Abstract: Electroplating systems and methods are provided that employ a structure for defining a zone of deposition for co-depositing metal and nanomaterial on a cathode. Materials that may be co-deposited include copper and carbon nanotubes Pulsed power may be employed to produce a more dimensionally uniform and/or more functionally uniform deposit.

Abstract: A multifunction domestic station includes a reaction chamber connected to a source of a pressurised mixture of water and air, to a first source of a first fuel capable of endothermically reacting with the mixture and to a second source of a second fuel. The station also includes heating devices capable of heating the first fuel to a combustion temperature in order to prime the reaction between the fuel and the mixture; and devices for utilising the thermal energy generated by the reaction, in order to make the station operate as an electric power generator, a heat generator and a device for the disposal of domestic wastes. A device for powering the station with the second fuel and a method of operating the station are also provided.

Abstract: A system for dissociating hydrogen from water is disclosed. The system comprises a container having an anode electrode and a cathode electrode disposed therein; a DC voltage source producing a DC voltage; a controller having an input coupled to the DC voltage source, and an output coupled across the anode and cathode electrodes; and an electron extraction circuit arranged to capture the free electrons released from the water molecules. The controller is configured to produce from the DC voltage a pulse voltage having a stepped up voltage and a pulse frequency. The amplitude and frequency of the pulse voltage are sufficient to dissociate hydrogen and oxygen from water molecules of the water in the container and produce free electrons, and the pulse frequency is configured to maximize a rate of hydrogen and oxygen dissociated from the water molecules.

Abstract: A hydrogen/oxygen generator comprising: a dry cell electrolyzer, the dry cell electrolyzer configurable to be in communication with a battery; a power supply in communication with the dry cell electrolyzer; the power supply configurable to be in communication with a battery; a pulse width modulator in communication with the power supply; where the current supplied to the dry cell electrolyzer from the power supply is at the resonant frequency of the dry cell electrolyzer.

Abstract: A fluorine gas manufacturing plant wherein F2 is manufactured by the electrolysis of KF/HF compositions. The plant comprises skid modules for: HF storage, the electrolytic cells, storage and purification of the manufactured F2 raw gas, for fluorine gas delivery including a single buffer tank or multiple storage units, scrubbers to provide purified waste gas, for providing cooling water circuits, analysis, electrical rectifiers, an electrical sub-station with transformers and emergency supply, and for utilities including a control room with laboratory and a rest room for the personnel. The advantage of the skids is that they can be separately manufactured in workshops, tested, transported to the facility and assembled there. A great advantage is the safety aspect, a reliable F2 production for 24 hours and 7 days a week of high purity F2.

Abstract: Hydrogen production apparatus including an electrode pair including hydrogen electrode and oxygen electrode, a partition wall interposed between the hydrogen electrode and the oxygen electrode, and a tank containing the electrode pair, the partition wall, and an aqueous electrolyte solution, the hydrogen production apparatus generating hydrogen by electrolysis of the aqueous electrolyte solution by the electrode pair, in which the oxygen electrode includes an oxide or a hydroxide of a metal, and the specific surface area of the oxygen electrode is larger than that of the hydrogen electrode. Deterioration of the electrode caused by oxidation-reduction can be suppressed and the response to the fluctuation of an inputted power by the renewable energy, and reliability can be improved since a potential at the oxygen electrode can be kept at a predetermined level or higher in the hydrogen production apparatus.

Abstract: A fluid treatment device is disclosed. The fluid treatment device includes at least a first electrode and a second electrode in direct contact with the fluid. The fluid treatment device may include a control device which adjusts a parameter of an alternating potential difference provided between the first electrode and the second electrode based on the indication of the conductivity between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A gated electrode structure for altering a potential and electric field in an electrolyte near at least one working electrode is disclosed. The gated electrode structure may comprise a gate electrode biased appropriately with respect to a working electrode. Applying an appropriate static or dynamic (time varying) gate potential relative to the working electrode modifies the electric potential and field in an interfacial region between the working electrode and the electrolyte, and increases electron emission to and from states in the electrolyte, thereby facilitating an electrochemical, electrolytic or electrosynthetic reaction and reducing electrode overvoltage/overpotential.

Abstract: An electrochemical process and device for the controlled and uniform heating of electrically-conductive fluids, the process or device having at least one reactor and at least one power source with at least one electrode and at least one additional conductive material for direct heating of the fluid and for producing electrochemical changes of the fluid to result in at least one property change of the fluid and at least one product.

Abstract: The present invention provides control systems and methods for generating hydrogen gas by electrolysis. The electrolysis control system comprises an electronic controller including a shaped current waveform generator and a current control device coupled to the output thereof; at least one electrode assembly disposed within a housing adapted to store an electrolyte solution, each electrode assembly comprising an anode coupled to an electrical power source; and a cathode coupled to the current control device, wherein the shaped current waveform generator causes the current control device to periodically couple the cathode to ground to pass current though the electrolyte solution and generate hydrogen gas.

Abstract: An anode and cathode for an electrolytic cell configured as a low inductance transmission line to enable control of an interphase at an electrode surface. The anode and cathode are coupled to a switched current source by a low inductance path that includes a parallel plate transmission line, a coaxial transmission line, or both. The switched current source provides fast switching between current sources to provide fast charging and discharging of the double-layer capacitance associated with the electrode surface so that an isotope may be selectively transported to the electrode surface for oxidation or reduction. A photon source may be used to create a population of isotope containing species within the electrolyte. An additional static magnetic field and/or an alternating current magnetic excitation source may be used to modify the composition of the population of species containing the isotope to be separated.

Abstract: An electroplating process of electroplating an electrically conductive substrate is described. The process includes electroplating intermittently to a predetermined plating thickness using the substrate surface as a cathode and a plating metal as an anode at a constant voltage between the anode and the cathode by repeating application of a voltage between a cathode and an anode and interruption of the application alternately. It is described that a voltage time/interruption time ratio is 0.1 to 1.0, a voltage time is not longer than 10 seconds, and an interruption time is not less than 1 x 10-12 seconds.

Abstract: An Electro-Osmotic Pulse (EOP) system is used to dewater structure, both natural and manmade. Preferably, the system employs durable, dimensionally stable anodes affixed to structure in a configuration designed to maximize electrical contact with the structure and minimize electrode gas generation. The anodes and cathodes are attached to a DC power supply that provides a voltage potential between them. DC power is cycled until the structure has been sufficiently treated. Select embodiments employ perforated metal pipes as cathodes for the purpose of transport and drainage of fluids. In select embodiments of the present invention, the cathodes are connected to variable resistors designed to reduce opportunity for corrosion of buried metal objects in the vicinity of the EOP system. Select embodiments employ a pre-specified pulse train of DC voltage pulses to migrate water from under a crawl space while moving available cations in the soil. Select embodiments also protect large structures such as concrete dams.

Abstract: A microfabricated device employing a bridging membrane and methods for electrokinetic transport of a liquid phase biological or chemical material using the same are described. The bridging membrane is deployed in or adjacent to a microchannel and permits either electric current flow or the transport of gas species, while inhibiting the bulk flow of material. The use of bridging membranes in accordance with this invention is applicable to electrokinetically inducing fluid flow to confine a selected material in a region of a microchannel that is not influenced by an electric field. Other structures for inducing fluid flow in accordance with this invention include nanochannel bridging membranes and alternating current fluid pumping devices. Applications of the bridging membranes according to this invention include the separation of species from a sample material, valving of fluids in a microchannel network, mixing of different materials in a microchannel, and the pumping of fluids.

Abstract: The invention allows the formation of insoluble chemical compounds in a liquid medium by way of physical stimuli. Highly soluble salts are transformed into insoluble compounds so that they can be separated from aqueous solution to obtain a benefit from both the separated salts and the purified residual liquid.

Abstract: A dynamically configurable electrode includes a first planar electrode and a planar array of pixels in a different plane, wherein a polarizable liquid medium (including electrolyte solutions) is to reside in the gap between electrodes. The pixels are individually addressable by a time-varying voltage, and adjacent pixels receive, at any instant in time, either the same voltage waveform or a different voltage waveform. Adjacent pixels receiving different voltage waveforms generate corresponding movement of dipolar entities, including dipolar particles, ions, or dipolar molecules in the polarizable liquid medium between the electrodes, which can in turn generate fluid flow and movement of particles suspended in the fluid along the planar array surface.

Abstract: A power generator is provided with an electrolytic cell containing an electrically-conductive heavy or light water based electrolyte in which is immersed an electrode pair whose anode is formed of platinum and whose cathode is formed of palladium. Applied across these electrodes is a train of voltage pulse packets, each comprised of a cluster of pulses. The amplitude and duration of each pulse in the packet, the duration of the intervals between pulses, and the duration of the intervals between successive packets in the train are in a predetermined pattern in accordance with superlooping waves in which each wave is modulated by waves of different frequency and amplitude. Each packet of voltage pulses gives rise to a surge of current in the electrolyte which flows between the electrodes and causes the heavy or light water to decompose, oxygen being released at the anode while deuterium or hydrogen ions migrate toward the palladium cathode.

Abstract: A continuous hypochlorite generator is disclosed. The apparatus includes a brine tank 9, a make-up water line 15, a flow controlled electrolysis cell 19 fitted with electrodes 20, a salinity/flow sensor 31, a temperature sensor 27, a dosing line 23 and control means accepting input from each of said salinity/flow and temperature sensors and controlling said brine source and said make up water supply to maintain salinity and flow in said electrolysis cell and apply power to the electrodes within respective preselected ranges.

Abstract: An electroplating tool for providing a metal or metal film on a semiconductor wafer during processing thereof has a wafer chucking mechanism with a conductor or conductors associated therewith. The conductor(s) are electrically connected to a controller that applies a voltage or current applied thereto for altering the position of and/or varying the intensity of electromagnetic field lines originating from a source anode of the electroplating tool. The electromagnetic field lines originating from the source anode direct the deposition of metal from the electroplating solution to the semiconductor wafer. The conductor(s) of the wafer chucking mechanism improve and/or modulate the electromagnetic field lines of the electroplating process. This provides greater control of metal deposition during the electroplating process such that uniformity of the metal (e.g. copper) is provided across the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A method of electroplating metal onto a low conductivity layer combines a potential or current reversal waveform with variation in the amplitude and duration of the applied potential or current pulse. The method includes, over time, varying the duration of the pulse and continuously decreasing the amplitude of both the cathodic and anodic portions of the waveform across the surface of the low conductivity layer as the deposition zone moves from the center of the surface of the low conductivity layer to the outside edge. By virtue of the ability to vary the amplitude and duration of the pulse, the method facilitates the filling of structures in the center of the low conductivity layer without overdepositing on the outside edge, thus ensuring a controlled deposition of material across the surface of the low conductivity layer.

Abstract: A ceramic coating is formed on a conductive article by immersing a first anodic electrode, including the conductive article, in an electrolyte comprising an aqueous solution of alkali metal hydroxide and an alkali metal silicate, providing a second cathodic electrode in contact with the electrolyte, and passing an alternating current from a resonant power source through the first electrode and to the second electrode while maintaining the angle ? between the current and the voltage at zero degree, while maintaining the voltage within a predetermined range. The resulting ceramic coated article comprises a coating which includes a metal, silicon, and oxygen, wherein the silicon concentration increases in the direction from the article surface toward an outer surface of the ceramic coating surface layer.

Abstract: A method to demolish concrete that comprises electrically connecting rebar disposed within the concrete to a power supply, electrically connecting a counter electrode within electro-osmotic communication of the concrete to a power supply, and externally providing electrolyte as supplemental moisture for the concrete. An electric field is created within the concrete and causes water moisture to migrate toward the rebar thereby expediting the corrosion thereof. The corrosion of the rebar generates iron oxides, which because of their greater volume, cause areas of localized pressure within the concrete. As the corrosion process proceeds, an accumulation of oxides increases the localized pressure to cause cracking within the concrete.

Abstract: The basic principles of the method for heavy metals electroextraction from technological solutions and wastewater includes pretreating to remove Chromium-6 and high concentrations of heavy metals and periodically treating in a six-electrode bipolar cylindrical electroreactor made of non-conducting material to achieve lower accepted levels of impurities. Six cylindrical steel electrodes form two triode stacks and are fed with three-phase alternating current of commercial frequency (50-60 Hz), which can be pulsed. Each phase of the three-phase current is connected to three electrodes of one triode stack or in parallel to two triode stacks. The parallel connection of three-phase current to two triode stacks is performed so that the same phase of the three phase current is connected in parallel with each two opposite electrodes of six electrodes located along the periphery, or with two adjacent electrodes. A bipolar stationary aluminum electrode is situated in the inter-electrode space.

Abstract: A method for dehydrating a porous material using electro-osmosis, includes applying a pattern of D.C. voltage pulses to an anode system embedded in the porous material, wherein the anode system is electrically interactive with a cathode structure embedded in earth, and wherein the pattern of D.C. voltage pulses, has a pulse period T in a range from about 3 to about 60 seconds, and each pulse period T includes a positive pulse duration of T+ from about 0.7 T to about 0.97 T, a negative pulse duration of T? from about 0.01 T to about 0.05 T, and a neutral pulse duration of Tp from about 0.02 T to about 0.25 T. In another embodiment, each pulse period includes two or more positive pulses separated by at least one of either a negative pulse or a neutral pulse, with the positive pulse duration being the combined duration of the two positive pulses.

Abstract: A cathode current control system employing a current thief for use in electroplating a wafer is set forth. The current thief comprises a plurality of conductive segments disposed to substantially surround a peripheral region of the wafer. A first plurality of resistance devices are used, each associated with a respective one of the plurality of conductive segments. The resistance devices are used to regulate current through the respective conductive finger during electroplating of the wafer. Various constructions are used for the current thief and further conductive elements, such as fingers, may also be employed in the system. As with the conductive segments, current through the fingers may also be individually controlled. In accordance with one embodiment of the overall system, selection of the resistance of each respective resistance devices is automatically controlled in accordance with predetermined programming.

Abstract: Process for obtaining a ceramic coating on the surface of a metal having semiconducting properties, such as aluminium, titanium, magnesium, hafnium, zirconium and their alloys, by a physico-chemical transformation reaction of the treated metal. This process consists in immersing the metal workpiece to be coated in an electrolytic bath composed of an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide, such as potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide, and of an oxyacid salt of an alkali metal, the metal workpiece forming one of the electrodes, and in applying a signal voltage of overall triangular waveform to the electrodes, that is to say a signal having at least a rising slope and a falling slope, with a form factor that can vary during the process, generating a current which is controlled in its intensity, its waveform and its ratio of positive current to negative current.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for depositing a metal layer on a semiconductor structure. A semiconductor structure comprising at least one recess and at least one elevation is provided. The semiconductor structure is electroplated for depositing a layer of metal and for filling at least one recess with metal. The semiconductor structure is electropolished for preferentially removing the metal from at least one elevation, and chemical mechanical polishing is performed to remove a surplus of the metal from at least one elevation and for planarizing a surface of the semiconductor structure. The present invention advantageously allows the reduction of the demands on the chemical mechanical polishing process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for electrolyzing water for enhanced production of oxygen, hydrogen and heat by the steps of (i) providing an electrochemical cell comprising an isotopic hydrogen storage cathode, an electrically conductive anode and an ionically conducting electrolyte comprising water, and (ii) impressing a repeating sequence of voltages across the cathode and anode comprised of at least two cell voltage regimes, a first cell voltage regime consisting of a voltage sufficient to enhance cathodic absorption of hydrogen, and a second cell voltage regime consisting of at least one voltage pulse which is at least two times the voltage of the first cell voltage regime for a total duration no greater than 0.10 seconds.

Abstract: A floatable sanitizer employs a plurality of electrodes to contact a body of water in order to achieve a near maintenance-free sanitizing chemical generator. In one embodiment, the sanitizing chemical is chlorine and the chlorine is generated by an electrolytic process. The electrolytic reaction may be powered by photovoltaic cells, making the apparatus self-contained and able to float freely within a body of water. In one embodiment, the energy source is channeled through a polarity-reversing module. The polarity-reversing module alternates the direction of the current generated by the photovoltaic cells at a predetermined time interval. The reversing of the polarity reduces scale build-up and prevents corrosion of the metal electrodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for electrochemically processing a workpiece (61) in which a pulsating or alternating electrical voltage is applied between the workpiece and a workpiece electrode (62) which are arranged at a distance from one another in an electrolyte. A distance range is defined by precisely dimensioning the mean value of the applied pulsating voltage and of the voltage amplitudes measured with regard to this mean value. A double layer charge reversal on the workpiece which is sufficient for bringing about the desired electrochemical reaction results within said distance range, whereas workpiece areas situated at further distances do not experience a sufficient double layer charge reversal. The dimensions of the space between the workpiece and the workpiece electrode are proportioned in such a way that only points of the area of the workpiece to be processed lie within said distance range.

Abstract: An electroplating current supply system includes a power supply unit for supplying an object to be plated (4) with an electroplating current whose polarity is inverted at predetermined intervals. The power supply unit includes a first DC power supply (3A) supplying a positive current and a second power supply (3B) supplying a negative current. The system includes further a processing unit (58) for controlling the ratio in magnitude and duration of the positive current (I2) to the negative current (I1) supplied to the object so as to plate the object with a uniform coating.

Abstract: A method of electroplating metal onto a low conductivity layer combines a potential or current reversal waveform with variation in the amplitude and duration of the applied potential or current pulse. The method includes, over time, varying the duration of the pulse and continuously decreasing the amplitude of both the cathodic and anodic portions of the waveform across the surface of the low conductivity layer as the deposition zone moves from the center of the surface of the low conductivity layer to the outside edge. By virtue of the ability to vary the amplitude and duration of the pulse, the method facilitates the filling of structures in the center of the low conductivity layer without overdepositing on the outside edge, thus ensuring a controlled deposition of material across the surface of the low conductivity layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotary cathode electroplating having a head assembly, a substrate/thief assembly having a thieving ring which includes a number of individually chargeable segments, and a secondary induction assembly including a secondary core and a secondary winding. A motor drives the substrate/thief assembly to rotate relative to the head assembly. A controller directs electrical charge to each of the individually chargeable segments of the thieving ring. An electrical storage device stores electrical energy which is to be supplied to the controller. A charging apparatus induces a magnetic flux which induces an alternating current in the secondary winding of the secondary induction assembly. A converter converts the induced alternating current to direct current, which is then stored on the electrical storage device.

Abstract: Process for obtaining a ceramic coating on the surface of a metal having semiconducting properties, such as aluminium, titanium, magnesium, hafnium, zirconium and their alloys, by a physico-chemical transformation reaction of the treated metal. This process consists in immersing the metal workpiece (5) to be coated in an electrolytic bath (3) composed of an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide, such as potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide, and of an oxyacid salt of an alkali metal, the metal workpiece forming one of the electrodes, and in applying a signal voltage of overall triangular waveform to the electrodes, that is to say a signal having at least a rising slope and a falling slope, with a form factor that can vary during the process, generating a current which is controlled in its intensity, its waveform and its ratio of positive current to negative current.

Abstract: A method for dehydrating a porous material using electro-osmosis, includes applying a pattern of D.C. voltage pulses to an anode system embedded in the porous material, wherein the anode system is electrically interactive with a cathode structure embedded in earth, and wherein the pattern of D.C. voltage pulses, has a pulse period T in a range from about 3 to about 60 seconds, and each pulse period T includes a positive pulse duration of T+ from about 0.7T to about 0.97 T, a negative pulse duration of T− from about 0.01T to about 0.05T, and a neutral pulse duration of Tp from about 0.02T to about 0.25T. In another embodiment, each pulse period includes two or more positive pulses separated by at least one of either a negative pulse or a neutral pulse, with the positive pulse duration being the combined duration of the two positive pulses.

Abstract: A method of electrochemically machining an electrically conductive workpiece in an electrolyte by applying electrical pulses between the workpiece and an electrically conductive electrode, one or more machining pulses alternating with passivation voltage pulses for depositing passivation layers on the workpiece. The amplitude of the passivation voltage pulses is adjusted during an adjustment procedure in which the amplitude of the passivation voltage pulses is increased gradually from zero to the voltage at which the workpiece starts to dissolve in the electrolyte. After each voltage increase the resistance of the gap between the electrode and the workpiece is measured. The voltage value for the highest gap resistance is stored in a memory and used during further machining. The time span of the passivation voltage pulses may be divided into time slices and for each time slice the voltage is adjusted for maximum gap resistance during that time slice.

Abstract: A method of removing a metal skin from a through-hole surface of a copper-Invar-copper (CIC) laminate without causing differential etchback of the laminate. The metal skin includes debris deposited on the through-hole surface as the through hole is being formed by laser or mechanical drilling of a substrate that includes the laminate as an inner plane. Removing the metal skin combines electrochemical polishing (ECP) with ultrasonics. ECP dissolves the metal skin in an acid solution, while ultrasonics agitates and circulates the acid solution to sweep the metal skin out of the through hole. ECP is activated when a pulse power supply is turned on and generates a periodic voltage pulse from a pulse power supply whose positive terminal is coupled to the laminate and whose negative terminal is coupled to a conductive cathode. After the metal skin is removed, the laminate is differentially etched such that the copper is etched at a faster rate than the Invar.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus for electrolytic treatment capable of removing the ununiformity according to the frequency and can achieve high treating speed and high current density treatment, which comprises etching a metal web electrolytically using alternating waveform current continuously, wherein a frequency-variable means having an ability to vary frequency of an electric power supply of said alternating waveform current arbitrarily is provided, and a method therefor.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an electrolytic water including an electrolyzing vessel which is partitioned into an anode chamber and a cathode chamber by a partition membrane, electric current being supplied to electrodes set in the anode and cathode chambers and water to be electrolyzed being delivered into the anode and cathode chambers to produce anodic water in the anode chamber and cathodic water in the cathode chamber, electrolytic water thus produced being discharged through discharge ports disposed on the anode and cathode chambers, wherein the anode chamber is connected with anode side treating water supply means which is capable of supplying, as treating water, sodium chloride solution or potassium chloride solution to the anode chamber and which is capable of adjusting quantities of supply thereof, and the cathode chamber is connected with cathode side treating water supply means which is capable of supplying, as treating water, hydrochloride solution or dilute hydrochloride solution to the cathode c

Abstract: An electrolyzed water production system has a brine storage tank, brine supply means for supplying the saturated brine from the storage tank for mixing with raw water supplied from a source of raw water and an electrolytic cell for producing electrolyzed water. An electric control circuit comprises detection means for detecting the conductivity of the diluted brine supplied to the electrolytic cell, and feedback control means for controlling operation of the brine supply means in such a manner that the conductivity of the diluted brine detected by the detection means is adjusted to a predetermined target value.