Abstract: A heat to electricity converter including a working fluid and a pair of membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) is provided. Each MEA includes a pair of electrodes which are electron conductive and permeable to the working fluid, and a thin film electrolyte membrane sandwiched between the electrodes. The membrane is conductive of ions of the working fluid and has a thickness of 0.03 ?m to 10 ?m. At least one electrode of each MEA includes a non-porous and dense metal. One electrode of each MEA is in contact with the working fluid at a first, higher pressure, while the other electrode is in contact with the working fluid at a second, lower pressure. The first MEA is configured to compress the working fluid from the second pressure to the first pressure, while the second MEA is configured to expand the working fluid from the first pressure to the second pressure.

Abstract: A plating chuck for holding a substrate during plating processes, wherein the substrate has a notch area (3031) and a patterned region (3032) adjacent to the notch area (3031). The plating chuck comprises a cover plate (3033) configured to cover the notch area (3031) of the substrate to shield the electric field at the notch area (3031) when the substrate is being plated.

Abstract: The invention relates to an amalgam decomposer for mercury cathode chlor-alkali cells. The amalgam decomposer of the invention contains a filling of carbon steel rings whose external surface is provided with a catalytic coating for amalgam decomposition consisting of one or more electrically conductive metals carbides. The internal surface of the rings is free of catalytic coating and wettable by the amalgam, while the external carbide catalytic coating is not wettable by the amalgam thereby favoring hydrogen evolution.

Abstract: The present invention relates, generally, to a method and apparatus for electrowinning metals, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for copper electrowinning using the ferrous/ferric anode reaction and a flow-through anode, such as, for example, a dimensionally stable carbon, carbon composite, metal-graphite, or stainless steel anode. In general, the use of a flow-through anode—coupled with an effective electrolyte circulation system—enables the efficient and cost-effective operation of a copper electrowinning system employing the ferrous/ferric anode reaction at a total cell voltage of less than about 1.5 V and at current densities of greater than about 26 Amps per square foot (about 280 A/m2), and reduces acid mist generation. Furthermore, the use of such a system permits the use of low ferrous iron concentrations and optimized electrolyte flow rates as compared to prior art systems while producing high quality, commercially saleable product (i.e.

Abstract: A process for forming a polyimide composite electro-deposited film, which excels in durability of ink repelling function, wear resistance or mold-releasing property, has the following steps. An electrically conductive film is formed on at lest one side of a resin substrate. The polyimide composite electro-deposited film is formed on the electrically conductive film, while allowing co-deposition of at least one type of eutectic fine particles selected from the group consisting of water-repellant fine particles, wear-resistant fine particles and mold-releasing fine particles. This process can be used in the production of a nozzle plate having a discharge nozzle, by employing the water-repellant fine particles as the eutectic fine particles. When a metallic substrate is used, the polyimide composite electro-deposited film may be directly formed on one or both surfaces of such a metallic substrate.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell comprises an agitated, alkali metal amalgam-containing anode, an alkali metal ion-conducting solid electrolyte and a cathode, wherein the solid electrolyte and the cathode are separated from one another by a liquid electrolyte.

Abstract: A process for producing metallic lithium starting from an aqueous solution of at least one lithium salt comprises the following steps: (I) Production of a lithium amalgam from an aqueous solution of at least one lithium salt; and (II) Electrolysis using an anode comprising the lithium amalgam, a solid electrolyte which conducts lithium ions, and liquid lithium as cathode, wherein the lithium amalgam as anode is kept in motion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for plating a surface of a semiconductor workpiece (wafer, flat panel, magnetic films, etc.) using a liquid conductor that makes contact with the outer surface of the workpiece. The liquid conductor is stored in a reservoir and pump through an inlet channel to the liquid chamber. The liquid conductor is injected into a liquid chamber such that the liquid conductor makes contact with the outer surface of the workpiece. An inflatable tube is also provided to prevent the liquid conductor from reaching the back face of the workpiece. A plating solution can be applied to the front face of the workpiece where a retaining ring/seal further prevents the plating solution and the liquid conductor from making contact with each other. Further, the present invention can be used to dissolve/etch a metal layer from the periphery of the workpiece.

Abstract: A pump for exerting a pumping force on a fluid in an attached conduit, the pump being actuated by a voltage from a power supply, the pump comprising a liquid metal pool, a containment vessel for confining the pool, an inner tubular member in hydraulic contact with the attached conduit and with an open end disposed in the pool to divide a free upper surface of the pool into an actuation surface and a working surface, an electrolyte in contact with the actuation surface, an electrode in contact with the electrolyte, and an electrode in contact with the pool, such that application of a voltage to the electrodes causes a surface tension change in the actuation surface and a resulting height change in the working surface, whereby a pumping action is transferred to the fluid in the attached conduit.

Abstract: A thermal electrochemical system in which an electrical current is generated between a cathode immersed in a concentrated aqueous solution of phosphoric acid and an anode immersed in a molten salt solution of ammonium phosphate and monohydric ammonium phosphate. Reactants consumed at the electrodes during the electrochemical reaction are thermochemically regenerated and recycled to the electrodes to provide continuous operation of the system.

Abstract: A process for the electrochemical regeneration of a co-enzyme, which process comprises the steps of(i) electrochemically oxidizing a medium containing oxidized co-enzyme and biochemically inactive isomers of the co-enzyme to oxidize the biochemically inactive isomers,(ii) generating a mercury amalgam in an electrochemical cell;(iii) contacting in a reaction vessel the mercury amalgam and the medium containing the oxidize co-enzyme from step (i), with one of the reactants selected from the mercury amalgam and the oxidized co-enzyme being in the form of a plurality of droplets.

Abstract: A cathodic protection system for protecting a metallic structure (16,74) from corrosion caused by current flowing between the structure and surrounding environment includes a non-ionized metal anode (18) which exists in a liquid state at the particular pressure and temperature at its location in a hole (20) in the earth. The liquid anode (18) is composed of a metal having a specific gravity greater than 10 and a molecular weight greater than, or equal to, 100. In a preferred embodiment, it is mercury. The amount of liquid anode can be adjusted to regulate the density of electrical current emanating from the anode and the hole in which the anode is located includes a measuring system (46) for monitoring the quantity of liquid anode (18) in the earth hole.

Abstract: A monitoring and control apparatus for flowing mercury electrolytic cells by measurement of the voltage drop in the shunted feed line of each electrode group comprising taps at the ends of a measured section of electrical bus bars for each electrode group electrically connected to a measuring means whereby the measured voltage drop is fed as an amplified signal to the measuring means, a control means set for a value from the total cell current divided by the number of taps comparing the actual measured values at various feed lines and a signal means activated when a set excess current is exceeded and to actuate the adjusters for a group of electrodes to lift the electrodes stepwise by an adjustable amount until excess current is not measured by comparison indicating that the feed line is no longer overloaded and a method of monitoring electric current in a mercury cell.

Abstract: In a flowing mercury cathode electrolytic cell for the electrolysis of aqueous solutions there is provided an improved brine flow baffle insertable into the brine inlet trough.

Abstract: This invention relates to electrodes for electrolytic cells. More particularly, this invention relates to electrodes for an electrolytic cell comprising:(a) means for supplying electric current;(b) a main current distributor;(c) rectangular-sectioned conductors having flat activated electrode faces and arranged standing upright, the ratio of the width to height of a cross-section being from about 1:5 to about 2:3; and(d) flat, rectangular-sectioned current distributors arranged perpendicularly to the conductors (c) and spaced from about 30 to about 150 mm apart, the ratio of the width to height of a cross-section being smaller than that for the cross-section of conductors (c), the ratio of free passage area to projected area in the zone of the conductors (c) being from about 20:30 to about 60:80 and conductors (c) being connected to current distributors (d), which are in turn connected to main current distributor (b).

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for cleaning the bottom of mercury cathode electrolytic cells or the like, usable in closed cells which are cut off from the power supply and maintained under suction, characterized in that said apparatus consists essentially of a plate or strap that is displaceable along the bottom of the cell, and having an overall length substantially corresponding to the width of the cell-bottom to be cleaned, said strap normally resting on or near the bottom of the cell, and means for moving said strap along the bottom of the cell to scrape or dislodge mercury sludge and other residues that have accumulated during the operation of the cell. The means for moving the strap along the bottom of the cell may be manually actuated from outside the cell or they may be actuated by motor means situated outside the cell.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell for electrolysis of an aqueous sodium chloride solution is provided with a closure for its open side which is resistant to degradation by chlorine and ozone. The cover has an external elastomeric layer which is stable when exposed to ozone and a polytetrafluoroethylene layer facing the aqueous solution which resists attack by chlorine, and intermediate polyamide, polyester or fiberglass mesh on synthetic rubber layers. The synthetic rubber layer is chloroprene vulcanized with lead oxide.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of halogens and alkali metal hydroxide by electrolysis of aqueous solution of alkali metal halides in a flowing mercury electrolysis cell wherein the salt solutions do not have to purified and to novel amalgam denuders and a mercury electrolytic cell plant without a salt purification step.

Abstract: A deflected flow inlet system for use in mercury-type electrolytic cells to help prevent inlet flow from jumping the inlet channel and splattering the mercury cathode onto the anodes.

Abstract: A vertical electrolytic cell has an anode separated from a cathode by a diaphragm. The cathode comprises continuous threads of mercury flowing down by gravity from evenly distributed apertures in the bottom wall of at least one channel fed with mercury.

Abstract: A horizontal electrolyzer comprises a mercury cathode, an anode located above the cathode and an inclined diaphragm separating the cathode from the anode, the cathode, diaphragm and anode being substantially parallel. The cathode consists of mercury flowing longitudinally in a plurality of channels which are vertically offset with respect to each other.

Abstract: A vertical liquid electrode is employed in an electrolytic cell used to manufacture chemical products by the electrolytic decomposition of an electrolyte. The cell incorporates the advantages of high current density, high current efficiency, low space requirement, low liquid electrode requirement, and convenience of optional diaphragm employment.