fibers have a length-weighted fiber length of less than 2.0 mm. Further, the present invention provides processes for making compositions, useful for making lyocell fibers, having a high hemicellulose content, a low copper number and including cellulose that has a low average degree of polymerization and short fibers. The present invention also provides lyocell fibers and molded bodies made from the compositions. An advantage of the compositions are their quick dissolving nature.

Abstract: The invention relates to essentially water-insoluble amphiphilic particles or molecules having predominantly hydrophilic and predominantly hydrophobic domains distributed anisotropically over their surface and a particle size ranging from 1 nm to 100 &mgr;m, consisting of antagonistic partial amounts of particles or molecules, which in each case have predominantly hydrophilic or predominantly hydrophobic domains, the partial amounts of the particles or molecules being agglomerated or associated over polar interactions or hydrogen bonds, as well as to a method for producing these particles or molecules and to the selective use of the particles or molecules.

Abstract: A thin film diamond coating is formed relatively slowly with a relatively low methane concentration and is identified by its Raman spectrographic characteristics. The thin film diamond, preferably 5 to 40 microns thick, provides substantially greater corrosion and erosion resistance in a corrosive environment than other thin film diamond coatings. It is believed that such thin film diamond coating is provided with enhanced chemical resistance due to its purity and quality.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an epoxy modified polyimide, which is a resin capable of treating at a low processing temperature and having an excellent heat resistance; photosensitive composition; coverlay film, which is excellent in electrical insulation property, heat resistance for soldering, film-formability, flexibility, and chemical resistance; solder resist; and printed wiring board. The epoxy modified polyimide is obtained by synthesizing polyimide having a hydroxy group or carboxy group and subsequently reacting the polyimide with an epoxy compound. The photosensitive composition is obtained by adding a photoreaction initiator or the like to the epoxy modified polyimide. The coverlay film and the solder resist can be formed from the photosensitive composition. The printed wiring board is produced using the coverlay film and the solder resist.

Abstract: There is disclosed a triazine-phenol-aldehyde condensate which contains at least 15% of nitrogen, has a melt viscosity of not greater than 2,000 cps at 175° C. and a solubility of at least 80% by weight at 25° C. by the 90:10 methanol:water method. Also disclosed are methods for the manufacture of the condensate as well as its use in fire-retardant epoxy resin compositions suitable for the manufacture of laminates for electronic applications. Additionally, disclosed is a composition comprising a physical mixture of a triazine-phenol-aldehyde condensate with benzoguanamine and/or acetoguanamine wherein the mixture contains from about 0.5% to 20% of benzoguanamine, acetoguanamine and mixtures thereof based on the weight of the condensate. There is also disclosed a glycidylated triazine-phenol-aldehyde condensate of this invention.

Abstract: An epoxy resin composition comprising, as main components, (a) 100 parts by weight of a polyfunctional epoxy resin which stays liquid at an ordinary temperature and has two or more glycidyl groups in the molecule thereof, (b) 3 to 80 parts by weight of a curing agent and (c) 1 to 100 parts by weight of a modified epoxy resin, is suitable as an underfill sealing agent, is capable of heat-curing in a short time with a good productivity, is capable of surely connecting a semiconductor device such as a CSP and a BGA on a wiring board without giving an adverse effect on each part disposed on the wiring board by heat-curing at a relatively low temperature, has excellent heat shock property (temperature cycling property) and impact resistance, is free from bleeding of contaminants from its cured product, and is capable of easily detaching the CSP or BGA from the wiring board in the case where a defect is found, making it possible to reuse a normal wiring board or semiconductor device.

Abstract: A metal surface treatment agent containing the following components (A) to (D), which securely adheres to a metal substrate such as aluminum, exhibits excellent corrosion preventive properties, even with a thin film thickness, and has excellent plasticity and adhesion to paints. (A) at least one organosilicon compound having three carbonyl groups and at least one alkoxysilyl group, the organosilicon compound being present in a weight ratio of 5 to 15, based on the total of the components (A) to (D) being 100; (B) at least one epoxy resin modified with an alkanolamine, the modified epoxy resin being present in a weight ratio of 10 to 30 relative to the above total; (C) at least one blocked polyisocyanate present in a weight ratio of 50 to 70 relative to the above total; and (D) at least one amino resin present in a weight ratio of ratio 5 to 15 relative to the above total.

Abstract: A PEI film to be bonded is disposed on a glass epoxy substrate through an alkane film, and a position to be adhered is heated to a temperature not less than the glass transition point Tg of the PEI film, thereby forming an adhesion-improving layer in which the alkane is dispersed into the PEI film, in the PEI film at the interface with the glass epoxy substrate. That is, the PEI film is bonded to the glass epoxy substrate through the adhesion-improving layer. Therefore, an adhesive strength is improved because the adhesion-improving layer has an elastic modulus lower than that of the PEI film.

Abstract: A heat treatable coated article including an infrared (IR) reflecting layer (e.g., of or including Ag), the coated article being able to attain a &Dgr;E* (glass side) no greater than about 3.5, more preferably no greater than 3.0, and even more preferably no greater than 2.6, following or due to heat treatment (e.g., thermal tempering). Accordingly, low-E (i.e., low emissivity) coated articles of certain embodiments of this invention appear from the glass side thereof visually similar to the naked eye both before and after heat treatment. Good matchability characteristics (i.e., low &Dgr;E* values) combined with good durability can be achieved by controlling to what extent barrier layer(s) in contact with the IR reflecting layer are nitrided and to what thickness(es) they are sputtered. Optionally, certain embodiments of this invention relate to coated articles that also have high visible transmission and/or good durability.

Abstract: Novel coating compositions containing a polymer, a hydrazide and a silane, methods of making and using such compositions and a substrate coated with such coating compositions.

Abstract: A polyorganosiloxane compound obtained by allowing a polyorganosiloxane having silicone resin structure to react with a polyorganosiloxane having silicone oil structure in the presence of a hydrosilylation catalyst, and having the both structures in the molecule. Also disclosed is a coating composition including the polyorganosiloxane compound, a silane or silicone resin having an RO—Si group, and a curing catalyst. The former polyorganosiloxane compound is compatible with silicone resins. The latter coating composition can provide coatings improved in flexibility without lowering the curability, surface hardness and weatherability inherent in silicone resins.

Abstract: A coating composition that can be applied to a lens, a method of making the coating composition, and a coated lens comprising a cured coating composition of the invention are disclosed. The coating composition is produced by providing a mixture comprising metal oxide colloid particles and an organosilicon compound, and adding an acetylacetonate metal salt and an aliphatic amine to the mixture.

Abstract: An absorbing ether-like compound including a siliconethoxy, silicondiethoxy, or silicontriethoxy species attached to a naphthalene or anthracene chromophore via an oxygen linkage is used as an organic light-absorbing compound. The absorbing ether-like compound is incorporated into spin-on glass materials to provide anti-reflective coating materials for deep ultraviolet photolithography. A method of synthesizing the light-absorbing ether compounds is based on the reaction of an alcohol-substituted chromophore with an acetoxysilicon compound in the presence of alcohol. A method of making absorbing spin-on-glass materials including the absorbing ether-like compounds is also provided.

Abstract: The invention features a method for preparing a high-density functional slide by coating a sol-gel containing amine-group bearing silanes and a solution containing polyaldehyde groups onto an organic or inorganic substrate, respectively. The resulting slide is useful in the preparation of highly homogeneous functional-group slides and the high-density and high-efficiency bio-chip/microarray.

Abstract: A method is provided for repairing a surface portion of an article including a metallic environmental resistant coating on a substrate. The coating includes a coating outer portion bonded with the substrate through a diffusion zone that includes at least one feature, for example Al and/or an intermetallic phase, in an amount detrimental to application of a metallic replacement coating and/or repair of the article. The method comprises removing the coating outer portion to expose a surface of the diffusion zone. The substrate and the diffusion zone are heated at a temperature and for a time sufficient to diffuse and/or dissolve at least a portion of the at least one feature in the exposed surface and in a portion of the diffusion zone beneath the exposed surface to a level below the detrimental amount. This provides a replacement surface portion integral with diffusion zone. Then a metallic replacement coating outer portion is applied to the replacement surface portion.

Abstract: A surface treatment, especially for titanium and aluminum alloys, forms a pigmented sol-gel film covalently bonded on the metal surface to produce desired color, gloss, reflectivity, electrical conductivity, emissivity, or a combination thereof usable over a wide temperature range. The coating retains its characteristics and impact resistance following exposures to temperatures at least in the range from −321° F. to 750° F. An aqueous sol containing an alkoxyzirconium and an organosilane with an organic acid catalyst and zirconium stabilizer is applied to etched or grit blasted substrates by dipping, spraying, or drenching, to produce bonds in a single application comparable in strength and performance to standard anodize controls. Parameters affecting performance include the sol composition, the Si/Zr ratio, the ratio of sol ingredients, the concentration of the sol, the carrier solvent, solution age, catalysts, surface pretreatment, application method, curing process, and primer used.

Abstract: A metal film, particularly, a stainless steel film having been not subjected to roughing treatment, and an aromatic polyimide substrate film having a thermoplastic surface can be combined with a high bonding strength to form a metal film/aromatic polyimide film laminate, utilizing an amorphous aromatic polyimide film of 0.05 to 3 &mgr;m thick which has a glass transition temperature in the range of 200 to 300° C.

Abstract: Improved compositions for coating paper stock, methods of forming such compositions, and methods of coating paper stock with those compositions are provided. The compositions comprise an aqueous dispersion including therein from about 20-45% by weight filler (e.g., a starch such as wheat starch) and from about 6-18% by weight wheat gluten. Preferably, the gluten is initially modified with a reducing agent so that the average molecular weight of the gluten is less than about 1,000 kDa. The compositions have a viscosity of up to about 2000 cP and a solids content of from about 25-57% by weight, thus making them suitable for high speed coating of paper stock. The finished, coated stock may be conventionally printed to achieve high gloss end products. The compositions are preferably water soluble, thereby greatly facilitating repulping of the coated stock.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved cookware vessel and a method of manufacturing the same. The cookware vessel comprises an inner core body of a foamable metal, and an outer shell surface of a non-porous metal. The shell surface may employ a finishing material suitable for use with food products. This construction provides a cookware vessel having a decreased weight and increased conductivity compared to other cookware vessels currently on the market.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to provision of a surface-treated copper foil exhibiting a maximum effect of a silane coupling agent which is adsorbed onto the copper foil and is employed in order to enhance adhesion between the copper foil and a substrate during manufacture of printed wiring boards. The invention is also directed to provision of a method for producing such a copper foil. To attain these goals, a surface-treated copper foil for producing printed wiring boards is provided, wherein an anti-corrosion treatment comprises forming a zinc layer or a zinc alloy layer on a surface of the copper foil and forming an electrodeposited chromate layer on the zinc or zinc alloy layer; forming a silane-coupling-agent-adsorbed layer on the electrodeposited chromate layer without causing the electrodeposited chromate layer of the nodular-treated surface to dry; and drying.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing an aluminium or aluminium alloy joined product, such as a shaped and hollow member, comprising the sequential steps of: (a) providing two parts made of aluminium or aluminium alloy, each part having a peripheral flange; (b) positioning the two parts such that the peripheral flange of one part faces the peripheral flange of the other part to form an assembly, and joining the facing flanges of the two parts by heating.

Abstract: A brazing alloy according to the present invention has a melting point equivalent to that of a copper brazing filler and is excellent in corrosion- and oxidation-resistance. The brazing alloy consists essentially of Mn, Ni and Cu, and has a composition in terms of weight percentage which, when plotted on a diagram as shown in FIG. 1, falls within a range defined by: the point A (37% Mn, 63% Ni, 0% Cu), the point B (18% Mn, 27% Ni, 55% Cu); the point C (42% Mn, 3% Ni, 55% Cu); the point D (50% Mn, 3% Ni, 47% Cu); and the point E (50% Mn, 50% Ni, 0% Cu), wherein Mn=50% is exclusive.

Abstract: An organic electroluminescent element and a method of repairing the organic electroluminescent element that solve a problem of a failure in luminescence and a failure in an electroluminescent element caused by the current leak are provided. The organic electroluminescent element according to the present invention includes transparent electrodes, a plurality of organic material layers and metal electrodes being formed in order on a transparent board and contains a protective layer for preventing current leak formed between the transparent board and a plurality of the organic material layers, wherein the protective layer for preventing current leak and/or a part of a plurality of the organic material layers is evaporated by absorbing an irradiated laser beam.

Abstract: A copolymer comprising 10-90 percent by weight of groups of Formula (I): and from 10-90 percent by weight of groups selected from Formulas (II), (III), and (IV): and mixtures thereof; wherein R1 is independently in each occurrence H, C1-C20 hydrocarbyl or C1-C20 hydrocarbyl containing one or more S, N, O, P or Si atoms, C4-C16 hydrocarbyl carbonyloxy, C4-C16 aryl(trialkylsiloxy) or both R1 may form with the 9-carbon on the fluorene ring a C5-C20 cycloaliphatic structure or a C4-C20 cycloaliphatic structure containing one or more heteroatoms of S, N, or O; R2 is independently in each occurrence C1-C20 hydrocarbyl, C1-C20 hydrocarbyloxy, C1-C20 thioether, C1-C20 hydrocarbylcarbonyloxy or cyano; R3 is independently in each occurrence carboxyl, C1-C20 alkyl, C1-C20 alkoxy or a group of the formula —CO2R4 wherein R4 is a C1-C20 alkyl; and a and b are independently in each occurrence an integer from 0 to 3.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic recording medium having a magnetic layer deposited on a substrate through a single-layer underlayer or a multilayer-underlayer, the magnetic layer includes magnetic crystal grains having an acicular structure or amorphous magnetic particles, an average grain size of the magnetic grain and a grain-size dispersion normalized by the average grain size are less than 16 nm and less than 0.5, respectively, a value Ku·v/kT which results from dividing a product of a magnetic anisotropy constant Ku and a volume v of the magnetic grain by a product of a Boltzmann constant k and an absolute temperature T is selected to be greater than 60, and a film thickness of the magnetic layer falls within twice of the average grain size.

Abstract: A method of activating a hydrogen storage alloy electrode. The method comprises the step of applying current cycles to the electrode where each current cycle includes a forward pulse effective to at least partially charge the electrode and a reverse pulse effective to at least partially discharge the electrode.

Abstract: A process for the production of hydrogen and electrical energy, with zero emission of pollutants, from ethanol which is produced from biomass, which is characterized by the partial oxidation/reforming of ethanol with water for hydrogen production which is subsequently fed to a fuel cell for production of electrical energy, more specifically where an aqueous solution of ethanol originating from fermentation of biomass is separated by distillation or any other technique so as to obtain approximately 40-70% by weight of ethanol, preferably 50-60%, this mixture, mixed with a suitable quantity of air in such a way so as the ratio of moles oxygen per mole ethanol to be between zero and 0.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus for a fuel cell system having high cooling efficiency. The cooling apparatus includes a chemical heat pump circuit using isopropyl alcohol, acetone, and hydrogen gas as a heat carrier. The chemical heat pump circuit includes an endothermic device incorporated in the fuel cell and an exothermic device for releasing heat from the circuit. The temperature of a heat carrier is increased to a first temperature by the heat of the fuel cell. The chemical heat pump circuit uses the heat of the heat carrier after it is heated to the first temperature to heat the heat carrier to a second temperature, which is higher than the first temperature. The heat of the heat carrier is used for other useful purposes or is simply desorbed. After the heat carrier is heated to the second temperature, the heat carrier is easily cooled by a cooling fan. Thus, the cooling apparatus has a high cooling efficiency.

Abstract: A fuel cell power plant having a plurality of functionally integrated components including a fuel cell assembly provided with a fuel stream, an oxidant stream and a coolant stream. The fuel cell power plant functionally integrates a mass and heat recovery device for promoting a transfer of thermal energy and moisture between a first gaseous stream and a second gaseous stream, and a burner for processing the fuel exhausted from the fuel cell assembly during operation thereof. A housing chamber is utilized in which the oxidant stream exhausted from the fuel cell assembly merges with a burner gaseous stream exhausted from the burner. The resultant airflow from the common chamber is directed back to the mass and heat recovery device as the first gaseous stream.

Abstract: An electrode for an electrochemical fuel cell is provided. More particularly, an electrode formed of a sheet of a compressed mass of expanded graphite particles having a plurality of transverse fluid channels passing through the sheet between first and second opposed surfaces of the sheet, is provided. The electrode is treated with a water resistant additive sufficient to provide utility as a cathode in an electrochemical fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell apparatus includes at least two facing, parallel plates, stacked together but spaced apart by resilient sealing beads disposed on at least one of the plates. The resilient sealing beads are adapted to facilitate control of fluid flows, such as electrolytes, between the plates and are thus called fluid sealing beads. Each plate contains at least one bolt aperture for securement of the two plates together in the described facing, yet spaced apart, arrangement. Separate beads disposed about the aperture(s) act as aperture load compensation beads. In one preferred embodiment, the fluid sealing beads have one uniform thickness, while the aperture compensation beads have another thickness less than that of the fluid sealing beads. In the same embodiment, the aperture compensation beads are wider, however, than the fluid sealing beads.