Abstract: The invention provides low cost methods and apparatus that utilize at least one carbon-filled polymeric electrode to electrolytically generate desirable products.

Abstract: A conductive diamond electrode including a conductive substrate comprising a carbonaceous material, a conductive diamond catalyst layer formed on a surface of the conductive substrate, and a carbon fluoride formed on an exposed portion present on the surface of the conductive substrate. The formed carbon fluoride prevents the conductive substrate from contacting with an electrolytic solution, thereby suppressing corrosion of the substrate. A long life of the electrode can be attained.

Abstract: A conductive diamond electrode including an electrode substrate comprising a material selected from the group consisting of a valve metal and an alloy based on the valve metal, at least a surface of the metal or alloy having been subjected to plasticization processing, or heat treatment in vacuum or inert atmosphere; and a conductive diamond film formed on the plasticization processed surface of the electrode substrate. When the electrode substrate is subjected to plasticization processing and heat treatment, peeling resistance of the conductive diamond film is improved, thereby an electrode life is prolonged.

Abstract: A diamond electrode having a prolonged life by combining a conventional diamond electrode having a relatively short life with other components is provided. A diamond electrode for electrolysis includes an electrode substrate, at least the surface of which comprises Magneli phase titanium oxide, and conductive diamond supported as an electrode catalyst on a surface of the electrode. The electrode catalyst may contain a titanium oxide powder. Magneli phase titanium oxide improves conductivity without forming a stable oxide layer on the substrate surface.

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: A new ramming paste for aluminum reduction cell cathodes is a high swelling cold ramming paste made of a blend of pitch, light oil diluent and an aggregate comprising a mixture of anthracite and crushed anode butts or calcined coke. The presence of the crushed anode butts or calcined coke increases the sodium swelling index of the paste by about four times higher than that of regular ramming pastes. This new high swelling cold ramming paste may also contain an amount of a refractory hard material, such as TiB2.

Abstract: An electrolysis cell (10) contains a number of carbon anodes (12) having top, bottom and side surfaces, operating in molten electrolyte (17) in an aluminum electrolysis cell (10), where gas bubbles (28) are generated at the anode surfaces and where alumina particles (20) are added to the top of the molten electrolyte, where the carbon anodes (12) have at least two inward slots (21) passing through the carbon anode (12) along the longitudinal axis 40 of the carbon anode and also passing through only one front surface (25) of the carbon anode, where the height (32) of the slots (21) is from about 45% to 80% of the anodes thickness and the slotted front surfaces (25) are disposed toward the center of the electrolysis cell so that generated gas bubbles (28) are directed to the alumina particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides conductive carbon nanotube (CNT) electrode materials comprising aligned CNT substrates coated with an electrically conducting polymer, and the fabrication of electrodes for use in high performance electrical energy storage devices. In particular, the present invention provides conductive CNTs electrode material whose electrical properties render them especially suitable for use in high efficiency rechargeable batteries. The present invention also provides methods for obtaining surface modified conductive CNT electrode materials comprising an array of individual linear, aligned CNTs having a uniform surface coating of an electrically conductive polymer such as polypyrrole, and their use in electrical energy storage devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a carbon electrode, suitable for use as an anode in an aluminum reduction cell, which comprises mixing an aggregate, comprising a mixture of particulate shot coke, and a particulate carbonaceous material other than shot coke with coal tar pitch or petroleum pitch or a combination of these pitches at an elevated temperature to form a paste wherein said aggregate comprises a combination of coarse, medium, and fine particles and said particulate shot coke may comprise a majority of said fine particles, and said paste comprises from about 80 to about 90%, by weight, of said aggregate and from about 10 to about 20%, by weight, of said pitch; forming said paste into a solid body; and baking said solid body at an elevated temperature to form said carbon electrode.

Abstract: A solution useful for forming a solid that supports mass transfer includes carbon nanotubes and a solvent. Solids formed using the solution thereby have carbon nanotubes dispersed therein that are useful for communicating gas and/or electric charges within the solid. Catalyst layers of the invention that include carbon nanotubes can provide high levels of efficiency while requiring low catalyst concentrations.

Abstract: A functional water containing a fluorine-containing component obtained by electrolyzing an aqueous solution containing fluoride ion using electrodes having conductive diamonds, a method of producing the same, and a method and an apparatus of rinsing electronic parts using the functional water as a rinsing water. The fluorine-containing component produced by electrolyzing the fluoride ion using the conductive diamond, has stronger rinsing effect than that of a fluorine-containing component obtained by electrolyzing the fluoride ion itself before electrolysis or the fluoride ion using other electrodes. Therefore, an amount of hydrofluoric acid used can greatly be decreased.

Abstract: A layered oxygen electrode incorporating a peroxide decomposition catalyst. The design of the oxygen electrode promotes oxygen dissociation and absorption within the oxygen electrode. The oxygen electrode has differing layers of hydrophobicity which allow chemical impregnation of the active catalyst material into the oxygen electrode where the active catalyst material is needed most.

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, methods of making, and methods of using thereof. An exemplary ink material comprises platinum black and/or platinum-on-carbon as the catalyst, graphite as a conducting material, a polymer binding material, and an organic solvent. The polymer binding material is typically a copolymer of hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomers. The conductive polymer compositions of the present invention can be used, for example, to make electrochemical sensors. Such sensors can be used in a variety of analyte monitoring devices to monitor analyte amount or concentrations in subjects, for example, glucose monitoring devices to monitor glucose levels in subjects with diabetes.

Abstract: Materials and methods are provided for producing patterned multi-array, multi-specific surfaces for use in diagnostics. The invention provides for electrochemiluminescence methods for detecting or measuring an analyte of interest. It also provides for novel electrodes for ECL assays. Materials and methods are provided for the chemical and/or physical control of conducting domains and reagent deposition for use multiply specific testing procedures.

Abstract: A double layered oxygen electrode impregnated with an active catalyst material and method of making. The design of the oxygen electrode promotes oxygen dissociation and absorption within the oxygen electrode. The oxygen electrode has differing layers of hydrophobicity which allow chemical impregnation of the active catalyst material into the oxygen electrode where the active catalyst material is needed most.

Abstract: A bonded membrane-electrode assembly is provided which enables the electrolysis of water, which has water-electrolyzing and power-generating functions enabling the generation of hydrogen, and which is capable of being utilized for a fuel cell; and a fuel cell system with a water electrolyzer is provided using a plurality of such bonded membrane-electrode assemblies. The bonded membrane-electrode assembly includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, an oxygen electrode bonded to one of sides of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and a hydrogen electrode bonded to the other side of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: A carbon-based electrode device and a DDBD system for air purification and the production of ozone. The air treatment system is designed, in one embodiment thereof, to be operational in a double stage cycle involving the production of ozone-enriched air and the disintegration of air-borne pollutants, in a first stage; and the decomposition of residual ozone in the air, in a second stage. The multi-electrode crisscross array of the present invention features geometrical placement of the electrodes in triads to increase the efficiency of the system via two parameters, the close proximity of oppositely charged electrodes and the multiplicity of electrodes configured in triads, that is, crisscross arrays of three.

Abstract: WC powder (11) and W powder (12) are mixed and entered in a press mold and compressed and molded, thereby forming a discharge surface treatment electrode (10). Discharge is caused to occur between the discharge surface treatment electrode (10) and a workpiece (16) by a discharge surface treatment power unit (17), whereby a component of the discharge surface treatment electrode (10) melted by discharge heat is deposited on the workpiece (16). W, a component of the discharge surface treatment electrode (10), reacts with C, a component of work liquid (4), to produce WC and together with the WC which is a component of the discharge surface treatment electrode (10) a hard film (20) made of WC is formed on the workpiece (16). The hardness and strength of the hard film formed on the workpiece (16) by the discharge surface treatment can be enhanced.

Abstract: A diamond electrode having a prolonged life by combining a conventional diamond electrode having a relatively short life with other components is provided. A diamond electrode for electrolysis includes an electrode substrate, at least the surface of which comprises Magneli phase titanium oxide, and conductive diamond supported as an electrode catalyst on a surface of the electrode. The electrode catalyst may contain a titanium oxide powder. Magneli phase titanium oxide improves conductivity without forming a stable oxide layer on the substrate surface.

Abstract: A gas diffusion structure for polymer electrolyte fuel cells having a sheet-like carbon substrate made hydrophobic and having two main opposing surfaces and a contact layer on one of these surfaces. The contact layer is formed of an intimate mixture of at least one hydrophobic polymer, which can be polyethylene, polypropylene or polytetrafluoroethylene, and finely divided carbon particles, wherein the weight percentage of the carbon particles relative to the total weight of the contact layer amounts to 40 to 90 wt. %. The gas diffusion structure is a carbon substrate made hydrophobic by at least one hydrophobic polymer and the hydrophobic polymers are restricted to two layers extending from both opposing surfaces into the carbon substrate down to a depth of from 5 to 40 &mgr;m and the hydrophobic polymers fill of from 20 to 60% of the pore volume within those layers.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an electrical charge storage device (ECSD) with enhanced power characteristics. More particularly, the present invention relates to enhancing the current density, voltage rating, power transfer characteristics, frequency response and charge storage density of various devices, such as capacitors, batteries, fuel cells and other electrical charge storage devices. For example, one aspect of the present invention is solid state and electrolytic capacitors where the conductor surface area is increased with smooth structures, thereby reducing the distance separating the conductors, and improving the effective dielectric characteristics by employing construction techniques on atomic, molecular, and macroscopic levels.

Abstract: A spacer forming method for a biosensor that has a biosensor possessing a capillary sampling channel and electrical connecting tracks for the use of a specific portable meter. A pair of electrodes is printed on an insulating base plate to be the transducer of the electrochemical biosensor by means of the screen-printing technology. The advanced thick-film printing technology is employed to construct the spacer component of the sampling channel that precisely controls the volume of a sample solution. Therefore, the spacer forming method reduces the usage of adhesive that otherwise causes a serious problem during a continuous punching procedure. Furthermore, the embedded switch pad on the biosensor is introduced to be instead of a micro switch in a connector of the portable meter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ionic electrodes, particularly microelectrodes and electrode arrays, and also relates to fabrication methods for such electrodes. In particular, the present invention relates to planar polymer electrodes for making patch clamp measurements of ionic currents through biological membranes, such as the plasma membranes of living cells. The electrodes of the present invention are useful for measuring individual and multisite cell membrane currents and voltages, as well as in high-throughput screening procedures.

Abstract: A three-dimensional flow-through electrode includes an efficient current feeding mechanism including current feeders comprising rods of conductive material, such as graphite, which are inserted at predetermined spacing into a flow-through electrode, such as a block of graphite felt. The current feeders are appropriately spaced throughout the electrode to allow for efficient current distribution. The large surface area provided by the flow-through electrode makes it possible to expose solutions or gases to relatively large areas of electrical charges, instituting electrical chemical reactions. A number of electrolytic chemical processes using the electrolytic cells include water treatment, chemical processing and production, hydro-metallurgical applications, and environmental clean-up. A method to replace the use of cyanide in gold and silver processing operations is also provided.

Abstract: An electrokinetic pump achieves high and low flow rates without producing significant gaseous byproducts and without significant evolution of the pump fluid. A first feature of the pump is that the electrodes in the pump are capacitive with a capacitance of at least 10−4 Farads/cm2. A second feature of the pump is that it is configured to maximize the potential across the porous dielectric material. The pump can have either or both features.

Abstract: This cathode (3) contains, within the pores in its structure, a carbon-containing product fired at a temperature of less than 1600° C., improving the erosion resistance by protecting the graphitized binder.

Abstract: A diamond electrode comprises a polycrystalline mass of diamond particles bonded together and has a porous surface, or an at least partly porous surface. The porous surface of the electrode is typically created by leaching non-diamond material, such as a second phase of a metallic material, at least in part, from the bonded polycrystalline mass of diamond particles, either before or after shaping it into an electrode. Alternatively, or additionally, the porous surface of the electrode may be created by subjecting a mass of diamond particles to conditions of elevated temperature and pressure to self-bond the particles together in the absence of a second phase.

Abstract: A cathode is made of an electrically conducting support with a coating of electrochemically deposited lead with a density between 0.001 and 2 g/cm3.

Abstract: A method of making a patterned laminate includes ablating through a portion of a metallic layer with a laser, to form a pattern in the metallic layer, where the metallic layer is on and in contact with an insulating substrate. The patterned laminate may be patterned to form electrodes, and can be formed into an electrochemical sensor strip.

Abstract: A tungsten-containing fuel cell catalyst having high electrochemical activity and its method of making are described. The tungsten-containing catalyst may be formed in situ in a fuel cell after the fuel cell is assembled.

Abstract: The present invention provides a carbonaceous fiber woven fabric suitable for use as a gas diffusion layer material for solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Namely, the conductive carbonaceous fiber woven fabric of the present invention contains carbonaceous fiber yarns having a metric count of 16 to 120, a carbonaceous fiber content of at least 60% by weight, a weight per unit area of 50 to 150 gm2, a woven cloth thickness of 0.05 to 0.33 mm, and an in-plane volume resistivity of no more than 0.1 &OHgr;cm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for plating a conductive material on a semiconductor substrate by rotating pad or blade type objects in close proximity to the substrate, thereby eliminating/reducing dishing and voids. This is achieved by providing pad or blade type objects mounted on cylindrical anodes or rollers and applying the conductive material to the substrate using the electrolyte solution disposed on or through the pads, or on the blades. In one embodiment of the invention, the pad or blade type objects are mounted on the cylindrical anodes and rotated about a first axis while the workpiece may be stationary or rotate about a second axis, and metal from the electrolyte solution is deposited on the workpiece when a potential difference is applied between the workpiece and the anode. In another embodiment of the present invention, the plating apparatus includes an anode plate spaced apart from the cathode workpiece.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a composition comprising: (a) platinum group metal powder, alloys, or mixtures thereof as a powder or deposited on graphite supports; (b) poly(glycol ether), derivatives, or mixtures thereof; (c) carbon-based electrically conductive filler; and (d) thermoplastic polymer or mixtures thereof. The invention is further directed to a process for dispersing platinum group metal powder, alloys, or mixtures thereof in poly(glycol ether), derivatives, or mixtures thereof. The invention is further directed to the above composition wherein the platinum group metal powder has been dispersed according to the above process.

Abstract: In this cathode, which is a single block, the electrical resistivity is heterogeneous along its longitudinal axis, this resistivity being higher in the end regions of the cathode (3) than in the central region of the latter.

Abstract: The invention is directed to polymer thick film conductor compositions comprising conductive metal particles selected from the group consisting of finely divided powders of platinum group metals and mixtures thereof or metallized graphite particles; in combination with a thermoplastic polymer and optionally, graphite conductive filler.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adding a metal, for example sodium, to a melt of a material, for example aluminum, in a vessel, in which a molten compound of the metal or a solution of a compound of the metal is provided in a container (12), the container being positioned outside the vessel, the compound is electrolytically decomposed and ions of the metal are caused to pass through a wall of a solid-state electrolyte (14) which is a conductor therefor, from a first side of the wall to an opposite second side thereof, and to combine with electrons at the second side of the wall and then to flow as molten metal from the container into the melt in the vessel.

Abstract: An electrochemical analysis system includes a chamber (34) that defines a fluid receiving reservoir therein. A working electrode (40), a reference electrode (42), and a counter electrode (44) is mounted to the chamber. An electrochemical analysis circuit (38) applies appropriate voltages to the electrodes and reads appropriate currents from the electrodes to provide an indication of the peroxyacetic acid concentration in a sample. The working electrode includes a glassy carbon rod (60) which is surrounded by a compressible polymeric sleeve (64) and a metal sleeve (66). One end of the metal sleeve is swaged (68) to form a fluid tight compression seal with the insulating sleeve and the glassy carbon rod. An electrically conductive thermal extension joint between the glassy carbon rod and an electrically conductive rod (70) includes a bore (72) in the conductive rod in which the glassy carbon rod is slidably received and a compressed spring (74) in the bore.

Abstract: A method to electrolytically polymerize aromatic hydrocarbons and oxidize cyclopentane structures within the hydrocarbons into cyclopentanone structures is disclosed including a method to electrolyse fluorene in the presence of an ester to produce poly(9-fluorenone). A method to electrolytically oxidize polymers having cyclopentane structures to polymers having cycloppentanone structures is also disclosed including a method to electrolyze poly(fluorene) to produce poly(9-fluorenone). In addition, a method to chemically oxidize polymers containing cyclopentane structures into polymers containing cyclopentanone structures is disclosed, including a method to oxidize poly(fluorene), with a chemically prepared oxidizing agent, to produce poly(9-fluorenone).

Abstract: An apparatus for electroplating and deplating an object out of a plating solution is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plating tank adapted to support the object and to contain a plating solution so that the object is at least partially disposed into the plating solution. The apparatus also includes a non-dissolvable conductor at least partially disposed within the plating solution. A current source is electrically connected to the non-dissolvable conductor and to the object. An ultrasonic system may be provided to introduce wave energy into the plating solution includes at least one transducer element mountable within the tank and a power generator adapted to provide electrical energy to the transducer element. A holding tank having a circulating pump and heating and cooling elements for the plating solution may be provided.

Abstract: A plurality of polarizable electrodes, a laminate of a collector layer, a polarizable electrode layer of a porous sheet, and a carbon-based conductive material interposed therebetween, are disposed in a row arrangement, interposing separators between the polarizable electrodes, and an electrolyte is packed between said polarizable electrodes and said separators; the carbon-based conductive material penetrating into the voids in the polarizable electrode layers. A process is provided whereby the polarizable electrode is manufactured by applying a conductive material solution to the collector and/or polarizable electrode sheet surface, superposing the two, and then evaporating out the dispersion medium of the conductive material solution.

Abstract: An electrode consisting of a substrate and a diamond layer applied to the substrate, in which the applied diamond layer is pore-free, and a process for producing a diamond-coated electrode, in which the process comprises at least the following steps: a) cleaning the surface of the substrate; b) seeding the surface of the substrate with a high diamond nucleation density; c) coating the surface of the substrate with diamond.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell with an anode and cathode for the electrolysis of hydrochloric acid and brine is provided. The anodes and cathodes of the present invention are made of a bulk ceramic or intermetallic material.

Abstract: This invention relates to electrode substrates for electrochemical cells, particularly low-temperature fuel cells, and processes for their production. Graphitized fiber web structures are used that have a preferred non-planar fiber alignment resulting in high through-plane conductivity. These structures are further impregnated and processed to adjust the final product properties.

Abstract: A method of making carbon foam is described which involves pyrolizing a mixture containing at least one pyrolizable substance and at least one unpyrolizable material and then removing the unpyrolizable material to obtain the carbon foam. Carbon foam made by this process is also described. Incorporating the carbon foam in a variety of end use applications including electrodes, thermal insulation material, polymers, and the like is also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides carbon fiber paper consisting of an organic high-molecular compound as a binder and carbon fibers, characterized in that the carbon fibers contain thin fibers with an average diameter smaller than 5 &mgr;m and an average fiber length of 3 to 10 mm; a porous carbon electrode substrate for a fuel cell having a thickness of 0.05 to 0.5 mm and a bulk density of 0.3 to 0.8 g/cm3 also having a bending strength of 10 MPa or higher and a deflection of 1.5 mm or more at the time of bending, measured by a three-point bending test in conditions of using a sample width of 1 cm, a strain rate of 10 mm/min, and a distance between supporting points of 2 cm; and a method of producing a porous carbon electrode substrate for a fuel cell by impregnating the carbon fiber paper with a thermosetting resin, curing the thermosetting resin by heating and pressing treatment, and then carbonizing the paper.

Abstract: A method of treating a carbonaceous cell component of an electrolyte cell for the production of aluminum, to impart protection against deterioration during operation of the cell. A liquid suspension of a refractory material dispersed in a lignosulfonate binder solution is prepared and applied as a protective coating to the surface of carbonaceous cell components and allowed to dry.

Abstract: Gas Diffusion Electrodes (GDEs) play a pivotal role in clean energy production as well as in electrochemical processes and sensors. These gas-consuming electrodes are typically designed for liquid electrolyte systems such as phosphoric acid and alkaline fuel cells, and are commercially manufactured by hand or in a batch process. However, GDEs using the new electrolytes such as conductive polymer membranes demand improved electrode structures. This invention pertains to GDEs and gas diffusion media with new structures for systems using membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), and automated methods of manufacture that lend themselves to continuous mass production. Unexpected improvements in gas and vapor transport through the electrode are realized by incorporating a new dispersion process in the construction, reformulating the applied mix with solution additives, and creating a novel coating structure on a conductive web.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the detection of changes in concentrations or amounts of components of a fluid mixture by measuring changes in an electrical or a mechanical property of a sensing element when the sensing element is exposed to the fluid mixture. The preferred property of the sensing element to be measured is its electrical resistance which changes when the sensing element adsorbs at least one component of the fluid mixture.

Abstract: An electrode (22) formed from a layer (24) of tetrahedral carbon doped with nitrogen (taC:N) has both electroanalytical and electrosynthetic applications. The electrode includes a substrate material (26), such as a silicon wafer, for supporting the taC:N layer. The electrode has good durability under a high anodic potential and high selectivity for conversion of chloride ions to chlorine, and for other electron transfer reactions. The electrode is readily formed at ambient temperatures by vacuum deposition of carbon and nitrogen ions on to the substrate. Masking of the substrate during deposition allows the formation of microelectrode arrays.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing aluminum in an electrolytic cell, particularly in a drained cell, such cell comprising a cathode (20) and facing anodes (10), each anode (10) being spaced apart in its operative position from the cathode (20) by an anode-cathode reduced distance defining an anode-cathode gap containing the bath being electrolyzed. The method comprises: feeding alumina into the electrolyte where it is dissolved; electrolyzing an alumina-rich bath in the anode-cathode gap; and periodically moving at least one anode (10) in order to intake rich-alumina electrolyte into the anode-cathode gap thereby distributing alumina-rich electrolyte under the entire anode surface.