Abstract: Systems and methods for heat treating closed shape workpieces are provided. In one example implementation, a method can include imparting relative motion of the closed shape workpiece such that the perimeter surface of the closed shape workpiece is moved relative to the lamp heat source from a first position where a first portion of the closed shape workpiece is presented to the lamp heat source to a second position where a second portion of the closed shape workpiece is presented to the lamp heat source. The method can include emitting lamp heat onto the perimeter surface of the closed shape workpiece from the lamp heat source during imparting of relative motion of the closed shape workpiece. The method can include implementing a flux control procedure during emitting of lamp heat onto the perimeter surface of the closed shape workpiece.

Abstract: A steel sheet is provided, having a tensile strength of 340 MPa or more, a particular composition and a steel structure in which ferrite has an average crystal grain size of 5 m or more and 25 m or less, 40% or more of cementite in terms of area fraction precipitates in ferrite grain boundaries, and the ferrite has a texture in which an inverse intensity ratio of ?-fiber to ?-fiber is 0.8 or more and 7.0 or less.

Abstract: A steel sheet, a plated steel sheet, and methods for producing a hot-rolled steel sheet, a cold-rolled full hard steel sheet, and a steel sheet. The steel sheet has a specified composition and a microstructure including 0 to 80% of polygonal ferrite and 20 to 100% of a total of martensite, bainite, and residual austenite in terms of an area ratio within 20 ?m of the steel sheet surface. The content of Mn in martensite present within 20 ?m of the steel sheet surface ([Mn]SM) and the content of Mn in a bulk ([Mn]B) satisfy [Mn]SM/[Mn]B?1.5. At a location 300 ?m from the steel sheet surface, an area ratio of the martensite is in a range of 20 to 50%.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrahigh strength multiphase steel with a dual-phase microstructure or a complex-phase microstructure and with a low content of residual austenite in particular for lightweight vehicle construction, to a method for producing cold-rolled steel strips from such a steel, and to steel strips produced using said method. The aim of the invention is a novel alloy concept with which the processing window for the continuous annealing of cold strips can be extended. According to the invention, this is achieved by a multiphase steel with a minimum tensile strength of 980 MPa containing (contents in wt. %): C?0.075 to ?0.115, Si?0.400 to ?0.500, Mn?1.900 to ?2.350, Cr?0.250 to ?0.400, Al?0.005 to ?0.060, N?0.0020 to ?0.0120, S?0.0020, Nb?0.005 to ?0.060, Ti?0.005 to ?0.060, B>0.0005 to ?0.0010, Mo>0.200 to ?0.300, Ca>0.0010 to ?0.0060, Cu?0.050, Ni?0.

Abstract: A method of leaching copper-containing ores, such as chalcopyrite ores, with a leach liquor in the presence of silver and an activation agent that activates silver whereby the silver enhances copper extraction from copper ores.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy for making an extruded and brazed aluminum product, the aluminum alloy comprising, in weight percent, 0.10-0.20 Zn to improve corrosion resistance, 0.9-1.2 Mn, 0.03-0.10 Mg, the sum of Mg and Mn being at least 0.99 to maintain or improve strength, 0.15 to 0.30 Fe to control grain size, up to 0.15 Si, up to 0.03 Cu, up to 0.04 Ti, the balance being aluminum and unavoidable impurities. The alloy may be in the form of extrusion ingots or extruded and brazed aluminum products. A process for making an extruded and brazed aluminum product from the alloy involves homogenizing, extruding, optionally working, and brazing the alloy to form the product.

Abstract: In various embodiments, aluminum alloys having yield strengths greater than 120 MPa, and typically in the range from 140 MPa to 175 MPa, are described. Further, such alloys can have electrical conductivity of greater than 45% IACS, typically in the range from 45-55% IACS. In one embodiment, the aluminum alloy comprises Si from 1 to 4.5 wt %, Mg from 0.3 to 0.5 wt %, TiB2 from 0.02 to 0.07 wt %, Fe less than 0.1 wt %, Zn less than 0.01 wt %, Cu less than 0.01 wt %, Mn less than 0.01 wt %, the remaining wt % being Al and incidental impurities. Such alloys can be used to cast a variety of automotive parts, including rotors, stators, busbars, inverters, and other parts.

Abstract: In a differential scanning calorimetric curve of an Al—Mg—Si aluminum alloy sheet with a specific composition in which the total content of Mg and Si is greater than 1.2%, a ratio (B/A) of an endothermic peak within the temperature range of 150-230° C. with a height A of 3-10 ?W/mg to an exothermic peak within the temperature range of 230° C. or above and below 330° C. with a height B of 20-50 ?W/mg is to be within a specified range.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy material has an alloy composition consisting of 0.2 to 1.8% by mass of Mg, 0.2 to 2.0% by mass of Si, 0.01 to 1.50% by mass of Fe, with the balance containing Al and inevitable impurities. The aluminum alloy material has a fibriform metallographic structure where crystal grains extend so as to be aligned in one direction. In a cross section parallel to the one direction, an average value of a size perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the crystal grains is 270 nm or less.

Abstract: Metallic matrix composites are synthesized by mixing a first reactant, a second reactant and a nucleator compound to obtain a reaction mixture, and heating the reaction mixture to an auto-activation temperature to initiate a self-propagating high-temperature synthesis reaction between the first and second reactants. The metallic matrix composite can include a metallic matrix and an in situ formed reinforcement. The reinforcement can be formed of discrete particles substantially uniformly dispersed within the metallic matrix. Each of the particles can have a reinforcement constituent disposed about a core formed of the nucleator compound.

Abstract: A powder material for an additive manufacturing process and a method of manufacturing a three-dimensional article via an additive manufacturing process. The powder material comprises an iron-based alloy including alloying elements of carbon (C) and copper (Cu). The iron-based alloy may be formulated to achieve a precipitation strengthened microstructure comprising a lath martensite matrix phase and a Cu precipitate phase. The iron-based alloy may have a Cu weight fraction and a nickel (Ni) weight fraction, and the Ni weight fraction may be less than the Cu weight fraction of the iron-based alloy.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a martensitic stainless steel part, according to which a stainless steel sheet is prepared with the following composition: 0.005%?C?0.3%; 0.2%?Mn?2.0%; traces?Si?1.0%; traces?S?0.01%; traces?P?0.04%; 10.5%?Cr?17.0%; traces?Ni?4.0%; traces?Mo?2.0%; Mo+2×W?2.0%; traces?Cu?3%; traces?Ti?0.5%; traces?Al?0.2%; traces?O?0.04%; 0.05%?Nb?1.0%; 0.05%?Nb+Ta?1.0%; 0.25%?(Nb+Ta)/(C+N)?8; traces?V?0.3%; traces?Co?0.5%; traces?Cu+Ni+Co?5.0%; traces?Sn?0.05%; traces?B?0.1%; traces?Zr?0.5%; Ti+V+Zr?0.5%; traces?H?5 ppm; traces?N?0.2%; (Mn+Ni)?(Cr-10.3-80×[(C+N)2]); traces?Ca?0.002%; traces?rare earth and/or Y?0.06%; and the rest being iron and impurities.

Abstract: A method of processing fully austenitic stainless steels, comprising the following steps: (1) performing a solution treatment on a raw material with a certain chemical composition, and cooling to get samples, the raw material contains: 0˜0.2% of C, 0˜0.2% of N, not more than 0.03% of P, not more than 0.001% of S, 0.5%˜1% of Si, 1.0%˜2.0% of Mn, 15%˜17% of Cr, 5%˜7% of Ni by weight, the remaining is Fe, and the content of C and N should not be zero simultaneously with a total content of both at 0.15%˜0.2%; and (2) performing hot-working for deformation of the samples obtained in step (1), to get a fully austenitic stainless steel. The stainless steel prepared by the hot-working deformation of the present invention has a yield strength of 2 to 3 times of that before hot-working deformation and an elongation of 1.05 to 1.2 times of that before hot-working deformation.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to new ferritic alloys comprising iron, chromium, and silicon. The novel alloys have surprisingly enhanced corrosion resistant properties, with excellent workability, strength, and ductility. The disclosed alloys, and products made therefrom are useful in making low cost, efficient, and clean biomass stove combustors, as well as other devices for use with biomass fuel.

Abstract: Provided is an austenitic stainless steel having excellent anti-carburizing properties even in a high temperature carburizing environment, and an excellent hot workability in its production. The austenitic stainless steel according to the present embodiment includes a chemical composition consisting of, in mass percent, C: 0.03 to less than 0.25%, Si: 0.01 to 2.0%, Mn: 2.0% or less, Cr: 10 to less than 22%, Ni: more than 30.0% to 40.0%, Al: more than 2.5% to less than 4.5%, Nb: 0.01 to 3.5%, Ca: 0.0005 to 0.05%, Mg: 0.0005 to 0.05%, and N: 0.03% or less, with the balance being Fe and impurities. In the austenitic stainless steel, a Cr concentration CCrz,23 n its outer layer and an Al concentration CAln the outer layer satisfy Formula (1) for a Cr concentration CCr in an other-than-outer-layer region and an Al concentration CAl in the other-than-outer-layer region. 0.40?(CCrCCr/CAl)?0.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of an aging heat treatment that can be used to replace conventional aging steps when making alloy embodiments of the present disclosure. Embodiments of the disclosed aging heat treatment reduce cost and complexity in producing aluminum alloy-based components while also promoting and/or improving microstructure stability of the aluminum alloys.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an ?+? Ti-6Al-4V alloy includes providing a near-net shape part made of an ?+? Ti-6Al-4V alloy, The part is heat treated in the ?+? field between 875 and 920° C. The heat treated part is water quenched to transform the ? phase into ?? martensite. There is no further heat treatment after the quenching step.

Abstract: Provided are a high temperature and chloride corrosion resistant NiCrTiAlSi/La2O3 coating at a flue gas side of a waste incineration power generating boiler and a preparation method thereof. The method comprises the following steps: (1) preparing a composite powder; (2) uniformly grinding the composite powder to obtain a spherical composite powder, then drying the spherical composite powder; (3) cleaning and roughening a surface of a substrate; (4) using a thermal spraying technique to spray a primer layer on a heating surface; (5) using a thermal spraying technique to spray the spherical composite powder onto the primer layer; and (6) cooling. The coating obtained by the method comprises a composite coating spray-coated on a surface of the primer layer. A rare element in the form of La2O3 is added to the coating to purify a grain boundary of the coating.

Abstract: A heat treatment facility performing a heat treatment on a workpiece, the heat treatment facility includes: a treatment container in which the workpiece is housed; a heater which is provided in the treatment container and heats the workpiece by radiation heat at least from below the workpiece; and a plurality of support posts which are provided in the treatment container and support the workpiece.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a process gas flow of a vacuum coating equipment includes: obtaining a flow set value of a process gas, and selecting a reference gas; determining a flow coefficient of the process gas relative to the reference gas; calculating a corrected flow value of the process gas according to the flow set value and the flow coefficient of the process gas; judging whether the corrected flow value of the process gas is greater than a maximum value in a range of a gas flowmeter for controlling the process gas flow, if a judgment result is yes, alarming an over range, and executing the process program with the maximum value in the range of the gas flowmeter as the flow control value of the process gas, if the judgment result is no, taking the corrected flow value as the flow control value of the process gas.

Abstract: A coating deposition assembly includes a substrate having an outer surface with a contoured geometry, a mesh mask having a plurality of apertures and being disposed over a subset of the outer surface of the substrate and spaced apart from the outer surface, and a tool secured to the substrate. The tool is configured to move the substrate and the mesh mask relative to a coating material source such that the mesh mask maintains a fixed spatial relationship with the substrate.

Abstract: A deposition apparatus, such as an ultra-fine pattern deposition apparatus is provided. A deposition apparatus includes a base substrate, a heating assembly, a deposition source material and a pattern guide. The heating assembly has at least a part thereof included in the base substrate. The deposition source material is disposed on the heating assembly. The pattern guide overlies the base substrate and has a portion thereof above the heating assembly and the deposition source material. The pattern guide has an opening including a laterally recessed lower region and an upper region. The opening extends from an upper surface of the base substrate to an upper surface of the pattern guide. The lower region of the opening is wider than the upper region of the opening, and the opening of the pattern guide is configured to guide a material emitted from the deposition source material to a target region on a target substrate that is spaced apart from the base substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of manufacturing a three-dimensional carbon structure. The method requires graphene layers and/or graphene oxide layers. The layers can be provided such that they correspond to the cross-section of a pre-defined shape. In this regard, the method of the present invention can be employed to manufacture a three-dimensional carbon structure having a custom shape.

Abstract: Nano-multilayered coatings and fabrication methods are disclosed. By exemplary disclosure, a nano-multilayered coating fabricated from sequential depositions on a substrate from an atmospheric-plasma chemical vapor deposition (AP-CVD) source is disclosed. The coating includes a vapor precursor fed to the deposition source, an amorphous oxide layer deposited from the deposition source onto the substrate, and a nanoparticle layer deposited onto the substrate on top of the amorphous oxide layer. A nano-multilayered coating of the amorphous oxide and nanoparticle layers is fabricated from alternating deposition coatings of the amorphous oxide layer and the nanoparticle layer onto the substrate two or more times.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of forming a dielectric film layer using a physical vapor deposition process include delivering a sputter gas to a substrate positioned in a processing region of a process chamber, the process chamber having a dielectric-containing sputter target, delivering an energy pulse to the sputter gas to create a sputtering plasma, the sputtering plasma being formed by energy pulses having an average voltage between about 800 volts and about 2000 volts and an average current between about 50 amps and about 300 amps at a frequency which is less than 50 kHz and greater than 5 kHz and directing the sputtering plasma toward the dielectric-containing sputter target to form an ionized species comprising dielectric material sputtered from the dielectric-containing sputter target, the ionized species forming a dielectric-containing film on the substrate.

Abstract: An evaporation apparatus including a material source, a chamber, a passageway, and a heating component is provided. The material source is configured to provide a deposition material. The chamber includes a manifold. The passageway is configured to be connected to the material source and the manifold. The heating component is disposed in at least a portion of the passageway and configured to heat the deposition material. A calibration method of the evaporation apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to accurately estimate the thickness of each layer of a multilayer film. A first optical value difference between an actually measured optical value and a first theoretical optical value is obtained, and the first optical value difference is compared with a preset convergence condition. In a case where the first optical value difference does not satisfy the convergence condition, a second estimated thickness value of each layer expected to have an optical value difference smaller than the first optical value difference is set. A second optical value difference between an actually measured optical value and a second theoretical optical value is obtained, and the second optical value difference is compared with the convergence condition. Each step is repeated to obtain the estimated thickness value of each layer in which the difference between the actually measured optical value and the theoretical optical value satisfies the convergence condition.

Abstract: In a preliminary deposition for producing an optical film in which multilayered optical thin-film is formed on a film substrate, a plurality of sputtering chambers are simultaneously energized to deposit a stacked body of thin-films made of two or more different materials on the film substrate, and the thicknesses of the plurality of thin-films are calculated from the optical properties obtained by the optical measuring unit (80) equipped in a sputtering apparatus. Measurement of the thicknesses and adjusting the deposition conditions for thin-films are repeated until the optical properties obtained by the optical measurement unit or the thickness of the respective thin-films calculated from the optical properties falls within a prescribed range.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for depositing high sp3 content amorphous carbon coatings onto external surfaces. This method allows adjustment of tribological properties, such as hardness, Young's modulus, wear resistance, and coefficient of friction as well as optical properties, such as refractive index. In addition, the resulting coatings are uniform and have high corrosion resistance. By controlling pressure, type of diamondoid precursor, and bias voltage, the method prevents the diamondoid precursor from fully breaking upon impact with the substrate. The diamondoid retains sp3 bonds which yields a high sp3 content film. This enables a faster deposition rate than would be possible without the use of a diamondoid precursor.

Abstract: A drawing apparatus includes: a drawing part; a cleaning-gas generator; a first valve between the cleaning-gas generator and the drawing part and adjusting a supply amount of gas to the drawing part; a first pressure gauge measuring a pressure in the drawing part; a compensation-gas introducing part introducing compensation-gas to be supplied between the cleaning-gas generator and the first valve; a second valve between the compensation-gas introducing part and the first valve and adjusting a supply amount of the compensation-gas; and a valve controller controlling the first and second valves, wherein the valve controller controls the first valve to supply the cleaning-gas at a predetermined flow rate to the drawing part and controls the second valve to cause a pressure in the drawing part to be a predetermined pressure when the first pressure gauge detects a pressure reduction due to a reduction in a supply flow rate of the cleaning-gas.

Abstract: In the disclosure, a processing method is provided. The method includes: (a) processing a substrate accommodated in a substrate holding region of a substrate retainer in a process chamber at a first temperature, the substrate retainer including a heat insulating region on one end thereof and the substrate holding region on the other end thereof; (b) supplying a cleaning gas to the heat insulating region at a second temperature variable within a temperature range lower than the first temperature and higher than a room temperature after unloading the substrate accommodated in the substrate retainer; and (c) supplying the cleaning gas to the substrate holding region at a third temperature variable within another temperature range lower than the second temperature after unloading the substrate accommodated in the substrate retainer.

Abstract: There is provided a film forming apparatus for performing a film forming process by supplying a film forming gas to a substrate in a vacuum atmosphere, comprising: a processing container in which a mounting part for mounting a substrate thereon is provided; a heating part configured to heat the substrate mounted on the mounting part; an exhaust part configured to evacuate an inside of the processing container; a cooling gas supply part configured to supply a cooling gas into the processing container; a purge gas supply part configured to supply a purge gas into the processing container; and a control part configured to output a control signal so as to execute a step of applying a stress to a thin film formed inside the processing container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus, method, a reaction chamber and a use of a reaction chamber for processing a surface of a substrate by subjecting the surface of a substrate to successive surface reactions of at least a first precursor and a second precursor. The apparatus comprises a vacuum chamber; a detachable reaction chamber arranged to be installed inside the vacuum chamber, and inside which the substrate is positioned during processing and a precursor system for supplying the at least first and second precursors into the action chamber and for discharging the at least first and second precursors from the reaction chamber. According to the present invention the reaction chamber is provided as a gastight vessel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to apparatus and methods for semiconductor processing, more particularly, to a thermal process chamber. The thermal process chamber includes a substrate support, a first plurality of heating elements disposed over or below the substrate support, and a spot heating module disposed over the substrate support. The spot heating module is utilized to provide local heating of cold regions on a substrate disposed on the substrate support during processing. Localized heating of the substrate improves temperature profile, which in turn improves deposition uniformity.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a chemical vapor deposition apparatus and associated methods. In some embodiments, the CVD apparatus has a vacuum chamber and a gas import having a gas import axis through which a process gas is imported into the vacuum chamber and being arranged near an upper region of the vacuum chamber. At least one exhaust port is arranged near a bottom region of the vacuum chamber. The CVD apparatus also has a shower head arranged under the gas import having a plurality of holes formed there through with at least two different diameters or densities. The shower head redistributes the process gas to form a precursor material with an uneven thickness that matches a remove profile of a subsequent CMP process. As a result, planarity of the formed layer after the CMP process is improved.

Abstract: A deposition method includes depositing on a surface of a substrate a stack by an ALD (atomic layer deposition). Also provided is an ALD reactor for carrying out the method and products obtained using the deposition method.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for phosphating of a metallic surface, wherein a metallic surface, optionally after cleaning and/or activation, is first treated with an acidic, aqueous, substantially nickel-free phosphating composition that includes zinc ions, manganese ions, iron(III) ions and phosphate ions, and is thereafter optionally rinsed and/or dried. Also described herein are a corresponding phosphating composition and a correspondingly phosphate-coated metallic surface.

Abstract: A method for marking an article may comprise forming a raised pad on a substrate of the existing article by applying a material to a surface of the substrate using a material addition process, and forming a design on a surface of the raised pad. The raised pad may be formed on the surface of the substrate to prevent mechanical stress from being propagated from the raised pad to the substrate in response to the design being formed on the raised pad.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a superhydrophobic surface arrangement, an article having the same and a method of making same. The arrangement is configured for generating, upon contact by water droplets, pancaking bouncing and reducing liquid contact time. The arrangement has an array of posts residing on a surface and extending from the surface, said posts having an elongate configuration with a base portion at one end and an upper portion at an opposite end. By way of the configuration of the posts and the Weber number the surface arrangement in use pancake bouncing of liquid droplets and reduction of contact time of the liquid droplets are effected.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of fabricating an aluminum alloy member for bonding different materials. The method may include etching the aluminum alloy member with one or more etching solutions, and forming one or more undercuts on a surface of the aluminum alloy member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solution for etching titanium based materials, comprising from about 27 w % to about 39 w % hydrogen peroxide, from about 0.2 w % to about 0.5 w % potassium hydroxide, and at about 0.002 w % to about 0.02 w % 1,2-Diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N,N Tetra acetic Acid (CDTA), the rest being water, said solution comprising no corrosion inhibitor, and said solution having a pH comprised between about 7 and about 8. The invention further relates to a chemical composition for preparing such a solution by mixing said composition with concentrated hydrogen peroxide, said chemical composition comprising potassium hydroxide from about 5 w % to about 30 w %, C.D.T.A. at a concentration ranging from about 1% to about 5% of the potassium hydroxide concentration, the rest being water.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for inhibiting corrosion of metallic surfaces in contact with an aqueous medium such as copper, copper alloy, and steel surfaces of an open recirculating cooling water system. In certain embodiments, an aromatic triazole having an anionic substituent bonded to a nitrogen atom of the triazole (ANST) is used as the corrosion inhibitor. In other embodiments, the corrosion inhibitor is a reaction product of an aromatic triazole and an aldehyde (ATA).

Abstract: A method includes providing a workpiece with at least one surface having an anodized aluminum coating and a trivalent chromium sealant. The at least one surface of the workpiece is submerged in a post-treatment sealant solution for 0.5 to 20 minutes. The sealant composition consists essentially of a corrosion inhibitor formulation, a water soluble polymer, an organic complexing agent, and an oxidant. The corrosion inhibitor formulation is formulated from at least one anodic corrosion inhibitor compound, at least one cathodic corrosion inhibitor compound, or a combination thereof. A concentration of each of the corrosion inhibitor formulation, the water soluble polymer, the organic complexing agent, and the oxidant is each in a range of 1-50 mM.

Abstract: A method and system for testing a cathodic protection system that protects a metallic structure with one or more DC power sources electrically connected to the metallic structure and an associated reference electrode. A Cathodic Protection Waveform Monitoring Unit (CPWMU) operates independently from power cycling by the cathodic protection system to measure cathodic protection voltage levels by measuring, over one or more measurement time periods, a voltage differential between the metallic structure and its associated reference electrode, a plurality of times when power provided to the metallic structure is cycled on and off. The CPWMU includes digital storage to store values indicative of the measured voltage differentials over the measurement time period. A reader that may be remotely located from any CPWMU communicates with a number of CPWMU's within communication range to obtain the values stored in the CPWMUs.

Abstract: A method for making a metal oxyhydroxide electrocatalytic material comprises titrating a precursor solution with a (bi)carbonate salt, the precursor solution comprising a first metal salt and a solvent wherein the titration induces reactions between the (bi)carbonate salt and the first metal salt to provide first metal carbonate species in the titrated precursor solution; and exposing the titrated precursor solution to microwave radiation to decompose the first metal carbonate species to form the metal oxyhydroxide electrocatalytic material and carbon dioxide. Mixed metal oxyhydroxide electrocatalytic materials such as nickel-iron oxyhydroxide may be formed. Also provided are the materials themselves, electrocatalytic systems comprising the materials, and methods of using the materials and systems.

Abstract: Water electrolyzers employs base metal catalysts and an anion-conducting polymeric membrane with an area specific resistance at 60° C. in 1 M KOH below 0.037 ohm-cm2. Preferably, the membrane comprising a polymer of styrene, vinylbenzyl-Rs and possibly vinylbenzyl-Rx. Rs is a positively charged cyclic amine group. Rx is at least one constituent selected from the group consisting of —Cl, —OH, and a reaction product between an —OH or —Cl and a species other than a simple amine or a cyclic amine.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are ion exchange membranes, electrochemical systems, and methods that relate to various configurations of the ion exchange membranes and other components of the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: An electrochemical device and method can include techniques involving bipolar membrane electrolysis to transform an input product into an output product. Some embodiments can include a gas-diffusion electrode as a cathode, a bipolar membrane configured to facilitate autodissociation, and an anode that can be configured as a liquid-electrolyte style electrode or a gas-diffusion electrode. In some embodiments the electrochemical device can be configured as a CO2 electrolyzer that is designed to utilize input product including carbon dioxide gas and water to generate output products that can include gaseous carbon monoxide or other reduction products of carbon dioxide and gaseous oxygen or the oxidation products of a depolarizer such as hydrogen, methane, or methanol. Embodiments can be utilized in the production of fuels or feedstocks for fuels and carbon-containing chemicals, in air purification systems, flue gas treatment devices, and other machines and facilities.

Abstract: An electrocatalyst comprising (i) carbon nanospikes and (ii) copper-containing nanoparticles residing on and/or embedded between said carbon nanospikes. The carbon nanospikes are doped with a dopant selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, boron, and phosphorous. Also disclosed herein is a method of producing the eletrocatalyst and a method for converting carbon dioxide into ethanol by use of the above-described electrocatalyst.

Abstract: An electrolytic system includes, a power generator that outputs a first DC power, a plurality of converters each of which converts the first DC power into a second DC power according to a target duty ratio, and outputs voltage information and current information of the second DC power, a plurality of electrolyzers each of which receives the second DC power output from each of the plurality of converters and generates a gas, a control circuit that outputs control information by which the first DC power approaches a maximum power, based on a voltage value and a current value of the first DC power, and a selection circuit that outputs the target duty ratio, and a selection signal as to whether to select each of the plurality of electrolyzers and each of the plurality of converters, based on the control information and the voltage information and the current information.