Abstract: A high current density cathode for electrorefining in a molten electrolyte for the continuous production and collection of loose dendritic or powdery deposits. The high current density cathode eliminates the requirement for mechanical scraping and electrochemical stripping of the deposits from the cathode in an anode/cathode module. The high current density cathode comprises a perforated electrical insulated material coating such that the current density is up to 3 A/cm2.

Abstract: Disclosed is a structural alloy with oxidation resistance for electrolytic reduction equipment for treatment of spent nuclear fuel. More particularly, the present invention relates to a structural alloy with oxidation resistance for electrolytic reduction equipment for treatment of spent nuclear fuel wherein Cr, Si, Al, Nb and Ti are added to a Ni-based substrate so as to form an oxide coating film which is stable in a LiCl—Li2O molten salt and, in addition, a process thereof and use of the same.

Abstract: The invention is directed to conductive polymer compositions, catalytic ink compositions (e.g., for use in screen-printing), electrodes produced by deposition of an ink composition, as well as methods of making, and methods of using such compositions and electrodes. An exemplary ink material comprises a metal catalyst (e.g., platinum black and/or platinum-on-carbon), graphite as a conducting material, a polymer binding material, and an organic solvent. In one aspect, the polymer binding material comprises a polymer binder blend comprising first and second polymers, wherein the first polymer has a glass transition temperature higher than the second polymer. In a second aspect, the polymer binding material comprises a hydrophilic acrylic polymer, copolymer, or terpolymer. The conductive polymer compositions of the present invention may be used, for example, to make electrochemical sensors. Such sensors may be used, for example, in a variety of devices to monitor analyte amount or concentrations in subjects.

Abstract: Catalysts, electrodes, devices, kits, and systems for electrolysis which can be used for energy storage, particularly in the area of energy conversion, and/or production of oxygen, hydrogen, and/or oxygen and/or hydrogen containing species. Compositions and methods for forming electrodes and other devices are also provided.

Abstract: A lead calcium tin alloy to which cobalt has been added is described. The alloy is useful in the formation of anodes to be used in electrowinning cells. Electrowinning cells containing the cobalt alloys are particularly suited for electrowinning metals, such as copper, from sulfuric acid electrolytes. The cobalt-containing anodes improve the efficiency of oxygen evolution at the anode during electrowinning and reduce corrosion of the anode.

Abstract: Provided is a copper anode or a phosphorous-containing copper anode for use in performing electroplating copper on a semiconductor wafer, wherein purity of the copper anode or the phosphorous-containing copper anode excluding phosphorous is 99.99 wt % or higher, and silicon as an impurity is 10 wtppm or less. Additionally provided is an electroplating copper method capable of effectively preventing the adhesion of particles on a plating object, particularly onto a semiconductor wafer during electroplating copper, a phosphorous-containing copper anode for use in such electroplating copper, and a semiconductor wafer comprising a copper layer with low particle adhesion formed by the foregoing copper electroplating.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cathode plate (1) that is used in the electrolytic cleaning and recovery of metals, the cathode plate being at least partly manufactured of stainless steel and the surface of the cathode plate being treated in at least one stage, whereby the cathode plate is formed by cutting it from a solid plate-like material (2), whereby, essentially before cutting (4) the cathode plate to shape, at least part of the surface constituting the cathode plate is subjected to a mechanical treatment (3) to improve the adhesion properties of the surface. The invention also relates to the cathode plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insoluble anode for electrolytic plating, the insoluble anode having two or more phases comprising an anode base body and a screen wherein the anode base body of steel, stainless steel, nickel, nickel alloy, cobalt, and cobalt alloy.

Abstract: A biosensing device for detecting a presence of target biomolecules is provided, including at least one working electrode having a systematic array of nano-electrode wires projecting vertically from an electrode pad. The nano-electrode wires all have a same shape and size and are distributed non-randomly over the electrode pad. Biosensor probes are attached to the nano-electrode wire, each including a bioreceptor selected to bind with a complementary target biomolecule to create a binding event, and an electrochemical transducer transducing this binding event into an electrical signal conducted by the corresponding nano-electrode wire. A biosensing method using such a device is provided, as well as a fabrication method thereof.

Abstract: An electrode catalyst comprising a conductive carrier, and a mixture containing a particulate noble metal and at least one particulate rare-earth oxide, the mixture being supported on the conductive carrier wherein the particulate rare-earth oxide has an alkaline-earth metal as solid solution therein.

Abstract: A catalyst particle having high oxygen reduction reactivity and low methanol oxidation reactivity, a supported catalyst comprising the catalyst particle, and a fuel cell using a cathode comprising the supported catalyst are provided. The whole catalyst particle or at least the surface of the catalyst particle includes an alloy of two or more metals selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, Ni, Rh, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, Zn, and Cd. The alloy has a stronger oxygen-binding force than platinum or a weaker hydrogen-binding force than platinum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrode composed of an Al-M-Cu based alloy, to a process for preparing the Al-M-Cu based alloy, to an electrolytic cell comprising the electrode the use of an Al-M-Cu based alloy as an anode and to a method for extracting a reactive metal from a reactive metal-containing source using an Al-M-Cu based alloy as an anode.

Abstract: A hydrogen gas generator for jet engines includes a device that utilizes photons and a catalyst to disassociate hydrogen gas from water. The generated hydrogen gas is directed to the combustion chamber of a jet engine and combined with air therein for burning and powering the jet engine. The device is connected to a source of electric energy and pressurized water. The electric energy is supplied to an anode and a surrounding cathode. The cathode is designed to glow white-hot and emit photons and heat when an electric current is supplied thereto. The anode is fabricated from a catalytic material and is designed to become red-hot when supplied with electric energy. Water is supplied through a conduit and is converted to superheated steam, which is thermolytically decomposed to form hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition for use in a NOx electrode comprising: Tb(1-x)Ln(x)E(1-y)Q(y1)X(y2)Z(y3)O3 wherein Ln is a lanthanoid or a combination of lanthanoids, E is a metal selected from chromium, iron, and a combination thereof, Q is an element selected from magnesium, calcium, strontium, and a combination thereof, X is an element selected from boron, lead, phosphorus, germanium, and a combination thereof, Z is an element selected from barium, silicon, aluminum, and a combination thereof, x is from 0 to about 0.5, y is from about 0.05 to about 0.8, and y1, y2, y3 are independently from 0 to about 0.8, with the proviso that y=y1+y2+y3, and y2+y3 is greater than 0. Also disclosed are a method of making it, electrodes and sensors comprising it, and a method of detecting NOx.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dimensionally stable oxygen-evolving anode for use in an electrolytic cell for the production of aluminium. The anode comprises of a container made from an alloy comprising aluminium and at least one metal more noble than aluminium; a fluid bath in the bottom of the container having the ability to dissolve aluminium, said fluid having a density that is higher than the density of molten aluminium at the operating temperature of the cell, a pool of molten aluminium floating on top of the fluid bath in the bottom of the container; a refractory layer arranged on the inner sidewalls of the container at least in the area of the pool of molten aluminium, said refractory layer protecting the molten aluminium from contacting the inner sidewalls of the container.

Abstract: Cathodes for aluminum electrolysis cells are formed of cathode blocks and current collector bars attached to those blocks. The cathode block has a cathode slot for receiving the collector bar and has a higher depth at a center than at both lateral edges of the cathode block. Additionally, the collector bar thickness is higher at the center than at both lateral edges of the cathode block. This cathode configuration provides a more even current distribution and, thus, a longer useful lifetime of such cathodes and increases cell productivity.

Abstract: An electro-catalyst for the oxidation of ammonia in alkaline media; the electrocatalyst being a noble metal co-deposited on a support with one or more other metals that are active to ammonia oxidation. In some embodiments, the support is platinum, gold, tantalum, or iridium. In some embodiments, the support has a layer of Raney metal deposited thereon prior to the deposition of the catalyst. Also provided are electrodes having the electro-catalyst deposited thereon, ammonia electrolytic cells, ammonia fuel cells, ammonia sensors, and a method for removing ammonia contaminants from a contaminated effluent.

Abstract: Fluid treatment apparatus having an alloy disk assembly comprised of a plurality of disks, each prepared from the metal elements copper, zinc, nickel, silver, and tin, which individually exhibit great propensity for reducing scale formation in flow conduits; particularly when combined together to form the fluid treatment alloy disk assembly of this disclosure. The disk assembly is housed within a suitable enclosure having passageways arranged to effect countercurrent flow through a series of apertured disks. The close proximity of the counterflowing streams within the alloy disk assembly provide unexpected advances in the art of fluid treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (2) for generating electrical discharge in a fluid medium (3) in order to generate electrohydraulic shock waves. The electrodes (1) consist of a metallic work material. An electrical voltage is applied to the electrodes (1) in order to generate a voltage breakdown between the tips of the electrodes in the fluid medium (3), which work material consists of a titanium alloy with a hardness of at least 300 HV to 650 HV.

Abstract: The present invention concerns electrode materials capable of redox reactions by electrons and alkaline ions exchange with an electrolyte. The applications are in the field of primary (batteries) or secondary electrochemical generators, super capacitors and light modulating system of the super capacitor type.

Abstract: An anode for the electrowinning of aluminium by the electrolysis of alumina in a molten fluoride electrolyte has an electrochemically active integral outside oxide layer obtainable by surface oxidation of a metal alloy which consists of 20 to 60 weight % nickel; 5 to 15 weight % copper; 1.5 to 5 weight % aluminium; 0 to 2 weight % in total of one or more rare earth metals, in particular yttrium; 0 to 2 weight % of further elements, in particular manganese, silicon and carbon; and the balance being iron. The metal alloy of the anode has a copper/nickel weight ratio in the range of 0.1 to 0.5, preferably 0.2 to 0.3.

Abstract: An electrochemical/electrocontrollable device having variable optical and/or energetic properties, including at least one carrier substrate including an electroactive layer or an electroactive layer stack arranged between a lower electrode and an upper electrode. At least one of the lower or upper electrodes includes at least four layers including at least one metal functional layer having intrinsic electrical conductivity properties, the functional layer being associated with an electrochemical barrier layer of an electrically conductive material transparent in the visible range, the electrochemical barrier layer being associated with a humidity protection layer of an electrically conductive material transparent in the visible range, and the functional layer being associated with a first sublayer of electrically conductive material transparent in the visible range.

Abstract: A sub-millimetre hydrogen collector generator ring disc electrode is disclosed which may be used in a collector generator system, for example for measurement of mass transport rates using hydrogen as a tracer. A calibrator and calibration method as well as a method of assaying tissue perfusion is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device of an electrode is disclosed, comprising a core and a surface coating of electrically-conductive material, and it is characterized by that the surface coating comprises one or several layers with a pore-free surface, each with a thickness of 0.005 mm to 0.050 mm, and formed by spraying, especially with a vacuum plasma spray technique.

Abstract: A gasket having the form of a frame is provided with a curved portion at an inner or outer periphery thereof. When used in combination with a similarly configured gasket, the two gaskets may together, upon compression, form a pinch seal. The curved portion may be provided with a chemically resistant material.

Abstract: A method of producing aluminum in an electrolytic cell containing alumina dissolved in an electrolyte, the method comprising the steps of providing a molten salt electrolyte at a temperature of less than 900° C. having alumina dissolved therein in an electrolytic cell having a liner for containing the electrolyte, the liner having a bottom and walls extending upwardly from said bottom. A plurality of non-consumable Cu—Ni—Fe—Sn anodes and cathodes are disposed in a vertical direction in the electrolyte, the cathodes having a plate configuration and the anodes having a flat configuration to compliment the cathodes. The anodes contain apertures therethrough to permit flow of electrolyte through the apertures to provide alumina-enriched electrolyte between the anodes and the cathodes. Electrical current is passed through the anodes and through the electrolyte to the cathodes, depositing aluminum at the cathodes and producing gas at the anodes.

Abstract: Stable anodes comprising iron oxide useful for the electrolytic production of metal such as aluminum are disclosed. The iron oxide may comprise Fe3O4, Fe2O3, FeO or a combination thereof. During the electrolytic aluminum production process, the anodes remain stable at a controlled bath temperature of the aluminum production cell and current density through the anodes is controlled. The iron oxide-containing anodes may be used to produce commercial purity aluminum.

Abstract: An electrolytic electrode having an interlayer having more excellent peeling resistance and corrosion resistance and longer electrolytic life than conventional electrolytic electrodes and capable of flowing a large amount of current at the industrial level and a process of producing the same are provided. The electrolytic electrode includes a valve metal or valve metal alloy electrode substrate on the surface of which is formed a high-temperature oxidation film by oxidation, and which is coated with an electrode catalyst. The high-temperature oxidation film is integrated with the electrode substrate, whereby peeling resistance is enhanced. Further, by heating the high-temperature oxidation film together with the electrode catalyst, non-electron conductivity of the interlayer is modified, thereby making it possible to flow a large amount of current.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The invention is directed to conductive polymer compositions, catalytic ink compositions (e.g., for use in screen-printing), electrodes produced by deposition of an ink composition, as well as methods of making, and methods of using such compositions and electrodes. An exemplary ink material comprises a metal catalyst (e.g., platinum black and/or platinum-on-carbon), graphite as a conducting material, a polymer binding material, and an organic solvent. In one aspect, the polymer binding material comprises a polymer binder blend comprising first and second polymers, wherein the first polymer has a glass transition temperature higher than the second polymer. In a second aspect, the polymer binding material comprises a hydrophilic acrylic polymer, copolymer, or terpolymer. The conductive polymer compositions of the present invention may be used, for example, to make electrochemical sensors. Such sensors may be used, for example, in a variety of devices to monitor analyte amount or concentrations in subjects.

Abstract: An improved electrical connection between an inert anode and a conductor rod is disclosed. The conductor rod has a smaller diameter than a hole in the anode such that a gap is provided between the conductor rod and the anode. The gap is filled with an electrically conductive particulate material, such as Cu, Ni and/or Ag. The particulate conductor material is at least partially sintered before or during operation of the anode. To ensure a good connection between the conductor rod and the anode, the particle size distribution of the particulate connector material may be controlled.

Abstract: An electrolytic copper plating method characterized in employing phosphorous copper as the anode upon performing electrolytic copper plating, and performing electrolytic copper plating upon making the crystal grain size of the phosphorous copper anode 10 to 1500 ?m when the anode current density during electrolysis is 3 A/dm2 or more, and making the grain size of the phosphorous copper anode 5 to 1500 ?m when the anode current density during electrolysis is less than 3 A/dm2. The electrolytic copper plating method and phosphorous copper anode used in such electrolytic copper plating method is capable of suppressing the generation of particles such as sludge produced on the anode side within the plating bath, and is capable of preventing the adhesion of particles to a semiconductor wafer. A semiconductor wafer plated with the foregoing method and anode having low particle adhesion are provided.

Abstract: A large surface area electrode well-suited to electrochemical applications is produced by winding many turns of a metallic fiber tow on to a sheet metal rectangle. In the preferred embodiment, an anode that can be used to purify water by electrochemical production of hydroxyl free radical is made by winding titanium fiber tow on to a rectangular substrate made of titanium sheet, and applying a suitable multilayered electrocatalytic coating. Made of other metals, an electrode of this description can also serve as the cathode of an electrochemical cell, or as a battery plaque.

Abstract: A method of producing aluminum in an electrolytic cell containing alumina dissolved in an electrolyte, the method comprising the steps of providing a molten salt electrolyte at a temperature of less than 900° C. having alumina dissolved therein in an electrolytic cell having a liner for containing the electrolyte, the liner having a bottom and walls extending upwardly from said bottom. A plurality of non-consumable Cu—Ni—Fe anodes and cathodes are disposed in a vertical direction in the electrolyte, the cathodes having a plate configuration and the anodes having a flat configuration to compliment the cathodes. The anodes contain apertures therethrough to permit flow of electrolyte through the apertures to provide alumina-enriched electrolyte between the anodes and the cathodes. Electrical current is passed through the anodes and through the electrolyte to the cathodes, depositing aluminum at the cathodes and producing gas at the anodes.

Abstract: An anode of a cell for the electrowinning of aluminium comprises a nickel-iron alloy substrate having a nickel metal rich outer portion with an electrolyte pervious integral nickel-iron oxide containing surface layer which adheres to the nickel metal rich outer portion of the nickel-iron alloy and which in use is electrochemically active for the evolution of oxygen. The oxide surface layer has a thickness such that, during use, the voltage drop therethrough is below the potential of dissolution of nickel-iron oxide. The nickel metal rich outer portion may contain cavities some or all of which, after oxidation, are partly or completely filled with iron oxides to form iron oxide containing inclusions.

Abstract: A catalytic powder comprising a plurality of support metal particles with a porous coating (12) surrounding the metal particles (11), the porous coating comprising either an electrocatalytic metal or an electrocatalytic metal continuous phase in admixture with a particulate material (14). An electrode made with the catalytic powder and a method to make the electrode is also disclosed. The present invention is advantageous because the porous coating mixture is first applied to a powder rather than being applied directly to a metal substrate, thereby creating a large internal surface area on the electrode and accordingly, lower overpotential requirements.

Abstract: An anode of a cell for the electrowinning of aluminium comprises a nickel-iron alloy substrate having an openly porous nickel metal rich outer portion whose surface is electrochemically active. The outer portion is optionally covered with an external integral nickel-iron oxide containing surface layer which adheres to the nickel metal rich outer portion of the nickel-iron alloy and which in use is pervious to molten electrolyte. During use, the nickel metal rich outer portion contains cavities some or all of which are partly or completely filled with iron and nickel compounds, in particular oxides, fluorides and oxyfluorides.

Abstract: A water electrolyte cell can be used with a high energy efficiency over a long period of time. The water electrolyte cell has a pair of catalytic layers and an electrolyte membrane sandwiched between the catalytic layers. The catalytic layers includes an anode catalytic layer which contains a catalyst comprising an alloy of ruthenium, iridium, and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of iron, nickel, and cobalt, or an oxide of the alloy, or a mixture of the alloy and an oxide thereof. The at least one metal has a molar ratio with respect to ruthenium and iridium in the range from 0.05 to 0.13 mol with respect to 0.8 to 2.2 mols, preferably 1.8 to 2.2 mols, of ruthenium and 0.8 to 1.2 mols of iridium. The electrolyte membrane comprises a solid polymer electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: Electrolysis of alumina dissolved in a molten salt electrolyte employing inert anode and cathodes, the anode having a box shape with slots for the cathodes.

Abstract: A sintered electrode assembly is made of an inert electrode (15) containing a sealed metal conductor (20) having a surface feature (30) such as a coating or wrapping which aids in bond formation with the inert electrode (15) at their interface (45), where the metal conductor (20) is directly contacted by and is substantially surrounded by the inert electrode (15) without the use of metal foam or metal powders.

Abstract: A wall construction for an electrolytic cell to separate oxygen from an oxygen containing gas in which an electrolyte layer of less than 200 microns and a cathode layer of less than 500 microns are supported by an anode that can have a sufficient thickness to also contain the separated oxygen at pressure. The cathode is formed from the same material as the electrolyte and also a noble metal or noble metal alloy and a mixed conductor. The cathode contains a sufficient amount of the noble metal or noble metal allow and the mixed conductor that the total resistance thereof is not greater than about 70 percent of the total resistance of the anode and the cathode. In a preferred embodiment, first and second porous interfacial layers are situated between an anode layer and the electrolyte and the electrolyte and a cathode layer, respectively.

Abstract: A higher applied potential may be provided to a consumable anode to reduce sludge formation during electroplating. For example, a higher applied potential may be provided to a consumable anode by decreasing the exposed surface area of the anode to the electrolyte solution in the electroplating cell. The consumable anode may comprise a single anode or an array of anodes coupled to the positive pole of the power source in which the exposed surface area of the anode is less than an exposed surface area of the cathode to the electrolyte solution. In another example, a higher applied potential may be provided to a consumable anode by increasing the potential of the electroplating cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to electroplating. In particular, the invention relates to an improved anode for electroplating metals onto substrates, and to a method of electroplating metals onto substrates utilizing the anode. The anode has a solid metal portion, and a metal electrode shaft having one or more barbs projecting outwardly from a periphery of the shaft at one end of the shaft. The barbs are fixed through the body extend a distance therethrough.

Abstract: An anode of a cell for the electrowinning of aluminium has a nickel-iron alloy outer portion which during use is covered with an integral iron-based oxide surface layer. The nickel-iron alloy outer portion comprises one or more rare earth metals that are substantially insoluble in nickel and iron. These rare earth metals are present in the outer portion in an amount which provides during use controlled diffusion of iron from the outer portion to the integral iron-based oxide surface layer.

Abstract: An inert anode (10) for use in an electrolysis process to make metals such as aluminum, contains a hollow interior with an open top portion (16), an interior closed bottom (18) and interior walls (19) where the top interior side walls (16) have at least one interior groove (20) which helps relieve stress on the anode material and helps provide locking and support of the anode.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing orthohydrogen and/or parahydrogen. The apparatus includes a container holding water and at least one pair of closely-spaced electrodes arranged within the container and submerged in the water. A first power supply provides a particular first pulsed signal to the electrodes. A coil may also be arranged within the container and submerged in the water if the production of parahydrogen is also required. A second power supply provides a second pulsed signal to the coil through a switch to apply energy to the water. When the second power supply is disconnected from the coil by the switch and only the electrodes receive a pulsed signal, then orthohydrogen can be produced. When the second power supply is connected to the coil and both the electrodes and coil receive pulsed signals, then the first and second pulsed signals can be controlled to produce parahydrogen.

Abstract: A cell for the electrowinning of aluminum using anodes (10) made from a alloy of iron with nickel and/or cobalt is arranged to produce aluminum of low contamination and of commercial high grade quality. The cell comprises a cathode (20) of drained configuration and operates at reduced temperature without formation of a crust or ledge of solidified electrolyte. The cell is thermally insulated using an insulating cover (65,65a,65b,65c) and an insulating sidewall lining (71). The molten electrolyte (30) is substantially saturated with alumina, particularly on the electrochemically active anode surface, and with species of at least one major metal present at the surface of the nickel-iron alloy based anodes (10). The cell is preferably operated at reduced temperature from 730° to 910° C. to limit the solubility of these metal species and consequently the contamination of the product aluminum.

Abstract: An electrode structure for use, for example, in a bipolar electrolyser comprising (i) a pan with a dished recess and a flange around the periphery thereof for supporting gasket means for sealing a separator between the flanges in adjacent electrode structures, which separator is disposed between the surface of the anode of a first electrode structure and the cathode of a second electrode structure such that the anode surface is substantially parallel to and faces but is insulated and spaced apart from the cathode surface by the separator and is hermetically-sealed to the separator, (ii) an electrically conductive plate spaced from the pan, (iii) a plurality of electrically-conductive members to which the electrically conductive plate is electroconductively attached and which provide electrically-conductive pathways between the pan and the electrically conductive plate, (iv) inlet for electrolyte and (v) outlets for liquids and gases wherein where the electrode structure is an anode structure the dished recess

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixed oxide material with a high electron conductivity of empirical formula ABOY, where y≠3 and where A comprises at least one metal selected from Na, K, Rb, Ca, Ba, La, Pr, Sr, Ce, Nb, Pb, Nd, Sm and Gd, and B comprises at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Cu, Mg, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Nb, Mo, W and Zr, where A and B cannot both be Nb and where the compound SrVO2.5 is excluded. The material may be a perovskite-type material, in which y=3−&dgr; and &dgr;≠0, with values for &dgr; in the range from approximately −0.2 to approximately, −0.05 or in the range from +0.05 to +0.7. The material may also be a Brown-Millerite-type material, for which y=2.5−&xgr; and &xgr; has a value in the range from approximately −0.2 to approximately −0.05 or in the range from +0.05 to approximately 0.3.

Abstract: An electrochemical device (18) for generating a desired gas of the type includes an ionically conductive electrolyte layer (20), a porous electrode layer (22), and a current collector layer (16) that has a high electrical conductivity and is porous to a desired gas (24) generated by the electrochemical device (18). The current collector layer (16) is substantially formed as a film comprised of a layer of spherical refractory material objects (26) having a conductive coating (12) of a precious metal. The coated spherical objects (26) have a desired diameter (28) making them suitable for forming into the film.