Abstract: Provided herein is a method for recycling lithium-ion batteries in a polar solvent such as an aqueous media or water. The method disclosed herein isolates a mixture of anode and cathode materials from waste lithium-ion batteries. The separated electrode materials can easily be collected with high recovery rate, providing a rapid, efficient and low-cost method for recycling electrode materials from waste lithium-ion batteries.

Abstract: A golf club head comprises a face and a golf club head body. The face includes a toe end, a heel end, a crown end, and a sole end. The face defines a thickness from an outer surface to an inner surface of the face. The face defines a leading edge, the leading edge being the forwardmost edge of the face. The golf club head body is defined by a crown, a sole, and a skirt. The crown is coupled to the crown end of the face. The sole is coupled to the sole end of the face. The skirt is coupled to the sole and the crown. The golf club head body defines a trailing edge, the trailing edge being the rearwardmost edge of the golf club head body.

Abstract: A fuel gas cooling apparatus includes a cooling duct which causes a cooling gas to flow out into a mixing duct, and a difference of maximum dimensions in a height direction of a flow inlet and a flow outlet with respect to a passage length of the mixing duct is smaller than a difference of maximum dimensions in the height direction of a flow inlet and a flow outlet with respect to a passage length of an expanded duct, or a difference of maximum dimensions in a width direction of the flow inlet and the flow outlet with respect to the passage length of the mixing duct is smaller than a difference of maximum dimensions in the width direction of the flow inlet and the flow outlet with respect to the passage length of the expanded duct.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing fine metal particles, wherein metal oxide powders can be used as a source of fine metal particles, and a method for producing fine metal particles can be provided avoiding the contamination of the molten salt electrolyte bath and the produced fine metal particles. A method for producing fine metal particles (112) is provided which comprises generating cathodic discharge outside and over the surface of an electrolyte bath (100) comprising metal oxide powders (110) suspended therein, whereby the metal oxide powders (110) are electrochemically reduced into the fine metal particles (112).

Abstract: A catalyst removal apparatus and method for removing catalyst from a polycrystalline cutter. The cutter includes a substrate and a cutting table. The apparatus includes a tank forming a cavity therein, an electrolyte fluid occupying the cavity, the cutter, a covering surrounding at least a portion of the cutter's sidewall and extending from at least the substrate's top surface towards the bottom surface, a cathode submersed within the fluid, and a power source. The cutting table is submersed within the fluid and positioned near the cathode, thereby forming a gap therebetween. The power source is coupled to the cutter and the cathode and electrolyzes the fluid to react with the catalyst in the cutting table to produce a salt. The salt dissolves in the fluid and is removed from the cutter. Optionally, a transducer is sonically coupled to the cutter and emits vibrations to remove salt from the cutting table.

Abstract: Methods and systems of treating petroleum feedstock contaminated with naphthenic acids and sulfur are disclosed. The methods and systems include heating the petroleum feedstock to decompose the naphthenic acids, pressurizing to minimize the portion in the vapor phase, sweeping water vapor and carbon dioxide into a headspace with a non-oxidizing gas, removing water vapor and carbon dioxide from the headspace, reacting the sulfur with an alkali metal and a radical capping gas to convert the sulfur into alkali sulfides, and removing the alkali sulfides. Also disclosed is reacting the naphthenic acid with water and an oxide or hydroxide of an alkaline earth element to convert the naphthenic acid into naphthenates, removing water, ketonizing, removing oxides or carbonates, reacting the sulfur with an alkali metal and a radical capping gas to convert the sulfur into alkali sulfides, and removing the alkali sulfides.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of purifying WC compositions are described herein. A method of purifying a WC composition comprises contacting the WC composition with an electrolyte solution comprising a cationic metal oxidant and oxidizing one or more metal impurities of the WC composition with the cationic metal oxidant to solubilize the one or more metal impurities in the electrolyte solution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for melting aluminum uses a dense metal salt of Rubidium, Cesium, or Strontium. The salt is melted by a stinger and then superheated by AC applied to electrodes immersed in the salt. Aluminum in contact with the salt melts and floats on the salt. In continuous scrap melting, inflows and outflows of aluminum are comparable and may be shielded by inert gas. The superheated salt may be purified and may be heated in a separate reservoir and pumped to and from another reservoir containing salt and/or metal. The salt may be used to supplement the heating of an existing furnace.

Abstract: A carbon based material produced from the consolidation of amorphous carbon by elevated temperature compression. The material having unique chemical and physical characteristics that lend themselves to a broad range of applications such as in electrical, electrochemical and structural fields.

Abstract: Proposed is a method of recovering valuable metal from scrap containing conductive oxide including the steps of using an insoluble electrode as either an anode or a cathode, using a scrap containing conductive oxide as the counter cathode or anode, performing electrolysis while periodically inverting the polarity, and recovering the scrap as hydroxide. With the foregoing method of recovering valuable metal from scrap containing conductive oxide, oxide system scrap is conductive oxide and a substance that can be reduced to metal or suboxide with hydrogen. This method enables the efficient recovery of valuable metal from sputtering target scrap containing conductive oxide or scrap such as mill ends of conductive oxide that arise during the production of such a sputtering target.

Abstract: A method for removing tritium from liquid lithium includes mixing the liquid lithium containing trace amounts of tritium with a molten salt and forming a salt of lithium and tritium. The method also includes separating the liquid lithium from the salt of lithium and tritium and circulating the molten salt in an electrolyzer to form molecular tritium. The method further includes bubbling an inert gas through the electrolyzer to remove the molecular tritium and circulating the argon and removed molecular tritium in a titanium getter to recover the tritium.

Abstract: Provided is a method of recovering valuable metal from oxide system scrap including the steps of performing electrolysis using an insoluble electrode as an anode and an oxide system scrap as a cathode, and recovering the scrap of the cathode as metal or suboxide. Specifically, this method enables the efficient recovery of valuable metal from oxide system scrap of an indium-tin oxide (ITO) sputtering target or oxide system scrap such as mill ends that arise during the production of such a sputtering target.

Abstract: Proposed is a method of recovering valuable metal from scrap containing conductive oxide including the steps of using scrap containing conductive oxide and performing electrolysis while periodically inverting the polarity, and recovering the scrap as hydroxide. With the foregoing method of recovering valuable metal from scrap containing conductive oxide, oxide system scrap is conductive oxide and a substance that can be reduced to metal or suboxide with hydrogen. This method enables to efficiently recover valuable metal from sputtering target scrap containing conductive oxide or scrap such as mill ends of conductive oxide that arise during the production of such a sputtering target.

Abstract: Even a site having a complicated curved surface shape, such as a welded spot on a bottom of a nuclear reactor core, is simply and electrolytically etched without discharging an etching liquid in a large amount, whereby grain boundary on the surface of the nuclear reactor core internals can be confirmed visually. When the surface of nuclear reactor core internals is electrolytically etched, a sponge provided with holes having a communicating structure is integrated with an etching liquid, and the etching liquid is gelled, while the integrated combination is disposed in front of an electrode, followed by the application of voltage to turn on electricity at a state in which said electrode is electrically connected to the cathode of a direct-current power supply, and brought into contact with or approximated to the surface of the core internals electrically connected to the anode of the direct-current power supply.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for electrokinetic decontamination of a porous solid medium, which comprises: a) extracting the contaminating species present in the solid medium in an electrolyte appearing as an essentially inorganic gel, this extraction being obtained by applying an electric current between two electrodes positioned at the surface and/or in the interior of the solid medium, the contact of at least one of these electrodes with said solid medium being ensured by a layer of said gel, b) drying the gel containing the thereby extracted contaminating species until a dry residue is obtained which fractures, and c) removing the thereby obtained dry residue from said solid residue.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a cleaning solution tank filled to a predetermined height with an electrolyte solution, a negative electrode provided inside the cleaning solution tank, a metal jig mounted with a metal mask used to manufacture an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display to one side for guiding the metal mask to be connected to the negative electrode, positive electrodes installed at predetermined intervals inside the cleaning solution tank with along with a metal mask, and a rectifying device electrically connected to the negative electrode and the positive electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel cell separator and a method of producing the fuel cell separator. A first separator and a second separator are provided as the fuel cell separators. Firstly, the first separator and the second separator are heated. Thus, an Fe rich layer is formed in a surface layer of each of the first separator and the second separator, and a Cr rich layer where a proportion of Cr is 60% or more is formed in an inner portion of each of the first separator and the second separator. Then, an electrolytic treatment is applied to each of the first separator and the second separator to remove the Fe rich layer. By the removal, the Cr rich layer is exposed to the outside on the outermost surface layer of each of the first separator and the second separator.

Abstract: A method for cleaning the milk system of a drink machine for milk-containing hot beverages includes a feed line that feeds milk from a storage container, a central unit in which the milk is heated and processed, and an output unit via which the milk-containing hot beverage prepared in the central unit is dispensed, wherein the feed line is coupled to a cleaning device including an electrolytic cell, a cleaning solution is fed into the milk system from the cleaning device, which solution passes the electrolytic cell and an electrical current is applied to the cleaning solution by the electrolytic cell until electrolysis products having a disinfectant effect are forming and/or the electrical conductivity of the cleaning solution is monitored by the electrolytic cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for plating pretreatment of a cylinder block that includes an electrode performing a plating pretreatment of the cylinder inner wall surface. A gap flow channel communicates with an in-electrode flow channel at a position closest to a seal jig, the gap flow channel being adapted to introduce a treatment liquid to the cylinder inner wall surface, the in-electrode flow channel being adapted to receive the treatment liquid having passed through a communicating hole. The present invention is provided a method for pretreating before plating a cylinder block including disposing an electrode to face the cylinder inner wall surface so as to form a gap flow channel, and introducing a treatment liquid to the gap flow channel thereby flowing through the treatment liquid toward a seal jig and then into an in-electrode flow channel through a communicating hole.

Abstract: A method for treating spheroidal graphite iron includes the step: pouring molten spheroidal graphite iron into a pouring electrical furnace (1); covering the molten spheroidal graphite iron (5) with alkali slag (6) which is melted at high temperature and rich in alkali earth metal ion, rare earth metal ion, or mixture of them; connecting the molten spheroidal graphite iron (5) with the negative pole of the direct current source by one pole (7); connecting the alkali slag (6) with the positive pole of the direct current source by another pole (4), treating the molten spheroidal graphite iron (5) with the alkali slag (6) which is used as electrolyte. The method can prevent the spheroidized fading velocity of the spheroidal graphite iron. The pouring electrical furnace can be used for treating the molten spheroidal graphite iron.

Abstract: A method for electrode renewal, for use in an electrolytic processing chamber for a liquid therein wherein the processing includes, for a pair of electrodes in the chamber, placing a positive voltage on one electrode in the chamber and placing a like negative voltage on another electrode in the chamber. It has been common practice to reverse the voltage between these electrodes in order to re-dissolve the buildup thereon. Now, the present inventor has observed that a voltage passing through or across an electrode will cause some minor cavitations on the electrode surface between the contact junctures of the voltage, and apparently the cavitations results in the buildup there-on detaching in bulk; which is much faster than the heretofore known re-dissolve processes of electrode renewal.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for reclaiming metals from articles having one or more components containing or coated with copper are provided. An example technique may include providing an article having one or more components containing or coated with copper, providing a barrel disposed in a container, the container containing an electrolytic solution and a copper starting pole component, positioning a plurality of electrically conductive particles and the article within the barrel, and separating one or more copper ions from at least a portion of the article by electrolysis.

Abstract: A wear of an electrode is prevented as much as possible, thereby efficiently electrolyzing a sulfuric acid solution and the like. An electrolysis method includes: passing an electrolytic solution through an electrolysis cell including at least a pair of an anode and a cathode; and supplying the electrodes with an electric power, so as to electrolyze the electrolytic solution, wherein a viscosity of the electrolytic solution is set in a range in response to a current density upon the electric power supply to carry out the electrolysis. The viscosity of a sulfuric acid solution as the electrolytic solution is equal to or less than 10 cP when the current density is equal to or less than 50 A/dm2, the viscosity of the sulfuric acid solution is equal to or less than 8 cP when the current density is from more than 50 to 75 A/dm2, and the viscosity of the sulfuric acid solution is equal to or less than 6 cP when the current density is from more than 75 to 100 A/dm2.

Abstract: A method for treating spheroidal graphite iron includes the step: pouring molten spheroidal graphite iron into a pouring electrical furnace (1); covering the molten spheroidal graphite iron (5) with alkali slag (6) which is melted at high temperature and rich in alkali earth metal ion, rare earth metal ion, or mixture of them; connecting the molten spheroidal graphite iron (5) with the negative pole of the direct current source by one pole (7); connecting the alkali slag (6) with the positive pole of the direct current source by another pole (4), treating the molten spheroidal graphite iron (5) with the alkali slag (6) which is used as electrolyte. The method can prevent the spheroidized fading velocity of the spheroidal graphite iron. The pouring electrical furnace can be used for treating the molten spheroidal graphite iron.

Abstract: Bare aluminum baffles are adapted for resist stripping chambers and include an outer aluminum oxide layer, which can be a native aluminum oxide layer or a layer formed by chemically treating a new or used bare aluminum baffle to form a thin outer aluminum oxide layer.

Abstract: A continuous electro-cleaning, pickling and electroplating apparatus and method using a plurality of elongate tubes that are electrically conductive.

Abstract: A method for cleaning anode media, the method comprising removing the anode media from an electroplating system, and removing scale coatings from substrates of the anode media by vibrational polishing the anode media with abrasive particles.

Abstract: A system for cleaning scale from a nickel-based superalloy component is described. The system includes a molten salt, caustic alkaline solution, and an electrical charging device that provides at least 3 V DC to the molten salt bath. The system further includes a water rinse, a soap and water solution, an acid pickling solution, and an acetone rinse. The water rinse is air-agitated, the soap and water solution is acoustically coupled to an ultrasonic device, and the acid pickling solution is fluidly coupled to an agitator. The system includes a component positioning device structured to selectively, and successively, position the component within the molten salt bath, the water rinse, the soap and water solution, the acid pickling solution, the soap and water solution again, and the acetone rinse. The system includes a number of heating devices to provide selected temperatures to various selected solutions.

Abstract: Hexavalent chrome is extracted from a film on a workpiece which film contains hexavalent chrome and reduced by contacting the contacting workpiece with a liquid or fine particle reducing agent.

Abstract: An object is to recover metallic lithium from metallic lithium on which an unnecessary substance is formed without discarding the metallic lithium on which an unnecessary substance is formed. The present invention relates to a method for recovering metallic lithium in such a manner that metallic lithium on which a substance is formed is reacted with nitrogen to form lithium nitride; the lithium nitride is reacted with carbon dioxide to form lithium carbonate; the lithium carbonate is reacted with hydrochloric acid to form lithium chloride; the lithium chloride and potassium chloride are melted; and electrolysis is applied to the melted lithium chloride and potassium chloride.

Abstract: A method of cleaning metal-containing deposits from a metal surface of a process chamber component includes immersing the metal surface in an electrochemical cleaning bath solution. A negative electrical bias is applied to the metal surface to electrochemically clean the metal-containing deposits from the metal surface. The cleaning method is capable of removing metal-containing deposits such as tantalum-containing deposits from the metal surface substantially without eroding the surface, and may be especially advantageous in the cleaning of components having textured surfaces.

Abstract: A method of cleaning metal-containing deposits from a metal surface of a process chamber component includes immersing the metal surface in an electrochemical cleaning bath solution. A negative electrical bias is applied to the metal surface to electrochemically clean the metal-containing deposits from the metal surface. The cleaning method is capable of removing metal-containing deposits such as tantalum-containing deposits from the metal surface substantially without eroding the surface, and may be especially advantageous in the cleaning of components having textured surfaces.

Abstract: The present teachings relate to systems and methods for oxidizing a sensor having a substrate, an electrode in contact with the substrate, and an electrolytic material in contact with the electrode, where oxidizing includes applying an oxidizing potential (between approximately 350 mV and 700 mV) to the electrode. In some embodiments, the methods and systems include hydrating the sensor by applying a hydrating potential (between approximately 0 mV and ?500 mV) to the electrode. In some embodiments, the applied potential can vary cyclically between an oxidizing and hydrating potential.

Abstract: Embodiments include membrane restoration process. A membrane can be restored by replacing an anolyte and a catholyte of a cell with a solution having an organic acid. The cell can include an anode, a cathode and a membrane fouled with a metal. A cheleate can be formed with the metal and the organic acid of the solution and an electric current can be provided between the anode and the cathode of the cell to protect the cell from corrosion while forming the chelate.

Abstract: The invention provides a simple and convenient strategy for reducing the dimensions of organic micro- and nanostructures on metal surfaces. By varying electrochemical desorption conditions, organic structures patterned by Dip-Pen Nanolithography or any of the micro-contact printing procedures can be gradually desorbed in a controlled fashion. The electrochemical desorption is initiated at the exterior of the feature and moves inward as a function of time. The desorption process and adsorbate desorption are modified and controlled as a function of substrate morphology, adsorbate head and tail groups, and electrolyte solvent and salt. Different nanostructures made of different adsorbates can be miniaturized based upon judicious selection of adsorbate and supporting electrolyte.

Abstract: A continuous electro-cleaning, pickling and electroplating apparatus and method using a plurality of elongate tubes that are electrically conductive.

Abstract: An improved process for treating an electrically conductive surface of a workpiece by cleaning or coating the surface is provided, comprising the steps of deploying the electrically conducting surface of the workpiece to form a cathode in an electrolytic cell; establishing a DC voltage between the cathode and an anode; forming a working gap between the anode and the cathode, and establishing a seal around the working gap to form a sealed treatment zone; delivering into the working gap an electrically conductive medium selected from the group consisting of: (A) an aqueous electrolyte from which a foam is created; (B) a foam; and a mixture of components (A) and (B), so that electrically conductive medium consisting of a foam comprising a gas/vapor phase and a liquid phase fills the working gap, wherein said electrically conductive medium enters the electrolytic cell through tubes having discharge ends oriented at approximately ten degrees from parallel to the workpiece, and wherein turbulence is created within

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel cell separator and a method of producing the fuel cell separator. A first separator and a second separator are provided as the fuel cell separators. Firstly, the first separator and the second separator are heated. Thus, an Fe rich layer is formed in a surface layer of each of the first separator and the second separator, and a Cr rich layer where a proportion of Cr is 60% or more is formed in an inner portion of each of the first separator and the second separator. Then, an electrolytic treatment is applied to each of the first separator and the second separator to remove the Fe rich layer. By the removal, the Cr rich layer is exposed to the outside on the outermost surface layer of each of the first separator and the second separator.

Abstract: A method for separating a metal-resin joint including the steps of: (1) immersing an article including a metal-resin joint with a counter electrode in an alkaline solution; and (2) applying a voltage over a certain time period between the metal portion of the joint and the counter electrode such that the potential of the metal portion is lower than that of a standard hydrogen electrode.

Abstract: A process for selectively forming a morphology of reduced material is disclosed. The reduced material, such as titanium, is formed by a process of electrochemically reducing a metal oxide feed material, such as titania, in a solid state in an electrolytic cell containing molten chlorine-containing electrolyte in the cell. The process for selectively forming the morphology of reduced material includes sintering the reduced material and forming a morphology that is susceptible to subsequent washing of retained electrolyte in the reduced material.

Abstract: An electrolytic method and apparatus for treating a solution sample allowing for the accurate and substantially real-time and on-line analysis of trace contaminants in the solution sample. The method of the present invention includes two stages. The solution sample is electrolyzed during a first stage to decompose the matrix, thereby substantially neutralizing the matrix, while during a second stage deposited or precipitated metals are recovered and/or stabilized in solution. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A decontamination method for stripping radionuclides from the surface of stainless steel or aluminum material comprising the steps of contacting the metal with a moderately acidic carbonate/bicarbonate electrolyte solution containing sodium or potassium ions and thereafter electrolytically removing the radionuclides from the surface of the metal whereby radionuclides are caused to be stripped off of the material without corrosion or etching of the material surface.

Abstract: A method of forming a porous nickel coating is provided. The method includes the steps of: depositing a coating onto a substrate by melting and atomizing two consumable electrode wires of a selected composition in a wire-arc spray device, so as to form a molten, atomized material, and directing the material to the substrate to form a coating deposit; the selected composition including nickel and a sacrificial metal; and then dissolving at least a portion of the sacrificial metal from the coating deposit by applying a positive potential in an alkaline electrolyte, so as to obtain a porous nickel coating. An electrolytic cell that includes a porous nickel coating is also described.

Abstract: A highly accurate, efficient, and non-mechanical method of removing material from the surface of a golf club head using the principles of electrolysis. The process generally includes positioning at least one electrode in close proximity to a portion of a rear surface of a striking plate, flowing a liquid containing an electrolyte between the rear surface portion and the electrode, and applying a low voltage between the rear surface portion and the electrode. The electrode has an overall negative charge and the golf club head has an overall positive charge, such that a pulsed high-density DC current passes between the electrode and the rear surface portion. This results in negatively charged electrolytes in the liquid attracting positively charged molecules of the rear surface portion, such that the designated amount of material from the rear surface portion is removed by electro-chemical oxidation and carried away by the liquid flow.

Abstract: An apparatus for the superficial electrolytic treatment of metal strips, comprising several separate and non-communicating tanks, or containers, located along the path of metal strip (13). A series of electrodes in pairs (14?, 15?, 14?, 15?, 14??, 15??), arranged as tunnels, is situated along the path. Each pair is associated with a container (2?, 2?, 2??), in which an electrod 14?, 14?, 14??) of each pair is located above the strip and the other (15?, 15?, 15??) is located below said strip, in a reciprocally opposits position and at an appropriate distance. The electrode pairs alternately have opposite polarity and each of them is respectively associated with a container. Rollers (3, 3?, 3?, 3??) in pairs for strip pressing are situated at the common border of adjacent containes for the galvanic separation of the strip surface areas facing the electrode pairs of opposite polarity.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for an ECMD anode pad including a vacuum head which applies vacuum pressure to the surface of the anode pad between ECMD operations in order to remove particles precipitated onto the surface of the anode pad and prevent or minimize inadvertent scratching or peeling of a wafer supported by the pad during the process. The particles are dislodged from the anode pad and removed from the ECMD system by flow of electrolyte solution into the vacuum head. The electrolyte solution is typically filtered before returning to the electrolyte tank for ultimate redistribution to the ECMD system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process which is suitable for applying a permanently adhering, stable, dirt and water repellent coating to metallic surfaces, specifically chromium surfaces, specifically sanitary and kitchen fixtures, and also to the components coated in this manner. The process is based on first chemically activating the surface and then coating it by means of a sol.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of polishing and/or cleaning copper interconnects using bis(perfluoroalkanesulfonyl) imide acids or copper tris(perfluoroalkanesulfonyl) methide acids compositions.

Abstract: A washing, cleaning and sterilizing solution is produced by electrolyzing an electrolyte solution composed of mixed caustic soda and salt in an electrolyzer. The solution is used as it is or diluted with tap water or non-potable water. The solution is applicable to washing, cleaning and sterilizing metal goods, medical instruments, nursing products, foodstuff, farm products, marine products, dishes, cooking utensils, plastic goods, surrounding, facilities, fiber products, machine parts, machine goods, various containers, electrical communication components, vehicles, or the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of polishing and/or cleaning copper interconnects using sulfonic acid compositions.