Surface Layer Contains Electrolytically Exposed Refractory Metal Or Compound Patents (Class 204/290.13)
-
Patent number: 6617154Abstract: An improved electrode for use in generating an electrical field in a saline solution is provided. In particular, a continuous crystalline metal nitride coated electrode is provided for use in a variety of saline solution applications, such as in an electrophoresis device for separating proteins or nucleic acids or an electroporation apparatus for the encapsulation of biologically-active substances in various cell populations. A method and apparatus are provided for the encapsulation of biologically-active substances in red blood cells, characterized by an optionally automated, continuous-flow, self-contained electroporation system which allows withdrawal of blood from a patient, separation of red blood cells, encapsulation of a biologically-active substances in the cells, and optional recombination of blood plasma and the modified red blood cells thereby producing blood with modified biological characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2000Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: MaxCyte, Inc.Inventor: Peter Meserol
-
Publication number: 20030136669Abstract: Electrode at least comprising an electroconductive support of a titanium-palladium alloy, titanium, tantalum or compounds or alloys of titanium or of tantalum, an electrochemically active coating and an interlayer between the support and the electrochemically active coating, wherein the interlayer consists of titanium carbide and/or titanium boride and is applied to the support by flame or plasma spraying. Process for producing these electrodes and their use in an electrochemical cell for producing chlorine or chromic acid.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2002Publication date: July 24, 2003Inventors: Fritz Gestermann, Hans-Dieter Pinter, Gerd Speer, Peter Fabian, Robert Scannell
-
Patent number: 6589405Abstract: An electrode with large active surface area is made by winding a Ti-fiber tow around a rectangular Ti-plate, and an electrocatalytic coating of three layers is applied. A precoat comprising a mixture of iridium dioxide and tantalum pentoxide is applied first, using a solution of the corresponding chloride salts in hydrochloric acid with some nitric acid added to inhibit corrosion of the metal. A sealing coat is then applied, comprising tin dioxide doped with antimony, in order to improve adhesion of the final oxide coat to the precoat. The third and final coat comprises particles of titanium dioxide doped with niobium in the +4 oxidation cemented with titanium dioxide that is doped with antimony. Anodes of this description are preferably assembled together with corrosion resistant cathodes in an alternating sequence, with a plastic coated fiber glass mesh placed between the anodes and cathodes to prevent short circuiting.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2001Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Inventors: Oleh Weres, Henry Edward O'Donnell
-
Patent number: 6527924Abstract: A cathode comprising an electrically conductive substrate made of titanium, nickel, tantalum, zirconium, niobium, iron or alloys thereof, coated with an intermediate layer of oxides of titanium and of a precious metal, and with an outer layer comprising metal oxides of titanium, zirconium and a precious metal, can be used for the electrolysis of solutions, in particular for the electrolysis of aqueous solutions of alkali metal chlorides.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2001Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: AtofinaInventors: Françoise Andolfatto, Philippe Joubert
-
Patent number: 6485961Abstract: An improved electrode for use in generating an electrical field in a saline solution is provided. In particular, a continuous crystalline metal nitride coated electrode is provided for use in a variety of saline solution applications, such as in an electrophoresis device for separating proteins or nucleic acids or an electroporation apparatus for the encapsulation of biologically-active substances in various cell populations. A method and apparatus are provided for the encapsulation of biologically-active substances in red blood cells, characterized by an optionally automated, continuous-flow, self-contained electroporation system which allows withdrawal of blood from a patient, separation of red blood cells, encapsulation of a biologically-active substances in the cells, and optional recombination of blood plasma and the modified red blood cells thereby producing blood with modified biological characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2000Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: MaxCyte, Inc.Inventor: Peter Meserol
-
Patent number: 6436274Abstract: A non-carbon, metal-based slow-consumable anode of a cell for the electrowinning of aluminium self-forms during normal electrolysis an electrochemically-active oxide-based surface layer (20). The rate of formation (35) of the layer (20) is substantially equal to its rate of dissolution (30) at the surface layer/electrolyte interface (25) thereby maintaining its thickness substantially constant, forming a limited barrier controlling the oxidation rate (35). The anode (10) usually comprises an alloy of iron with at least one of nickel, copper, cobalt or zinc which during use forms an oxide surface layer (20) mainly containing ferrite.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2000Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Inventors: Vittorio De Nora, Jean-Jacques Duruz
-
Publication number: 20020110726Abstract: The invention relates to a gas diffusion electrode (1) comprising a hydrophobic gas diffusion layer (3b), a reaction layer (3a), and a hydrophilic layer (5) arranged in the mentioned order wherein the reaction layer (3a) is arranged to a barrier layer (4), which barrier layer (4), on its opposite side, is arranged to the hydrophilic layer (5). The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a gas diffusion electrode (1), and to an electrolytic cell, and use thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2001Publication date: August 15, 2002Inventors: Bernd Busse, Lars-Erik Bergman
-
Patent number: 6379526Abstract: A non-carbon metal-based anode of a cell for the electrowinning of aluminium comprising an electrically conductive metal substrate resistant to high temperature, the surface of which becomes passive and substantially inert to the electrolyte, and a coating adherent to the metal substrate making the surface of the anode electrochemically active for the oxidation of oxygen ions present at the electrolyte interface. The substrate metal may be selected from nickel, cobalt, chromium, molybdenum, tantalum and the Lanthanide series. The active constituents of the coating are for example oxides such as spinels or perovskites, oxyfluorides, phosphides or carbides, in particular ferrites. The active constituents may be coated onto the substrate from a slurry or suspension containing colloidal material and the electrochemically active material.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2000Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: Moltech Invent SAInventors: Vittorio de Nora, Jean-Jacques Duruz
-
Patent number: 6365018Abstract: A non-carbon, metal-based, high temperature resistant, electrically conductive and electrochemically active anode of an aluminum production cell has a metal-based substrate having an adherent coating applied prior to its immersion into the electrolyte and start up of the electrolysis. The coating is obtainable from one or more layers applied from: a liquid solution, a dispersion or suspension in a liquid or a paste, a pasty or non-pasty slurry, and combinations thereof with or without one or more further applied layers, with or without heat treatment between two consecutively applied layers when at least two layers are applied.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1998Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Moltech Invent S.A.Inventor: Vittorio de Nora
-
Patent number: 6361680Abstract: Method and cell component for the electrowinning of aluminum by the electrolysis of alumina dissolved in a molten fluoride electrolyte comprises a porous micropyretic reaction product of nickel, aluminum, iron, copper and at least one additive element selected from silicon, tin zinc, vanadium, indium, hafnium, tungsten, elements from the lanthanide series starting from praesodymium, and misch metal. The micropyretic reaction product contains metallic and intermetallic phases, with a composite oxide surface produced in-situ by anodic polarization of the porous micropyretic reaction product in a molten fluoride electrolyte containing dissolved alumina, or by high temperature treatment in an oxidizing gas. The composite oxide surface usually comprises an iron-rich relatively dense outer portion and an aluminate-rich relatively porous inner portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Moltech Invent S-A.Inventors: Jainagesh Akkavaju Sekhar, Vittorio de Nora
-
Publication number: 20020027069Abstract: A cell for the electrowinning of aluminum comprises at least one non-carbon metal-based anode (10) having an electrically conductive metallic structure (12, 13, 15) which is suspended substantially parallel to a facing cathode (20, 21, 22). Such metallic structure (12, 13, 15) comprises a series of parallel horizontal anode members (15), each having an electrochemically active surface (16) on which during electrolysis oxygen is anodically evolved. The electrochemically active surfaces (16) are in a generally coplanar arrangement to form the active anode surface. The anode members are spaced apart from one another by inter-member gaps forming flow-through openings (17) for the circulation of electrolyte (30) driven by the escape of anodically-evolved oxygen. The electrolyte (30) may circulate upwardly and/or downwardly in the flow-through openings (17) and possibly around the anode structure (12, 13, 15).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2001Publication date: March 7, 2002Inventor: Vittorio de Nora
-
Patent number: 6352625Abstract: The invention relates to a specific cathode comprising a substrate made of an element chosen from the group formed by titanium, nickel, tantalum, zirconium, niobium and alloys thereof, the said substrate being coated with an interlayer of a mixed oxide based on titanium and on ruthenium and with an external layer of metal oxides comprising titanium, zirconium and ruthenium. The subject of the invention is also its manufacturing process and its applications in electrolysis.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2000Date of Patent: March 5, 2002Assignee: AtofinaInventors: Françoise Andolfatto, François Delmas
-
Patent number: 6352622Abstract: A compound electrode incorporating a lead substrate utilizes the lead as a support structure. This support structure provides a surface that engages a valve metal expanded metal mesh. The mesh member has a front and back surface with the back surface facing the lead support structure. At least the front surface of the mesh member is an active surface. Securing of the mesh member to the lead support structure in electrical connection permits the lead support structure to serve as a current distributor for the mesh member. The mesh member may engage the surface of the lead support structure by pressing or rolling the mesh onto the lead. Other engagement means can include the use of fasteners, or welding and the like. The resulting structure can be particularly useful as an electrode assembly for use in an electrolytic cell that serves for the electrowinning of a metal.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2000Date of Patent: March 5, 2002Assignee: Eltech Systems CorporationInventors: Carl W. Brown, Jeries I. Bishara, Lynne M. Ernes, Andy W. Getsy, Kenneth L. Hardee, Barry L. Martin, Gerald R. Pohto, Thomas J. Schue, Thomas R. Turk
-
Publication number: 20010022275Abstract: The invention relates to a construction for ventilation of hydrogen gas comprising at least a first metallic layer (1), sensitive to hydrogen embrittlement, a second (2) metallic layer, and a mesh (4), wherein the first layer (1) is joined to the second layer (2), and said mesh (4), forming venting channels (5) through which channels (5) hydrogen can be vented, is joined to, and in between, said first (1) and second (2) metallic layers. The invention further concerns a method for production thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2000Publication date: September 20, 2001Inventors: Bo Hakansson, Eduardo Fontes, Magnus Davidsson, Hans-Goran Sundstrom, Lars Blomgren, Arne Carlsson
-
Publication number: 20010019017Abstract: An anode of a cell for the electrowinning of aluminum comprises an iron-nickel alloy body or layer whose surface is oxidized to form a coherent and adherent outer iron oxide-based layer, in particular hematite, the surface of which is electrochemically active for the oxidation of oxygen ions and which reduces diffusion of oxygen from the electrochemically active surface into the iron-nickel alloy body or layer. The anode may be kept dimensionally stable during cell operation by maintaining a sufficient amount of dissolved alumina and iron species in the electrolyte to prevent dissolution of the outer oxide layer of the or each anode and by reducing the electrolyte operating temperature to limit dissolution of iron and by reducing the electrolyte operating temperature to limit dissolution of iron species in the electrolyte.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2001Publication date: September 6, 2001Inventors: Jean-Jacques Duruz, Vittorio de Nora, Olivier Crottaz
-
Publication number: 20010013474Abstract: A non-carbon, metal based slow-consumable anode of a cell for the electrowinning of aluminum self-forms during normal electrolysis an electrochemically-active oxide-based surface layer (20). The rate of formation (35) of the layer (20) is substantially equal to its rate of dissolution (30) at the surface layer/electrolyte interface (25) thereby maintaining its thickness substantially constant, forming a limited barrier controlling the oxidation rate (35). The anode (10) usually comprises an alloy or iron at least one of nickel, copper, cobalt or zinc which during use forms an oxide surface layer (20) mainly containing ferrite.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2000Publication date: August 16, 2001Inventors: Vittorio De Nora, Jean-Jacques Duruz
-
Patent number: 6267868Abstract: An electrode for use in an electrochemical machining process comprising an outer metal skin of corrosion resistant material, an inner core of conductive material, and an insulating coating disposed on an external surface of the outer metal skin. The external surface is partially coated with the insulating coating so as to define a pattern of raised areas to be formed on an internal surface of a predrilled hole in a workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1999Date of Patent: July 31, 2001Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bin Wei, Bruce Alan Knudsen, William Thomas Carter, Jr., Hsin-Pang Wang
-
Patent number: 6258224Abstract: A process of producing multi-layer cathode structures. In one aspect, the process comprises providing a carbonaceous cathode substrate, and forming at least one layer of a metal boride-containing composite refractory material over the substrate, wherein the surface of the carbonaceous substrate to be coated is roughened prior to the formation of the layer overlying the said surface. The roughening of the surfaces reduces the tendency of the layers to separate in high temperature operating conditions. In another aspect, the process comprises providing a carbonaceous cathode substrate, and forming at least two coating layers of a metal boride-containing composite refractory material successively over the substrate, wherein the content of metal boride in the coating layers increases progressively as the distance of the layer from the substrate increases.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1999Date of Patent: July 10, 2001Assignee: Alcan International LimitedInventor: Amir A. Mirtchi
-
Patent number: 6254743Abstract: This invention relates generally to an electrically conductive valve metal mesh of extreme void fraction. More particularly the invention relates in a most important aspect to an application thereof for an electrode structure in such a way as to prevent the corrosion of steel, including reinforcing steel in concrete, by cathodic protection.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 1990Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: Eltech Systems CorporationInventors: John E. Bennett, Gerald R. Pohto, Thomas A. Mitchell
-
Patent number: 6251254Abstract: An electrode adapted for chromium plating from trivalent chromium baths which comprises a conductive base, an electrode material layer comprising iridium oxide formed thereon, and a porous layer formed on the surface of the electrode material layer. The porous can comprise an oxide containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of silicon, molybdenum, titanium, tantalum, zirconium, and tungsten. Use of this electrode for chromium plating reduces the oxidation of trivalent chromium into hexavalent chromium.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1999Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: Permelec Electrode Ltd.Inventors: Masaaki Katoh, Miwako Nara, Yukiei Matsumoto, Setsuro Ogata
-
Patent number: 6248227Abstract: A non-carbon, metal-based slow-consumable anode of a cell for the electrowinning of aluminium self-forms during normal electrolysis an electrochemically-active oxide-based surface layer (20). The rate of formation (35) of the layer (20) is substantially equal to its rate of dissolution (30) at the surface layer/electrolyte interface (25) thereby maintaining its thickness substantially constant, forming a limited barrier controlling the oxidation rate (35). The anode (10) usually comprises an alloy of iron with at least one of nickel, copper, cobalt or zinc which during use forms an oxide surface layer (20) mainly containing ferrite.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1998Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Assignee: Moltech Invent S.A.Inventors: Vittorio de Nora, Jean-Jacques Duruz
-
Patent number: 6217729Abstract: The present invention provides an improved anode formulation and an improved method of manufacture. More specifically, the invention provides a tri-layer anode having an improved service life when used, for example, for steel strip electrogalvinizing. In one embodiment of the invention, the anode is comprised of a titanium substrate which is roughened and heat treated and subsequently coated with a first coating of iridium oxide/tantalum oxide. After the anode is heat treated, it is next coated, preferably by an electrodeposition process with a second coating of platinum. Finally, the anode is coated with a third coating of iridium oxide/tantalum oxide and subsequently heat treated.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1999Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: United States Filter CorporationInventors: Vadim Zolotarsky, David B. Blum, Mark J. Geusic, Irina Ivanter