TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Film: The base material polymer film is formed from a polymer or copolymer. The P/N ratio of phosphoric acid with respect to pyridine unit of polyvinyl pyridine, is 0.8-1.3.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Apparatus: Alternatively, cathode gas is used for fuel combustion of the reformer after passing through the cooling medium of the CO converter while the anode gas is used as a fuel for heating the reformer.Preferred Process: The reformer is heated by combustion using a combustion catalyst. The outlet temperature of the CO converter is 100-150 degrees C.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Device: The fuel cell also comprises an anode (1) which includes a hydrophobic component (2) mixed with the hydrogen storage alloy. The fuel cell also includes a cathode comprising a hydrophobic component for preventing water passage, a substrate component for providing mechanical support and/or current collection, and a cathode active material. It also includes a third oxygen evolution electrode parallel with the cathode.Preferred Components: The anode also includes a substrate (4) comprising of conductive powder consisting of copper, nickel, or their alloy, and carbon. It also includes conductive matte, foil, or plate, preferably mesh, grid, foam, or expanded metal.The cathode material comprises host matrix including at least one transition metal element, and at least one modifier. It also comprises oxygen evolution catalyst coating on the edges or frame of the current collector or substrate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The anode active material is a hydrogen storage alloy. The hydrogen storage alloy is selected from rare-earth/Misch metal alloys, zirconium alloys, titanium alloys and their mixtures or alloys, and preferably has formula: (Base alloy)aCobMncFedSne, where the base alloy comprises (atomic %) titanium (0.1-60), zirconium (0.1-40), vanadium (0-60), nickel (0.1-57) and chromium (0-56), b = (0-0.75), c = (13-17), d = (0-3.5) and e = (0-1.5).The mesh, grid, foam, or expanded metal is nickel or nickel alloy, copper, copper plated nickel, or copper-nickel alloy.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The hydrophobic component is polytetrafluoroethylene.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The transition metal element consists of manganese, cobalt, or nickel.The modifier consists of lanthanum, aluminum, potassium, cesium, sodium, lithium, carbon, or oxygen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Property: The flat structure assembly has a disc-shape or a shape like that of a sea creature.Preferred Feature: The flat structure assembly is colored with flat black to facilitate absorption of solar energy while minimizing reflection of the solar energy, thus maximizing heat transfer to the water. It has beveled edge, and a thickness of approximately 0.125-0.25 inch. The fastening members are suction cups that are attached to and spaced on the bottom side. It is made of a gasket material reinforced with nylon. It includes a flat body member made from metal or plastic, and coated with rubberized material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Core Substance: The core substance is aliphatic hydrocarbon. The melting point of the core substance is 0-50degreesC. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The halogen vinyl monomer is vinyl chloride monomer or vinylidene chloride monomer.    EXAMPLE - (In weight parts) Paraffin wax (100) having melting point of 18degreesC, vinyl chloride (70), n-butyl acrylate (30), trimethylol propane triacrylate (1), 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile, ion exchange water (120) and dodecylbenzene sodium sulfonate (1) were mixed, to obtain emulsification monomer liquid. Ion exchange water (80) was added to a polymerizer, and the pressure of the polymerizer was reduced. Then, emulsification monomer liquid was added to the polymerizer and polymerization was initiated at 80degreesC. After completion of polymerization, the polymerization tank was cooled to room temperature, and emulsification suspension containing fire-resistant microcapsule with mean particle diameter of 3 mum was obtained. 1% aqueous solution of sodium polyacrylate (10) was mixed with emulsification suspension (100), and coated in the paper using coating device. The coated paper was dried for 6 hours at 80degreesC, to form heat accumulation sheet with the thickness of 3 mm. The obtained sheet had excellent flame retardant property. The heat storage amount of the sheet was evaluated and found to be 103.3 J/cm3.
EXAMPLE - 10 weight parts (wt.pts) of polyvinyl alcohol with molecular weight of 5000, was dissolved in 100 wt.pts of water. Subsequently, 2.5 wt.pts of lithium metaborate (LiBiO2) was dissolved in 10 wt.pts of water. Aqueous solutions obtained were mixed and solation was performed, and aqueous solutions were added to a container maintained under reduced pressure of 1000 pa, and at 20degreesC. The aqueous solutions were dried and a thin porous film with thickness of 50 mum was obtained. The thin porous film was soaked in propylene carbonate, and 10 wt.pts of propylene carbonate was impregnated. A polyelectrolyte was obtained, and was found to have an ionic conductivity of 6x10-4 S/cm and cation transport number of 0.82.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The polymeric material is an elastic, high melting point polymer, e.g. porous polyethylene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The metal foil is aluminum (Al) foil, copper (Cu) foil, or nickel.Preferred Property: The metal foil has a thickness of 5-100 microns.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The metal foil is soft annealed Al or Cu foil.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The inner polymeric sealant layer is maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene, epoxy-propylene material or system, propylene, acrylic acid modified propylene, polyethylene, polyimide, polyester, or urethane. It is also a polyamide or polyethylene terephthalate. The hot melt polymeric is maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene, epoxy-propylene material or system, propylene (preferably), acrylic acid modified propylene, polyethylene, polyimide (preferably), polyester, urethane or polyethylene terephthalate, which has been hot melt applied.The outer polymeric layer is polyester or polyamide. It is also a biaxially oriented polyamide, polyester or polypropylene. It is bonded to the metal foil by adhesive or tie layer. The adhesive layer is a solvent based or solvent free urethane based adhesive or epoxy-based one or two component adhesive. The tie layer is polyethylene, polypropylene or acrylic acid modified polyolefin, e.g., polyethylene or polypropylene. Preferred Property: The inner polymeric sealant layer has a thickness of 5-100 microns. It has a melting point of at least 120 degreesC. The outer polymeric layer has a thickness of 12-50 microns.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The nonaqueous gel composition contains at least a nonaqueous electrolytic solution, a siloxane bond-bearing polymer, and the gelatinizer, 0.05 percent by weight or more and 0.2 percent by weight or less. A lithium secondary battery uses the nonaqueous gel composition.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The titanium dioxide semiconductor contains molybdenum and 0.1-2 mumol/g of impurities of chromium or vanadium. Preferred Process: The molybdenic oxide (MoO3) as sintering auxiliary agent, and chromium oxide (CrO3) or pure chromium and vanadium oxide or pure vanadium, are added with titanium fine powder. Alternately, titanium dioxide semiconductor is manufactured by mixing resin binder with titanium fine powder, to form raw material compound, removing the resin binder and sintering the fine powder of titanium (binder removed). 50-99% of resin binder by volume ratio, is contained in raw material compound. The molybdenic oxide (MoO3) as sintering auxiliary agent, and chromium oxide (CrO3) or pure chromium and vanadium oxide or pure vanadium, are added with titanium fine powder. Preferred Property: The titanium fine powder has grain size of 20 nm to 200 mum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The heat exchanger which is hydrothermal exchanger (18), and carbon monoxide transformer are joined in a sleeve (61) which is provided in a single case (62). A burner (78) is provided at the lower part of the case. A route for combustion gas of burner is provided in the case. The combustion gas is exhausted at exhaust port (79) provided at the upper part of the case.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - A resin composition(II) for preparation of polymeric solid electrolyte comprising either (A2) copolymer having methacryl group(s), (a1) and/or (a2) in side chain or (A3) copolymer having isocyanate group(s), (a1) and/or (a2) in side chain, optional (B) photopolymerization initiator, (C) and (D) is claimed, also. Preferred materials are follows: (A1): copolymer of compound of formula (1) and glycidyl (meth)acrylate, (meth)acryloxymethylhexene oxide or vinylcyclohexene oxide etc, molecular weight of (A1) is 1,000-500,000. CH2=C(R1)-CO-(-CH(R2)-CH(R3)-O-)n-R4R1 = H, methyl;R2, R3 = both H, one is H and another is methyl;R4 = H, 1-6C alkyl;n = integer 2-50. (A2): copolymer prepared by reaction of (A1) with ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid. (A3): copolymer prepared by reaction of (A1) with e.g. (meth)acroyloxymethyl isocyanate. (B): e.g. benzoyl peroxide, azobisisobutylonitrile etc. (C): carbonate(s), e.g. ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, di(m)ethyl carbonate etc. (D): LiCF3SO3, LiClO4, LiPF6 etc. (I) is prepared by blending (A1), (C) and (D), (I) is castered on suitable sheet, irradiated by energy ray to obtain polymeric solid electrolyte. EXAMPLE - Materials (1)-(5) were blended under argon atmosphere to obtain (I): (1) copolymer solution prepared by copolymerization of methoxytetraethyleneglycol monomethacrylate 70 parts by weight, glycidyl methacrylate 30 parts by weight in propylene carbonate 100 parts by weight in the presence of benzoyl peroxide 3 parts by weight(3.0 g), (2) ethylene carbonate(1.00 g), (3) propylene carbonate(1.00 g), (4) LiClO4(0.30 g), (5) SP-170,(RTM)(0.1 g).
EXAMPLE - 17.45 of PRIMACOR 59801 (RTM) (ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer) was homogeneously dissolved in 200.7 g N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone at 150degreesC. The solution was cooled to 35degreesC in 1.5 hr. to deposit fine particles as dispersion.
EXAMPLE - Urethane acrylate copolymer was prepared by reacting (A) urethane acrylate resin made of isophorone diisocyanate, polytetramethylene glycol, polyester triol, 2-hydroxyethylacrylate, with (B) cyclohexane acrylate and (C) methylbenzoyl formate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The deformation is carried out by heating the part of the relevant board, cutting through the relevant board along cutting planes, and removing part of the relevant board and the spacer elements (3) situated between the cutting planes. The deformed board is curved in the plane of the relevant board and is parallel to the spacer elements of the sandwich panel in the plane of the relevant board. After bending, the bent sandwich panel is fixed by fixing the inner board by mutually connecting its parts adjacent to the deformed part, e.g. by gluing, by welding, or by using an adhesive material. A stiffening element is arranged in channel(s) located between the spacer elements and the boards.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The sandwich panel is manufactured from polycarbonate or from other plastic having corresponding mechanical and physical properties. The adhesive material is a foam material, e.g. polyurethane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Label: The printing layer using ultraviolet ray hardening type ink, is formed on one side of heat shrink film through a prime coat layer (6). The adhesive layer contains thermosensitive adhesive and is formed on the other surface through a vapor deposition layer (4). The film is drawn 3-5 times in one direction. The rate of heat shrinking along the direction is 20% or more at 130degreesC for 10 seconds.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The polyol component is polycarbonate polyol and the non-aqueous solvent contains a carbonate compound. Preferred Composition: The electrolyte contains 400 weight parts (wt.pts) or more of non-aqueous solvent with respect to 100 wt.pts of polyurethane. Preferred Process: The polyisocyanate component and the polyol component are reacted to obtain a prepolymer which is then reacted with chain extender at the isocyanate group terminal.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - An opto-electrochemical battery uses the photoelectric converter.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The microporous polymer is high density polyethylene.
EXAMPLE - The diameter of crystallite of zirconium oxide powder of component (A) is 0.05 - 0.5 microns and preferably 0.01 - 0.2 microns. The binder of component (B), is an organic or an inorganic binder. A typical organic binder includes an ethylene copolymer, a styrene copolymer, an acrylate and methacrylate copolymer, a vinyl acetate copolymer, vinyl bytilal resin, vinyl acetal resin, and vinyl alcohol resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The organic polymer has amino (bis)alkylene (preferably (bis)methylene) phosphonic functional groups. It is a polystyrene cross-linked by divinylbenzene.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The organic expander is lignin sulfonic acid and/or lignin sulfonate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The battery plate further comprises barium sulfate. EXAMPLE - A negative paste was prepared by mixing lead oxide (10 pounds), sulfonated lignin as organic expander, barium sulfate, and carbon black, at a concentration of 2 wt.% lead oxide in an expander weight ratio of 1.2 wt.% sulfonated lignin, 0.4 wt.% barium sulfate and 0.4 wt.% carbon black (based on dry lead oxide), and an organic polymer having phosphonic functionality at a concentration of 2 wt.% (based on dry lead oxide). The organic polymer was a cross-linked polystyrene having amino methylene phosphonic acid groups on the aromatic rings. The paste was applied to negative grid, cured, and assembled into a 2-volt cell. An improvement in capacity maintenance was obtained.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Property: The conductive film has thickness of 10 microns or less, preferably 3 microns or less.Preferred Material: The material of conductive film is conductive graphite paste, gold paste or silver paste. The graphite powder is natural graphite, artificial graphite, carbon black or kish graphite, preferably expanded graphite.Preferred Method: The conductive film is coated by spraying, vapor deposition, printing or application.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Resin: The thermosetting resin is polycarbodiimide resin, epoxy resin, furfuryl alcohol resin, urea resin, melamine resin, unsaturated polyester resin or alkyd resin, preferably phenol resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The solar panel also comprises a transparent covering sheet (6) placed over the absorber element. The base element has through-holes (18) to interact with pipe joints (10) on the absorber element by press fit, and a recess (16) to receive the transparent covering sheet. It is clad with a surface layer of plastic material having a density that exceeds the density of the foamed plastic material. A support surface (11) for contacting the covering sheet is provided on a continuous support vane (12) which projects from the bottom surface of the recess.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The foamed plastic material having a density of 20-80 (preferably 40-60) kg/m3 is polypropylene foam.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The polymer is a porous polymer. The active material is positive electrode active material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Method: The adhesive layer is formed by dry-laminate method.Preferred Materials: The innermost layer has a multi-layered structure with at least one polypropylene resin layer containing 5% or more of terpolymer resins.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The formation treatment layer is formed by performing phosphoric acid chromate treatment process.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The polymer is preferably of formula (Ia).R1, R3 = H, a group having carboxylic acid or sulfonic acid, 1-4C alkyl, or 6-10C aryl;R = 1-4C alkylene residue;X = deprotonated residue of an acid;Y = a cation of a nitrogen-containing compound;Z = 2-20;n = 3-500;p = 0-2.Preferred Property: The polymer has a glass transition point of not more than -30degreesC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The nitrogen-containing compound is obtained by the reaction of an alkyl halide with a tertiary amine having 5-12 pKa in an aqueous solution at 25degreesC. Preferred Definitions:    R = ethylene residue;    X = a residue having COO;    Y = a quat. ammonium ion of formula (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), or (f);    R4-R7 = 1-4C alkyl;    Z = a residue of maleic acid, fumaric acid, or maleic anhydride.    EXAMPLE - A polymer was prepared by mixing monomethoxypolyethylene glycol (70 g) and maleic anhydride (18.9 g) and heating to 145degreesC. The mixture was kept at 145-147degreesC and acrylic acid (23 g) and di-t-butyl peroxide (11.1 g) were separately added. The mixture was stirred for 1 hour to obtain a polymer having an average molecular weight of 2650. The polymer (0.5 g), organic lithium salt (CF3SO2)2NLi (0.36 g), and dehydrated acetone (10 ml) were stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes and vaporized to expel acetone. The residue was dried at 80degreesC for 12 hours to obtain a macromolecular solid electrolyte. The macromolecular solid electrolyte showed a high ion conductivity of 8.4x10-4 S/cm at 30degreesC and 3.6x10-4 S/cm at 10degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The gas channels have a shape and a surface energy for wicking liquid water from a hydrophobic backing (2). In the water filled drain channel, a pressure is maintained at a level that is below than that of the gas channels. The hydrophilic surface of the gas distribution channels (4) are obtained by plasma treatment or plasma coating of the surface. The stack includes hydrophilic drain channel(s) that runs in a direction perpendicular to a plane of a proton conducting membrane (1) through the stack. The drain channels are located in a non-conducting area of a cell plate (3). All anode and cathode gas channels are connected to the drain channel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Structure: At least one of the reactive group contains double bonds. The reactive group is allyl and crotyl groups or halogen group such as chlorine and/or epoxides. The polymer has a general structure (I).R1 = optionally fluorinated alkyl, optionally fluorinated aryl, alkyl containing ethylene and/or propylene oxide, provided with a halogen;m = 15 weight% or less;z = more than 75 weight%; andr = 10 weight% or less.The metal salt comprises salts of Lewis acid complexes such as lithium hexafluoro arsenate (LiAsF6), lithium hexafluoro phosphate (LiPF6), lithium tetrafluoro borate (LiBF4) and lithium hexafluoro antimonate (LiSbF6) and sulfonic acid salts such as LiCF3SO3, LiC(CF3SO2)3, LiC(CH3)(CF3SO2)2, LiCH(CF3SO2)2, LiCH2(CF3SO2), LiC2F5SO3, LiN(C2F5SO2)2, LiN(CF3SO2)2, LiB(CF3SO2)2, LiO(CF3SO2), lithium perchlorate (LiClO4), LiCF3CO3, sodium chlorate (NaClO3), sodium tetra fluoroborate (NaBF4), sodium thiocyanate (NaSCN), potassium tetrafluoro borate (KBF4), magnesium perchlorate (Mg(ClO4)2) and magnesium tetrafluoroborate (Mg(BF4)2). EXAMPLE - A polymer RPGE1 containing 85 weight% (wt.%) of poly(ethylene glycol) mono methyl ether methacrylate, 5 wt.% of allyl methacrylate and 10 wt.% of crotyl methacrylate and a polymer RPGE2 containing 95 wt.% of polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether methacrylate and 5 wt.% of allyl methacrylate, were prepared. In anhydrous gamma-butyro lactone, lithium hexafluoro phosphate was dissolved to obtain an electrolyte solution. The two polymers were individually added to the electrolyte solution to form polymeric gel electrolytes. The electrolytes were film cast on a plate and exposed to ultraviolet radiation. The gels were doped with 1.5 wt.% of glycol and investigated by voltammetry. The gel made of RPGE1 showed lesser degree of reduction of protons than the gel made of RPGE2, indicating higher neutralization degree of RPGE1 towards hydrogen fluoride.
EXAMPLE - Styrene (in weight parts) (100), divinyl benzene (5), acrylonitrile (20), chloromethyl styrene (10), and styrene butadiene copolymer (10) with hydrogenation rate of 98%, dibutyl phthalate (20) and benzoyl peroxide (3) were applied to a cloth of a polyvinyl chloride, and polymerized at 100 degrees C. The filmy material obtained was immersed in a 1:1 mixture of concentrated sulfuric acid and chlorosulfonic acid at 40 degrees C. A cation type redox flow battery diaphragm was obtained. The diaphragm had an ion exchange capacity of 2.8 mmols/g and a thickness of 100 microns. The charging and discharging of diaphragm was performed at current density of 60 mA/cm2, using mixed solution of 2 mol/l vanadyl sulfate and 2 mol/l sulfuric acid as positive electrode liquid and mixed solution of 2 mol/l vanadium sulfate (V2(SO4)3) and 2 mol/l sulfuric acid as negative plate liquid. The diaphragm had excellent charging and discharging efficiency. The diaphragm was immersed in 0.2 mol/l vanadium sulfate at 60 degrees C. The diaphragm was found to have excellent durability.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Film: The ion electroconductive film is polymer consisting of fluoro resin structure and sulfonic acid. The polymer is polybenzimidazole derivative, polymer having amino group, polyaniline derivative, silanol containing polymer and hydroxyl group containing polymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The oxetane derivative consists of at least one selected from formula (I) and formula (II).R1 = 1-6C alkyl, 2-6C alkenyl, 2-6C alkynyl, 3-6C cycloalkyl, aryl;R2 = 1-6C alkyl, 2-6C alkenyl, 2-6C alkynyl, 3-6C cycloalkyl, aryl, 2-10C acyl, 1-6C alkanesulfonyl, 6-10C arylsulfonyl, 2-10C ester;R3, R4 = 1-6C alkyl, 2-6C alkenyl, 2-6C alkynyl, 3-6C cycloalkyl, aryl.A lithium secondary battery consists of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and the nonaqueous electrolytic solution.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The organic compounds are DMO, EG, formic acid ester of EG, ethylene oxalate, and poly(ethylene oxalate). They can also be mixed with known fuels, preferably with methanol.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The cathode comprises an oxygen reduction catalyst and a fuel oxidation catalyst in a ratio of 1-50%, preferably 5-20%, (w/w). A thin hydrophobic porous matrix is placed in the anode compartment or in the fuel tank to release the carbon dioxide produced during the operation of the fuel cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The fuel oxidation catalyst is platinum-ruthenium, platinum-tin, platinum-ruthenium-tin, platinum-silver-ruthenium, and/or platinum-osmium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymers: The polymers are selected from visible-light transmitting polymers such as polyacrylates, especially polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonates, polyurethanes or polyterephthalates.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Salt: The hydrophobic molten ion-conducting salt has formula (I)At least two of R1-R5 = different straight or branched chain 1-12C, if necessary substituted by one or more of -F, -OH, -COR or COORR = H, 1-5C alkyl, NH2, NHR or -NRR',R' = H, OH, NH2 or 1-12 alkylX = a counter-ion    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Salts: The salts able to assure the conducting properties of the composition have formula M+Y-, where M+ is a cation soluble in the molten salts and Y- is an anion also soluble in the molten salts.M+ = Li+, H+, Na+ and K+.Y- = ClO4-, PF6-, AsF6-, CF3SO3-, CF3COO-, (CF3SO2)2N- and C3F7COO-. SPECIFIC MATERIALS - The hydrophobic molten ion-conducting salt is preferably bis trifluoromethanesulfonamide (TFSI) -1-ethyl-3 methyl imidazolium.    A salt able to assure the conducting properties of the composition is preferably Li(TFSI).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The crystalline polymer is a random or graft (co)polymer. The active component is a compound containing benzothiazyl, a compound containing benzotriazole, a compound containing diphenylacrylate or a compound containing benzophenone.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: An inorganic oxide layer, a nitride layer or a fluoride layer is formed on the surface of the transparent resin film. The sodium diffusion preventing layer is formed on the sealing resin surface of the light transmitting member, and is formed of an inorganic oxide layer, a nitride layer or fluoride layer. The sodium diffusion preventing layer contains 5 weight% or less of sodium, and is formed by reforming a surface of the light transmitting member. EXAMPLE - A polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film (6) of a smaller water vapor transmission rate than that of EVA resin was inserted between the EVA resin sheets (3,4) formed between the front surface glass (20) and the solar cell element (1). The thickness of the PET film was more than 25 mm. The PET film functioned as a sodium diffusion preventing layer capable of preventing diffusion of sodium ions deposited from the front surface glass. The thickness of the EVA resin sheets was 0.2-0.6 mm. The above solar cell module comprised the EVA sheet (4), the PET film, and the EVA sheet (3) interposed in this order between the front surface glass and the solar cell elements. The EVA sheet (2) was integrated by heating it under a reduced pressure. The blocking of sodium ions deposited from the front surface glass in the solar cell module, and degradation of power generation performance of the solar cell elements were prevented by the PET film. Moisture-proof test of the module was performed and the water vapor transmission rate of the rear surface member was found to be 6.3 g/m2.day. It was found that the water proofness improved greatly as compared with the conventional structure. The rate of change in characteristics of the solar cell module was evaluated and was found that the characteristics of higher than 95% were maintained as compared with the initial characteristics.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The degradation products especially have mol. wt. 700-1,000 and are obtained from plastics scrap. Suitable materials are obtained e.g. from 'paraffin-from-plastics' processes such as those described in DE4344845 and DE4344846. EXAMPLE - A suitable wax-like degradation product obtained from polyolefin scrap by the process of DE4344845 had a melting range with a maximum at 115degreesC and with melting ended at 120degreesC, a plate rheometer viscosity at 130-150degreesC of 90mPa.s, an average mol. wt. (Mw) of 4,000 and a DSC specific melt enthalpy of 200-210kJ/kg.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The anion exchange filter has a layer consisting of the anion exchange polymer on the surface of a base material filter having a thickness of 10-5000 micron meters and a weight per area of 5-2500 g/m2.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The polyfunctional (meth)acrylate has at least 3 (meth)acrylate groups in a molecule. The resin composition contains a photopolymerization initiator. The photopolymerization initiator has maximum mol absorption coefficient of 50 or more at 350-450 nm.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The electrolyte is an alkali metal salt, quaternary ammonium salt, quaternary phosphonium salt and/or transition metal salt. EXAMPLE - Polyfunctional (meth)acrylate (A-1)(1.5 g), ethylene carbonate (2.00 g), propylene carbonate (1.00 g), lithium perchlorate (LiClO4) (0.30 g) and bis(2,6-dimethoxybenzoyl)-2,4,4-trimethylpentylphosphine oxide (0.05 g) were mixed in argon atmosphere to give an electrolyte mixture. The mixture was applied on an aluminum-deposited polyethylene terephthalate film in a thickness of 30 micron and irradiated with a high-pressure mercury lamp with 200 mJ/cm2 to give a layer of a high-molecular weight solid electrolyte. A polypropylene film had been laminated on the electrolyte layer. After the laminates had been irradiated by a high-pressure mercury lamp, the electrolyte layer was released to give a transparent film of high-molecular weight of solid electrolyte. The film had ion conductivity of 0.001 s/cm at 25degreesC and 0.0004 s/cm at - 20degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compound: The electrolyte comprises proton conductive polyelectrolyte containing a mixed conductive polymer. The polymer is a pi conjugated aromatic type polymer having heterocyclic ring structure with sulfonic acid group or alkyl sulfonic acid group in the side chain.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The particles comprise a mixture of graphite particles and other electroconductive particles. The contact element(s) is bipolar plate (8) confronting the anode of one cell and cathode of another cell while separating the adjacent cells from each other. The coating is electrophoretically deposited to the substrate from a suspension of particles in an aqueous solution of acid-solubilized polymer. The first substrate comprises a first acid soluble metal layer, and second acid-insoluble passivating metal layer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The particles can be gold, platinum, nickel, palladium, rhodium, niobium, chromium-alloyed titanium, nickel-alloyed titanium, titanium carbide, titanium nitride, titanium diboride, rare earth metal, preferably carbon or graphite. The other electrically conductive particles can be Au, Pt, C, Ni, Pd, Rh, Nb, TiC, TiN, titanium diboride, chromium-alloyed titanium, nickel-alloyed titanium, rare earth metal, or carbon black. The substrate can be titanium, stainless steel, or aluminum.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The polymer matrix can be epoxies, silicones, polyamide-imides, polyether-imides, polyphenols, fluoro-elastomers, polyesters, phenoxy-phenolics, epoxide-phenolics, acrylics or urethanes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The oligopyrrole consists of a compound of formula (I).X1, X2 = H, optionally substituted 1-24C alkyl, aryl, or -OR1;R1, Z1 = H, or 1-24C alkyl;Y1, Y2 = H, optionally substituted 1-24C alkyl, aryl, or aromatic amino; andn = 2-50.X1, X2 and may form a ring.An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is also included for a solar battery using the opto-electric conversion element. The oligopyrrole compound used in the battery is of formula (Ia).Ya, Yb = optionally substituted 4-18C straight chain alkyl; andq = 3-50.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Method: The ionic conductance rate is measured with two 900 ml compartments between which the membrane is placed, where the exposed surface of the membrane is 7.07 in2. One compartment is filled with 1M sodium chloride solution and the other, the permeate compartment, is filled with pure distilled water. Both compartments are stirred continuously at the same speed and the conductance of the permeate compartment is recorded every 5 minutes for 1 hour. The ionic conduction rate is determined by taking an average slope of a graph of conductance of the permeate compartment over time.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The fire resistant material is tetrafluoro ethylene-hexafluoro propylene-vinylidene fluoride (THV) of tetrafluoro ethylene-ethylene copolymer (ETFE). THV is in inner surface and ETFE is in outer surface. Preferred Property: The thickness of THV is 150-400 mum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: Alternatively, a DNA lipid quaternary ammonium salt is immersed in the lithium salt solution and dried to obtain lithium ionic conductive polymer film. EXAMPLE - Aqueous solution of salmon sperm DNA sodium salt (5%) was cast on a Teflon plate. The plate was air-dried to remove water. The obtained film was immersed in lithium perchlorate solution (1 mol concentration of lithium perchlorate in 1 l of acetone) for a day and night with a support. The film was air-dried to remove solvent under reduced pressure of 10-2 Torr at 100 degreesC for 6 hours. The film was peeled from the support body and a semi-transparent film with a thickness of 100 micron was obtained. The obtained film was found to have good ionic conductivity of 5.5x10 power -6 S.cm-1.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The inorganic network is composed of an oxide of aluminum, silicon, titanium, vanadium, chromium, molybdenum or tungsten, preferably silicon. The anode is composed of carbon, lithium titanium oxide, tin oxide or tin and germanium oxide. The cathode is composed of lithiated cobalt oxide, lithiated nickel oxide, LiNi0.82Co0.18O2, or LiMn2O4. The metal halide is silicon tetrachloride.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The salt is an organic lithium salt that can be lithium bisperfluoroethanesulfonimide, lithium bis(5-fluoro-2-olato-1-benzenesulfonato(2-)-O,O)borate(1-), lithium bis-(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, lithium tris-(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)-methide or lithium bis-(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)methane. The organic carbonate is ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, diethylcarbonate, ethyl methyl carbonate, methyl propylcarbonate and/or dimethylether. The alcohol is tert-butyl alcohol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The ratio of electroconductive material to binder is 4:6-8:2. The ratio of graphite and carbon black in electroconductive material is 9:1-2:8. The conductive paint is further added with 0.1-4 wt.% of surfactant and/or thickener based on the solid concentration, and has solid concentration of 5-60 wt.%. EXAMPLE - Carboxy methyl cellulose (3) was dissolved in water (216), and electroconductive material comprising graphite (48) and carbon black (12) (in ratio of 8:2) was added. The resulting solution was dispersed in ball mill, acryl silicon copolymer (water based emulsion) (90) and perfluoro polyoxy ethanol (1) were added to dispersed mixture, and conductive paint was prepared. The conductive paint had viscosity of 800 mPas, adhesive intensity of 1000 gf and electrical conductivity of 0.17 OMEGA. The electroconductive film formed from conductive paint was found to resist peeling off from anode jar.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred material: (B) are Si compounds.Preferred property: The polymer composition has storage modulus at 150 degreesC of at least 1,000 Pa and total transmissivity of at least 90 %. EXAMPLE - Ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer (95 parts, refractive index : 1.50, methacrylic acid content: 15 wt. %) and SiO2 (5 parts, refractive index: 1.46) were kneaded and press molded to prepare a sheet. It had (1) storage modulus at 150 degreesC of 6.0 x 103 Pa and (2) total transmissivity of 92.8 %. In a comparative example where the SiO2 was replaced by Al borate whisker, the sheet had(1) 9.0 x 103 Pa and (2) 83.5 %.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The first electrode is a mixture comprising polyphenyl quinoxaline, carbon powder and sulfuric acid aqueous solution. The second electrode is a mixture comprising polycyanoindole, carbon powder and sulfuric acid aqueous solution. The separator is a micro-porous separator. Preferred Condition: A formation voltage is higher than the working voltage of the secondary battery applied to the collectors to form the respective oxide film. The formation voltage is 3 V.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The valve action metal is tantalum or niobium. The oxide film is made of tantalum pent oxide or niobium pent oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Cell: Several fuel cells are used, preferably in a stack. The fuel cell is liquid-fed and produces a gaseous reaction product, which provides (part of) a protective gas source during welding. Indirect and/or direct fuel cells are used. The welding circuit amplifies the voltage of the energy source and preferably comprises a first circuit for supplying a transition current and a second for supplying a melting current. Preferred Process: The welding circuit (partly) controls the wave form of the current flowing through the electrodes.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The anode consists of an alloy of platinum (Pt) with ruthenium (Ru), tin (Sn), iridium (Ir), osmium (Os) or rhenium (Re) or a mixture of these. A platinum cathode is used. The proton-conducting polymer membrane contains catalyst(s) comprising metal(s) selected from Ir, molybdenum (Mo), niobium (Nb), Os, Pt, Re, Ru, Sn, titanium (Ti), tungsten (W) and/or zirconium (Zr) and/or oxides selected from RuO2, SnO2 and/or WO3.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The organic maintenance agent (fuel) is methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid, di- and/or tri-methoxymethane and/or trioxane. The gaseous reaction product is a carbon compound, especially carbon monoxide and/or carbon dioxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymers: The proton-conducting membrane consists of a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluorinated sulfonic acid, perfluorinated sulfonic acid polymer and/or polyhydrocarbon-sulfonic acid. The cell may have not less than 2 membranes of different composition.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials The inert solvent is preferably from 5-15C hydrocarbons liquid at below 25 degrees C, particularly dichloromethane. The anhydride is from those of aliphatic and aromatic mono- and di-carboxylic acids and cycloaliphatic acids, particularly acetic or trifluoroacetic anhydride. The sulfonation agent is oleum or chlorosulfonic acid.Preferred Process Reaction is at below 10, preferably below 5 degrees C, for below 6 hours. EXAMPLE - A product of degree of sulfonation 96% was prepared by reacting 200 ml 97% H2SO4, 220 ml oleum, 80 g PES, 16 ml chlorosulfonic acid and 18 ml acetic anhydride in 100 ml dichloromethane for 4 hours at below 0 degrees C.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The sealing material is a copolymer of unsaturated fatty acid and ethylene. The unsaturated fatty acid is acrylic acid or methacrylic acid. The content of unsaturated fatty acid in the sealing material is 5-30 weight percent. The surface member and sealing material is adhered by plasma process or corona treatment. EXAMPLE - Ethylene-methacrylate copolymer and ethylene-tetrafluoro ethylene copolymer were laminated on photovoltaic cell as sealing material and surface member. Further Teflon coat fiber sheet and silicon rubber sheet were laminated to form solar battery module. The needle insertion peak temperature of the sealing material resin was 90degreesC. The solar battery module had excellent creep resistance property and weather resistance property.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The coating mechanism is a thin film that contains adhesive resin and a conductive agent.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Resin: The adhesive resin comprises poly(ethyleneacrylate) copolymer and pyrrole monomer, or poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) copolymer.Preferred Method: The coating mechanism is formed by dispersing the adhesive layer and the conductive agent in each solvent to obtain emulsion, and casting the emulsion.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The conductive agent is acetylene black.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The nonaqueous solvent of the nonaqueous electrolytic solution contains at least one selected from a hydrofluoroether of formula (5), trigrime, or tetragrime, or their mixture, and at least one cyclic carbonate selected from an ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, butylene carbonate, 4-chloro-1,3-dioxolane-2-on, 4-fluoro-1,3-dioxolane-2-on, an 4-trifluoromethyl-1,3-dioxoland-2-on, or their mixture. The mixing ratio of the trigrime or the tetragrime, or both the mixtures to the entire solvent is 10-50% in volume ratio. and a mixing ratio of the hydrofluoroether to the entire solvent is 50-95% in volume ratio. The electrolyte of the nonaqueous electrolytic solution has at least one selected from bispentafluoroethyl sulfonyl imide lithium: LiN(SO2CF2CF3)2, N-trifluoromethyl sulfonyl, and N-nonafluorobutyl sulfonyl imide lithium: LiN(SO2CF3)(SO2C4F9). Components for constituting the nonaqueous electrolytic solutions have compatibility with one another. The nonaqueous electrolytic solution exhibits no firing point in the Cleveland opening type firing point test based on JIS-K2265. A hybrid car obtains power by driving a rotating machine by using the secondary battery described in the electric car, and an internal combustion engine. A power storage system has a control mechanism releasing stored power upon requirement by using the secondary battery described in the electric car.C4F9-O-CH3 (5)    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Electric Car: The electric car obtains power by driving a rotating machine by using the secondary battery. The secondary battery has:(a) negative electrodes using a material for electrochemically storing and releasing a lithium ion, metal lithium, or a lithium alloy;(b) positive electrodes using a material electrochemically storing and releasing a lithium ion; and(c) a nonaqueous electroytic solution.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The current collecting substrate is not in contact with the active layer. The first side of the current collecting substrate is laminated tightly to the air diffusion layer and has an intimate contact with the air diffusion layer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The metal anode is zinc.The electrolyte is an alkaline solution.The current collecting substrate is nickel, silver, copper, gold, stainless steel, cobalt, titanium, platinum, palladium, chromium, indium, or steel (or its plating-substrate combination or alloy). It is preferably in the form of a woven metal screen, an expanded metal screen, a perforated metal sheet, wires, or interconnected members.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The polymeric material of the air diffusion layer is polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, and/or polytetrafluoroethylene.
EXAMPLE - Fuel consists of alcohol having a carbon number being up to 3 and water. A typical alcohol includes methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and 1-propanol. A typical interface-active agent mixed in a fuel composition includes (ionicity, cathionicity, and amphoteric) interface-active agent and a nonionic (nonionicity) interface-active agent, which are used as alone or a mixture of at least two kinds. A typical anionicity interface-active agent includes alkylbenze sulfonic acid and its salt, polyoxyalkylene sulfonic acid and its salt, and perfluoroalkylbenze sulfonic acid and its salt.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compounds: The mole ratio of the acryloyl group-containing compound of formula (I) to both terminated vinyl ether group-containing crosslinked product of formula (II), (I)/(II), is 100/1-100/10. The gel electrolyte contains the chemically crosslinked product serving as the matrix polymer in an amount of 5-50 wt.%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The dianhydride component in polyimide film is pyromellitic dianhydride. Preferred Properties: The Young's modulus of polyimide film is 420 kg/mm2 and thermal coefficient of expansion is 12-16 ppm/degreesC. Preferred Layer: The protective layer is formed on the surface of solar battery substrate. A transparent electrode, amphorphous silicon layer are formed sequentially on the metal electrode. A protective layer is formed on the transparent electrode as per required.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The polymer also contains units of olefins, acrylates, vinyl acetates, styrenes and fluoro mixtures of them but not perfluoro derivatives and mixtures, the polymer being selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene-styrene copolymers and terpolymers where the olefin has greater than 3C atoms, but preferably polyethylene. In formula (I), the preferred compound hasR1 = covalent bond or -CF2, m = 1, n = 0, 1, R3 = -CF3, X = F. The solvent is selected from chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, halogenated hydrocarbons, dimethyl acetamide and dimethyl formamide, preferably chlorobenzene. In the non-crosslinked polymer, up to 50% of the units may be olefins, acrylates, vinyl acetates and/or styrenes or all the units may be methylene units. In this polymer, the X group of the pendant chain may be as before or -OM, where M is H or an alkali metal, preferably Li . The organic carbonate of the conductive composition is ethylene or dimethyl carbonate. Preferred Process: Polymerization is done in solution, the polyethylene concentration being 3-6%. EXAMPLE - Copolymers of styrene and ethylene/butylene were dissolved in chlorobenzene by stirring under nitrogen at 120 degreesC. Perfluoro(3,6-dioxa-4-methyl-7-octenesulfonyl fluoride (PSEPVE) was added followed, dropwise, by a solution of t-butyl peroxide in chlorobenzene. After the addition was complete, the mixture was stirred for a further 8 hours at 120 degreesC to complete the polymerization. The mixture was poured into methanol, the polymer precipitated and filtered off before purifying by dissolving in chloroform and precipitating again with methanol. A series of similar products were prepared and films were cast for testing for conductivity. All examples gave very low values.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Electrolyte: The organic polymer compound contains the boric acid ester compound obtained by esterifying the compound (I) where R1 = H atom with boric acid or boric acid anhydride, or contains the nitrile group-containing compound (I) where at least 1 R1 = a cyanoethyl group. The organic polymer compound contains a polymer of a boric acid ester compound obtained by esterifying the compound (II) where R2 = H with boric acid or boric acid anhydride, or a polymer of the nitrile group containing compound (II) where R2 = cyanoethyl group. The ionic compound is an alkali metal salt or alkaline earth metal salt, especially a lithium salt. EXAMPLE - A boric acid ester compound is obtained by adding 11.6g boric acid anhydride to 550g methoxy polyethylene glycol of molecular weight 550, heating to 110 degreesC under a nitrogen atmosphere, reducing pressure, holding the state of at most 2.67 kPa pressure for 3 hours, removing water formed during the reaction and filtering.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Particles: The semiconductor particles are produced by burning a mixture of zinc oxide particles and tin oxide (especially tin dioxide) or tin chloride particles. A dye (4) is adsorbed upon the particles.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Electrolyte: The molten slat electrolyte comprises at least one compound of the form given by formulae (I), (II) and (III).where Qy1= atomic group capable of forming a 5- or 6-membered aromatic ring cation together with the nitrogen atom;Ay1= nitrogen atom or phosphorus atom;Ry1, Ry2, Ry3, Ry4, Ry5 and Ry6= substituted or unsubstituted, alkyl or alkenyl group. Two or more of Ry1, Ry2, Ry3 and Ry4 in (II) may be connected to each other to form a non-aromatic ring containing Ay1. Two or more of Ry1, Ry2, Ry3, Ry4, Ry5 and Ry6 in (III) may be connected to each other to form a cyclic structure. (I), (II) or (III) may have a polymerized form by linking through any of Qy1, Ry1, Ry2, Ry3, Ry4, Ry5 or Ry6.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Apparatus: Each of the fuel gas flow passage and oxygen-containing gas flow passage is designed to have a meandering configuration in a surface direction of each of the electrodes.The pressure of the oxygen-containing gas supplied to the oxygen-containing gas flow passage is set to be higher than a pressure of the fuel gas supplied to the fuel gas flow passage.The fuel cell further comprises: a gas-humidifying device for humidifying at least one of the fuel gas and the oxygen-containing gas for a predetermined time before operation.The fuel cell further comprises: a detector for detecting the amount of water in a discharged gas; and a controller of judging whether or not initial humidification before start of operation is completed on the basis of a detection signal from the detector and controlling the gas-humidifying device.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The main chain of formula (I) is terminated by R1 and R3 groups where less thanMARmore than R1, R3 = H, 1-4C linear or branched alkyl, 6-10C aryl, or group with carboxylic acid or sulfonic acid group less thanMARmore than. R in (I) is ethylene, X- is a residue with COO-, and Y+ is quaternary ammonium ion selected from Ya, Yb, Yc, Yd, Ye or Yfwhere less thanMARmore than R4, R5, R5, R7 = 1-4C linear or branched alkyl less thanMARmore than. Z is maleic acid, fumaric acid or maleic anhydride. The quaternary ammonium compound is obtained by reacting an alkyl halide with a tertiary amine that has a pKa in water at 25 oC of 5-12.Preferred Properties: The polymer has a glass transition temperature of not more than -30 oC. EXAMPLE - Monomethoxypolyethylene glycol (70g) and maleic anhydride (7g) were placed in a reactor and thermally melted under nitrogen by heating with stirring to 145 oC. The mixture was kept at 145-147 oC and acrylic acid (23g) and di-t-butylperoxide (1.7g) were added separately and dropwise over 1 h. The mixture was stirred for a further hour and polymer was produced. This polymer (4.37g), N,N-dibutyl imidazolium bromide (6.12g) and chloroform (100ml) were placed in a reactor and stirred until dissolved. Argon was bubbled through and kept at 20 oC for 18 h before raising the temperature to 50 oC for 5 h. Chloroform was removed by distillation and the residue was dried under vacuum for 40 h to give required polymer. No comparisons of properties were given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The sealant is thermally-curing epoxy resin or photo-curing epoxy resin.Preferred Size: The sealant contains beads (0.01-10% by mass) having an average particle size of 20-200 microns.Preferred Method: The sealant is applied by dispensing or screen-printing. The beads are spread over the substrate surface. The electrolyte is vacuum-injected into the cell. The cell is annealed at a temperature at which the low molecular weight components from the sealant diffuse or dissolve in the electrolyte and the electrolyte and other constituting parts are not changed in their nature.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The solvent is ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinine, propylene carbonate (PC), or butylene carbonate. The gel electrolyte contains cross linked PMMA beads.Preferred Ratio: The ratio of isotactic to syndiotactic fractions of the poly(methyl methacrylate) is 0.05-0.3. Preferred Method: The solution of a-PMMA or i-PMMA, and the organic solvent are prepared in a non-complexing solvent.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The salt is a lithium salt containing an anion from perchlorate, trifluoromethyl sulfonate, tetrafluoroborate, hexafluorophosphate, or bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide. The gel electrolyte contains fumed silica.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The non-complexing agent is chloroform or dichloromethane. The electrolyte is a binder. EXAMPLE - 0.34 g of i-PMMA (MW 300000) were dissolved in 8 g of 1 M solution of lithium perchlorate in PC. 1.66 g of a-PMMA (MW 996000) was added and dissolved at 85 degreesC. The solution was cooled at room temperature and an ionically conductive elastic gel was formed. It showed a conductivity of 1.28 x 10 to the power -3 S/cm at 20 degreesC; storage and loss compression moduli (at test frequency 1 Hz) of 0.41 x 10 to the power 5 Pa; and 0.05 x 10 to the power 5 respectively; and melting point of 75 degreesC.
EXAMPLE - - A single cell consists of an electrolytic film, being an ion exchange film, formed of fluororesin, an anode and a cathode consisting of carbon cloth, a carbon paper, or a carbon felt, and nipping the electrolytic film from both sides to form sandwich structure, and separators to nip the sandwich structure from both sides. A plurality of sets of the single cells are laminated and a collecting plate, not shown, is situated.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compound: At least one portion of side chain terminal is a group based on quaternized polyamine. Fluorine containing anion exchanger polymer is formed by reacting perfluoro carbon polymer and polyamine (in form of salt is included) which has -SO2F of -SO2Cl group, and at least one portion is quaternized. Preferred Solvent: The solvent contains 50 weight% of fluorine containing alcohol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The grain size distribution of the silica has a standard deviation of 1.2 or less. The silica is prepared by the sol gel method and is then burned at 300-700 degrees C. A substrate for a solar battery is formed by coating the polyimide resin composition on the surface of a heat-resistant substrate consisting of a polyimide film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The fluoroelastomer is end-capped and of formula T-(AB)x-T' or T-ABA-T. T' = -AT; T, T' = bicyclo(2.2.1)hept-2-yl, trimethylsilane, dimethylphenylsilane, methyldiphenylsilane, anilino or anhydrido. The fluoroelastomer has a glass transition temperature of -60 - 20 (-40 - 0) C, and a transition temperature of 165 - 300 (170 - 250) C.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: When the polymerization reaction is conducted in water, the pH of the reaction solution is adjusted to at least 7. Preferred Aniline: Aniline has at least one substituent on its aromatic ring. EXAMPLE - Aniline (16.5 ml) was dissolved in NMP (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone) (248 ml) to obtain an NMP solution of aniline. Then ammonium peroxodisulfate (41.3 g) was added to the NMP solution of aniline at -5 to 0degreesC for 12 hours, followed by stirring overnight while gradually restoring the temperature to room temperature. The reaction solution was poured into a large excess of deionized water to obtain a solid material. The solid material was washed with deionized water and acetone, followed by deionized water and vacuum dried at 100degreesC, to obtain a meta type polyaniline (I). (I) had an inherent viscosity eta inh of 0.22. (I) was then blended with diphenylphosphoric acid (0.5 molecule) to obtain an acid-doped meta type polyaniline film. The amount of aromatic rings bonded in repeating units of polyaniline was 97 mole%, at the meta positions. A comparative polyaniline was prepared in the similar manner except that aniline was dissolved in 1M aqueous solution of H2SO4 instead of NMP. The amount of the aromatic rings bonded in the repeating units of polyaniline was 0 mole%, at the meta positions.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The glare-proof layer contains an organic polymer, an inorganic polymer, or their composite material. The organic polymer consists of an acryl-based resin, a fluorine-based resin, or their mixture. The inorganic polymer uses alkyl silicate as its material, or contains silica.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Embodiment: Surface treatment, using a coupling agent consisting of a titanate compound is applied to the metal-based conductive filler. The crystalline macromolecule consists of a macromolecular alloy formed by blending a thermoplastic macromolecule or two or more macromolecules.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Embodiment: Surface treatment, using a coupling agent consisting of a titanate compound is applied to the metal-based conductive filler. The crystalline macromolecule consists of a macromolecular alloy formed by blending a thermoplastic macromolecule or two or more macromolecules.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred molding: The hydrogen storage material is a metal, carbon material or alloy having hydrogen storage and release properties.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred molding: The silicon resin is radical hardened rubber, heat hardened rubber or condensed rubber. The silicon resin is contained in an amount of 0.5-50 weight%. EXAMPLE - A hydrogen storage alloy comprising 3.75 parts Ni, 0.75 parts Co, 0.20 parts Mn, 0.30 parts Al and 1.0 part of a mixture of La (34 weight%), Ce (45 weight%), Pr (6 weight%) and Nd (weight%) is heat processed in an argon atmosphere and finely ground under a nitrogen atmosphere.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Cell: The component which contacts with the polymer electrolyte membrane of the gas seal part is chemically bonded to the polymer electrolyte film. The gas seal part has a gasket having through holes for flow of fuel gas and oxidizing gas to the main body. EXAMPLE - A porous electrode is formed by supporting platinum particles on acetylene black carbon particles, and dispersing these catalyst particles in isopropanol, mixing ethylene glycol dispersion of perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid of formula (I), forming into a paste and screen printing to produce a catalyst layer. The electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly is formed by contacting the catalyst layer to both surfaces of the central part of the hydrogen ion conductive polymer electrolyte membrane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The hydrophilic group-containing polymer side chain is introduced into the main chain of the organic polymer by radiation graft polymerization. Such a group can be a cation exchange group selected from a carboxylic acid, phosphoric acid and carboxyl groups, or an anion exchange group, chosen from quaternary ammonium, tertiary ammonium, secondary ammonium and primary ammonium group, or a non-ion exchange group of amide or hydroxyl groups. EXAMPLE - A composite fiber (15 mm in diameter) of polyethylene terephthalate (core) with a polyethylene (sheath) was made into a thermal fusion non-woven fabric (base weight of 50 gm-2) as the base material for gamma ray treatment at 150 kGy under nitrogen. It was then soaked in glycidyl methacrylate at 50 degreesC for 4 hours to give a fabric with 133% graft rate of glycidyl methacrylate. The product was treated with aqueous 8% sodium sulfite and 12% isopropanol at 80 degreesC for 8 hours to form a strongly acidic cation exchange non-woven fabric (neutralization capacity of 2.81 meq/g, regenerable with hydrochloric acid). Moisture adsorption of the dried product for 10 minutes was 12%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The conducting salt is selected from LiBF4, LiAsF6, LiSbF6, LiCF3SO3, (CF3SO2)2Nli, (CF3SO2)3CliPF6-x (where, R = partially or perfluorinated alkyl or aryl; and x = 0-6), preferably LiPF3.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The organic isocyanate is selected from phenylisocyanate, phenyl-2, 4-diisocyanate, 2-biphenylisocyanate and at least 3 C alkylmonoisocyanate. The organic solvent is dimethylcarbonate, diethylcarbonate, propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, methylethyl carbonate, methylpropyl carbonate, gamma-butylrolactone, methylacetate, ethylacetate, methylpropionate, ethylpropionate, methylbutyrate, ethylbutyrate, dimethylsulfoxide, dioxolane, sulfolane, acetonitrile or acrylonitrile.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The hydrogen-permeable device includes fixed high polymeric hollow fibers made of polyimide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The water is at least 85 wt.%.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The surfactant is nonionic.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The organic polymer particles are polypropylene, polyethylene, and/or nylon. The open cell pores is at least 50 vol.% of the particle. Preferred Properties: The open cell mean pore diameter is 0.075-10 mum. The organic porous particles prior to size reduction is less than 1500 mum, preferably less than 1000 mum. The reduced mean particle size is less than 200 mum, preferably less than 150 mum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The PC compound is of formula (I):X = a hetero atom;R = a 2-6 valent group having a molecular weight of at least 150;m = 1-5; andn = an integer of at least 1.The group R is preferably a polymer or copolymer of compounds of formula (A) and/or (B):R1 = methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl or -CH2-(CH2CH2O)r-Ra;r = 0 or 1;Ra = methyl, ethyl, propyl, or butyl.Alternatively the PC compound is of formula (V):R' = a divalent group of formula -(CH2CH2O)p-(CH2CHR1O)q- (molecular weight of at least 150);or PC is a compound of formula B-(-X-R-Y)3 (VII)Y = a polymerizable group such as an acrylic acid residual group, methacrylic acid functional group, aryl group and/or vinyl group. EXAMPLE - Polymer electrolyte of thickness 500 microns is obtained by adding 1g compound of formula (A-1), 9 g compound of formula (B-10), 1mol/kg LiBF4 and 0.01g azobisisobutyronitrile to 1.2g gamma-butyrolactone, and dissolving at 40degreesC, spreading between glass plates and leaving for 2 hours at 80degreesC.    Q = a group of formula (i).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Sheet: The laminate is formed using an adhesive layer for dry laminating or a melt extrudable adhesive layer. The laminate contains reinforcing fibers, ultraviolet (UV) absorbent and/or oxidation preventing agent. The cyclic polyolefin resin layer is formed from a homo- or copolymer of a cyclic diene. EXAMPLE - The sheet is formed from a biaxially drawn polyethylene terephthalate sheet of thickness 50 microns in which a benzophenone UV absorbent is included and a polydicyclopentadiene resin sheet of thickness 100 microns.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The nitrogen-containing high-molecular compound has a repeating unit of formula (II).R1 = H, or alkyl;L = divalent linkage group;Z = nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group;E = repeating unit derived from compound having ethylenically unsaturated group;t = 0 or 1;x, y = weight composition ratio of repeating unit;x = 5-100 weight %;y = 0-95 weight %.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The concentration of lithium salt in electrolyte solution is 0.5-1.5 M. The electrolyte solution contains a polar solvent with dielectric constant greater than 20 and a non-polar organic solvent. The electrolyte solution comprises N,N,N',N,N-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine and lithium hexafluorophosphate in a molar ratio of 1:1 and propylene carbonate and ethylene carbonate in a volume ratio of 1:1. The cathode has a potential versus lithium metal of 3.5 V or less. Preferred Compounds: The polar solvent is ethylene carbonate, sulfolane and/or mixtures of propylene carbonate with ethylene carbonate. The non-polar organic solvent is dioxolane, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, benzene, toluene and/or 1-methylpyrrole. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The polyamine chelating agent is N,N,N',N,N-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine, N,N,N',N,N',N'-hexamethyltriethylenetetramine and/or N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine. The lithium salt is lithium chloride, lithium hexafluorophosphate, lithium hexafluoroarsenate, lithium perchlorate, lithium imide or lithium methide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The back cover film comprises a laminate including a multi-layered film of the polyethylene terephthalate-based supporting film and the amorphous polyester-based heat seal layer, and a fluorocarbon resin film bonded to another surface of the supporting film. The multi-layered film can be heat-sealed under temperatures falling within 140-200 degreesC.Preferred Properties: The multi-layered film has a thickness of 30-100 microns. The heat seal layer has a glass transition point of not more than 100, preferably not more than 75 degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The vinylidene fluoride-tetrafluoroethylene has a number-average molecular weight of about 200,000-700,000. The organic solvent consists of ester carbonate. The ester carbonate consists of a mixed solvent of a high-dielectric constant solvent and a low-viscosity solvent.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The gel composition uses the vinylidene fluoride-chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer having a number-average molecular weight of about 200,000-700,000. The organic solvent consists of an ester carbonate. The ester carbonate consists of a high-dielectric constant solvent and a low-viscosity solvent. The weight of the organic solvent capable of dissolving the lithium salt is about 10-200 parts by weight for 100 parts by weight of the vinylidene fluoride-chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer. A gel polymer electrolyte is formed by adding the lithium salt to the gel composition. A lithium ion secondary battery has the gel polymer electrolyte between a positive electrode and a negative electrode.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The membrane preferably comprises nanocrystals. The ceramic material is in concentrations of 1-9 (especially 5-7) weight % of the membrane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Property: The battery case is in the form of cylinder. The battery is an alkaline battery containing alkaline electrolytic solution.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Member: The sheathing member comprises polyamide resin, polyolefinic resin and/or thermoplastic elastomer. The sheathing member is coated with asphalt, chlorosulfonated polyethylene and/or polyamide resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The composition (I) comprises 60-80 pts.wt. (A), 70-120 pts.wt. (B), 10-30 pts.wt. (C), 2-10 pts.wt. (D), 5-12C pts.wt. (E) and 2-4 pts.wt. (F). The elastomer composition (I) is mixed with 10-50 (20-40) pts.wt. of a non-cross-linked polymer , preferably polyethylene , preferably very low density polyethylene. The thermally conductive material (B) is first mixed with the polymer. The composition (I) also contains up to 50 (20-40) pts.wt. polyoctenamer, up to 20(10) pts.wt. of a paraffinic plasticizer, up to 20(10) pts.wt. of a processing aid, up to 20(10) pts. wt. hydrocarbon resin and up to 20(2-15) pts.wt. metal oxide. The metal oxide is a magnesium and/or zinc oxide. The thermally conductive material (B) is graphite, preferably in the form of fibers or flake and has a major stretching axis running in the radical axis of the tubing.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: (C) is of formula (I):M+ = Li+, Na+ or K+;X = ClO4, BF4, PF6, CF3SO3, (CF3SO2)N, (C2F5SO2) 2N, (CF3SO2)3C or (C2F5SO2)3C).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: (D) are ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, methyl ethyl carbonate and/or gamma-butyrolactone.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Device: The illumination unit comprises drive circuit comprising mechanism for driving the diodes in groups. Preferred Components: The light emitting diodes comprise an elongated emitting aperture extending in linear direction. The light emitting diodes are integrated to a monolithic integrated circuit, and covered by continuous elongated body of epoxy. The epoxy contains diffuser and phosphor components. Each light emitting diode comprises distributed diodes thus a failure of a sub-circuit has uniform impact on the illumination. The light emitting diodes are unlensed. The housing (34) allows spread of light in linear direction beyond the ends of housing. The housing comprises mechanism for mounting on a common heat sink support. The lens is mounted with respect to light sources to allow the emitted light of neighboring illumination unit to enter lens. The lens is Fresnel lens (33).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The diffuser component is phosphor component.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Resin: The resin of the coating liquid is a thermosetting resin having thickness of 5-20 microns.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The aluminum structure comprises tubes (19) and a tank connected to the tubes. The heat exchanger further includes corrugated fins (21), and a tank comprising a base portion made of aluminum and a major portion made of a resin. The tubes and fins are alternatively arranged and assembled together into a core portion (23) of the heat exchanger.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - IMAGING AND COMMUNICATION - Preferred Method: The coating is conducted by applying a coating liquid comprising a resin to the inner surface of the brazed assembly by filling the inner space of the brazed assembly with the coating liquid and then discharging the coating liquid from the inner space thus forming a precursory layer on the inner surface; drying the precursory layer into a dried layer; and baking the dried layer into the resin coating layer (25). Preferred Property: The coating liquid has a solid matter concentration of 15-35 wt.%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Cell: To ensure a fixed spacing between the separators, a polymer electrolyte having a fixed thickness is provided by arranging on the outer side of (I). This polymer electrolyte is sandwiched between a pair of opposed gasket sheets. The end parts of the pair of opposed gasket sheets project. The spacer sheet is arranged between the gasket sheet sandwiched part and the gasket or the gasket is formed between the gasket sheet sandwiched part and the spacer sheet. The gasket is unified with the gasket sheet. The rubber cured material is the cured material of liquid silicone rubber, liquid nitrile rubber, liquid ethylene-propylene rubber, or liquid fluoro rubber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preparation: Preparing polynorbornene with pendant cyclotriphosphazene by;(a) preparing a norborene molecule with a cyclotriphosphazene group by reacting a norbornenyl alcohol with a halocyclotriphosphazene; and(b) polymerizing the norborene molecule in the presence of a catalyst    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst used in the preparation is a chemical compound comprising a metal selected from Ru, Rh, Pt, Os, Ni, Fe, Co, Pd or Ir (most preferred Ru)    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The polymer is selected from a linear optical material, a non-linear optical material and an electrically conductive material and is biocompatible Preferred Definitions:    R2 to R9 each = H    R1 = phenyl, -CH2CF3, (4-ethyl)alkylcarboxylatophenyl or -CH2CH2OCH2CH2OCH3    SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The catalyst has the formula (II):    Cy = Cyclohexyl    EXAMPLE - A solution of phenol (30.9g, 328 mmol) in Tetrahydrofuran (THF)(200ml) was added dropwise to a stirred suspension of NaH (7.9g, 328 mmol, 60%) in dry THF (100mL) at room temperature. The mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight and was then added dropwise to a stirred solution of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (20g, 57.5 mmol) in dry THF (150mL). The mixture was refluxed overnight, cooled to room temperature, and washed with HCl (5%). The organic layer was concentrated and purified by column chromatography (silica, 55/45 CH2Cl2/hexanes) to yield 15g (47%) of a white solid confirmed as pentaphenoxy(monochloro)cyclotriphosphazene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Process: The process further includes heat treating the cured part to form the component or an electrode. The rapid curing is radiation curing by ultraviolet, infrared, electron beam, radio frequency, visible light, microwave, or preferably by effecting direct chemical initiation. Preferred Component: The component or component feature is an electrode or a multilayer cell for a solid oxide electrolyte fuel cell (SOFC). The substrate can be a portion of the electrode, or a component adjacent to electrode.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The polysilane consists of formula (1).R1, R2, R3, R4 = aliphatic hydrocarbon residue which may have substituent, aromatic hydrocarbon residue, or alicyclic hydrocarbon residue;n, m = integer.The production of the optoelectric conversion element comprises:(a) laying up the first optoelectric conversion layer, the conductive layer consisting of the organic polysilane, and the counter electrode layer in that order on the electrode layer;(b) applying a voltage to the electrode layer and the counter electrode layer;(c) aligning the organic polysilane.A solar battery has the optoelectric conversion element.
SPECIFIC MATERIALS - The alkaline metal salt is a lithium salt. The polyalkylene oxide contains ethylene oxide as monomer units. The macromolecular fine particles are produced by emulsion polymerization.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Insulating Material: The insulating material is selected from polyamides, polyolefins, polystyrenes, polycarbonates, polyphenylene oxide, and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers.An insulating material comprising polyamide 6-6 reinforced with 30 wt.% glass fibers is most preferred.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The conductive particulate material comprises carbon powder having a specific surface area of up to 100m2/g, and comprises glassy carbon. The cell has at least one layer selected from zinc, tin, aluminum, chromium-containing compound and/or tungsten-containing material between the metal base material and the conductive resin layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropene has a number-average molecular weight of ca. 200000-700000. The organic solvent comprises ester carbonate. The ester carbonate comprises a mixed solvent of a high-dielectric constant solvent and a low-viscosity solvent.
EXAMPLE - A coin type secondary cell whose cross section is shown in fig. 1 was manufactured, which was equipped with the cathode made (as weight parts) of the mixture of 100 of AgO, 5 of polyethylene, and 5 of acetylene black, the anode made of 99.9 % metal Mg, and propylene carbonate solution containing 1 M of C2H5MgBr. Discharge capacity of the cell in second cycle of charge and discharge was 416 mAh/g while after 50 cycles of charge and discharge it was 364 mAh/g.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Dimension: The aluminum foil layer has a thickness of 10-30 microns.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The nylon layer is interposed between the aluminum foil layer and PTFE layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The ratio of active material to soft fluororesin is 0.1-20 weight percent. The electrode is prepared by dispersing 1 weight part of binder into 5-30 wt.pts. of coating solvent.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Electrolyte: The nonaqueous electrolyte contains a phosphazene compound of formula (1) or a radical polymerization inhibitor.R1, R2 = unsubstituted straight chain or branched alkyl or straight chain or branched alkyl substituted for element except H, or unsubstituted cyclic saturated alkyl or cyclic saturated alkyl substituted for element except H, optionally substituted alkylene, or alkylene oxide;n = integer of 1 or greater and up to 100.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Apparatus: The fuel storage apparatus comprises an ion exchange resin column (7) filled with ion exchange resin provided in a circulation flow pipe (4) which circulates methanol in the fuel container. A fuel circulating pump (5) supplies methanol into the container through the circulation flow pipe. An electric conductivity sensor (8) or pH sensor detects the formic acid produced by oxidation of methanol in the fuel container. A control unit (9) controls the circulation of methanol based on the measured value of the electric conductivity sensor. Another ion exchange resin column is provided in the fuel feed pipe (3) which supplies fuel to a modifier from the fuel container. A device for adding corrosion inhibitor (such as sodium silicate) to the methanol in fuel container, is provided. The pH sensor detects the pH value for evaluating the corrosion inhibitory effect of the methanol in the fuel container. Based on the pH value, the control unit controls the additional amount of corrosion inhibitor supplied to the container. The pH value is preferably controlled to 10 or more. The ion exchange resin cartridge provided in the fuel container, is exchangeable.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials:The vinylimidazoline polymer is typically of the type of formula (2) and the metal salt of lithium salts.m = 2 or higher number;R1-R7 = H or alkyl. EXAMPLE - A vinyl imidazoline polymer with a weight average molecular weight of 150,000 (1 mol of repeating units) LiClO4 (0.27 mol), N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-cyanoethyl)-1,2- diaminoethane (plasticiser) (0.27 mol) were dissolved into ethanol (0.80 mol) uniformly and, from the solution, was removed ethanol under reduced pressure to give a macromolecular solid electrolyte with an electric conductivities at inverse numbers of absolute temperatures of 2,9155, 3,0030, 3.0960, 3.1949 and 3.3003 of 1.17, 0.657, 0.0290, 0.0159 and 0.00339 mS/cm and flexibility at all the temperatures respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Resin: The thermoplastic resin, is polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride or fluororesin. Preferred Material: The material having absorption to laser radiation is pigment. Preferred Electrode: The positive electrode terminal consists of aluminum or aluminum alloy. The negative plate terminal consists of iron, stainless steel, nickel, copper and copper alloy. The positive electrode terminal and negative plate terminal are crimped directly with the cover material or armored can, and joined. The injection hole of cover material is sealed by heat welding or soldering in thermoplastic resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The amount of the polysulfonic acid or its salt in an electrolytic solution is 1 ppb or more to at most2 wt.%. The phenol-based compound has at least one structure of formula (1).R1 = 4C or more-hydrocarbon;R2 = H, or electron donating group.The sealed alkaline battery uses a separator having a cation exchange capability.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The Group Ia metal salt consists of one or more Li salts selected from LiCiO4, LiBF4, LiPF6, LiAsF6, LiCF3SO3, LiN(CF3SO2)2, LiC(CF3SO2)3.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The polymer is polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene, polyvinyl chloride homopolymer, polyvinyl chloride co-polymer, styrene-butadiene rubber, polyacrylonitrile, or poly(methyl methacrylate).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Parameters: The coating is 1-10 mum thick.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Monomer: The monomer containing trifluoro methyl group is preferably hexafluoro propylene, hexafluoro acetone, hexafluoro isobutene or perfluoro alkyl vinylether. Preferred Process: Vinylidene fluoride and trifluoro methyl group containing monomer are polymerized using tertiary butyl alcohol, as polymerization solvent to obtain fluororesin. The molar ratio of vinylidene fluoride/trifluoro methyl group containing monomer in the obtained fluororesin, is 72-85/15-28. EXAMPLE - (In grams) Water (600), t-butyl alcohol (260) and heptafluoro butylic peroxide (0.8) were mixed. Hexafluoro propylene (71) and vinylidene fluoride (156) were added to the above mixture. The polymerization of the above mixture was carried out at 30degreesC. The amount of hexafluoro propylene was maintained at 15-18 mol% for 10 hours. Vinylidene fluoride (43) was then supplied to the mixture and polymerization was continued to obtain fluororesin. The resin was washed with water and dried at 70degreesC for 48 hours. The fluororesin (0.5) was dissolved in acetone (10) and the amount of vinylidene fluoride and hexafluoro propylene structural units were measured. The fluororesin was found to contain 91.8 mol% of vinylidene fluoride structural unit and 8.2 mol% hexafluoro propylene structural unit.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Property: The solid polymeric electrolyte has ionic conductivity and compressibility of 4x10-4 S/cm or more and 60 KPa or more, respectively. Preferred Composition: The polyamide group resin contains 1-20 mol% of polyoxyalkylene monoamine. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The alkali metal salt is lithium perchlorate, lithium tetrafluoro borate, lithium hexafluoro phosphate, trifluoromethyl sulfonyl lithium nitrite (LiN (CF3SO2)2).    EXAMPLE - (In grams) Polyamide group resin intermediate (A) was prepared by reacting, 4,4'-diphenyl methane diisocyanate (115.87), adipic acid (24.36), sebacic acid (44.95), dodecanedioic acid (38.39) and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) (252.8), at 130degreesC for 2 hours and 170degreesC for 2 hours. A solution (A) (88.75), containing bisphenol (A) type epoxy resin dissolved in NMP (92.6) and solution (B) comprising Jeffamin M-100 (27.9) dissolved in NMP (103.8), were sequentially added to polyamide group resin intermediate maintained at 170degreesC, and reaction mixture was prepared. The reaction mixture was reacted for 1 hour at 170degreesC, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (249.6) was added, cooled and solution of polyamide group resin having Jeffamin M-100 residue in side chain was obtained.    The solution was coated on polyethylene terephthalate, dried for 1 hour at 150degreesC and polymer film of thickness 40 mum was formed. The film was made to swell in mixed solvent of ethylene carbonate/dimethyl carbonate (in volume ratio of 1/1) containing lithium hexafluoro phosphate. The obtained solid polymeric electrolyte was found to have ionic conductivity of 5x10-4 S/cm, compressibility of 140 KPa, favorable softness and charging, discharging characteristics of 180.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The inorganic liquid is a water-containing or water-free inorganic liquid containing undissolved solid electrolyte, a mixed conductor or an electrolyte material. The inorganic contains magnesium chloride, especially vanadium oxyhalide, aqueous or anhydrous sulfuric acid, KOH or LiAlO4/SO2. The powdered solid is made of SiO2, Si3N4, Al2O3, AlN or MgO.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The matrix is made of a crosslinked liquid or soft resin selected from addition polymers and condensation resins, especially aminoplasts, phenoplasts, epoxy resins, polyesters, polycarbamates and methylmethacrylate reaction resins. The organic polymer of the matrix is selected from natural polymers and synthetic polymers, especially polysaccharides, proteins, resins, waxes and (non)halogenated rubbers, thermoplasts and thermoelastomers. A hygroscopic salt is embedded in the matrix material. The layer formed is hardened by UV radiation or electron radiation.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Electrolyte: The polymer-ceramic composite electrolyte is in the form of an annealed film, 100 microns thick, and having a room temperature conductivity of 10-5 to 10-3 S/cm. The composite electrolyte comprises (wt.%) poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) (30-70, preferably 60), lithium tetrafluoroborate (LiBF4) (10-20, preferably 10), and titanium dioxide (TiO2) (5-40, preferably 30).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The TiO2 is in the form of a powder with a particle size of 5-30 nm. EXAMPLE - A PEO:LiBF4 - TiO2 electrolyte was prepared by dispersing 17 nm TiO2 in a solution of PEO:LiBF4 complex and acetonitrile which was subsequently cast and dried to obtain films of 100 microns thickness. Electrochemical measurements were carried out using an impedance spectrophotometer at 0.1-100 kHz on cells using blocking and non-blocking electrodes. During the electrochemical measurements, specimens were either held in the dry box or an evacuated, controlled atmosphere glass vessel which was heated in a temperature bath to the set temperature maintained at +/-1 degrees C. The room temperature conductivity increased greatly upon annealing, along with reduction in the activation energy, or temperature dependence of conductivity for lithium ion transport. The activation energy averaged 0.5 eV.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Layers: Polyethylene terephthalate is especially used for forming the resin film (11) of protective back sheet. The EVAc film has a crosslinked structure. Organic flame retardants containing more than one halogen atom (especially chlorine or bromine) per molecule or an inorganic flame retardant such as hydroxylated mineral salts, phosphorylated compounds or red phosphorus is used in the EVAc film. Antimony trioxide and/or expanded graphite are additionally present as flame resistant adjuvants in the EVAc film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Process: The matrix component is polymerized by irradiating with active light.Preferred Polymer: The matrix component contains 5 wt.% or more of urethane (meth)acrylate group compound. The urethane (meth)acrylate group compound is obtained by reacting hydroxy (meth)acrylate, polyol and polyisocyanate. The molecular weight of polyol is 200-600. The polyol is polyether polyol containing block of polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide or ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, or random copolymer of above units. The matrix component further contains ethylenically unsaturated monomer and 0.5 wt.% or more of photoinitiator. EXAMPLE - 70 weight parts (wt.pts.) of lithium tetrafluoroborate and lithium salt of sulfonic acid (LiN(CF3SO2)2) dissolved in non-aqueous solvent, 2.5 wt.pts. of urethane (meth)acrylate, 9 wt.pts. of ethoxy diethylene glycol acrylate and 0.2 wt.pts. of benzoin isopropyl ether were mixed to form photopolymerizable solution. The obtained photopolymerizable solution was placed in an ionic conductive measuring cell and irradiated with high pressure mercury vapor lamp. The ionic conductivity of the obtained solid polymer electrolyte was 3.1x10power-3 s/cm and the complex shearing modulus was 530 Pa.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The amount of oxetane compound used in the manufacture of polyether polymer is 2-50 weight percent, based on total amount of oxetane compound and epoxy compound.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Salt: The alkali metal salt contained in solid polymer electrolyte is lithium chlorate, lithium tetrafluoroborate, lithium hexafluorophosphate and/or lithium trifluoromethyl sulfonyl nitrite. EXAMPLE - Polyether polymer was obtained by reacting ethylene glycol glycidyl phenyl ether with oxetane. The amount of oxetane used was 20 wt.% based on total amount. The polymer was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (THF). THF solution of lithium perchlorate was mixed with polyether polymer solution and the mixed liquor was cast on a polytetrafluoroethylene-made mold, followed by drying to form solid polymer electrolyte film. The electroconductivity of the film was 3.1 mS/cm at 30 degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Method: The laminate is processed by irradiating ultraviolet rays of 290-460 nm and having strength of 80-150 mW/cm2, for 100-1000 hours.
EXAMPLE - Mixture made of (as weight parts) 427.38 LiOH-(H2O), 0.2015 of MgO, 78.9 of Mn2O3, 51 of Al2O3, and 787.49 of Ni(OH)2 was fired in oxygen gas flow at 850degreesC for 12 hours, then ground down to powder. 85 weight parts of the powder, 10 weight parts of acetylene carbon black, 5 weight parts of poly-fluoro-vinylidene, and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone were mixed to form paste, which was developed on Al foils that were dried to form cathodes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Manufacture: A solar module is formed by successively laying up the following on one surface of the surface protective sheet described above: (a) a filler layer; (b) a solar battery element serving as a photoelectromotive force element; (c) a filler layer; and (d) the rear surface protective sheet described above. Vacuum adsorption is applied to them to form an integrated molded part by heat pressing lamination.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Adhesive: The adhesive is preferably ethylene-vinyl acetate (sic).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Coating: The intermediate coating is not transparent and is preferably a frit which is printed on at the edges of the panel. The electrode is also printed on. The thickness of the electrode is preferably 15 microns. EXAMPLE - No relevant example selected.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The electrolyte is obtained by polymerizing a mixture of an organic compound having at least one carbon-carbon double bond and a lithium silylamide compound. The lithium silylamide compound is lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide. The organic compound is e.g. methacrylonitrile, acrylonitrile, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, itaconic acid, vinyl propionic acid, methyl acrylate etc..    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Cell: The electrolyte is interposed between an anode and a cathode and contacts both electrodes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Sensor: The coating comprises a polymer matrix, e.g. of silicone or hydroxyethyl methacrylate polymer, in which the indicator is embedded. The indicator is selected from thermotropic and/or thermochromic substances, a porphyrin, chlorophyll, fluorescein, rhodamine, ruthenium and/or phthalocyanine complexes, pyrenes, polycyclic aromatics, rare earth and fluorescent substances, e.g. perylenes or pyronines. The coating also includes a fluorescent dye as light amplifier or is overcoated with a film (especially gas-permeable) containing a fluorescent dye, especially one that emits in a spectral region corresponding to the absorption of the indicator. The solar cell is based on amorphous or crystalline silicon, gallium arsenide, indium phosphide, germanium, selenium, cadmium telluride, cadmium sulfide, copper-indium-gallium diselenide or copper-indium sulfide. Only part of the solar cell is coated, the coated and uncoated parts being provided with separate electrodes.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Sensor: The coating preferably comprises a polymer matrix, e.g. of silicone or hydroxyethyl methacrylate polymer, in which the indicator is embedded EXAMPLE - A sensor for performing an human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) test comprises a polycrystalline silicon solar cell coated with a transparent porous membrane having an active part and a reference part. The active part is printed with special genetically manipulated protein molecules (no details given). A drop of diluted blood is applied to the active part, followed by a detection reagent (no details given). If HIV is present, reaction between the detection reagent and antibodies captured by the protein molecules results in a blue color which alters the spectrum of light falling on the solar cell and increases the photocurrent.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The monomer is: (a)1, 3, 5-triazine and/or its salt; or (b) melamine, ammeline, ammelide, cyanuric acid, 2- ureidomelamine, melam, melem or melone, a melamine salt, e.g. melamine cyanurate or phosphate, dimelamine pyrophosphate or melamine polyphosphate, or a functional derivative of melamine, e.g. hexamethoxymethyl melamine and/or acrylate -functionalised melamine. The substrate is polymer sheet, e.g. polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyamide, polyimide, polycarbonate, or cardboard or metal strip. EXAMPLE - In an EMBODIMENT coating with monomer is carried out in the same vacuum chamber as the original treatment. The coating may be partially removed or structured in a reactive atmosphere, e.g. a plasma, to form a mask for further processing. It may also be removed by heating, electron or photon treatment, or laser or infra-red treatment. The substrate may be mono- or polycrystalline or amorphous silicon. it may be coated with a barrier layer of e.g. aluminium, SiOx or AlOx.
EXAMPLE - Both surfaces of aluminum sheets (foil, thickness = 20 microns) were applied with a paste made of 85 weight parts of LiNi(0.85)Co(0.1)Al(0.050)O(2) and 5 weight parts of acetylene black, 5 weight parts of poly-vinylidene fluoride, and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and were dried and roll pressed to form cathodes whose specific gravity of cathode activating material was 2.3 g/cc. 18650 type cells equipped with the cathode and anode made of artificial graphite were charged up to 30 % of (state of charge), and then they were stored at 60 degrees C for 30 days. Their discharge capacity raised up to 116 %.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The polymeric electrolyte includes a polymerization initiator such as peroxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The oxygen absorbent activate compound(s) chosen from cobalt and acid clay, nickel and zeolite, iron and zeolite, manganese and diatomaceous earth, or copper and zeolite, preferably cobalt and acid clay.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: The encapsulating material is degassed by closing the lower and upper chambers and depressurizing the lower chamber, after supplying the lamination unit to the table. It is previously subjected to thermal care at 40-60degreesC for 6-12 hours to prevent the material from contracting even when heated and pressed. The upper chamber is depressurized to a pressure equal to that in the depressurized lower chamber. The diaphragm is pre-heated to close the lower and upper chambers. The semiconductor cell is connected with an output lead line. The end portions of the insulating material are positioned inside an outer circumferential surface of the encapsulating material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - TEXTILES AND PAPER - Preferred Component: The shrinkproofing sheet is a non-woven fabric.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The inlet and exhaust coolant manifolds are axial manifolds.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The compressible material is polymeric microspheres (preferably polystyrene and polyvinylidine chloride), elastomer microspheres (preferably butyl rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM), or silicon rubber), or polymeric or elastomeric microballoons.Preferred Property: Each microspheres has a diameter (preferably 50 mum) larger than the pores (having 1-5 mum diameter) of an anode or cathode flow field plate, but smaller than that of the coolant channel (having 200-600 mum diameter).Preferred Condition: The compressible material is evenly dispersed throughout the coolant at approximately 5-30% of the total volume of the coolant. The compression of the compressible material compensates for approximately 10% volumetric expansion of the total volume of the coolant.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Coolant: The coolant is preferably water.Preferred Condition: The predetermined temperature is the freezing point of the coolant (preferably 0degreesC).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The adhesive contains 1/6-1/20 amounts of tetra glycidyl diamino diphenyl methane with respect to total amount of bisphenol F and bisphenol A type diglycidyl ether. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Electrode: The fluoro-polymer is contained in an amount of 0.01-30 wt.%. The fluoro-polymer is a homo-polymer consisting of a monomer unit (1) of CH2=CR1COO(CH2)nRf or a copolymer consisting of monomer unit-(1) and monomer unit-(2) of CH2=CR2COOR3R1, R2 = H or methyl group;R3 = hydrocarbon group;n = integer of 1-4;Rf = 4-20C perfluoroalkyl group
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Structural Element: The structural element is selected from: a copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, polymethylmethacrylate, poly(oligoethyleneglycol methacrylate), polyvinylchloride, and a copolymer of vinyl fluoride and hexafluoropropylene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Apparatus: A prismatic battery can also be produced by the method.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The low hardness layer is a rubber resilient rubber member in a sheet form and the high hardness layer is made of a resin sheet.Preferred Component: The prismatic battery contains a polymer solid electrolyte solution or a polymer gel electrolyte.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The high hardness layer is made of metal sheet.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The pressing method in the pre-charging step is a method where a battery is sandwiched between two opposing flat plates and pressured from both sides. The battery is placed in an insulation liquid by a pressing method utilizing hydrostatic pressure, preferably at least 0.05 MPa.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Anion: A sulfonic amide anion consists of any one of formulae R3-N-(R2-N--SO2R1)2 (1);R3-O-R2-N--SO2R1 (2); R3-C(H)n-(R2-N--SO2R1)3-n (3).R1 = 6C or less alkyl fluoride;R2 = 3C or more alkylene;R3 = alkyl, acyl, or aromatic ring;n = 0-2.The counter cation consists of an alkaline metal cation, or a lithium cation.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Structure: (C) and (F) are formed in this order on the smooth surface of a substrate. The surface has a roughness Ra of not more than 1 micron. Alternatively, a first electrode, (C), (F) and a second electrode are layered on the substrate. Preferably the substrate and the first electrode are transparent. Alternatively, (C) and a pair of electrodes are layered on the substrate and (F) is formed at least between the electrodes.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Fullerene Film: The fullerene molecules are C60 and/or C70. (F) is a fullerene polymer film or a fullerene vapor-deposited film. The polymer film is polymerized by illumination with electromagnetic waves (e.g. RF plasma, microwaves, UV rays, X-rays or an electron beam) or by an electrolytic or photopolymerization method. It may be a polymerized film of a vapor-deposited film formed to a pre-set thickness. The film thickness is measured by a meter in a vacuum chamber. EXAMPLE - A platinum electrode was formed by sputtering on a quartz substrate. A carbonaceous film was deposited by decomposing toluene vapor (in argon) at 800 degreesC. The substrate was placed in a plasma chamber and exposed to vaporized C60. A fullerene polymer film was formed to a thickness of 1000 Angstrom. The surface roughness of the polymer film was less than 2 nm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The hot melt adhesive comprises an ethylene-copolymer, an oxidation inhibitor which is 0.1-0.2 wt.% tri(monononylphenyl) phosphite, and an ultraviolet (UV) absorber.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The UV absorber is 0.5-1.0 wt.% 2-hydroxy-4-noctyloxybenzophenone. The UV stabilizer is 0.5-1.0 wt.% 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl sebacate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The silicon based solar cell is a monocrystalline silicon cell, or a polycrystalline silicon cell. The interconnects are welded to the silicon based solar cells without using a flux.Preferred Property: The superstrate layer has a thickness of 2-5, preferably 3-4 mm, or 1.0-2.0 mil.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Polymer: The gel-polymer solid electrolyte contains a polymer compound having a polysaccharide structure. The gel-polymer solid electrolyte adhesive layer is gelled with a monomer of formulae (1), (2), or (3). EXAMPLE - A precursor solution of adhesive layers was prepared by dissolving 5 pts.wt. of cyanoethylated pullulan in 95 pts.wt. of an ethylene carbonate and diethylcarbonate 1:1 mixed solvent containing 1 M LiBF4; gelling the resultant solution with 6 pts.wt. of polyethyleneglycoldiacrylate and 0.1 pts.wt. of azobisisobutylonitrile. The precursor solution was put between gel-polymer solid electrolyte layer and positive or negative electrode and cured by heating them at 90 degreesC for 10 min.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Unit: The hole conducting unit is a nitrogen atom bonded to aromatic ring.Preferred Polymer: The super-branched polymer is a dendrimer and has polypropyleneimine unit. EXAMPLE - (In weight parts) 4-diethylamino benzoic acid (100) was dissolved in anhydrous ethanol. Sulfuric acid (1) was added to the solution and azeotrope of water-ethanol was distilled. Production of ethylester was accelerated and the product, 4-(N,N-diethylamino) ethylbenzoate (A) (hole conducting unit) obtained was separated, refined and filtered. The product obtained showed specific FT-IR spectrum and proton-NMR spectrum. Polypropyleneimine dendrimer (B) (1 eq) comprising 64 branch terminal amino groups and 4-(N,N-diethyl amino) ethyl benzoate (80 eq) were dissolved in N,N-dimethyl formamide, heated under reduced pressure, distilled, purified and transformed to amide (C) of 4-ethyl diamino benzoic acid having branch terminal amino groups same as that of B. The obtained dendrimer with hole conductivity showed specific FT-IR spectrum and proton-NMR spectrum. The dendrimer was used to form a molded sheet with high hole conductivity.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - TEXTILES AND PAPER - Preferred Property: The strands embedded within the web are at equal and/or varying depths. The diameter of the second fiber is 0.1-50 microns. The first fibers have an average length of more or less than 3 mm.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The strand has a polymer applied to the its surface or impregnated within. The ion-conducting polymer is a proton conducting polymer. The filler material also has a non-ion-conducting polymer. Particulate material(s) is/are first coated with an ion-conducting polymer, a non-ion-conducting hydrophobic or hydrophilic polymer, or a catalyst. EXAMPLE - A mixture of chopped silica fibers (0.185 g) and silica micro-fiber (0.09 g) were dispersed with mixing in water (3000 cm3). A porous fiber with silica yarn at 0.5 cm spacing was formed from the mixture in a single step process based on paper-making technology. The porous fiber sheet was removed from the wire and air dried at 150 degrees C. It was sprayed with a binder solution comprising 5% solution of Nafion, 1100 EW in lower aliphatic alcohols giving a dry Nafion loading of 0.78 g. The sheet showed a stress at yield of 40 x 108 and a force at yield of 36 N. The webs were sufficiently strong to be suitable in the reel to reel processes commonly employed in volume manufacture.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Electrolyte: The polymer backbone is preferably a perfluoro poly(p-phenylene oxide), a perfluorosulfo poly(p-phenylene sulfide), a perfluorosulfo poly(phenylene sulfone), a perfluorosulfo organic polyamide, a perfluorosulfo aromatic polycarbonate, a perfluorosulfo aromatic polyamide, a perfluorosulfo aromatic polyester, a perfluorosulfo aromatic polyurea, a perfluorosulfo aromatic polyurethane, a perfluorosulfo aromatic polysulfone, a perfluorosulfo polybenzazole, a perfluorosulfo polyquinoxaline or a perfluorosulfo polyquinoline. The ion exchange group is a sulfuric or phosphoric acid or is a perfluorophenol, a sulfonyl(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide or a sulfonylbis(trifluoromethyl)methide. The electrolyte may further contain Cl, NO2, -CN, -COR1, SOR1, SO2R1, COOR1, or CF3 covalently bound to the backbone as an electron withdrawing group.R1 = aromatic groupThe backbone and/or electrolyte may be conjugated. Preferred Film: The electrolyte is poly(perfluoroethersulfone)sulfonic acid. The basic polymer in the film is polybenzimidazole. The film may further contain an organic polybasic compound (triazine or benzotriazole) or a metal ion (calcium or platinum). EXAMPLE - Poly(perfluoroethersulfone)sulfonic acid polymer was dissolved in dimethylacetamide and triethylamine. The solution was added to a solution of polybenzimidazole in dimethylacetamide. The solution was cast into a polymer film. The film was transferred into electrode conductivity cell where it was held at 100degreesC at 100% relative humidity over a few hours for hydration. The proton film conductivity of poly(perfluoroethersulfone)sulfonic acid was 0.05 S/cm at 200degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The polymer is based on polyaniline, polypyrrole or polythiophene. The catalytically-active surface includes polyethylene dioxythiophene. The polymer and/or its salt is present in the form of a mixture with graphite powder and/or carbon black. They are present in a mixture with at least one electrically non-conducting polymer or polymer salt. The electrically non-conducting polymer is based on styrene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The porous substrate has a porosity of 20-80%, and a pore size of 100-1000 microns. The substrate includes a 5-25 (preferably 10) microns thick conductive coating (47); and a groove(s), which is 250-1000 (preferably 500) microns deep. The stack further comprises a seal (20) for sealing an edge(s) of the porous substrate between the interconnect and the cathode or anode.Preferred Method: The volatilizing step occurs at a temperature lower than the temperature required for the firing of the stack. The solid fuel cells are provided by tape casting an electrolyte (34, 40), and screen printing an anode and a cathode to form an unfired solid oxide fuel cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The impregnate, which has a viscosity of at least 1000 cP is thixotropic slurry with a ceramic component, and a rheological agent. The agent comprises 0.01-10 wt.% impregnate, which includes a binder.Preferred Component: The seal is a gas impermeable yttria stabilized zirconia. The conductive coating is doped lanthanum cobaltite, lanthanum manganite, praseodymium cobaltite or manganite, and/or other doped conductive oxides or metals.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The flow field form is an open celled reticulated foam selected from polyurethanes, polyesters, polyvinyl chlorides, acetates, or other copolymers. The rheological agent is carboxymethyl cellulose or hydroxymethyl cellulose. The binder is polyvinyl butyrol or polyvinyl acetate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Layers: The fluorine containing sheet comprises a polymer cross-linked by electron beam irradiation and has 10 weight % or more of fluorine. The adhesive sheet is a transparent protective film. EXAMPLE - A carbon fluoride substrate film comprising tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-vinylidine fluoride terpolymer (TFE-HFP-VDF) of thickness 200 mum was coated with a solventless pressure sensitive adhesive. The adhesive was obtained by electron beam curing of an acrylate monomer. T-peel strength and breakage mode were studied on the film. Breakage was nil and T-peel strength was 1181 g/inch.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Assembly: The solar power assembly has sufficient flexibility to be transported in a roll (14) to a use site, unrolled and attached to a support at the use site. It has a minimum diameter of at most60 cm. The assembly further comprises a PV device laminate (8) including a flexible substrate carrying interconnected PV devices.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The thermal solar collector comprises ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - IMAGING AND COMMUNICATION - Preferred Device: The light selective element is infrared light selective element. Alternately, the image sensing device comprises a lid coupled to opposing side portions of the package. The lid has an opening which exposes imaging sensor. The light selective element is disposed within the opening of the lid or coated on the surface of the plastic element. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The plastic element is poly(methyl-methacrylate), polycarbonate or polystyrene. The dye of light selective element is bis(benzene-1,2-dithiolate) nickel complex, bis(4-dimethylamino) dithiobenzil nickel complex, bis(dithiobenzil) nickel complex and phenyldiamine nickel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: Content weight ratio of the diol components is in the range of from 5-95 to 95:5. Weight average molecular weight (Mw) of said polycondensate is 500-100,000. Diol of formula (1) is diethyleneglycol. Diol of formula (2) is 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexandiol, dipropylene glycol, etc. EXAMPLE - Example 1: (a) Mixture of diethyleneglycol 159.2g, 1,6-hexanediol 118.2g, dimethylcarbonate 270.2g and a catalyst, a 28% solution of sodium methoxide in methanol 0.48g was kept at 95degreesC for 2 hours at ordinary pressure, then heated at 150degreesC for 4 hours to remove methanol formed. Then glycol 45.0g was removed by holding at 5mmHg and 150degreesC. Then mixed with toluene 200ml and activated clay 4.8g and agitated for 1 hour. 270g of polycarbonate polyol was obtained by removing activated clay by filtration and by concentrating the filtrate. Viscous oil product gave Mw = 6,600. It was soluble in same volume of toluene at room temperature. (b) Mixture of above product oil 40.0g, acrylic acid 3.93g and toluene 40ml was refluxed for 4 hours to esterify. After separating water, agitated with acetic anhydride to acetylate residual OH-group. Final product = 41.4g of viscous oil. Polymerization starting temperature = 172degreesC. Example 5: Electrolyte solution prepared by dissolving LiPF6 in a solvent mixture of ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate (1:1 by weight) to give concentration of 1 mol/L. Uniform solution was prepared by mixing 3.0g of the electrolyte solution and 1.0g of above prepared polycarbonate acrylate. A polymer electrolyte membrane was prepared by UV-irradiation on a glass plate for testing. Ion conductivity = 3.7 mS/cm. Voltage resistance = 5.6V.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The polymer with amide bond is obtained by the ring opening polymerization of oxazoline. EXAMPLE - 10.6 grams ethyl triethoxy silane and 21g ethanol were added to 3.6 g polyoxazoline (polymerization degree = 7.6) obtained by polymerization of 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline. 1.2 g of terbium bipyridyl complex solutions containing N,N-dimethylformamide was added and stirred for 30 minutes. 1N hydrochloric acid was dropped and mixed for 24 hours and the composite liquid was stirred for 5 days at room temperature. A coating of the liquid was provided on light receiving surface of solar battery by dip coating and dried at normal temperature. The obtained solar battery with the transparent film had excellent transparency, film forming property and moldability.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Process:The monomeric compound is an optionally substituted pyrrole-aniline-, thiophene, vinyl and/or benzene derivative, preferably pyrrole or 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene. The cyclodextrin is cyclodextrin methyl-alpha-cyclodextrin, methyl-beta-cyclodextrin, methyl-gamma-cyclodextrin, ethyl-beta-cyclodextrin, butyl-alpha-cyclodextrin, butyl beta-cyclodextrin, butyl-gamma-cyclodextrin, 2,6-dimethyl-alpha-cyclodextrin, 2,6-dimethyl-beta-cyclodextrin, 2,6-dimethyl-gamma-cyclodextrin, 2,6-diethyl-beta-cyclodextrin, 2,6-dibutyl-beta-cyclodextrin, 2,3,6-trimethyl-alpha-cyclodextrin, 2,3,6-beta-cyclodextrin, 2,3,6-triacetyl-alpha-cyclodextrin, 2,3,6-triacetyl-beta-cyclodextrin, 2,3,6-triacetyl-alpha-cyclodextrin, 2,3,6-trioctyl-beta-cyclodextrin, 2,3,6-triacetyl-alpha-cyclodextrin, 2,3,6-triacetyl-beta-cyclodextrin, 2,3,6-triacetyl-gamma-cyclodextrin , (2-hydroxy)propyl-alpha-cyclodextrin, (2-hydroxy) propyl-beta-cyclodextrin, (2-hydroxy)propyl-gamma-cyclodextrin, optionally at least partially acetylated or succinylated, alpha-, b- or c cyclodextrin, 2,6 -dimethyl-3-acetyl-beta-cyclodextrin or 2,6 -dibutyl-3-acetyl-beta-cyclodextrin. The circuit boards are prepared by formation of holes in a copper plated sheet (base material), oxidative pretreatment of the holes, rinsing with water, treatment with a solution or emulsion of a cyclodextrin-complex of a monomeric compound, optionally with simultaneous treatment with an acid, rinsing with water, galvanic copper deposition. EXAMPLE - A mixture of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (1.065 g) and an aqueous solution of 2,6-dimethyl-beta-cyclodextrin (10 g dissolved in 30 ml water) was rapidly stirred for 10 minutes. The resulting complex was very stable and resistant to oxidation. The solution was then mixed with FeCl3.6H2O (5.0685 g) and heated at 70 degreesC. After 12 hours the product poly(ethylenedioxythiophene) was filtered (5 micron), washed and dried (yield 0.9 g).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The casting resin is a single or multi-component acrylate system, e.g. a laminated acrylate/methacrylate monomer which hardens to polyacrylate. The resin layer is at least 1 mm thick.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Battery: Each of the outer cathode(s) of a battery with n anodes and (n+1) cathodes is flanked by a transport element; or one or more cathodes, preferably every second cathode if there are several, are divided into 2 parts, which are separated from one another by a hydrophobic gas-permeable transport element. The two parts preferably each have half the thickness or half the capacity of the undivided cathode. The anodes preferably are skeleton anodes with a fibrous structure. The hydrogen-storing cathodes have a metal base coated with an active mass obtained by drying a paste, comprising a mixture of hydrogen-storing powder alloy, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and carbon (C) black, in which the alloy particles are coated with PTFE fibrils, in a liquid mixture of water, a 3-6 C alcohol and optionally polyethylene glycol (PEG). The dry fraction contains 85-95 parts alloy, 2-10 parts C black and 3-9 parts PTFE, whilst the liquid contains 30-80 parts volume water and 70-30 parts volume alcohol, plus 0.05-0.2% PEG with respect to the dry fraction. The weight ratio of solid/liquid fractions is (4-6):1.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The transport element is a layer of hydrophobic fleece, preferably of polypropylene fibers repelling the electrolyte; and the separators consist of polyamide or hydrophilic polypropylene fiber fleece. The paste used for coating the cathodes contains PTFE and optionally PEG.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred composition: the flexible strip is formed of an insulating material (e.g. a Kapton polymer), and the loop forms an insulating barrier around the battery. The enclosure further comprises a spring electrode mounted to the inside surface of the body within the opening, and contacts a first electrical terminal of the battery once it is inserted. The electronic device is preferably a hearing aid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The organic residue is a blocked or random copolymer residue which has repeat units of formulae (5-7).m = natural number;X, Y = one of them is methyl group and the other is hydrogen atom;a, b = natural number EXAMPLE - An ion conductive polymer was prepared by reacting a compound of formula (10) with n = about 7 and N, N, N', N'-tetramethylethylenediamine in acetonitrile at 80 degreesC for 20 hrs, then at 130 degreesC for 5 hrs. The compound was prepared from glycerolethoxylate and para-toluene sulphonic acid chloride.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Process: The process further comprises drying the unit cell prior to soaking, substituting the liquid included in the separated electrolyte membrane by water, washing the electrolyte membrane, irradiating the membrane with a light beam, and measuring an intensity of the transmitted light.Preferred Apparatus: The apparatus further comprises a substitution tank (55) and a wash tank (57).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The electrode comprises a platinum-containing catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Conditions: The concentration of the ionic monomer is 6-16 mol%.Preferred Components: The alkali metal salt or hydroxide is an alkali metal carbonate, preferably lithium carbonate. Rf = CF3 in (I), 1-4C perfluoroalkyl optionally substituted by ether oxygen's in (I);    M+ = H+, Li+;    n = 1.    EXAMPLE - A mixture of ICF2CF2OCF2CF2SO2F (213 g), (D)-limonene (0.5 g) was added to an autoclave and pressurized with ethylene (30 g). The autoclave was heated to 210 degreesC for 8 hours, after which the autoclave was allowed to cool, and the product removed. The product was distilled to give ICH2CH2CF2CF2OCF2SO2F (187.3 g), b.pt. 88-89 degreesC/30 mmHg. 19F NMR analysis showed: -45.0 (t, J = 5.7 Hz, 1F), -82.7 (m, 2F), -87.2 (m, 2F), -112.7 (m, 2F), -119.3 (t, J = 17Hz, 2F).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The mixture contains (wt.%) WPU(PEG) (up to 75), WPU(PTMG) (up to 45), and polyethylene oxide (PEO) (20-95). The composite electrolyte may contain lithium salt and solvent.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The lithium salt is lithium perchlorate, LiCF3SO3, LiPF6, LiBF4, LiAsF6, and/or LiN(CF3SO2)3.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The solvent is propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, diethyl carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, diethyl ether, gamma-butyrolactone, (2-methyl-)tetrahydrofuran, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, ethyl methyl carbonate, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and/or dioxolane. EXAMPLE - WPU(PEG) and WPU(PTMG) dispersions (about 30% solids) were mixed with PEO aqueous solution. The resulting solution was cast and dried to form a WPU(PEG)-WPU(PTMG)-PEO composite film. The dried WPU(PEG)-WPU(PTMG)-PEO composite film was swelled with an anhydrous solution of LiCF3SO3/PC (1 M) for 3 minutes to obtain a WPU(PEG)-WPU(PTMG)-PEO based composite electrolyte.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The polysiloxane of the Crystal guard pref reacts with the silicon in the glass.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Battery: The absorbing material comprises a material which absorbs an organic low molecular compound in a gel state. The absorbing material comprises a material which absorbs an organic low molecular compound by heating.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Housing: The housing comprises a black conducting polyamide material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Dimension: The thickness ratio (t2/t1) of the insulating film to the electrolyte layer is 0.01-0.7. The length ratio (s2/s1) of the insulating film to the protruding portions of negative- and positive-electrode foils is 0.02-0.8. The pores have diameters of 5-20 microns and occupy 0.1-30 vol.% of the matrix of the gelatinous polymer.Preferred Composition: The pores are filled with 0-30 vol.% electrolyte solution, and 70-100 vol.% gas. Preferred Layer: At least one polymer electrolyte layer is provided on at least one surface of the two active materials, which cover and extend over at least one of their side edge. EXAMPLE - A positive-electrode sheet was prepared using a slurry prepared by dispersing lithium copper oxide (70 g) and graphite 4 g into polyvinylidene fluoride (PVF) in N-methylpyrrolidone solution (N-MP). PVF/hexafluoropropylene copolymer (40 g) was dissolved at 60degreesC into (200 g) dimethyl carbonate, and added with electrolyte solution (80 g). The slurry was applied into the aluminum foil strip and dried to form an active material. The electrolyte slurry was coated to cover the active material and dried forming polymer electrolyte layer.    Another slurry (50 g) of natural graphite flake and PVF in N-MP was applied into the copper foil and dried to form an active material. The above electrolyte slurry was applied into active material and dried to form a strip of negative-electrode sheet. The positive- and negative- electrode sheets were bonded by thermal compression corresponding to pitch and fold form of the negative-electrode sheet. A lithium ion polymer secondary battery was obtained.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The polyester polyol has a number-average molecular weight of 150-100,000 and a hydroxyl group value of 5-500 and consists of a polymer obtained by applying condensation polymerization to a hydroxy carboxylic acid of formula (1).HO-R1-COOH (1)R1 = 1-20C alkylene which may be straight chain shape or branched shape, and may contain double bond.The periodic group Ia metal salt consists of a lithium salt, sodium salt, or potassium salt, preferably consists of at least one or more lithium salts selected from the group consisting of LiCIO4, LiBF4, LiPF6, LiAsF6, LiCF3SO3, LiN(CF3SO2)2, and LiC(CF3SO2)3. The concentration of the metal salt in the solid electrolyte is preferably 0.1-10 mol/l.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Device: The ionic conducting material comprises molecular, oligomer or polymeric components and the device has a nanocrystalline particle film (NPF) which is preferably nanocrystalline metal oxide film (12,14). Upon photon absorption, electron conduction proceeds through NPF and hole conduction proceeds through the ionic conducting material. The NPF is dye sensitized and ionic conducting material is doped to enhance hole conduction. The ionic conducting material has an RMM of 10000-50000, preferably 20000, and is mixed with iodine. The photovoltaic device is unsealed. Preferred Compounds: The conductivity of ionic conducting material is increased by incorporating electronic hole transporting component which are preferably, triarylamine compounds. The ionic conducting material is mixed with redox active components and/or ionic salts which is preferably lithium iodide. The ionic conducting material further contains polyethylene oxide, iodine and iodine salt mixture. The NPF is formed of titanium oxide or zinc oxide or nano particles having diameter of 5-50 nm. Preferred Process: The porous NPF is formed by aqueous sol/gel, thermolysis in high boiling solvent, chemical vapor deposition, spray pyrolysis or spreading and spin coating method. The polyethylene oxide is formed at 50-100degreesC, preferably 70degreesC and 0.25-1 kg/cm2, preferably 0.5 Kg/cm2. The ionic conducting material and NPF are disposed on conducting glass or plastic substrate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The precursor also comprises a layer of highly fluorinated carboxylate polymer precursor, i.e. highly fluorinated methyl carboxylate polymer precursor, adhered to the side of the highly fluorinated sulfonyl halide polymer layer opposite from the support. The microporous support comprises an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene with a microstructure of polymeric fibrils, and further comprises an attached fabric, i.e. woven. The microporous support and the sulfonyl halide polymer are perfluorinated.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The precursor is fabricated by:(a) laminating a film of highly fluorinated sulfonyl halide polymer to the microporous support at least 280 degrees C, preferably at least 300 degrees C; or(b) by laminating a bi-film of highly fluorinated carboxylate polymer precursor and highly fluorinated sulfonyl halide polymer to the support with the sulfonyl halide polymer contacting the microporous support.The impregnating step is performed to fully embed the support in the highly fluorinated sulfonate polymer.Preferred Property: The composite ion exchange membrane is 20-400, preferably 30-60 mum thick.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Medium: The polar medium is at least one 1-4C alcohol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - An opto-electric conversion element is formed by successively laying up a conductor support, a photosensitive layer, a charge-transfer layer, a pair of electrodes. The charge-transfer layer contains the composition. An opto-electrochemical battery uses the opto-electric conversion element. The nitrogen-containing heterocycle, Z, consists of a nitrogen-containing five-six membered cycle. The bifunctional or more-electrophilic agent consists of at least one selected from alkyl halide, aralkyl halide, and a sulfonic ester.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The solar cell module is also provided with a frame member (106) that is fixed to the incombustible member. The porous incombustible member can be a metal mesh member, an incombustible woven fabric member, a porous ceramic member, or an expanded metal member.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The photovoltaic element is sealed by an organic polymer resin (102), which can be ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Component: The surface member comprises a glass member.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The impregnation of porous carbonaceous part with methacrylate impregnant comprises the steps of: (a) degassing the part and impregnant under vacuum; (b) immersing the part in the impregnant; (c) impregnating the part with the impregnant in an impregnating atmosphere; and (d) washing the impregnated part in a compatible solvent, such as water; prior to the curing step.Preferred Conditions: The pressure in a curing atmosphere while curing the impregnant, is 50 psig. The curing and impregnating atmospheres are oxygen-free and contains nitrogen. Impregnation is carried out at a pressure greater than the atmospheric pressure.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The impregnant comprises 80 weight percent of methacrylate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Materials: The carbonaceous part comprises flexible graphite, has a thickness of less than 2 mm and has density of less than 1.7 g/cm3.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Part: The carbonaceous part is a fuel cell component, preferably a flow field plate. EXAMPLE - Fuel cell flow field plate was prepared by embossing flexible graphite sheets (thickness of 1.8 mm and 50% porosity) and impregnating them with methacrylate resin Heron HPS991. Water was first removed from the embossed sheet. Impregnation was then performed by degassing the sheet and methacrylate resin in vacuum and by immersing the sheets in the resin under a pressure of 90 psig. The impregnated sheet was then washed in a water bath. Curing was performed in nitrogen atmosphere under a high pressure of 80 psig, maximum cure temperature of 100degreesC and temperature ramp rate of 3degreesC/minute. The cured sheet was tested and the test results showed that the sheet was fully cured without the occurrence of blistering.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Two of the retainer plates have a wavy cross section shape. They have hollow parts independent of each other for supplying cooling water. The conductive separator plate has circuits for cooling water.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: A lithium secondary battery has a high polymer electrolyte which is the thin film of the porous copolymer. The halogen-containing copolymer consists of the copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and chlorotrifluoroethylene, or the copolymer of the vinylidene fluoride, chlorofluoroethylene, and an olefinic unsaturated monomer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Electrolyte: The (poly)alkylene glycol derivative is of formula (1).m, n = integer of 0-6, preferably 1-6;R11, R12 = aliphatic group- and/or aromatic group-containing hydrocarbon bond;G1, G2 = ether bond, ester bond, urethane bond, or carbonate bond;R2 = (poly)ether linkage chain having an average molecular weight of 44-10,000 in which straight chain or branched alkylene group is bonded to ether bond, or (poly)ether residue.The electrolyte contains at least one electrolyte selected from an alkaline metal salt, quaternary ammonium salt, quaternary phosphonium salt, and transition metal salt. A macromolecular solid electrolyte consists of the hardened product of the macromolecular solid electrolyte-forming material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The silicone oil is of formula (1). The fluorine-based nonionic surface active agent is of formula (2). The propylene carbonate is of formula (3).R = alkyl;n = 0-1000;x = 1-16;y = 1-10.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The skin layer consists of a crystalline polyolefinic resin. The core layer consists of an alloy resin composition using a crystalline polyolefinic resin and a polyphenylene-based resin as its major constituents.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The organic electrolyte is a carbonate compound, preferably propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate or dimethyl carbonate and/or a lactone compound. Preferred Definitions:    R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6, R-7, R-8, R-9, R-10, R-11, R-12 = methyl;    A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4 = ethylene and/or propylene;    m = 2-5;    ,q,r,s = 3-15    .    EXAMPLE - To 7.36 g dimethyl silane diol, 400 ml anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (THF) and 6.56 g triethylene glycol monomethyl ether were added, stirred and cooled to -78degreesC. Then lithium aluminum hydride of concentration 1 mol/liter was added to 50 ml of the above solution and THF was distilled after 24 hours. 14 g of siloxy aluminate oligomer (II) was obtained on drying. 100 wt.pts of II was added to 20 wt.pts of propylene carbonate and an organic solid electrolyte material was prepared. The organic solid electrolyte showed excellent ionic conductivity and workability.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Module: The anti-glare film has a light entering surface with a rough surface texture (preferably with an arithmetic roughness (Ra) of 0.1-10 mum) for scattering light and a gloss of at most 60 (preferably at most 10) at 60degrees. The module also includes a surfactant film (40) between the insulating substrate and the anti-glare film, and a flat-surfaced dirt preventing film (50) on the rough surface of the anti-glare film. The module may also include a filler resin (6) and a back cover (7).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The anti-glare film includes a catalyst, preferably an organic tin compound.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The organic material binder contains an acrylic resin which includes an acryl copolymer containing a hydrolyzable silyl containing a group of formula (I) and/or a fluororesin containing a hydroxyl group.(R1O)3-a-(R2)aSi- (I)R1 = 1-10C alkyl;R2 = alkyl, aryl or 1-10C aralkyl monovalent hydrocarbon or H; anda = 0-2.The organic material particles contain an acrylic resin, a fluororesin and/or a polyethylene wax, and have a diameter of 1-10 mum. The binder and particles have a mixing ratio so that the weight of the particles is 1-10 when the weight of the binder is 100. The dirt preventing film includes an organic and/or inorganic polymer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The inorganic binder is formed of alkyl silicate (preferably containing ethyl and/or butyl silicate), consists of silica or is complexed with an organic material. The inorganic material particles consist of silica.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Control: Control for supplying excess electric power to the heater is based on a detection signal where magnitude of external power load is smaller than output electric power of the fuel cell. A thermodetector is used to detect temperature in the storage tank. Thermistors (14) also detect temperature of water in heat exchanger and a pump regulates water flow through the heat exchanger to keep water temperature constant.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Electrolyte: The polymer electrolyte is composed of electrolyte compound such as inorganic acid, organic acid, mineral acid, organic salt, LiClO4, LiBF4, LiPF6 and LiN(CF3SO2)2 and an ionic conductive high molecular compound. The ionic conductive high molecular compound has an alkylene oxide group as repeating unit. Preferably, a polypyrrole or its derivative is used.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Electrolyte: The swelling degree of the backbone of the organic polymer to the organic electrolyte is given by: swelling degree = (weight of polymer after impregnation of organic electrolyte)/(weight of polymer before impregnation of organic electrolyte) = 1-2. The amount of organic electrolyte held in the fine pores of the polymer is more than the amount of electrolyte held by swelling in the backbone of the polymer. The monomer is of formula X-((R1-Or)n-(C(O)-Os-R2)m-R3-(CH2-CHR4-O)k-R5)j (A) where X is a linking group of valency j, R1 is -CpH2p- (p = 0-10), R2 is -C2H2q- (q = 0-10), R3 is -CtH2t- (t = 0-10), R4 = CvH2v+1 (v = 0-5), R5 is CH2=CR6-C(O)-O- (R6 = CwH2w=1 and w = 0-5), s = 1 when r = 0, and s = 0 when r = 1, j = 1-6, m = 0-3, k = 1-500 and n = 0-20. An organic filer is mixed in the dissolving process. EXAMPLE - An organic electrolyte (12g) is formed by dissolving a monomer of formula (I) (3g) and 1 mol of LiBF4 in 1 litre of gamma-butyrolactone to produce a monomer liquid. After polymerisation, the monomer liquid is cast on a stainless steel foil and exposed to an electron beam to polymerize the monomer in the monomer liquid to produce an organic polymer in which the organic electrolyte is simultaneously impregnated.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Method: A blocked grafted copolymer consisting of A and B in a ratio of 1:30 to 30:1 (by polymerization degree) is admixed with the reactive polyalkylene oxide and inorganic lithium salt, then the reactive polyalkylene oxide is cross-linked; A has a polymerization degree of at least 10 and B has a polymerization degree of at least 300. The cross-linking is carried out by irradiating electron beams. The reactive polyalkylene oxide is a combination of mono-functional and bi-functional polyalkylene oxides. EXAMPLE - An electrolyte film 20 micron thick was prepared by casting a mixture of a blocked grafted copolymer, methoxy polyethyleneglycol methacrylate, polyethyleneglycol diacrylate, LiClO4, and dimethylcarbonate into a film. The film was dried at 80 degreesC and cross-linked with 10 Mrad electron beam. The film was quite stable up to 250degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The nonionic macromolecular surface active agent is of formula (I).a, c = degree of polymerization of polyoxyethylene chain = 5-300;b = degree of polymerization of polyoxypropylene chain = 5-250.The base macromolecule consists of a copolymer consisting of a vinyl polymer block chain, and a polyoxyethylene or polyoxypropylene block chain. The negative electrode consists of a carbon material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: An electrode catalyst covering agent consists of a crosslinking high polymer electrolyte of formula (II).X = -COCF2CF2SO2-, -SO2CF2CF2CO-, or -SO2CF2CF2SO2-;Y = hydrogen, or divalent or higher valent metal;p = integer of 2 or greater.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Conductor: The ion conductor is a gel at room temperature. The concurrent cation contains metal ion(s) containing lithium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polyolefin: The cyclic olefin-based ring-opening polymer consists of the ring-opening polymer of norbornene-based monomers, in which a norbornene structure contains at least one norbornene-based monomer. The cyclic olefin-based ring-opening polymer or its hydrogenated product has a glass transition temperature preferably of at least 80 degreesC, more preferably of at least 90 degreesC.Preferred Battery: The solar battery module is formed by successively laying up a top surface protective layer, a solar battery element, and a bottom surface protective layer. If necessary, an adhesive resin layer is provided between the top surface protective layer and the solar battery element. At least one of the top surface protective layer and the bottom surface protective layer consists of the protective sheet. The top surface or the bottom surface of the protective sheet has a thickness preferably of 10-2000 microns, more preferably 30-1500 microns, most preferably 40-1000 microns.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Film: The polymer (a) is a ring-opened polymer of an unsaturated condensed alicyclic compound e.g. norbornene or norbornene derivative. The resin (b) is a polyolefin resin such as ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. The content of (a) is 0.5-70 weight% and the content of (b) is 30-99.5 weight%. All or a part of the double bonds of polymer (a) are lost. The components can be crosslinked.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Sub-Gaskets: The sub-gaskets are made from a fluoro-polymer, preferably a material selected from FEP, TFE, ETFE, PFA, CTFE, E-CTFE, PVF2 and PVF.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Layer: The transparent conductive layer showed a maximum direction of orientation of crystallization along the axial direction (222). The specific resistance of the conductive layer is 1 x 10-4 - 3 x 10-4 OMEGA x cm and the heat conductivity at 30degreesC is 1.5 x 10-3 (cal/cm x sec x K). The light transmittance (550 nm) is 75% or more. Preferred Method: Manufacture of transparent conductive film involves the reactant ion plate method in which the plasma discharge voltage and current are adjusted to 65-80 volts and 10-100 A respectively. EXAMPLE - A transparent electro conductive film with low resistant crystallized indium titanium oxide film on a polyester film was formed by the reactant ion plating method using a pressure gradient plasma gun under various conditions. The conditions used were heat conductivity at 30degreesC was 3.5 x 10-4 (cal/cm x sec x K), discharge voltage and current were maintained at 70 volts and 70 amperes respectively. The film forming pressure was maintained at 0.94 m Torr, the flow rate of argon and oxygen in the method was 20 sccm each while the evaporation rate and film forming time was 50 A/sec and 30 sec respectively. The film when evaluated showed excellent specific resistance, film thickness, transmittance, crystal structure, surface roughness and also showed favorable crystallized conductive film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Process: The adhesive layer and release layer are bound to fibers of base material. EXAMPLE - Fluorinated ethylene propylene film of 25 mum thickness was laminated on one side of the polyaramide paper at 290degreesC. Silicone adhesive mass was coated on other side of base material at a thickness of 30 mum and dried. Curing was performed at 180degreesC and adhesive tape of 106 mum thickness was obtained. The adhesive tape was cut to width of 19 mm and rewound (after preservation of the tape for 3 days at 70degreesC) under condition of 30 m/minute. The adhesive layer and the release layer were then peeled from the base material. The adhesive tape of width 10 mm and length 1000 mm was bonded to an electrode plate using a roller and dried. The tape was left at 25degreesC and under 65% of relative humidity for 2 hours. The color-change and weight-change were observed by immersing electrode in dimethoxy ethanegamma-butyl lactone (electrolyte) and drying the immersed electrode. There was no color change and weight reduction was found to be less than 0.1%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The acidic solution comprises sulfuric acid, hydrogen peroxide, nitric acid, and water. The precipitation agent is sodium borohydride. The metallic materials can be gold, lead, cadmium, and/or tellurium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The first layer of insoluble positive pole includes manganese-dioxide, silver-oxide, cadmium, iron, or lead-oxide powder. The second layer of insoluble negative pole includes zinc, nickel-oxide, or lead-oxide powder. The electroactive soluble material can be zinc-chloride, zinc-bromide, zinc-fluoride, or potassium hydroxide (preferably). The electroactive soluble material can also be sulfuric acid. The deliquescent material and the electroactive soluble material are of the same material, i.e., zinc-chloride, zinc-bromide, zinc-fluoride, and potassium-hydroxide. The deliquescent material can also be calcium-chloride, calcium-bromide, potassium-biphosphate, or potassium-acetate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The water-soluble and the deliquescent material are of the same material, i.e. dextrane, dextrane sulfate, or their combinations.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The water-soluble polymer can be polyvinylalcohol, polyacrylamide, polyacrylic acid, polyvinylpyrolidone, polyethyloxide, agar, agarose, starch, hydroxyethylcellulose, or their combinations and copolymers. EXAMPLE - In an EMBODIMENT of the invention, the battery also includes graphite terminals which are in electrical contact with one of the pole layers; a conductive layer made from graphite paper and carbon cloth for improving the electronic conductivity of the two pole layers; and an external layer made of an adhesive backing layer, and/or a lamina protective layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Matrix: The matrix comprises a PMMA foil provided with light cascades.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: The method further includes coating the substrate with one or more device layers comprising large band gap semiconductor oxide, insulating ceramic oxide, and a conducting catalytic layer. The protective film are continuously patterned to create apertures. The protective layer is a composite, laminated or multilayer (CLM) film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The rigid polymeric material is polycarbonate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - TEXTILES AND PAPER - Preferred Component: The cloth portion comprises carbon cloth.
EXAMPLE - 1.37 pts.wt. Li perchlorate were dissolved in tetrahydrofuran, and 6.56 pts.wt. trifunctional ethylene glycol-propyleneglycol random copolymer (8:2; wt. average mol. wt. = 3282), 0.27 pt.wt. 1,4-butane diol and 1.00 pts.wt. ethylene cyanohydrin added and dissolved. Then the tetrahydrofuran was evaporated off under reduced pressure, 3.66 pts.wt. polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate added, stirred, vacuum-degassed, and 0.02 pt.wt. catalyst NC-IM and 0.01 pt.wt. degassing agent added, to give a polyurethane polymer compound-Li perchlorate composite (ion-conductive polymer electrolyte composition) (1 kg (Li perchlorate + polyurethane polymer compound) per mole Li perchlorate). Infrared spectroscopy showed R-O-CO-N- urethane bond absorption at 1740-1690 cm-1, cyano absorption at 2230-2130 cm-1, showing -CH2CH2CN bonded to the polyurethane compound via an NHCOO bond. The composition had 3.00 x 10-4 S/cm conductivity (200 mum cured film between 2 Cu sheets), 2.61 kN/m binding strength (JIS K6854) and 0.1% or less volatile reduction (100degreesC for 5 h), compared to 4.00 x 10-5 S/cm, 0.787 kN/m and 0.1% or less, respectively, for a comparative example prepared using monofunctional polyethyleneglycol mono alkylether instead of ethylene cyanohydrin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Filter Material: The filter is made of natural or synthetic fiber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The reservoir of the solid metal salt is positioned on the hot half-cell side of the electrolyte permeable plug. The electrolyte solution fills the chamber and conduits to form electrolyte bridge of the internal circuit of the thermoelectric system.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The plug, which is stable to electrolyte, is made of nylon, polyester, polyethylene, or polypropylene processed into a (non)woven structure. Preferred Parameter: The electrolyte permeable material plug has 50-85% void volume, based on the total volume of the material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metal: The electrode metal is copper, aluminum, or lithium in the form of pipe, tube, particles, spheres, wire (5), woven mesh, or pressed mesh.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Surfactant: The surfactant is fluorinated alkyl alkoxylate having poly-(oxyalkylene) units, at least 40% of the oxyalkylene units of poly-(oxyalkylene) has 30 or less of oxyethylene units or fluorinated alkyl quaternary ammonium chloride. Preferred Battery: The surfactant is added along with water and sulfuric acid added to the dry lead oxide during paste manufacturing. A porous organic polymer having functionality for inhibiting metal impurities degradation of battery performance is present in the negative plate. Preferred Additive: The additive particles has mean pore diameter of 0.1-5 mu and surfactant is present with a liquid in the pores of the additives prior to addition of additives to plate. The additive is organic polyolefin such as polypropylene or an inorganic oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Electrolyte: Solid electrolyte comprises polymer film selected from perfluorinated sulfonic acid group derived from fluorinated styrene, fluorinated ethylenes and polybenzimidazole.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Apparatus: Oxidant distribution channels serve to provide thermal management to fuel cell. The distribution channels which comprise manifold network are connected directly to each other in series or in parallel. The fuel and oxidant connecting channels are formed in periphery of double sided distribution plates and in periphery of MEAs such that fuel and oxidant remain separated and move vertically through stack from one distribution plate to the next. MEA and double sided distribution plate are sealed without use of gasket. The fuel cell power density is in excess of 5 watts/cm3. The oxidant distribution channel also serves as passage way to remove heat from the fuel cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The double sided distribution plates are formed of aluminum.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The fuel is hydrogen and the oxidant is air.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: An opto-electric conversion device has an electrolyte-containing layer formed by using the electrolyte, a conductive support, a semiconductor-containing layer coated on the conductive support, and a counter electrode.Preferred Components: The semiconductor is a particle semiconductor sensitized by a pigment. An opto-electro-chemical battery uses the opto-electric conversion device.The counter electrode serves as a positive electrode for the opto-electro-chemical battery.The conductive material of the counter electrode includes platinum, gold, silver, copper, aluminum, rhodium, indium, carbon, or a conductive metal oxide, including an indium-tin composite oxide, metal oxide formed by doping fluorine in tin.Preferred Pigment: Examples of the pigment include a complex pigment, particularly, a metal complex pigment, or a polymethine pigment.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The method also includes performing cutting step at 35-50degrees using fixed/motive blade or ablative devices to form intersecting planar edges, which form a battery cell periphery.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: Collector(s) is formed from a reticulate expanded metal grid (31, 39).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Conditions: The exchange capacity of fluoropolymer A in the solid electrolyte film is 0.50-2.00 milliequivalent/g. The content of fluoropolymer B in the solid electrolyte film is 0.1-4 weight percent. Further, a fluoropolymer C which has a carboxylic group precursor is mixed with fluoropolymer B at a temperature above Tg of fluoropolymer C but below 340degreesC and film forming of fluoropolymer B is performed so that the carboxylic acid precursor is converted to carboxylic acid group. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The fluoropolymer B of the solid electrolyte film is tetrafluoro ethylene polymer (claimed).    EXAMPLE - 49.5 g of Aciplex (fluoropolymer A) containing perfluorocarbon of carbonyl methyl ester type, and 0.5 g of (fluoropolymer B) PTFE powder polyfreon F-201L were mixed for 1 hour at 245degreesC and shaped to obtain homogeneous membrane of 100 mum of thickness. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement was taken for the obtained film and no diffraction peak was seen at 18.2degrees, whereas a sharp diffraction peak was seen at 18.2degrees when analyzed for the PTFE powder. Also a strong deflection light scattering was observed in the light scattering measurement of the PTFE powder. A second film was formed from a polymer (D) perfluoro carbon (containing sulphonyl fluoride-tetrafluoro ethylene copolymer) and was cast to a thickness of 25 mum. The coextrusion film production of the two films were carried out at 275degreesC to obtain a laminated film. The obtained laminated film was saponified to convert the carbonyl ester and sulphonyl fluoride groups to their potassium salts and later by ion exchange to sodium salts. The electrolytic properties of the membrane were measured and the tension fracture strength was found to be 1.5 kgf/cm, the electrolytic voltage was 3.00V and the current efficiency was measured as 97.4%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Process: The composite body may also include an adhesion promoting layer. The or each substrate foil (A) is a collector foil. The composite body structure comprises a cathode collector, a cathode layer (C), a separator layer (B), an anode layer (D) and an anode collector.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: Each of the separator layer (B), the cathode layer (C) and the anode layer (D) comprises a statistic copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and 8-25 wt.% hexafluoropropene. EXAMPLE - A 15 microns thick copper foil was coated with a suspension of 200 g MCMB graphite, 10 g conductive carbon black, 6 g PVDF and 250 g NMP to form an electrode. A suspension of 35 g Kynarflex (RTM) 2801, 50 g Tremin (RTM) 800 EST wollastonite, 15 g tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate and 200 g toluene was applied by doctor blade onto the still not completely dry electrode and then the coated electrode was dried under reduced pressure at 50-150 degrees C.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Electrolyte: The electrolyte can include LiPF6, LiBF4, LiCIO4, LiOSO2R. A solid battery contains the ion conductive macromolecular gel electrolyte.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Reactor: A reducing agent is supplied to the anode chamber and an oxidizing agent is supplied to the cathode chamber. The reaction product is generated in the electrolytic solution. Two electrolytic solutions are provided in the intermediate chamber, which are divided using a diaphragm. The cathode contains electroconductive carbon material and/or silica. The carbon material is activated carbon, carbon fiber, graphite, carbon whisker and/or carbon black. The electrolytic solution is a weak or strong electrolyte aqueous solution which is acidic, neutral or alkaline. The electrolyte aqueous solution is an aqueous solution containing hydrogen chloride (HCl), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), sodium chloride (NaCl), lithium chloride (LiCl), lithium sulfate (Li2SO4), sodium sulfate (Na2SO4), potassium sulfate (K2SO4), cesium sulfate (Cs2SO4), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), ortho phosphoric acid (H3PO4), perchloric acid (HClO4) and/or rubidium sulfate (Rb2SO4).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The catalyst with reduced activity is contacted with heating gas at 150-400degreesC to regenerate the catalyst.Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst is copper content catalyst used for methanol modification and carbon monoxide shift reaction. The catalyst contains 1 or more of metallic oxides chosen from aluminum oxide, cerium oxide, zirconium oxide, silica, titanium oxide, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, gallium oxide and indium oxide or noble metals chosen from platinum and palladium. The catalyst is a monolith catalyst with a layer containing copper on catalyst support and another layer containing 1 or more of metallic oxide or noble metals.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Film: The base material polymer film is formed from a polymer or copolymer. The P/N ratio of phosphoric acid with respect to pyridine unit of polyvinyl pyridine, is 0.8-1.3.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Pigment: The sensitizing pigment is of formula (1) or (2).X-(M(OR)m)y (1)X-R1-(M(OR)m)y (2)X = sensitizing pigment group;M = Si, Ti, Al or B;R = 1-5C alkyl;R1 = 1-5C alkylene;m = 1-3; andy = 1-8.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Semiconductor Layer: The semiconductor layer consists of a metal oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: L is formula (III). The metal complex dye has formula (V).R1 to R3 = carboxyl, sulfonic acid, hydroxam, phosphoryl or phosphonyl group;m1, m3 = 0-4;m2 = 0-3;B3, B4 = O or S atom; andR7 to R9 = H, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, hetero ring, amino, alkoxy, acyl, alkoxycarbonyl, amide or cyano group.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Semiconductor: The semiconductor fine particles are titanium oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Apparatus: Alternatively, cathode gas is used for fuel combustion of the reformer after passing through the cooling medium of the CO converter while the anode gas is used as a fuel for heating the reformer.Preferred Process: The reformer is heated by combustion using a combustion catalyst. The outlet temperature of the CO converter is 100-150 degrees C.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The ratio of real surface area to apparent surface area of the electrode is 10 or more. Preferred Composition: The oxide semiconductor film contains tantalum oxide, zinc oxide, zirconium oxide or oxidized niobium and is obtained from metal chloride or metal alkoxide. The organic colored matter comprises organic coloring matter film having functional group which reacts with or replaces the hydroxyl group, epoxy group or metal alkoxide present in the surface of oxide semiconductor film. The organic coloring matter is cyanine dye, merocyanine pigment, phthalocyanine pigment, naphthalo cyanine dye, phthal/naphthalo mixture phthalocyanine pigment, dipyridyl ruthenium complex pigment, tripyridyl ruthenium complex pigment, phenanthroline ruthenium complex pigment, phenylxanthene pigment, triphenyl methane pigment coumarin pigment, acridine dye or azo metal complex pigment which can react with metallic oxide in oxide semiconductor film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The carrier supporting the alloy of the catalyst, is crystalline silicate having composition of formula (1+/-0.8)R2O.(aM2O3.bNO.cAl2O3).ySiO2 (I), whereR = alkali metal or hydrogen;M = VIII group element, rare earth element, titanium, vanadium, chromium, niobium, antimony or gallium;N = magnesium, calcium, strontium or barium;a = 0 or more;b = 0-20;a+c = 1;y = 11-3000.The crystalline polysilicate has peaks from the strongest peak to the fifth position at 3.65+/-0.1 Angstrom , 3.75+/-0.1 Angstrom , 3.85+/-0.1 Angstrom , 10+/-0.3 Angstrom and 11.2+/-0.3 Angstrom , determined by X-ray diffraction using CuK alpha rays. The crystalline polysilicate contains Y type zeolite, zeolite-A, mordenite, gamma-alumina or anatase type titania.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The temperature of the reactor gas introduced into the last stage of the catalytic reaction device is maintained at 180 degrees C or less.Preferred Substances: The metallic oxide which supports the ruthenium contains silicon as a base metal component. The metallic oxide is a meso-pore molecular sieve. The meso-pore molecular sieve is an inorganic organic hybrid meso-pore molecular sieve. The molecular sieve contains methyl group and/or phenyl group as organic components. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The metallic oxide which supports platinum is aluminum oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Carbon Material: The porous carbon material is carbon nanotube, graphite nano-fibers or activated carbon, and has a pore size of 0.5-1000 nm. EXAMPLE - A tank made from SUS304 was filled with 2 g of porous activated carbon with a volume of 4 cm3, a bulk density of 0.5 g/cm3, and a porosity of 50%. 2 cm3 of pores of activated carbon in tank was able to occlude hydrogen. Hydrogen gas of 40 cm3 volume was introduced at a pressure of 2 MPa and at 290 K into the tank. The volume of hydrogen gas occluded at a balanced pressure of 0.1 MPa, was 40 cm3.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The board has half value width (DELTA logR) of pore distribution of about 0.1. The diameter of the pore at equilibrium is about 0.3 microns.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Process: The dewaxing and sintering step is carried out by thermal cycle at up to 1600 degreesC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Ratio: The molar percentage ratio of ceria and gadolinia is 95/5-65/35, preferably 90/10-70/30. Preferred Properties: The powder has a surface area of 10-15 m2/g.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The ligands and plasticizers are polyvinyl butyral, dibutyl phthalate, or polyethylene glycol.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Solvent: The solvent is a mixture of methylethylketone and ethanol. EXAMPLE - Ceria powder (100 g) stabilized with gadolinia with a surface area of 10-15 m2/g, solvent (49 g) consisting of methylethylketone (64%) and ethanol (34%), dispersing agent (1.2 g), polyvinyl butyral (5 g), polyethylene glycol (4.5 g), dibutylphthalate (4.2 g) and phosphoric ester (1 g) was prepared. The resulting slurry was sieved with 40 microns sieve, deaerated for 6-16 hours, and cast forming a tape. The tape was dried on a casting plane for not less than 12 hours, and cut into square membranes. After cutting, the samples were put into an oven, and dewaxed and sintered.    The invention allowed the production of electrolytes with a thickness of 100-150 microns. The relative density was higher than 97% of the theoretical value.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The supplying of energized particles includes supplying ions, supplying nitrogen particles and reacting nitrogen with electrolyte material. The second film is formed by depositing an electrolyte material in nitrogen-enriched atmosphere. The first or third film is formed by depositing metal and/or intercalation material.Preferred Parameters: The second film is less than 5000, preferably 10-100 Angstrom or 1-250 nm thick. The supplied ions have energy of 5-3000, preferably 10-200 eV or 0-40 eV.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The electrolyte material is lithium phosphate. The first film includes vanadium oxide. The second film is lithium phosphorus oxynitride, silicon dioxide, or aluminum oxide. The third film includes lithium intercalation material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The thermostable polymer is a sulfonized polyimide, sulfonized polyethersulfone, sulfonized polystyrene and their sulfonized derivatives, sulfonized polyether ether ketone and its sulfonized derivatives, sulfonized polybenzoxazole, sulfonized polybenzimidiazole, sulfonized polyparaphenylene and their sulfonized derivatives. The diffusion zone can have a hydrophobic component of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The carrier can be reinforced with polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or PTFE.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Modifier: The modifier has two or more separately arranged catalysts (A,B). An air supply device is arranged near the raw material entrance side between the catalyst (A,B) and within one container. The air supply device is arranged just before the catalysts (A,B) and the heat exchanger is provided after each catalyst. The air supply device is arranged before the heat exchanger. The modifier is an integrated unit of catalyst A provided in a container A, heat exchanger, catalyst B provided in a container B, and air supply device.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst contains iron as low temperature activated component, preferably 5-70 wt.% for 100 wt.% of platinum and iron. The catalyst is carried on a support.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The fuel is hydrogen bearing fuel such as methanol.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred System: The walls of fuel tank comprises material having selective permeability to different molecular species. The walls of fuel tank comprises silicone rubber for allowing higher permeability of methanol over water.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: The energetic particles are introduced by beam line ion implantation, or plasma immersion ion implantation or ion shower. The method further comprises joining a cleaved surface of the substrate to a surface of a target substrate before directing energy source to form a stacked assembly. The energy source is provided to increase a controlled stress in the substrate material and to sustain the controlled cleaving action, thus forming a film of the material. An additional energy source may be further provided to the substrate. Preferred Device: The active devices comprise capacitors, resistors, or transistors. Preferred Components: The energy source is a thermal source, a thermal sink, a mechanical source, a chemical source, or an electrical source. The propagating cleave front is a single cleave front or a multiple cleave fronts.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The energetic particles consist of neutral molecules, charged molecules, atoms, or electrons. They have sufficient kinetic energy to penetrate through the surface of the substrate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred System: The amount (b) of occluded hydrogen in the first storage part at the start of hydrogen transfer, is set to bat least0.5a.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The titanium dioxide semiconductor contains molybdenum and 0.1-2 mumol/g of impurities of chromium or vanadium. Preferred Process: The molybdenic oxide (MoO3) as sintering auxiliary agent, and chromium oxide (CrO3) or pure chromium and vanadium oxide or pure vanadium, are added with titanium fine powder. Alternately, titanium dioxide semiconductor is manufactured by mixing resin binder with titanium fine powder, to form raw material compound, removing the resin binder and sintering the fine powder of titanium (binder removed). 50-99% of resin binder by volume ratio, is contained in raw material compound. The molybdenic oxide (MoO3) as sintering auxiliary agent, and chromium oxide (CrO3) or pure chromium and vanadium oxide or pure vanadium, are added with titanium fine powder. Preferred Property: The titanium fine powder has grain size of 20 nm to 200 mum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The heat exchanger which is hydrothermal exchanger (18), and carbon monoxide transformer are joined in a sleeve (61) which is provided in a single case (62). A burner (78) is provided at the lower part of the case. A route for combustion gas of burner is provided in the case. The combustion gas is exhausted at exhaust port (79) provided at the upper part of the case.
EXAMPLE - Zirconia powder of formula (II) (containing 80 ppm of silica as impurity) was molded under 2 ton/(square cm) to 15 mm diameter pellets, which were heated at the heating rate of (100 degreesC)/hour up to 1200 degreesC where they were held for 40 hours then heated with the same heating rate up to 1500 degreesC where they were held for 4 hours and cooled with a cooling rate of (100 degreesC)/hour.    In grain resistance and grain boundary resistance (at 400 degreesC in the air) were 5.8 K ohm/cm and 0.2 K ohm/cm respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Resin: The modified epoxy resin is made by adding a phosphoric acid source which provides at least 2 moles of phosphoric acid per mole of epoxy rings to a solution of the epoxy resin containing at least 2.5 moles of water per mole of epoxy rings. EXAMPLE - Water (17 g) was added to a solution of YDCN-704 (RTM; o-cresol novolak epoxy resin; molecular weight = 3,100; epoxy eq = 206 g/eq) (50 g) in butylcellosolve acetate (BCA) (250 g). The mixture was then reacted with anhydrous phosphoric acid powder (50 g, 1.5 moles per mole of epoxy rings) in 3 divided portions (25 g, 12.5 g and 12.5 g) with strong agitation (370 rpm) and strong cooling (up to 50 degreesC) for 40 minutes to obtain a yellow brown suspension. The mixture was then added to BCA (3000 g) and centrifuged. The bottom layer solid was crushed into a fine particulate, and BCA (500 g) was added to precipitate a suspension, while extracting impurities in a liquid phase. The purified phosphoric acid-modified epoxy resin product was designated as Phospolymer CEP P P (yield = at least 40% yield per a starting resin base).    Test results: Phosphoric acid equivalent (g/eq) = 179.3 (measured) and 189.0 (calculated). Phosphoric acid value (mgKOH/g) = 624.6 (measured) and 592.6 (calculated). Product was found to be thermally stable, giving less weight loss than polysilamine. A 1 mm thick cast film was prepared by flowing a 10% Phospolymer CEP in BCA/methanol solvent mixture on a teflon sheet and tested for its moisture absorption = 7.9 wt.% at 30% relative humidity (RH) (0.777 moles per mole of phosphoric acid group), 13.1 wt.% at 50% RH (1.29 moles per mole of phosphoric acid group), 13.6 wt.% at 70% RH (1.34 mol per mole of phosphoric acid group), 25.9 wt.% at 90% RH (2.55 moles per mole of phosphoric acid group) and 32.4 wt.% at 100% RH (3.19 moles per mole of phosphoric acid group).
EXAMPLE - Urethane acrylate copolymer was prepared by reacting (A) urethane acrylate resin made of isophorone diisocyanate, polytetramethylene glycol, polyester triol, 2-hydroxyethylacrylate, with (B) cyclohexane acrylate and (C) methylbenzoyl formate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The solar cell device may also comprise a third active cell positioned between the substrate and the first active cell, and a second tunnel junction layer interposed between the first active cell and the third active cell. The semiconductor layers of the first active are fabricated from a base material and an emitter material.Preferred Dimension: The junction of the second active cell has a band gap of 1.3-1.8 eV. The first active cell has a band gap of 1.1-1.3 eV and the junction of the second active cell has a band gap of 1.6-1.9 eV. The third active cell has a band gap of 0.67-0.9. The junction of the third active cell has a band gap of 1.8-2 eV. The junction of the first active cell has a band gap of 0.9-1.1 eV.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The semiconductor layers of second active cell are fabricated from GaxIn1-xAsyP1-y, GaxIn1-xNyP1-y, AlxGa1-xAs, or GaxIn1-xAsyNzP1-y-z. The semiconductor layers of the third active cell are fabricated from Ge, GaxIn1-xAsyN1-y, or (GaAs)x(Ge2)1-x. The base material is made of Ge, GaxIn1-xAsyN1-y, or (GaAs)x(Ge2)1-x, and the emitter material is GaAs, GaxIn1-xAsyNy, AlxGa1-xAs GaxIn1-xAsyP1-y, Ga0.5In0.5P, or AlxGa0.5-xIn0.5P. The semiconductor layers of the first active cell are fabricated from (GaAs)x(Ge2)1-x, BxGayIn1-x-yAs, CuInSxSe2-x, or Cu3AsSxSe4-x.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The oxygen-containing hydrocarbon comprises one, two or more hydrocarbon(s) selected from a carbonate-based compound, an ethylene glycol-based compound, and an ether-based compound. The hydrocarbon precursor has a 50% temperature per percent recovered of 40 degrees C or above and contains a fraction having a boiling point of 140-270 degrees C of 90% or more. The hydrogen is manufactured by steam reforming, using the hydrocarbon composition.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Resin: The polyolefin type resin of extrusion resin layer includes polyethylene. The base film consists of fluorine-resin film, cyclic polyolefin type resin film, polycarbonate type resin film, polymethacrylic type resin film, polyamide type resin film or polyester type resin film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Electroconductive Film: The standard layers and low density layers are electroconductive layers. The standard layers contain 90 mass% or more of indium oxides. Each of the standard and low density degree layers contain 95-97 mass% of indium oxide and 3-5 mass% of tin oxide. The optical film thickness of low density layer is smaller than standard layer. The standard and low density layers are dielectric layers, and contains silicon dioxide. A layer comprising silicon dioxide which contacts the surface of plastic base material, is provided at a position of the side of proximal from the low density layer to the surface of base material. The standard and low density layers are contacted mutually on base material under preset condition. The outermost layer containing silicon dioxide exists to distal side of base material. The electroconductive film has surface resistance of less than 50 OMEGA/cm2, transmittance of 70% or more at a light of wavelength 450-700 nm and absorption factor of 20% or less at light of wavelength 450-700 nm. Preferred Electronic Component: The plastic base material which is a cover member covers at least one part of electronic component main unit or a part of container which receives electronic component main unit.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: An ion exchange water purifier (12) is provided as auxiliary water purifying apparatus to the electric deionizing apparatus, and is juxtaposed between the recovered water introduction piping (50) and pure water extraction piping (51). An electric conductivity meter (13) is connected to the recovered water introduction piping to measure the conductivity of the recovered water. When the water quality deteriorates, and conductivity increases to a predetermined value, the operation of the deionization apparatus is stopped. A control unit and a control valve (14) switch-start operation of the ion exchange water purifier. A well for make up water is provided to collect the pure water from ion exchange device, at the time of starting of fuel cell power generation and during shortage of recovered water.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - An opto-electrochemical battery uses the photoelectric converter.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metal: The amorphous metal is an alloy comprising iron, cobalt or nickel.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Film: The film formed by spreading polymer solution on support body, is aromatic polyamide or polyimide film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The electrolyte is an alkaline electrolyte. The electrodes have electrocatalysts which are selective by virtue of their electric potential. A gas burner is provided within the cell. One or more reactants can be regenerated or renewed electrically, thermally, chemically, or physically. Turbulence within the system is used to enhance species transport between the electrodes. One or both of the electrodes is capable of adsorbing and storing fuel or oxidant species. The interconnect is at least partially substituted by an electrically conductive and/or ionically insulating reactant mixture. An oxygen carrying liquid is used to dissolve oxygen or co-dissolve oxygen and at least one other constituent of the mixture. A high activation energy, slow kinetics, or a diffusion barrier or partial barrier is utilized to provide stability against self-discharge of the device.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The fuel is carbon, or carbonaceous species. It may also be hydrogen, hydrocarbons, 1-4C alcohols, sodium borohydride, ammonia, hydrazine, or metal salts in molten or dissolved form. The fluid electrolyte is water, aqueous solutions, acidified perfluorocarbons, plasma, molten salts, acids, or alkalis.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The oxidant can be oxygen, air, hydrogen peroxide, metal salts, or acids. It may also be chromate, vanadate, and/or manganate. The solid electrolyte can be inorganic ionic carriers including yttria stabilized zirconia, ceria stabilized zirconia, indium oxide, stabilized zirconia, ceria stabilized gadolinia or silver iodide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The solid electrolyte can also be sulfonated and/or non-sulfonated polymeric membranes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The electrolyte is an alkaline electrolyte. The electrodes have electrocatalysts that are selective by virtue of their electric potential. One or more reactants can be regenerated or renewed electrically, thermally, chemically, or physically. Turbulence within the system is used to enhance species transport between the electrodes. One or both of the electrodes are capable of adsorbing and storing fuel or oxidant species. An oxygen carrying liquid is used to dissolve oxygen or co-dissolve oxygen and at least one other constituent of the mixture. A high activation energy, slow kinetics, or a diffusion barrier or partial barrier is utilized to provide stability against self-discharge of the device.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The fuel is carbon, or carbonaceous species. It may also be hydrogen, hydrocarbons, 1-4C alcohols, sodium borohydride, ammonia, hydrazine, or metal salts in molten or dissolved form. The electrolyte is water, aqueous solutions, acidified perfluorocarbons, plasma, molten salts, acids, or alkalis.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The oxidant can be oxygen, air, hydrogen peroxide, metal salts, or acids. It may also be chromate, vanadate, and/or manganate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Oil: The oil contains 5-30 vol% of an olefin compound. The fuel oil comprises desulfurized light naphtha and/or desulfurized heavy naphtha and polymerized gasoline. The oil contains 20-30 vol% polymerized gasoline. The sulfur component concentration of the fuel oil is at most 0.5 weight ppm. The catalytic partial oxidation treatment is carried out in the presence of a ruthenium catalyst. EXAMPLE - To desulfurized light naphtha containing no olefin component, 1-hexane is added in an amount of 20 vol%. The sulfur component concentration is 0.3 weight ppm. Using a nickel absorption desulfurizing agent, desulfurizing treatment is performed at normal pressure, 120degreesC and LHSV 0.5 hr(power-1). A desulfurized oil is obtained of sulfur content of 0.1 weight ppm. Using the desulfurized oil, partial oxidation reforming treatment is carried out using a catalyst to produce hydrogen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The microporous polymer is high density polyethylene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The protecting layer comprises metal or metal oxide, ruthenium oxide, titanium oxide, or tin oxide (SnO2). The condensing and comprises copper, nickel (preferably), aluminum, or titanium. The gas impermeable barriers comprise a metal foil, preferably tin, Cu, Ni (preferably), Al, or gold. The cooling element comprises Cu (preferably), Ni, Al, or Ti. The flow field(s) comprises tin, Cu, Ni (preferably), Al, Ti, or Au. Preferred Property: The SnO2 is 1-5, preferably 1-2 microns thick.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Component: The condensing and cooling elements comprise Al-Ti alloy. The gas impermeable barriers comprise a metal foil, preferably Al-Ti alloy.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The intermediate layer (5) comprises a polymer and high surface area carbon particles. The polymer comprises polytetrafluoroethylene, perfluoroethylene-per fluoropropylene copolymer, perfluoroalkoxy, or polyvinylidine fluoride. The electrode comprises a polymer electrolyte, and electrocatalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The electrolyte contains a thermoplastic resin other than syndiotactic polystyrene in which functional groups are introduced, and a syndiotactic polystyrene having no functional groups. The electrolyte also contains another thermoplastic resin having no ion exchange groups. The electrolyte contains a thermoplastic resin containing a syndiotactic polystyrene in which ion exchange groups are introduced. The electrolyte contains syndiotactic polystyrene in which ion exchange groups are introduced and a thermoplastic resin having no ion exchange groups. The ion exchange group is a sulfonic acid group. The ion exchange capacity is at least 0.65 mill-equivalents/g.Preferred Method: The film is produced by a solution casting method, fusion press method or a fusion extrusion method. EXAMPLE - Atactic polystyrene (2.1g) of Mn 120000 is dissolved in 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (27ml) at room temperature. Concentrated sulfuric acid (1.0ml) is added and the mixture is stirred for 1 hour. Syndiotactic polystyrene (2.1g) of Mw 190000 and Mw/Mn 1.9, is added and dissolved by refluxing at 150 degreesC. The solution is coated on a glass plate, and the glass plate and the cast film are separated in water after drying for 24 hours, to produce a film of thickness 120 microns. The film is stored in ion exchange water.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The hydrogenation method converts carbon oxide into other compounds. During hydrogenation, the carbon monoxide is removed and a gaseous fuel is manufactured. The mixed gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide, is obtained by water vapor reforming and/or partial combustion reforming of hydrocarbon group gas and alcohol. Preferred Alloy: The hydrogen occlusion alloy is rare earth group hydrogen occlusion alloy. The hydrogen occlusion alloy occludes hydrogen in the mixed gas during production of gaseous fuel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Substances: The permeable film contains at least one component selected from zeolite, inorganic oxide microparticle, silicone rubber, silicone resin or silicone oil, inorganic high molecular compound, carbon.
EXAMPLE - The diameter of crystallite of zirconium oxide powder of component (A) is 0.05 - 0.5 microns and preferably 0.01 - 0.2 microns. The binder of component (B), is an organic or an inorganic binder. A typical organic binder includes an ethylene copolymer, a styrene copolymer, an acrylate and methacrylate copolymer, a vinyl acetate copolymer, vinyl bytilal resin, vinyl acetal resin, and vinyl alcohol resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The silicon oxide film has a refractive index of 1.45-1.48, and an E' center that is observed by measurement with the electron spin resonance method. The density of E' center is at least 5 x 1015 spins/cm3. The silicon oxide film has an infrared carbon atoms peak based on the stretching vibration of CO molecules that exists at 234 +/- 4 /cm. The oxygen transmission rate is at most 0.5 cc/m2/day, and water vapor transmission rate is at most 0.5 g/m2/day. Preferred Dimensions: The silicon oxide film has a thickness of 5-300 nm. A distance between grains formed on the surface of the silicon oxide film is 5-40 nm. EXAMPLE - A sheet shaped biaxial oriented polyamide film was prepared as base material, and loaded on the side of the lower part electrode within a chamber. The inner part of the chamber was depressurized to the ultimate vacuum of 3 x 10 Power(-5) Torr. An electric power having a frequency of 90 kHz was applied to the lower part electrode. Hexamethyldisiloxane gas of 1 sccm, oxygen gas of 10 sccm and helium gas of 30 sccm were introduced, and the pressure within the chamber during film forming was kept at 0.25 torr to form a film of silicon oxide as a vapor deposition film on the base material film. Film forming was continued until the film thickness was 100 nm and a gas barrier film was obtained. The oxygen gas transmission rate was 0.08 cc/m2/day and water vapor transmission rate was 0.30 g/m2/day, thus showing excellent gas barrier properties.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The first and second semiconducting layers are calcium sulfide or calcium telluride and these layers are preferably amorphous. The treatment with cadmium chloride is at high temperature and forms a thin electroconducting film on the cadmium telluride layer. The cadmium telluride is subjected to sublimation, especially close space sublimation at least at 500degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The selective oxidation removal of CO is performed using catalyst which carries ruthenium and/or alkali and/or alkaline earth metal, on titania and alumina support. The hydrogen content gas is obtained by modification or partial oxidation of the hydrogen production raw material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Support: The porous support carrier contains alpha-alumina. The catalyst contains 0.1-10 weight% of ruthenium and platinum.Preferred Property: The particle diameter of ruthenium and/or platinum is 200 Angstrom or less.Preferred Relation: The weight ratio of ruthenium (Ru) to platinum (Pt) satisfy the relations: 0.7 at most(Ru/Pt) at most 9.5 and 0.1 at most (Ru/Pt) less than 0.7.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst contains monmorillonite which is activated by an acid. Monmorillonite has interlayer ions containing calcium ions.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The amount of introduction of oxidizing agent into the CO oxidation device (II) is fixed.Preferred Composition: The ratio of amount of oxidizing gas supplied to the device (I) and that of oxidizing gas supplied to device (II) is 3:1-10:1.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The mixer is filled with alumina or filled with steel wool. The mixer comprises a spiral pipe with holes, inside a container. While passing the reformed gas into the container, air is passed through the spiral pipe and introduced into the mixer through the hole.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The chamber wall is equipped with a cooling jacket (2b), through which cooling water is circulated. The cooling fin is provided in the chamber wall. After formation of opening in the enclosed portion, the cooling fin is moved nearer to the mount stand.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The second material may be made from a polymer, especially Nafion and polyetherketone.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Substrate: The substrate is nickel alloy, copper alloy, mild steel, or heat resistant steel. Preferred Dimension: The Ni-Sn alloy layer has a thickness of 10-40 microns, and the layer(s) of Ag or Ag containing Sn has a thickness of 10-100 (preferably 20-50) microns. Preferred Component: The Ni-Sn alloy is a mixture of Ni3Sn2 and Ni3Sn, Ni3Sn, a mixture of Ni3Sn and a solid solution of Sn in Ni, or a solid solution of Sn in Ni. It preferably comprises a sublayer of a solid solution of Sn in Ni overlaid by a sublayer of Ni3Sn. It does not have Sn content greater than Ni3Sn2. The layer(s) of Ag contains 3-30 (preferably at least6) wt.% Sn. A tin (IV) oxide (SnO2) layer of 2-20 microns thick may overlie the layer(s) of Ag or Ag containing Sn. The SnO2 layer may be doped with a dopant to improve the electrical conductivity. Preferred Method: The Ni-Sn alloy layer is formed by applying to the substrate surface by electroplating, hot dipping in molten alloy, applying as slurry and drying, or thermally spraying as powder. It can also be formed by applying Sn to Ni layer(s) and diffusing Sn into the Ni layer(s) at elevated temperature. The Ni layer is a Ni-rich surface, which may be doped with lithium. The Ag or Ag containing Sn layer is formed by applying Sn in mixture or alloyed with Ag into the Ni layer, and diffusing Sn at 750-1000degreesC. Up to 90 (preferably up to 45) wt.% Sn is mixed or alloyed with Ag.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Substrate: The electrically conductive metal substrate can also be nickel or copper. Preferred Dopant: The dopant is antimony (V) oxide (Sb2O5), antimony (III, V) oxide (Sb2O4), arsenic (III) oxide (As2O3), phosphorus (V) oxide (P2O5), fluorine, or chlorine.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The heat-resistant alloy is nickel-group alloy or iron-group alloy and the complex oxide is a spinel-type oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Membrane: The membrane has central region (3) having fine porosity to retain molten salt in the pores (5). The porosity in the external region (7, 8) is greater than in the central region, such that the pores (6) are not filled with molten salt. The membrane comprises layers of different porosity. Its oxidation surface (10) is provided with a steam reforming catalyst, while the reduction surface (9) is provided with a reduction catalyst. It further comprises a three-dimensional catalyst on the oxidation and/or reactant zone.Preferred Property: The molten salt is impregnated into the electron-conducting matrix to facilitate ion transport through the membrane. The average pore size in the central region is less than 1 mum, while in the external region is greater than 1 mum.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The matrix is formed from a transition metal or their mixture, preferably nickel or its mixture with other transition metal. It can be a conductive ceramic. The molten salt may be a halide, phosphate, sulfate or nitrate salt, but preferably a carbonate salt consisting of lithium carbonate and/or potassium carbonate. The steam reforming catalyst comprises nickel or nickel-based alloy supported on alumina, titania, silica or zirconia, preferably nickel supported on alumina. The gas containing carbon dioxide and oxygen is air.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The reduced gas comprises hydrocarbon, preferably methane or naphtha. It may also comprise alkene, alkyne, aromatic compound, epoxide, aldehyde, ketone, alcohol and/or amine.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The alpha-alumina particles are obtained by burning aluminum hydroxide.Preferred Property: The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller specific surface area of porous alpha-alumina particles is 1-20 m2/g. EXAMPLE - LiAlO2 particles were mixed with a solid electrolyte at a ratio by weight of 1:3, and put it in electric oven at 700 degreesC for 200 hours to carry out stabilization test. The BET specific surface area of LiAlO2 was measured before and after the heat-treatment and the BET specific surface area change rate was calculated. Result showed that LiAlO2 which was based on gamma-type LiAlO2 had much better stability in a molten carbonate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The high temperature catalyst is platinum catalyst or ruthenium catalyst with a high activity at operating temperature of 150 degrees C or more. The low temperature catalyst is platinum/mordenite with high activity at low temperatures, especially normal temperature to 150 degrees C.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The low temperature catalyst at the downstream side chamber treats relatively a small amount of hot gas, such as the quantity necessary for starting a fuel cell and operates at normal temperature to 150 degrees C. The high temperature side catalyst treats a large amount of hot gas such as the quantity required at the time of normal operation of fuel cell, at high temperatures greater than 150 degrees C. During the selective oxidation, the high temperature catalyst reduces the carbon monoxide concentration in the hot gas to a level suitable for subsequent oxidation in the low temperature catalyst. The low temperature catalyst reduces the carbon monoxide concentration to that suitable for fuel cell operation.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Property: The conductive film has thickness of 10 microns or less, preferably 3 microns or less.Preferred Material: The material of conductive film is conductive graphite paste, gold paste or silver paste. The graphite powder is natural graphite, artificial graphite, carbon black or kish graphite, preferably expanded graphite.Preferred Method: The conductive film is coated by spraying, vapor deposition, printing or application.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Resin: The thermosetting resin is polycarbodiimide resin, epoxy resin, furfuryl alcohol resin, urea resin, melamine resin, unsaturated polyester resin or alkyd resin, preferably phenol resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The water washing is conducted at 50degreesC or higher. The metal component further comprises Co or Ni. EXAMPLE - 14.08g ZrOCL2approximatelyoH2O, 1.32g RuCl2approximatelyoH2O : 6 H2O, 12.72g MgNO3approximatelyo6H2O and 4.94g Co(NO3)2approximatelyo6H2O were dissolved in water to prepare a 40cc solution. 20cc of the solution was impregnated in alpha-A1lumina moulded carrier and dried at 120degreesC for 50 hours, and 200degreesC for 2 hours. The catalyst was washed at 60degreesC for 17 hours and 30 minutes and dried at 120degreesC. The chlorine content was 115 wt ppm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: Each electrode comprises a pyrolyzed fully nanoporous electrically conductive carbon. The insulating layer is a matrix comprising a pyrolyzed fully nanoporous, non-graphitizing carbon source. The electrocatalyst is a noble metal.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The insulating layer comprises a pyrolyzed mixture of polyfuryl alcohol and polyethylene glycol. It is an electrolyte gel.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The fuel cell also includes a liquid electrolyte impregnant.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Property: The intercepting membrane has pore size distribution of 0.01-10 mum, porosity of 30-80% and thickness of 0.1-1 mm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The fire-proof inorganic oxide support is titania, alumina, silica and/or zirconia. The alkali metal is potassium, cesium, rubidium, sodium and/or lithium. The alkaline earth metal is barium, calcium, magnesium and/or strontium. The gas containing hydrogen is used for fuel cells.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The polymer is preferably of formula (Ia).R1, R3 = H, a group having carboxylic acid or sulfonic acid, 1-4C alkyl, or 6-10C aryl;R = 1-4C alkylene residue;X = deprotonated residue of an acid;Y = a cation of a nitrogen-containing compound;Z = 2-20;n = 3-500;p = 0-2.Preferred Property: The polymer has a glass transition point of not more than -30degreesC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The nitrogen-containing compound is obtained by the reaction of an alkyl halide with a tertiary amine having 5-12 pKa in an aqueous solution at 25degreesC. Preferred Definitions:    R = ethylene residue;    X = a residue having COO;    Y = a quat. ammonium ion of formula (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), or (f);    R4-R7 = 1-4C alkyl;    Z = a residue of maleic acid, fumaric acid, or maleic anhydride.    EXAMPLE - A polymer was prepared by mixing monomethoxypolyethylene glycol (70 g) and maleic anhydride (18.9 g) and heating to 145degreesC. The mixture was kept at 145-147degreesC and acrylic acid (23 g) and di-t-butyl peroxide (11.1 g) were separately added. The mixture was stirred for 1 hour to obtain a polymer having an average molecular weight of 2650. The polymer (0.5 g), organic lithium salt (CF3SO2)2NLi (0.36 g), and dehydrated acetone (10 ml) were stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes and vaporized to expel acetone. The residue was dried at 80degreesC for 12 hours to obtain a macromolecular solid electrolyte. The macromolecular solid electrolyte showed a high ion conductivity of 8.4x10-4 S/cm at 30degreesC and 3.6x10-4 S/cm at 10degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Oil: The oil also contains 1-50 vol.% of isopentane and/or 1-12 vol.% of a 4C hydrocarbon compound. A specific oil contains at least 50 vol% alkylate gasoline, 1-50 vol.% isopentane, 1-10 vol.% 4C hydrocarbon compound and at most 7 vol.% oxygen-containing compound. The oil also contains 1-30 vol.% desulfurized light naphtha. The oxygen-containing compound is methyl t-butyl ether, ethyl t-butyl ether and/or t-amyl methyl ether. The research method octane number is at least 89 and the vapor pressure is 44-93 kPa. Another fuel oil comprises 10-60 vol.% desulfurized naphtha and 40-90 vol.% benzene-free reformed gasoline which also can contain at most 10 vol.% of a 4C hydrocarbon compound.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The carbonaceous material is heat treated at 200-1400degreesC. The reducing gas is carbon monoxide, nitrogen monoxide, nitrous oxide or ammonia. The heat treatment is in a mixed gas of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The heat treatment is carried out under a reducing gas atmosphere of at least1 atmosphere. The carbonaceous material has a large surface area and a curvature and is fullerene, carbon nano-fibres, carbon nano-tubes, carbon soot, nano-capsules and carbon fibres. EXAMPLE - Carbon nanofibres are produced of diameter 200 nm by CVD. Impurities are removed to give a purity of at least 95%. The carbon nanofibres are introduced to a vessel, and placed in a heat amount measuring device, and the inside of the vessel is substituted with carbon monoxide gas. The fibres are heated to 400degreesC at 60degreesC per minute and maintained at 400degreesC for 3 hours to produce the carbonaceous material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The carbonaceous material is heat treated in a gas atmosphere containing no gas other than hydrogen at at least 50degreesC under a gas pressure of at least 1 atmosphere. The carbonaceous material has a large surface area and a curvature and is fullerene, carbon nano-fibres, carbon nano-tubes, carbon soot, nano-capsules and carbon fibres. EXAMPLE - Carbon nanofibres are produced and the impurities are removed to give a purity of at least 95%. The carbon fibres are introduced into a vessel and the atmosphere is substituted with nitrogen gas. Hydrogen gas of 1 atmosphere is introduced at 100 cc per minute, and heated to 400degreesC at 60degreesC per minute and maintained at 400degreesC for 3 hours.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The heat treatment is at 100-800degreesC in an inert gas atmosphere such as nitrogen, helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon or radon. The carbonaceous material has a large surface area and a curvature and is fullerene, carbon nano-fibres, carbon nano-tubes, carbon soot, nano-capsules and carbon fibres. EXAMPLE - Carbon nanofibres are produced of diameter 200nm by CVD. Impurities are removed to give a purity of at least 95%. The carbon nanofibres are introduced to a vessel, and placed in a heat amount measuring device, and the inside of the vessel is substituted with nitrogen gas. The fibres are heated at 400degreesC for 6 hours to produce the carbonaceous material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The pressure is up to 10 atmospheres. The carbonaceous material is heat treated at 200-1200 (800-1000)degreesC. The heat treatment is carried out under an inert gas atmosphere such as nitrogen, helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon or radon. The carbonaceous material has a large surface area and a curvature and is fullerene, carbon nano-fibres, carbon nano-tubes, carbon soot, nano-capsules and carbon fibres. EXAMPLE - Carbon nanofibres are produced of diameter 200nm by CVD. Impurities are removed to give a purity of at least 95%. The carbon nanofibres are introduced to a vessel, and placed in a heat amount measuring device, and the inside of the vessel is substituted with nitrogen gas. The fibres are heated at 100degreesC for 6 hours to produce the carbonaceous material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The heat treatment is at 400-800degreesC. The carbonaceous material has a curvature and is fullerene, carbon nano-fibres, carbon nano-tubes, carbon soot, nano-capsules and carbon fibres. The carbonaceous material has a large surface area. EXAMPLE - Carbon nano-fibres of diameter 200nm are produced by CVD. Impurities are removed to give a purity of at least95%. Carbon nanofibres are introduced to a vessel and heated to 230degreesC under reduced pressure at 60degreesC/minute and maintained at 230degreesC for 4 hours.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Device: The fuel processor further includes a filter assembly (60); a purification region; an air delivery system; and a combustion chamber with a heating assembly. The fuel processor, a hydrogen-consuming device, fuel cell stack, energy-consuming device(s) are integrated together.Preferred Component: The hydrogen-producing region includes a reforming region (32) with reforming catalyst bed(s). Each reforming region forms a separate modular component that can be removed and replaced as a unit from the fuel processor relative to the rest of the reforming region. The separation region (38) and the modular component comprise hydrogen-selective membrane(s). The modular component includes a filter assembly comprising filter element(s); and a purification region comprising a methanation catalyst bed or a reforming catalyst bed. The energy-consuming device comprises a heater, a motor vehicle, an appliance, a lighting assembly, communications equipment, signaling equipment, sea craft, or a dwelling.Preferred Function: The filter assembly removes particulate from the mixed gas stream. The purification region receives the hydrogen-rich stream and reduces the concentration of selected components of the hydrogen-rich stream to form a product hydrogen stream. The air delivery system delivers an air stream to the fuel processor or the heating assembly. The combustion chamber and the air delivery system selectively delivers the air stream to the combustion chamber to regulate the temperature of the combustion chamber. The separation region separates the mixed gas stream into the hydrogen-rich stream and the byproduct stream via a pressure-driven separation process. The hydrogen consuming device receives at least a portion of the product hydrogen stream from the fuel processor. The fuel cell stack receives at least a portion of the product hydrogen stream from the fuel processor and to produce an electric current.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The gas channels have a shape and a surface energy for wicking liquid water from a hydrophobic backing (2). In the water filled drain channel, a pressure is maintained at a level that is below than that of the gas channels. The hydrophilic surface of the gas distribution channels (4) are obtained by plasma treatment or plasma coating of the surface. The stack includes hydrophilic drain channel(s) that runs in a direction perpendicular to a plane of a proton conducting membrane (1) through the stack. The drain channels are located in a non-conducting area of a cell plate (3). All anode and cathode gas channels are connected to the drain channel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: An outermost end of the film is fixed by taping or heat-sealing. Each cathode of the full cell is an electrode coated with a cathodic material on both sides of a cathode current collector and each anode is an electrode coated with an anodic material on both sides of an anode current collector.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The separator film is a micro-porous polyethylene film, and/or a micro-porous polypropylene film; and a polymer film for polymer electrolyte of polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethylene oxide, polyacrylonitrile, or polyvinylidene fluoride hexafluoropropylene copolymer. The polymer film comprises a primary micro-porous polymer layer and a secondary gelling polymer layer of polyvinylidene fluoride-chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The carbon material consists of graphitic carbon. Preferred Properties: The atomic ratio in the preparation of precursor mixture, is 12 parts of carbon/atom of lithium or sodium, and 24 parts of carbon/atom of potassium. In the preparation of the second mixture, the atomic proportion of carbon to alkali metal is preferably 6-12 parts carbon/atom of lithium or sodium, and 8-24 parts of carbon/potassium atom. EXAMPLE - (In g) Graphite particulates (average particle size 5 mu) (20) were mixed with elemental potassium (2), heat-treated under argon atmosphere at 150degreesC for 8 hours under 5 tons/cm2 pressure, cooled to ambient temperature, and ground to fine powder. The obtained mixture was heat-treated, cooled, gradually added with pure methanol, and reacted in an inert environment, until no gassing was observed. The sample was washed with excess methanol and filtered, to remove any unreacted potassium from the partially potassium intercalated graphite material, to obtain potassium intercalated graphite composition (KC32+) precursor material. The precursor material was dried at 150degreesC under vacuum in argon atmosphere for 8 hours. The material (10) was made into 2 compacted discs between which potassium (4) was sandwiched, and as above was heat-treated, cooled and ground to fine powder. The powder was compacted under 5 tons/cm2 pressure, heat-treated, cooled, and stored for hydrogen uptake and release tests. The obtained composition sample was hydrogen dense absorbing-potassium intercalated graphite composition (KC8). The thermogravimetric test evaluation showed that the KC8 composition repeatedly adsorbed up to 33% of its weight of hydrogen and released 20% of its weight of hydrogen.
EXAMPLE - Styrene (in weight parts) (100), divinyl benzene (5), acrylonitrile (20), chloromethyl styrene (10), and styrene butadiene copolymer (10) with hydrogenation rate of 98%, dibutyl phthalate (20) and benzoyl peroxide (3) were applied to a cloth of a polyvinyl chloride, and polymerized at 100 degrees C. The filmy material obtained was immersed in a 1:1 mixture of concentrated sulfuric acid and chlorosulfonic acid at 40 degrees C. A cation type redox flow battery diaphragm was obtained. The diaphragm had an ion exchange capacity of 2.8 mmols/g and a thickness of 100 microns. The charging and discharging of diaphragm was performed at current density of 60 mA/cm2, using mixed solution of 2 mol/l vanadyl sulfate and 2 mol/l sulfuric acid as positive electrode liquid and mixed solution of 2 mol/l vanadium sulfate (V2(SO4)3) and 2 mol/l sulfuric acid as negative plate liquid. The diaphragm had excellent charging and discharging efficiency. The diaphragm was immersed in 0.2 mol/l vanadium sulfate at 60 degrees C. The diaphragm was found to have excellent durability.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Film: The ion electroconductive film is polymer consisting of fluoro resin structure and sulfonic acid. The polymer is polybenzimidazole derivative, polymer having amino group, polyaniline derivative, silanol containing polymer and hydroxyl group containing polymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The noncarbonaceous thermoplastic resin consists of a polyphenylene sulfide-based resin. The graphite coarse particles consist of aspherical amorphous particles. The separator is produced by molding a composition containing the graphite particles and the noncarbonaceous thermoplastic resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The catalytic metal source comprises pure platinum (Pt) and mixture of Pt and metal from gold, palladium, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium (Ru), tin, or molybdenum. The carbon source can be graphite or carbon rod.Preferred Composition: The catalytic metal loading per electrode area is 0.01-0.2 mg/cm2 for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell and 0.1-2 mg/cm2 for a direct methanol fuel cell. The coated catalytic metal is 20-85 wt.% based on the total weight of catalytic material and the carbon particles.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Component: The catalytic metal source can be alloy.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The catalytic metal source or carbon source is sputtered at a gas pressure of 10-1000 Pa with 100-400 W. The arc discharging is carried out at a gas pressure of 10-1000 Pa and a discharge current of at most 100 A. EXAMPLE - One side of Nafion 115 (proton exchange polymer membrane), adjacent to the anode was coated simultaneously with Pt/Ru alloy by direct current sputtering and with carbon by radio frequency sputtering at 300 W and the other side was coated with Pt and carbon by the same method to form catalyst layers on the proton exchange polymer membrane. The gas pressure as a total pressure of argon and helium was 100 Pa. The amount of coated Pt/plutonium alloy and Pt was 1.5 mg/cm2, and the amount of coated carbon was 0.375 mg/cm2. The particle size of the catalytic metals and the carbon particles was 5-10 nm. The amount of catalytic metal was 80 wt.% based on the total weight of catalytic metal and carbon particles.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: An underlying coating layer (62), which is formed from a base metal, is provided between the noble metal coating layer and the separator base material. Preferred Dimension: The noble metal coating layer and the underlying coating layer are each 0.01-10 microns thick.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The noble metal forming the noble metal coating layer is silver or gold.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The carbon coating layer includes an acid-resistant resin or rubber binder.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The hydrogen production step comprises a reforming step, a carbon monoxide shift reaction step, and a carbon monoxide selective oxidation step, respectively.During (VI), (II) is brought into counterflow contact with (VII) to enrich the concentration of methane, after which, the method further comprises a heat exchange step for heating (VII). This is achieved using waste heat generated when producing (IV), and/or the fuel cell power generating step. A further step is also included to regenerate (VII) by contacting the solution with the heat exchange step or a combustion exchange gas discharged from the hydrogen producing step. (VI) further comprises the step of bringing the gas after absorption into counterflow contact with water to eliminate any droplets of (VII) carried over in the gas. A controller for regulating the concentration of methane in the gas after (VI), to a certain value. Furthermore, a bio-desulfurization step is provided to biodegrade hydrogen sulfide contained in the off-gas produced from the regeneration step. A desulfurization step is also included where (II) is brought into counterflow contact with a desulfurizing solution containing an alkali chemical and a water-soluble oxidizing agent to oxidizing agent to absorb and oxidatively decompose hydrogen sulfide, which is then supplied to (VI). Preferred Temperature: The temperature of (VII) prior to the regeneration step is 2 degrees Centigrade (or less) to 10 degrees Centigrade lower than that of the stack cooling water in the fuel cell power regeneration step. The temperature of (VII) is 10 - 35 degrees Centigrade lower than (VII) prior to regeneration. The temperature of (VII) is higher than that of (I) by at least 2 degrees Centigrade.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - (V) comprises a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, or a phosphoric acid fuel cell. EXAMPLE - No suitable example was provided.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The separator film can be micro-porous polyethylene film, micro-porous polypropylene film, or multi-layer film, or a polymer film for polymer electrolyte of polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethylene oxide, polyacrylonitrile, or polyvinylidene fluoride hexafluoropropylene copolymer. The polymer film for polymer electrolyte comprises a primary micro-porous polymer layer and secondary gelling polymer layer of polyvinylidene fluoride chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: Each cathode of the full cell is an electrode coated with a cathodic material (14) on both sides of a cathode current collector, and each of an anode is an anode electrode coated with an anodic material (13) on both sides of an anode current collector.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The separator film can be micro-porous polyethylene film, micro-porous polypropylene film, or multi-layer film, or a polymer film for polymer electrolyte of polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethylene oxide, polyacrylonitrile, or polyvinylidene fluoride hexafluoropropylene copolymer. The polymer film for polymer electrolyte comprises a primary micro-porous polymer layer and secondary gelling polymer layer of polyvinylidene fluoride chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: Each cathode of the full cell is an electrode coated with a cathodic material (14) on both sides of a cathode current collector, and each of an anode is an anode electrode coated with an anodic material (13) on both sides of an anode current collector.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The organic compounds are DMO, EG, formic acid ester of EG, ethylene oxalate, and poly(ethylene oxalate). They can also be mixed with known fuels, preferably with methanol.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The cathode comprises an oxygen reduction catalyst and a fuel oxidation catalyst in a ratio of 1-50%, preferably 5-20%, (w/w). A thin hydrophobic porous matrix is placed in the anode compartment or in the fuel tank to release the carbon dioxide produced during the operation of the fuel cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The fuel oxidation catalyst is platinum-ruthenium, platinum-tin, platinum-ruthenium-tin, platinum-silver-ruthenium, and/or platinum-osmium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The anode side is in fluid connection to a fuel supply system comprising a reformer and a fuel gas supply line. A hydrogen storage device comprising a pressure vessel is in fluid connection with the cathode side or the fuel inlet.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The membrane electrode assembly comprises a sulfonated fluorocarbon polymer sandwiched on either side by a platinum based catalyst layer. It comprises a proton exchange membrane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The thermosetting resin molding material contains 10-35 wt.%, preferably 7-25 wt.% of thermosetting resin, 50-85 wt.% or 60-90 wt.% of graphite and 1-15 wt.% or 0.1-3 wt.% of polyvinyl butyral, and further contains 0.1-50 wt.% of acrylonitrilebutadiene rubber. The total amount of polyvinyl butyral and acrylonitrilebutadiene rubber, is 0.1-3 wt.%. The amount of combined acrylonitriles, is 30-45 mol%. Preferred Resin: The thermosetting resin is resol type phenol resin. Preferred Rubber: The acrylonitrilebutadiene rubber is cross-linking type acrylonitrilebutadiene rubber or carboxyl modified acrylonitrilebutadiene rubber. EXAMPLE - (In mass%) Phenol resin (21), mold release (2), polyvinyl butyral (2) of degree of polymerization 300 and butyral degree of 65 mol%, dimethylene ether type resol phenol resin (21) of number average molecular weight 700 and melting point 80degreesC, and stearic acid (75) as artificial graphite of mean particle diameter 120 mum and specific surface area 0.6 m2/g, were mixed in Henschel mixer. The phenol resin composition of particle diameter 100 mum or less, was obtained. The composition was melt-mixed using heating roll of 80degreesC, ground in the shape of granule, and the molding material was obtained. The compression molding of molding material was performed at die temperature of 170degreesC, compacting pressure of 200 kg and cycle time of 3 minutes. The molded product with magnitude of 300x300x2 mm was obtained. The molded product had rate of volume resistivity measured by JISK-7194 of 20 mohmsasteriskcm, bending strength measured by JISK-7203 of 70 MPa, curved amount of arcuation measured by JISK-7203 of 0.8 mm, and monohole fluidity measured by JISK-6911 of 35 g.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred System: A heat exchanger (9) is arranged between storage tank (8) and catalytic reactor. Heat exchange of hydrogenated aromatic compound, and of dehydrogenated product are performed in the heat exchanger. Hydrogen is supplied to the catalytic reactor through a valve and reverse reaction of dehydrogenation is increased by supplying hydrogen from this valve.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The dehydrogenation catalyst is chosen from platinum, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, iridium, nickel, cobalt, rhenium, vanadium, tungsten and molybdenum. The system comprises a catalyst support chosen from activated carbon, zeolite, titania, carbon nano tube, molecular sieve carbon, zirconia, mesoporous silica materials e.g FSM-16 MCM-41, alumina and silica. The hydrogen separator is silver-palladium film, zeolite film or porous silica glass film. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The hydrogenated aromatic compound is tricyclic, bicyclic or monocyclic components such as cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, dimethyl cyclohexane, 1,3,5-trimethyl cyclohexane, decalin, methyl decalin or tetra deca hydroanthracene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuels: The first group of fuels comprises hydrocarbons, especially higher alcohols, petrol, diesel, LPG and NG, excepting methanol and dimethyl ether. The second group comprises: methanol and dimethyl ether.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The aliphatic carbon chain is attached to carbon nanotubes by directly reacting carbon nanotubes with an amine or alkylaryl amine of formula (I) or (II). Alternately, carbon nanotubes are mixed with amine or alkylaryl amine of formula (I) or (II). The resultant mixture is heated at 50-200, preferably 60-100 degrees C, for at least 72 hours, and the aliphatic carbon chain is attached to carbon nanotubes.RNH2 (I)R1R2NH (II)R, R1, R2=(CH2)nCH3 or (C6H4)(CH2)mCH3;n=9-50; andm=5-50.Preferred Amine: The amine is octadecylamine. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The aliphatic carbon chain is nonylamine, dodecylamine, pentacosylamine, tetracontylamine, pentacontylamine, 4-pentylaniline, 4-dodecylaniline, 4-tetradocylaniline, 4-pentacosylaniline, 4-tetracontylaniline and 4-pentacontylaniline, preferably octadecylamine. The organic solvent is chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, trichlorobenzene, tetrahydrofuran, chloroform, methylene chloride, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, carbon disulfide, benzene, toluene, tetrachlorocarbon, pyridine, dichloroethane, diethyl ether, xylene, naphthalene, nitrobenzene and ether.    EXAMPLE - Single walled carbon nanotubes (0.192 g) were heated for 72 hours at 70 degrees C in octadecylamine (2.073 g). The black mixture was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran and filtered through a coarse filter paper. The filtrate was then dried under vacuum. The solid single walled carbon nanotubes with octadecylamine ligand was collected on a membrane filter, washed with ethanol and dried. The yield was 0.077 g.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Gas: The reactant gas stream comprises a fuel gas.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Liquid: The humidifying liquid stream is water.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The reactant gas stream is humidified by transporting water through a preparation membrane (410) (e.g., reverse osmosis membrane or dialysis membrane), which prevents contaminants (e.g., metal ions) in the water from passing into the reactant gas stream. During humidification, contaminants (e.g., nitrogen oxide and sulfur oxide compounds) are removed from the reactant gas stream. A second reactant gas stream (500) comprising an oxidant gas may further be humidified with the humidifying liquid stream (800) using a preparation membrane (310). Preferred Parameter: The reactant gas stream has a pressure that is 15% of the humidification liquid stream.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The methanol is free of any liquid acid electrolyte.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The fuel cell system further comprises a second water recovery unit connected to an output of the fuel cell stack. The first water recovery unit includes a carbon dioxide gas port.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: An inorganic oxide layer, a nitride layer or a fluoride layer is formed on the surface of the transparent resin film. The sodium diffusion preventing layer is formed on the sealing resin surface of the light transmitting member, and is formed of an inorganic oxide layer, a nitride layer or fluoride layer. The sodium diffusion preventing layer contains 5 weight% or less of sodium, and is formed by reforming a surface of the light transmitting member. EXAMPLE - A polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film (6) of a smaller water vapor transmission rate than that of EVA resin was inserted between the EVA resin sheets (3,4) formed between the front surface glass (20) and the solar cell element (1). The thickness of the PET film was more than 25 mm. The PET film functioned as a sodium diffusion preventing layer capable of preventing diffusion of sodium ions deposited from the front surface glass. The thickness of the EVA resin sheets was 0.2-0.6 mm. The above solar cell module comprised the EVA sheet (4), the PET film, and the EVA sheet (3) interposed in this order between the front surface glass and the solar cell elements. The EVA sheet (2) was integrated by heating it under a reduced pressure. The blocking of sodium ions deposited from the front surface glass in the solar cell module, and degradation of power generation performance of the solar cell elements were prevented by the PET film. Moisture-proof test of the module was performed and the water vapor transmission rate of the rear surface member was found to be 6.3 g/m2.day. It was found that the water proofness improved greatly as compared with the conventional structure. The rate of change in characteristics of the solar cell module was evaluated and was found that the characteristics of higher than 95% were maintained as compared with the initial characteristics.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: A precursor mixture containing a copper compound and a zinc compound is baked such that the copper and zinc compounds are converted to their oxides. An oxide of magnesium, silicon, cerium and/or gallium is added to the mixture and baked, to obtain the catalyst. A slurry-like mixture or a dry powder mixture is obtained from the precursor mixture containing copper and zinc compounds by coprecipitation. The precursor mixture containing copper and zinc compounds coexists with a boron compound, and the mixture is a copper inorganic acid salt aqueous solution and a copper alkali precipitation agent. Hydrogen is manufactured using zinc oxide and carbon dioxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The powdered silicon adhered to the rod-shaped silicon when pulling out from the molten silicon, is dissolved into the molten silicon by inserting the rod-shaped silicon again into the molten silicon. The solidified matter of powdered silicon, floating on the liquid level of molten silicon, is pushed into the molten silicon and dissolved by the rod-shaped or cylindrical-shaped silicon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred System: A control system is for measuring the reforming exit temperature, increasing or decreasing a first flow rate of the first air stream to achieve the reforming exit temperature at 500-700degreesC, measuring the flue gas temperature, and increasing or decreasing a second flow rate of the second air stream to heat the flue gas to a temperature of 500-800degreesC (500-700degreesC). Pre-reforming temperature is 300-700degreesC. EXAMPLE - A simulated system converted a natural gas stream at ambient temperature into electric power using a PEM fuel cell. The anode waste stream withdrawn from the fuel cell was the only source of fuel to heat the pre-reforming zone. The fuel processor was designed to produce 130 NL/mn hydrogen to be converted to 10 kW electricity from a fuel cell using 70% of the hydrogen per pass. Within the system, the exit temperature of the combined partial oxidation/reforming zone was maintained at 650degreesC and the temperature of the flue gas leaving the burner zone was maintained at 650degreesC by controlling the rate of the first and second air streams passed to the partial oxidation/reforming zone and the burner zone, respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The anion exchange filter has a layer consisting of the anion exchange polymer on the surface of a base material filter having a thickness of 10-5000 micron meters and a weight per area of 5-2500 g/m2.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The substrate comprises a base layer, a gas barrier layer of polyvinyl alcohol, and a top layer of hardened epoxy resin, especially of the bisphenol A, alicyclic or triglycidyl isocyanurate type. EXAMPLE - A substrate comprised a 2 microns base layer of ultraviolet-curable polyurethane resin, a 4 microns gas barrier layer of polyvinyl alcohol, and a 400 microns top layer of epoxy resin formed by curing a mixture of 400 parts by weight (pbw) 3,4-epoxycyclohexylmethyl 3,4-epoxycyclohexanecarboxylate, 500 pbw methylhexahydrophthalic anhydride, 15 pbw tetra-n-butylphosphonium O,O-diethyl phosphorodithioate, 9 pbw glycerol and 1 pbw silicone surfactant. The top layer had a surface roughness of 0.2 nm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Concentration: The concentration of water in (A) exceeds 5000, preferably 300, ppm. The concentration of methane in (A) exceeds 1000, preferably 300, ppm.Preferred Components: The components include water, methane and carbon monoxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - COMPUTING AND CONTROL - Preferred System: The control system includes at least one sensor to measure the concentration of components of the product hydrogen stream, and a controller in communication with the sensor to compare the concentrations with one or more threshold values. The threshold values are stored in a memory component of the control system. The controller further actuate the isolation assembly if the measured concentration of carbon monoxide exceeds 1, preferably 50, ppm. The isolation assembly includes at least one isolation valve to prevent flow of (A) to the fuel cell stack by diverting (A) to form a waste stream. The fuel processing assembly produce the product stream via at least one of steam reforming, electrolysis, pyrolysis, partial oxidation and autothermal reforming. The separation assembly includes a hydrogen-selective membrane, an absorbent bed and a catalytic reactor. The fuel processing system further includes a purification region to reduce the concentration of impurities in (A). The purification region includes a polishing catalyst bed and a reforming catalyst bed.Preferred Method: The method includes automatically shutting down the fuel processor if the measured concentration exceeds the determined threshold value. The method further includes automatically actuating the response system if the measured concentration exceeds the determined threshold value. The response system includes a user-notification device.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Hydrocarbon: The raw hydrocarbon is paraffin oil, naphtha and/or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Cell System: The gas containing hydrogen from steam reforming part is contacted with water vapor modification catalyst and heated. The high purity hydrogen is separated by absorption separation and/or inorganic hydrogen separation membrane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: A precursor mixture containing a copper compound and a zinc compound is baked such that the copper and zinc compounds are converted to their oxides. Another precursor containing zirconium oxide is added to the mixture and baked, to obtain the catalyst. A slurry-like mixture or a dry powder mixture is obtained from the precursor mixture containing copper and zinc compounds, by coprecipitation. The precursor mixture containing copper and zinc compounds coexists with a boron compound, and the mixture is a copper inorganic acid salt aqueous solution and a copper alkali precipitation agent. Hydrogen is manufactured using zinc oxide and carbon dioxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The catalyst is formed by baking a precursor mixture (formed by coprecipitation) comprising copper, zinc and aluminum compounds and converting into their respective oxides. The palladium and/or platinum component is obtained by baking a catalyst precursor comprising platinum and/or palladium and converting into their respective oxides.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: A benzene is removed from medium boiling point fraction by solvent extraction process.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Sensor: The apparatus comprises photosensor, pressure sensor, voltage and electric current sensor and flow rate sensor. The apparatus has a sensing control unit which controls the route of hydrogen gas passage way using a switch and a connection apparatus or an electric circuit switch. The hydrogen gas generated is used for apparatus such as hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen combustion turbine, hydrogen turbo engine, hydrogen storage apparatus and apparatus having a connector provided with a check valve, which on insertion or removal prevents flow of gas other than hydrogen gas from the exterior. Preferred Method: Surplus water used by hydrogen manufacturing apparatus is recovered from the apparatus and recycled.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The equipment has three or more injection parts (41A). One injection part (42A) injects gas or the liquid in a swirling manner only to the liquid fuel raw material injected from both ends of the other injection part (41A).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Resin: The thermosetting resin is resol type phenol resin. Acrylonitrile butadiene rubber is cross-linked or carboxy modified acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, having total acrylonitrile content of 30-45 mol%. EXAMPLE - (In weight%) Phenol resin (18), graphite (having mean particle diameter of 100 mum and specific surface area of 0.6 m2/g) (75), carboxy modified acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (5) PNC-38 and dimethyl ether type resol phenol resin (2) were mixed in Henschel mixer. The ground composition was then kneaded into pellets at 80degreesC and molding material was obtained. The molding material was compression molded, at die temperature of 170degreesC and pressure of 200 kg/cm2, thrice for 3 minutes and molded product was manufactured. The molded product was found to have volume resistivity of 20 mOMEGA.cm, bending strength of 75 MPa, fluidity of 40 g and curvature of 0.8 mm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The apparatus has mixed unit of inlet (I1) for introducing water and inlet (I2) for introducing hydrocarbon liquid gas. A cooling unit connecting I1 and injector, for cooling arc reaction chamber and electrode holder is provided. A flow rate adjustment unit is provided in I2, and between injector and mixed unit. A steam generation unit arranged by the electrode holder is connected with cooling unit. A micro arc forming material equipped with high melting point granule is filled inside arc reaction chamber equipped with three phase alternate current electrode. The micro arc is performed on crack between the granules. The electrical supply unit is three phase alternator. The apparatus has front cover fixed to housing, and rapid cooling unit covering the front cover. A ground electrode is arranged by the edge portion of arc reaction chamber, and arc is generated between the electrode and ground electrode.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Granule: The granule comprises 1:1.5-1.5:1 of conductive granule and non-conductive granule. The granule is obtained from high melting point solid shaped catalyst of titanium oxide group catalyst, iron oxide group catalyst or silicon oxide group catalyst. The non-conductive granule is obtained from silicon oxide group catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Arrangement: The apparatus has a mixing unit which has inlet (I) for introducing water, and inlet (II) for introducing gas fuel and water. A cooling route unit (38) is provided between inlet (I) and injector, for cooling at least one of the arc reaction chamber and electrode holder. The inlet (II) is equipped with a flow regulating valve (66) provided between injector and mixing unit for gas fuels. A neutral electrode (23) arranged in the edge portion of chamber (76) generates an arc between three-phase alternating current electrode and neutral electrode. The electrical supplier supplies electricity from three-phase alternator. A front cover fixed to the housing unit has a quenching chamber (88). A micro arc formation material (78) arranged in the arc reaction chamber has a granule with high melting point, and micro arc is formed on the crack between granules. The granule is formed from an electrode material. The mixed ratio of granular conductor to that of granular non-conductor is 1:1.5-1.5:1. The electrode consists of three-phase alternate current electrode.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The apparatus consists of solid-shaped catalyst selected from granules of titanium oxide group catalyst, iron oxide group catalyst, and silicon oxide group catalyst, with high melting point. The granular non-conductor is formed from silicon oxide group catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Property: The SiO powder has grain size of 1 mm or less.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The melting crucible radius (r) in cm and whirl dissolution number (R), satisfies the relation (2000/r) 1/2 at most R at most (200000/r)1/2. An obstruction which disturbs the steady gyration of the molten silicon, is provided in the crucible wall.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The particles comprise a mixture of graphite particles and other electroconductive particles. The contact element(s) is bipolar plate (8) confronting the anode of one cell and cathode of another cell while separating the adjacent cells from each other. The coating is electrophoretically deposited to the substrate from a suspension of particles in an aqueous solution of acid-solubilized polymer. The first substrate comprises a first acid soluble metal layer, and second acid-insoluble passivating metal layer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The particles can be gold, platinum, nickel, palladium, rhodium, niobium, chromium-alloyed titanium, nickel-alloyed titanium, titanium carbide, titanium nitride, titanium diboride, rare earth metal, preferably carbon or graphite. The other electrically conductive particles can be Au, Pt, C, Ni, Pd, Rh, Nb, TiC, TiN, titanium diboride, chromium-alloyed titanium, nickel-alloyed titanium, rare earth metal, or carbon black. The substrate can be titanium, stainless steel, or aluminum.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The polymer matrix can be epoxies, silicones, polyamide-imides, polyether-imides, polyphenols, fluoro-elastomers, polyesters, phenoxy-phenolics, epoxide-phenolics, acrylics or urethanes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Features: The specific surface continuously increases. The cooling gaps are divided into several regions in the flow direction from the inlet to the outlet, where the specific surface in each region exceeds the specific surface in the previous region.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The substrate of the plate is a metal selected from titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zirconium, niobium, silver, platinum, tantalum, lead, aluminum or alloys of these. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The electrocatalytically active material further comprises in addition to ruthenium oxide, at least one of platinum oxide, antimony trioxide, tantalum pentoxide, palladium oxide, cerium dioxide, cobalt oxide, titania, tin dioxide and iridium dioxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: 0.5-4 times more of oxygen with respect to CO is contained in hydrogen containing gas. The hydrogen containing gas is contacted with the catalyst at 20-120 degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The oxygen removal catalyst is provided on a support and it comprises platinum, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, manganese, vanadium, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, ruthenium, rhodium, iridium, silver, gold and/or palladium. The support consists of alumina, titania, zirconia, silica and/or carbon. Preferably, selective oxidation removal of carbon monoxide is performed using a catalyst containing ruthenium or alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal, on a support containing titania and alumina. The hydrogen containing gas is obtained by reforming or performing partial oxidation of raw material for hydrogen production.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Substances: The titanium dioxide semiconductor contains 0.1-2 micromol/g of chromium or vanadium, as impurities and molybdenum. Titania microparticles have a grain size of 20-2000 nm.Preferred Process: Pure chromium, vanadium, chromium trioxide or vanadium oxide is added to titania microparticles. Molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) is added as sintering auxiliary agent to titania microparticle. A resin binder is added to titania resin binder to form a raw material compound from which the resin binder is removed subsequently. The titania fine powder is then sintered at below 900 degrees C to manufacture titanium dioxide semiconductor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The oligopyrrole consists of a compound of formula (I).X1, X2 = H, optionally substituted 1-24C alkyl, aryl, or -OR1;R1, Z1 = H, or 1-24C alkyl;Y1, Y2 = H, optionally substituted 1-24C alkyl, aryl, or aromatic amino; andn = 2-50.X1, X2 and may form a ring.An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is also included for a solar battery using the opto-electric conversion element. The oligopyrrole compound used in the battery is of formula (Ia).Ya, Yb = optionally substituted 4-18C straight chain alkyl; andq = 3-50.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Vaporizer: The vaporizer also has means of: (a) reducing the partial pressure of the medium to be vaporized to less than the saturation vapor pressure at a given temperature, especially a pump; (b) dosed introduction of air, inert gas and/of cathode waste gas; and (c) recycling a reformate. Alternatively, the unit can be operated at a temperature above the boiling point of the medium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preparation: Preparation comprises treating and drying (a) nitrate of ruthenium on the carrier and/or (b) an alkaline earth metal compound, sintering and reducing. The inorganic oxide carrier is alumina or alumina-titania mixture which has a fine pore radius of 100 Angstrom or lower. The alumina has a maximum fine pore radius distribution at 60 Angstrom or lower. The method is applied in fuel battery gas containing hydrogen. EXAMPLE - 2cc Ru nitrate solution having a Ru content of 50 g/l was added water based on the water absorption of alumina carrier. 10 g gamma-alumina powder having a max fine pore distribution at radius of 19 Angstrom was impregnated in the above solution and dried at 120 degrees C for 2 hours. The amount of Ru carried was 1.0 wt.%. 1 cc of the catalyst was filled in a micro-reactor to treat a gas mixture containing 0.6(all vol.)% CO, 0.6% O2, 2.4% N2, 15 % CO2, 20% H2O, and 61.4% H2. The concentration of CO at the exit was 1 ppm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The heat exchanger fluid conduit includes tubes which are connected to a coolant source. The tubes which closest to the coolant source are the coldest tubes, and are positioned closest to the fuel inlet manifold. The assembly further includes an external selective oxidizer bed residing outside the fuel inlet manifold. It also has an output plenum which is connected to the internal selective oxidizer bed. It also includes a selective oxidation catalyst and a heat exchanger fluid conduit routed through the catalyst. Another temperature sensor is provided in the external selective oxidizer bed in connection to the heat exchange fluid conduit.Preferred Catalyst: The selective oxidation catalyst is catalyzed open cell foam or catalyzed heat exchanger fins.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The polymer used for reinforcement is polyethylene or polyvinylidene fluoride.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Method: The method further comprises applying an inorganic layer (104) on a surface of the structure, and a second inorganic layer on the deposition material (106) and any exposed portions of the polymer precursor. The inorganic layer is transparent and the composite structure is opaque to actinic radiation. The layer and the structure contrast to form a proofing sheet. The deposition material does not fully cover the first surface to form a continuous layer and an intermittent pattern exposed on the surface. The polymer precursor and the filler material are deposited as a vapor or a liquid. The polymer precursor is cured by crosslinking to form a matrix.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The polymer precursor is an acrylic polymer combined with a multifunctional acrylate monomer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Product: The molar ratio of oxygen and carbon is 0.01-0.1. The molar (S/C) ratio of water vapor (S) and carbon originating from hydrocarbon is 2-3, during steam reforming. The inlet temperature of the water vapor modification catalyst layer which performs steam reforming is 630 degrees C or less.Preferred Hydrocarbon: 50 vol.% or more of the hydrocarbon fraction has a boiling point of 40 degrees C or more. 90 vol.% or more of the hydrocarbon fraction has boiling point of 140-270 degrees C. The sulfur content of the hydrocarbon is 1 weight ppm or less.Preferred Catalyst: The steam reforming is performed in the presence of a water vapor modification catalyst containing ruthenium, zirconium, cobalt and/or magnesium. The water vapor modification catalyst contains zirconia or alpha-alumina as a carrier.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The oxygen-rich gas is oxygen enrichment gas converted from air.Preferred Apparatus: The oxygen and nitrogen separator contains a separation membrane. The modification catalyst layer is filled with copper and zinc-type catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Arrangement: A water vapor inlet (28) which supplies water vapor to carbon monoxide formed during oxidation reaction of a fuel is provided. A secondary catalyst layer (23) which activates the water gas shift reaction of carbon monoxide is provided below the primary catalyst layer. The hydrogen permeation film is formed as a cylindrical inner tube (20) so that a gas flow path for introducing water vapor and ejecting hydrogen is formed. An outer tube (21) is provided around the inner tube, such that the catalyst layers are formed between the outer tube and inner tube. The hydrogen formation device is provided with an oxidation device which carries out partial oxidation of carbon monoxide contained in the exhaust gas after removing hydrogen.Preferred Composition: The hydrogen permeation film is formed from inorganic porous material or is covered with non-porous film comprising palladium, ruthenium, platinum, rhodium or iridium (preferably, palladium or palladium-silver alloy). The primary catalyst layer contains rhodium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The (metha)acrylate has formula :R1 = H or CH3;R2 = H, CH3, CH2Cl;n = integer of 1-6The vinyl monomers are (metha)acrylic acid, (metha)acrylate, (metha)acrylonitrile, styrene, alkylvinylether, alkylvinylester, perfluoroalkylvinylether, perfluoroalkylvinylester, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, or (phenyl)maleimide. A proton-conductive solid polymer electrolyte comprises the new polymer. The solid polymer electrolyte is given by dissolving the new polymer in a solvent; then casting the resultant solution into films. Fuel cells comprise the new solid polymer electrolyte. EXAMPLE - A polymer solution was prepared by dropping a solution containing 8.5 g of Phosmer PP (RTM)(Acid.Phosphoxy.Polypropylene.Glycol.Methacrylate, Unichemical Corp.), 5 g MEK (methylethylketone), and 100 mg AIBN to 12 g MEK purged with N2, heated at 80 degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Hydrogen Occlusion Alloy: The hydrogen occlusion alloy is a rare earth group AB5 type alloy treated with liquid or gas containing fluorine or fluorine compound. In AB5 type alloy, A site is substituted by lanthanum or Mm (sic), and B site is substituted by nickel, aluminum, manganese or cobalt.Preferred Gas: The gas containing hydrogen and CO is a reformed gas formed by water vapor reformation of hydrocarbon gas or by partial combustion of hydrocarbon gas.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The external surfaces of the cladding layers have ridges (12) and channels (14) flow fields.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The core layer is made of aluminum. The opposite surfaces are treated by electroless deposition of nickel, surface zincating, or nickel electroplating.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Mould: The flash reservoir cavity is provided by digging on a surface of one mould along which the mould contacts with another so that it surrounds the fuel cell molding cavity. A seal (14) is provided around the flash reservoir. The mould is used with a press machine.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The porous flow field comprises a three-dimensional reticulated metal structure. It further comprises a protecting layer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The reticulated metal structure includes porous copper, porous nickel, porous aluminum, porous titanium, or porous aluminum-titanium alloy (preferably porous nickel). The protecting layer includes a metal or metal oxide comprising tin, copper, nickel, aluminum, titanium, gold, ruthenium oxide, titanium oxide, or tin oxide (preferably tin oxide). The tin oxide is 1-5mum (preferably 1-2mum) thick. The intermediate layer includes high surface area carbon particles.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The intermediate layer also includes a polymer including polytetrafluoroethylene, perfluoroethylene- perfluoropropylene copolymer, perfluoroalkyl, or polyvinylidene fluoride. The electrode includes a polymer electrolyte and an electrocatalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The system also includes a combustor, a first heater for heating the reforming fuel, a second heater for heating the oxidizing agent, a third heater in which a catalyst is held in an entrance of the reformer, a carbon monoxide remover for oxidizing carbon monoxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The methanol reforming catalyst further comprises two catalyst portions. The first catalytic component is mainly contained in the first catalytic portion, and the second catalytic component is mainly contained in the second catalytic portion. SPECIFIC MATERIALS - The metal oxide consists of alumina, cerium oxide, zirconia, silica, titania, magnesia, zinc oxide, gallium oxide, or indium oxide. The second catalytic component contains palladium, zinc oxide, cerium oxide, or zirconia.    EXAMPLE - A slurry was prepared by mixing copper/zinc oxide based methanol reforming catalyst (100 g) and nitric acid alumina sol (100 g). The slurry was coated on a ceramic monolithic substrate, dried at 150 degreesC for 10 minutes, and burned in air at 400 degreesC to obtain the first catalyst layer. A palladium nitride aqueous solution was sprayed onto zinc oxide, dried, and burned to prepare the catalyst powder. The catalyst powder (100 g) was mixed with nitric acid alumina sol (100 g). The mixture was coated on the first catalytic layer, dried at 150 degreesC for 10 minutes, and burned in air at 400 degreesC to form the second catalyst layer. The first catalytic layer contained copper oxide and zinc oxide, and the second catalytic layer contained palladium and zinc oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The fuel in-feed includes a regulating fuel valve (40) and the liquid water in-feed includes a regulating valve. The valve can be regulated electromagnetically, hydraulically, or pneumatically, and includes a spray insert, in particular a swirl insert (42) or a multiple-hole insert (50). The fuel valve in the region of the valve seat includes a water cooling mechanism (38) having a switching valve or proportional valve at its outlet. The liquid water in-feed is integrated with the water cooling mechanism. The water cooling mechanism in the region of the liquid water in-feed in the inlet has a switching valve, an adjustable throttle valve, a clocking valve, a metering pump, or a proportional valve for setting a water pressure. A diaphragm spring element is seated sealingly, up to a predetermined water pressure, in front of an outlet opening of the reactor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Method: The ionic conductance rate is measured with two 900 ml compartments between which the membrane is placed, where the exposed surface of the membrane is 7.07 in2. One compartment is filled with 1M sodium chloride solution and the other, the permeate compartment, is filled with pure distilled water. Both compartments are stirred continuously at the same speed and the conductance of the permeate compartment is recorded every 5 minutes for 1 hour. The ionic conduction rate is determined by taking an average slope of a graph of conductance of the permeate compartment over time.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Structure: Modification unit is provided along outer side of combustion gas flow path. A high radiation heat transfer unit (14) is fixed to wall surface of combustion gas flow path opposing heating surface of modification unit. The modification unit is equipped with unit for introducing outer air. The air introduced is passed into heat exchanger configured in combustion unit, and is made to exchanges heat generated by combustion gas.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Container: The aggregate of hydrogen occlusion carbon fiber has an apparent density of 65% or less of true density.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The apparatus has mixed unit of inlet (I1) for introducing water and inlet (I2) for introducing fuel gas. A cooling unit connecting I1 and injector, for cooling arc reaction chamber and electrode holder is provided. A flow rate adjustment unit is provided in I2, and between injector and mixed unit. A steam generation unit arranged by the electrode holder is connected with cooling unit. A micro arc forming material equipped with high melting point granule, is filled inside the space of arc reaction chamber left with three phase alternate current tubular shaped electrode. The micro arc is performed on crack between the granules. The electrode (E1) consists of tubular shape anode. The electrode (E2) is supported by electrode holder and consists of tubular shape anode and concentric cathode assembly. The electrical supply unit is a three phase alternator.Preferred Composition: The granule comprises 1:1.5-1.5:1 of conductive and non-conductive granules.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The fire resistant material is tetrafluoro ethylene-hexafluoro propylene-vinylidene fluoride (THV) of tetrafluoro ethylene-ethylene copolymer (ETFE). THV is in inner surface and ETFE is in outer surface. Preferred Property: The thickness of THV is 150-400 mum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Solution: The poly silazane solution is solution of per hydro poly silazane which does not contain metal group catalyst. Preferred Property: The silicon dioxide has film thickness of 0.2 mum or more. EXAMPLE - 20 weight% of xylene solution of organic polymer silazane was coated on polyethylene naphthalate film (base material) at a thickness of 75 mum by spin coating method. Evaporation drying of the solution was carried out using hot air of 100degreesC and processed film was formed on base material. The base material was left for 10 minutes in heating chamber containing air at 160degreesC, and in water vapor at 95degreesC for 7 minutes. The processed film was exposed for 5 minutes in the atmosphere of steam of triethylene aqueous solution heated to 50degreesC. The dried processed film on base material was analyzed. The film thickness was 1.2 mum. Generation of crack and peeling was not observed on the film surface.
EXAMPLE - In an EMBODIMENT homogenization of the material is used to compensate for inhomogeneity of the catalyst. The free active cross-section of the reaction chamber is increased as the catalyst ages by altering the geometry of the piston mounting. The reaction chamber has porous walls containing catalyst. The porous material is especially a metallic fleece. Alternatively it is divided into reaction channels (22) containing catalyst. The catalytic material has a gradient of activity along the direction of motion of the piston such that its activity increases as more material flows through the reactor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The char in the shaft kiln is heated by supplying electricity from thermo-electric current generating element (20) or wind power machine (18). The electric power is generated in the element (20) by using waste heat of refuse incineration.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Conductor: x is more than 0 (preferably not more than 0.8) and y = 0. The ion conductor substantially conducts protons.y is more than 0, x is more than 0 and the ion conductor is a substantially single-phase polycrystal of cubic, tetragonal or orthorhombic crystal system whose unit cell axes a, b and c (with a at least b at least c) satisfy 0.8386 nm less than a less than 0.8916 nm and b/a at least 0.90.The ion conductor is a substantially single-phase sintered product with a density of at least 96 % of the theoretical density. The ion conductor is a substantially single-phase sintered product with granular diameter of at least 1 micron and not more than 30 microns. Preferred Definitions:    M = at least one element selected from lanthanum, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, yttrium, scandium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, aluminum, gallium and indium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalysts: The metal nitrides and/or carbides are formed in situ on chemically or mechanically activated surfaces of the storage material by contact with carbon and/or nitrogen. The catalysts are or contain (mixed) nitrides and/or (mixed) carbides or are oxynitrides and/or oxycarbides of magnesium, aluminum, silicon, calcium, scandium, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, yttrium, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, tin, lanthanum, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten or rare earths.Preferred Materials: The catalyst and/or storage material have nanocrystalline structure. It is milled with the storage material and/or the hydride and preferably is added only after the storage material and/or the hydride has been ground for a predetermined time. EXAMPLE - 35.4 g magnesium hydride (MgH2) and 4.6 g vanadium nitride (VN), in 19:1 molar ratio, were ball milled under argon for 200 hours. After charging for 120 seconds at a pressure of 150 psi and various temperature, the hydrogen content was 5.3 wt.% at 300 degrees C, 3.0 wt.% at 200 degrees C and 0.6 wt.% at 100 degrees C. Desorption of the hydrogen in vacuo took 300 seconds at 300 degrees C and 600 seconds at 250 degrees C. If no VN was added, no hydrogen was adsorbed at 100 degrees C and no significant dehydrogenation occurred at 250 degrees C.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The water (vapor) is saturated by evaporating water, with heat of reformed gas which passed through the selective oxidation part, or heat of combustion gas which supplied the heat energy of water vapor modification reaction to the reforming part. The saturated water (vapor) is heated using heat of reformed gas, before introducing as water component into reforming part. The resultant water vapor is introduced into the shift reaction part.
EXAMPLE - A mixture of artificial graphite powder (100 pts., average particle size: 110 microns) and kish graphite powder (100 pts., average particle size: 12 microns), epoxy resin (16.25 pts.), and other additives (9 pts.) were kneaded and ground. The ground product having average particle size of 16 microns was press molded to prepare moldings having specific resistance of 0.0096 ohm cm as opposed to 0.03 ohm cm prepared in the case where the kneaded prod. was not ground.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred material: (B) are Si compounds.Preferred property: The polymer composition has storage modulus at 150 degreesC of at least 1,000 Pa and total transmissivity of at least 90 %. EXAMPLE - Ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer (95 parts, refractive index : 1.50, methacrylic acid content: 15 wt. %) and SiO2 (5 parts, refractive index: 1.46) were kneaded and press molded to prepare a sheet. It had (1) storage modulus at 150 degreesC of 6.0 x 103 Pa and (2) total transmissivity of 92.8 %. In a comparative example where the SiO2 was replaced by Al borate whisker, the sheet had(1) 9.0 x 103 Pa and (2) 83.5 %.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Cell: Several fuel cells are used, preferably in a stack. The fuel cell is liquid-fed and produces a gaseous reaction product, which provides (part of) a protective gas source during welding. Indirect and/or direct fuel cells are used. The welding circuit amplifies the voltage of the energy source and preferably comprises a first circuit for supplying a transition current and a second for supplying a melting current. Preferred Process: The welding circuit (partly) controls the wave form of the current flowing through the electrodes.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The anode consists of an alloy of platinum (Pt) with ruthenium (Ru), tin (Sn), iridium (Ir), osmium (Os) or rhenium (Re) or a mixture of these. A platinum cathode is used. The proton-conducting polymer membrane contains catalyst(s) comprising metal(s) selected from Ir, molybdenum (Mo), niobium (Nb), Os, Pt, Re, Ru, Sn, titanium (Ti), tungsten (W) and/or zirconium (Zr) and/or oxides selected from RuO2, SnO2 and/or WO3.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The organic maintenance agent (fuel) is methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid, di- and/or tri-methoxymethane and/or trioxane. The gaseous reaction product is a carbon compound, especially carbon monoxide and/or carbon dioxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymers: The proton-conducting membrane consists of a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluorinated sulfonic acid, perfluorinated sulfonic acid polymer and/or polyhydrocarbon-sulfonic acid. The cell may have not less than 2 membranes of different composition.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials The inert solvent is preferably from 5-15C hydrocarbons liquid at below 25 degrees C, particularly dichloromethane. The anhydride is from those of aliphatic and aromatic mono- and di-carboxylic acids and cycloaliphatic acids, particularly acetic or trifluoroacetic anhydride. The sulfonation agent is oleum or chlorosulfonic acid.Preferred Process Reaction is at below 10, preferably below 5 degrees C, for below 6 hours. EXAMPLE - A product of degree of sulfonation 96% was prepared by reacting 200 ml 97% H2SO4, 220 ml oleum, 80 g PES, 16 ml chlorosulfonic acid and 18 ml acetic anhydride in 100 ml dichloromethane for 4 hours at below 0 degrees C.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Separator: The resin is a phenol resin cured material, especially a phenol resin cured material which is cured by ring opening polymerization.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Separator: The conductor is a powder conductor of average particle size at least 25 mum. Specific conductor is swellable graphite powder having a sulfate ion concentration of at most 500 ppm. The separator has the shape of a flat plate with ribs attached. The height of the ribs is at least 0.3 mm (at least 0.6 mm). The ratio (A/B) of the height (A) of the ribs and the thickness (B) of the plate is at least 0.5. The ribs are arranged on one or both surfaces of the plate. The average thickness of the plate is 0.25-2.0 mm. The ribs have a taper of 2-30 degrees. The separator has a bending strength of at least 30 MPa. The conductor can comprise carbon fibres and swellable graphite. EXAMPLE - Phenol (1.9 kg), formalin (1.0 kg) and oxalic acid (4 g) were introduced into a flask and refluxed for 6 hours to give a phenol novolac resin after removing unreacted phenol and water. The phenol novolac resin (1.7 kg) is mixed with aniline (0.93 kg) and stirred for 5 hours at 80 degrees C to give a uniform mixed solution. Formalin (1.62 kg) is added to a flask and heated to 90 degrees C and the mixed liquid is added over 30 minutes. After the addition, reflux is maintained for 30 minutes. After removing condensed water, at least 71 mol.% of the hydroxy groups are formed into dihydrobenzoxazine to give a resin having a dihydrobenzoxazine ring used to produce the separator.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The anode electrode is positioned below the interface of the aquatic sediment and the seawater. The cathode electrode is positioned parallel, at an angle, or over the anode electrode. The anode is lower in voltage than the cathode.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The electrodes comprise platinum (preferably platinum mesh), gold (preferably gold mesh), copper foil, silver foil, graphite felt, or carbon fibers contained within fiber glass netting.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The content of (C) is 0.01-5 pts.wt. per 100 pts.wt. (A). The content of (D) is 0.01-5 pts.wt. per 100 pts.wt. (A). The content of (B) is at most 5 pts.wt. per 100 pts.wt. (A). The composition also contains a silane coupling agent (especially 0.01-10 pts.wt. per 100 pts.wt. (A)). The composition also contains a (meth)acrylic acid ester and/or allyl group-containing compound (especially 0.1-10 pts.wt. per 100 pts.wt. (A)). (A) has 5-50 wt.% vinyl acetate content.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: (C) is N-nitrosophenyl hydroxylamine ammonium salt and/or hydroquinone. (D) is at least one from chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, mercaptans and styrene dimer. (B) is an organic peroxide or photosensitizer. EXAMPLE - 100 pts.wt. ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (vinyl acetate content = 26 wt.%; melt index = 4), 1 pt.wt. dicumyl peroxide and 0.5 pt.wt. approximately g-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane and 0.02 pt.wt. carbon tetrachloride were mixed, extrusion molded into a 0.4 mm thick sheet and heated at 120 degreesC for 10 min. A solar cell module was placed between two of these sheets, and this was sandwiched between a glass plate and a stainless steel sheet (pre-washed and dried), then vacuum-laminated at 100 degreesC and cured at 150 degreesC for 30 min, to give a strongly bonded glass-solar module-stainless steel structure. The sealing had no residual air bubbles, was of high quality and had high adhesive strength.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Method: The fugitive electrically conductive material homogenizes an electric field distribution around the pores. It evaporates, dissociates, and sublimes at at most1250degreesC. It is deposited on the substrate by sputtering, chemical vapor deposition or evaporation. The method further comprises sintering the particle layered substrate at 1200-1400degreesC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The fugitive electrically conductive material is graphite. The substrate comprises a composition consisting of LaMnO3 and Ni-YSZ. The particles are zirconium oxide-yttrium oxide, BaCeO3-calcium oxide, BaCeO3-gadolinium oxide, cerium oxide-samarium oxide, zirconium oxide-calcium oxide, or zirconium oxide-magnesium oxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The liquid medium is acetic acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The fuel cell is equipped with a casing comprising elimination gas passageways adjoined to water vapor collection routes through water-permeable films, gas introduction port provided to upperstream side of elimination gas passageway, cathode gas receptacle succeeding gas introduction port, another gas introduction port provided to upperstream side of water vapor collection route. Gas receptacles are provided to downstream side of elimination gas passageways. An air inlet is provided to the upstream side of water vapor collection route. A water discharge port is provided to the downstream side of water vapor collection route succeeding the gas flow in opening of the cathode (15). An air blower (45) is connected to the downstream side of water vapor outlets (27b,74) or suction side of a compressor. The gas introduction port is provided, so that a cathode exhaust gas or anode exhaust gas of a fuel cell is introduced. The water vapor outlets are provided, so that water vapor is supplied to cathode (15) of fuel cell with supply of air. The humidification apparatus has modifier where original fuel supplied is modified using the water vapor supplied through water vapor outlet. The modified fuel is supplied to fuel cell. The water vapor is supplied to fuel cell in advance of operating fuel system (1). The water vapor outlet is provided, so that water vapor is supplied to an anode (16) of fuel cell with respect to modifier. Water vapor is supplied to sweep gas in membrane type hydrogen formation device (10) in which hydrogen is formed. The formed hydrogen is supplied to the fuel cell. Preferred Film: The film (35) consist of thermally conductive permeable film. The water vapor permeable films (34,35) are polymeric films or inorganic films.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Amount: The amount of unsaturated carboxylic acid content is 4 wt.% or more. Preferred Properties: The ethylene-unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer or its ionomer blend has a melting point of 80degreesC or more. The storage modulus of the solar battery element at 150degreesC is 103 Pa or more.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred (A): triazine moiety-containing polymer with Mn 5,000-1,000,000: 44 repeat units are exemplified in the text.Preferred (B): one or more of phosphoric acid, its ester(s), sulfuric acid or its ester(s): optimally phosphoric acid, diphenyl phosphate, dibenzyl phosphate.Preferred Composition of (I): (I) is composed of (A) and (B), molar ratio of (B) to nitrogen in (A) is 0.1-10 (0.2-5).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The sealing material is a copolymer of unsaturated fatty acid and ethylene. The unsaturated fatty acid is acrylic acid or methacrylic acid. The content of unsaturated fatty acid in the sealing material is 5-30 weight percent. The surface member and sealing material is adhered by plasma process or corona treatment. EXAMPLE - Ethylene-methacrylate copolymer and ethylene-tetrafluoro ethylene copolymer were laminated on photovoltaic cell as sealing material and surface member. Further Teflon coat fiber sheet and silicon rubber sheet were laminated to form solar battery module. The needle insertion peak temperature of the sealing material resin was 90degreesC. The solar battery module had excellent creep resistance property and weather resistance property.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The hydrocarbon used is methanol.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The supply of heat energy in the first heat-exchanger is by catalytic combustion of the off-gas from the fuel cell and/or of additional fuel, the combustion in the second or later heat-exchanger being in countercurrent mode. Alternatively, the combustion is in a pre-combustion device (10) giving almost complete oxidation of the off-gas from the fuel cell and/or of the additional fuel. An after-burner can also be used between the heat-exchangers (3,4). One of the heat-exchangers is of significantly smaller mass than the other. The valve distributor is a proportionating valve or a 2- or 3-way tap. The flow of the hydrocarbon or a hydrocarbon/water mixture is controlled in relation to the temperature by valve or by a dosing device (5).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Device: The cooling layers, in combination, are the anodic and/or cathodic electrodes or gas diffusion layers, and the separator plates. They have a channel structure provided with gas channels within the active section area. The active section area is rectangular is shape, and has a length (16) exceeding the width by a factor of at least1.5 (preferably 2.5-3.5). The material of the cooling layers has a larger specific heat conductivity parallel to the plane of each of fuel cell than orthogonal to that plane. The device further comprises a blower for generating an enforced airflow traversing over the cooling fin areas. The airflow is supported by the dynamic and/or static pressure of the ambient air with respect to a moving vehicle.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The material of the cooling layers is a foil made of expanded graphite. It has a metal core that is covered by a carbon-polymer layer. The graphite contains distributed soot.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Diaphragm: The polyolefin type porous film has weight average molecular weight of 100000-450000. EXAMPLE - A mixture of 60 parts styrene, 40 parts divinyl benzene, 15 parts acetyl tributyl citrate and 5 parts t-butyl peroxyethyl hexanoate were mixed and 400 g of the obtained monomer mixture was added to a 500 ml glass ware. A polyethylene porous film of weight average molecular weight 350000, thickness 25 mu, average pore diameter 0.5mu, porosity 45% and dimension 20 cmasterisk20 cm was immersed in the mixture. The glass ware was subjected to decompression for 10 minutes and evacuated to a pressure of 0.7 kPa. After returning to normal pressure, the film was taken out and heated at 80degreesC for 5 hours under 3 kg/cm2 nitrogen pressure application. The obtained membrane was immersed in 98% 1:1 mixture of concentrated sulfuric acid and chloro sulfonic acid with purity of 90% or more for 45 minutes at 40degreesC. A sulfonic acid type cation exchange membrane was obtained. The membrane had film thickness of 30 mum, cation exchange capacity of 1.1 mmol/g, moisture content of 46%, electrical resistance of 0.05 OMEGAasteriskcm2, gas permeability coefficient of 1.5x108 cm3 (STP).cm.cm-2.seconds-1.cm. Hg-1, fuel cell output voltage of 0.62 V and excellent heat resistance (contraction rate of 10.3%).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: Ultra-high molecular weight fluororesins are polytetrafluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoroethylene copolymer or tetrafluoroethylene/perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer. EXAMPLE - Fluororesin particle of ultra-high molecular weight of 10000000 or more was dispersed in a solution along with catalyst particle and stirred. A surfactant is added and ultrasonic wave was impressed such that uniform dispersion was attained. A coagulant was added to the solution, an aggregate was formed and was subjected to rolling process. After rolling the sheet obtained was pressed with porous carbon base material. The sheet obtained was subjected to heat treating near the melting point of fluororesin, an electrode was formed and fuel cell was composed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Arrangement: The baffle plate arranged in the catalyst layer is movable along the horizontal direction. The distance between the baffle plates is small at the gas outlet side of the catalyst layer and large at the gas entrance side of the catalyst layer.Preferred Material: The upper portion of the catalyst layer has a cushioning material for filling the space produced by subsidence of the catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Stilbene Derivatives: The stilbene derivative is typically of formula (I).R1-R24 = optionally substituted alkyl, alkoxy, aryl or aralkyl, H or nitro;R25, R26 = vinylene;at least one combination of (Rn and Rn+5) or (Rm and Rm+2) = different substituents mutually;at least two substituents in each group of R1-R5, R6-R10, R11-R15 and R16-R20 = H;n = 1-10; andm = 21 or 22.Alternatively, at least one combination of (R21 and R23), (R22 and R24) and (R25 and R26) = at different substitution positions relative to the nitrogen atoms to which they attach via benzene rings.Preparation: Either (III) and (IV) or (V) and (VI) are reacted to give (I). EXAMPLE - Anhydrous THF (150 ml) was added to diethyltriphenylamine 4-phosphate (4.3 g) under Ar. NaH (0.27 g) was gradually dropped into the mixture under ice cooling and the mixture was stirred for 2 hours at 0 degrees C. A solution of 2-ethyl-6-methyl-4'-(4-formylstyryl)triphenylamine (4.4 g) in THF was dropped into the mixture and stirred for 3 hours at 0 degrees C. After mixing with water to stop reaction, the mixed solution was extracted with ethyl acetate and the extraction liquid was washed with water. The solvent was distilled from the liquid and the residue was purified by column chromatography to give (Ia) (4.4 g, 62%) (m. pt. 89 degrees C) .
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Reactor: The volume of the reforming zone is at least twice that of the heating zone. The exothermic reaction catalyst is a combustion catalyst or a carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation catalyst for selective oxidation of CO in the gas from the reforming zone(s). Each heating zone is the space between a pair of corrugated plates, and two such pairs of plates define a reforming zone. Each reforming zone contains spacers for supporting the adjacent pairs of plates.
EXAMPLE - Fuel consists of alcohol having a carbon number being up to 3 and water. A typical alcohol includes methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and 1-propanol. A typical interface-active agent mixed in a fuel composition includes (ionicity, cathionicity, and amphoteric) interface-active agent and a nonionic (nonionicity) interface-active agent, which are used as alone or a mixture of at least two kinds. A typical anionicity interface-active agent includes alkylbenze sulfonic acid and its salt, polyoxyalkylene sulfonic acid and its salt, and perfluoroalkylbenze sulfonic acid and its salt.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Catalyst: The metal oxide is cerium oxide, zirconium oxide or a mixed cerium-zirconium oxide. The palladium:zinc weight ratio is 1:1-50. The catalyst is prepared by process (ii) in which the calcination step is performed at 400-600 degrees C and is followed by a reduction step performed at 400-600 degrees C. EXAMPLE - A cerium-zirconium oxide powder (500 g) was impregnated with a mixture of a palladium nitrate solution (188.7 g, 26.5% palladium) and a zinc nitrate solution (139.8 g). The product was dried at 150 degrees C and calcined at 500 degrees C. The resulting catalyst powder (100 g) was slurried in an 8% nitric acid/alumina sol (100 g), applied to a ceramic monolith, dried at 150 degrees C for 10 minutes, calcined in air at 500 degrees C, and reduced in a hydrogen stream at 500 degrees C for 1 hour. In a reforming test performed at 400 degrees C and 4 LHSV, the catalyst gave a methanol conversion of 98% with a carbon monoxide concentration of 2.5%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Method: The portion of the surface layer is stripped by applying a shearing force to it. The heterogeneous film is a micro-porous polymer film (10). The method comprises:(a) attaching a first anchor (16) to a major surface (20) of the heterogeneous film;(b) applying a first shearing force via the first anchor to the major surface to remove at least a portion of a first surface layer from the film; and preferably further(c) attaching a second anchor to the opposing major surface of the film (24); and(d) applying a second shearing force via the anchor to remove at least a portion of a second surface layer from the film.The method is carried out in a reel-to-reel process, in which:(a) the heterogeneous film is transferred from a feed roller (12) to a collection roller (14);(b) the first anchor (16) is associated with a first stripping roller (18); and(c) the first shearing force is applied by the first stripping roller.The surface density of the heterogeneous film is greater than the density of the interior bulk material.Preferred Stripped Film: The stripped film is micro-porous, and comprises a polymer selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, and ethylene-propylene copolymers. The film is preferably polyethylene, more preferably ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The ceramic material consists of zirconia, magnesia, alumina, or its composite. The two ceramic materials may be the same or different.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The metal consists of noble metals and their alloys, or transition metals and their alloys.Preferred Method: The polycrystalline magnesium orthosilicate compound is made by contacting a silica based clay material with magnesium oxide, and sintering the magnesium oxide that contacts the silica based clay material at 1300-1600degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The porosity of silicon nitride is 40-55%. The composite has mean pore diameter of 0.1-0.5 mum. The average thickness of the self-support film is 0.05-5 mum. The pores on the surface of silicon nitride, between the parts where palladium film is exposed, are sealed. The palladium film is exposed in the leading end part of the porous silicon nitride.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Arrangement: The carbon monoxide removal catalyst layer which is arranged in the heating gas circulation layer removes carbon monoxide by selective oxidation of carbon monoxide. The reformer has a vaporizer (35) which vaporizes the reforming raw material, and oxidizing catalyst is provided in the vaporizer. At the time of rapid increase of load, air is supplied to the vaporizer and partial oxidation is performed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Materials: The amount of a tau component (quinoline soluble toluene insoluble component) of carbonaceous compound particles having self-sintering ability is 3 - 30 wt%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The dianhydride component in polyimide film is pyromellitic dianhydride. Preferred Properties: The Young's modulus of polyimide film is 420 kg/mm2 and thermal coefficient of expansion is 12-16 ppm/degreesC. Preferred Layer: The protective layer is formed on the surface of solar battery substrate. A transparent electrode, amphorphous silicon layer are formed sequentially on the metal electrode. A protective layer is formed on the transparent electrode as per required.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The polymer also contains units of olefins, acrylates, vinyl acetates, styrenes and fluoro mixtures of them but not perfluoro derivatives and mixtures, the polymer being selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene-styrene copolymers and terpolymers where the olefin has greater than 3C atoms, but preferably polyethylene. In formula (I), the preferred compound hasR1 = covalent bond or -CF2, m = 1, n = 0, 1, R3 = -CF3, X = F. The solvent is selected from chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, halogenated hydrocarbons, dimethyl acetamide and dimethyl formamide, preferably chlorobenzene. In the non-crosslinked polymer, up to 50% of the units may be olefins, acrylates, vinyl acetates and/or styrenes or all the units may be methylene units. In this polymer, the X group of the pendant chain may be as before or -OM, where M is H or an alkali metal, preferably Li . The organic carbonate of the conductive composition is ethylene or dimethyl carbonate. Preferred Process: Polymerization is done in solution, the polyethylene concentration being 3-6%. EXAMPLE - Copolymers of styrene and ethylene/butylene were dissolved in chlorobenzene by stirring under nitrogen at 120 degreesC. Perfluoro(3,6-dioxa-4-methyl-7-octenesulfonyl fluoride (PSEPVE) was added followed, dropwise, by a solution of t-butyl peroxide in chlorobenzene. After the addition was complete, the mixture was stirred for a further 8 hours at 120 degreesC to complete the polymerization. The mixture was poured into methanol, the polymer precipitated and filtered off before purifying by dissolving in chloroform and precipitating again with methanol. A series of similar products were prepared and films were cast for testing for conductivity. All examples gave very low values.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Device: The modifying catalyst of the shift reaction part is a heat resistant noble metal catalyst such as Pt or Pt-Ru alloy. A heat exchanger is provided which heat exchanges with the raw material gas of the raw material gas passage by radiating the reaction heat and the apparent heat of the shift reaction part. The reformed gas flows from the center to the outside of the shift reaction part.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred System: A separator or matrix is attached to the electrodes, to reduce methanol outflow at the anode or to minimize the reaction of methanol at the cathode. One of the separator is a proton exchange membrane (PEM) type separator. The separator or matrix is a microporous material such as asbestos. The temperature of the cell is 70 degrees C or more, such that methanol distillation recovery loop is possible.Preferred Electrolyte: The circulating electrolyte is a highly conductive salt solution having pH of neutral to low acidic values. The salt solution is KSCN or NH4SCN and acidified K2SO4 or super acids.Preferred Fuel Feed: The fuel feed is an aqueous solution of methanol or methanol vapor. The concentration of methanol (% in water or methanol gas vapor pressure) is increased to give a higher anode voltage which is simultaneously increased due to adjustment of methanol barriers and speed of electrolyte circulation which reduce the cross-over.Preferred Electrodes: The electrode is a porous carbon electrode which is tubular or plate shaped, containing proper catalysts for anode and cathode reactions, or stainless steel screen supported foil structure. The electrode comprises sprayed or layered poly tetrafluoro ethylene (PTFE) bonded porous carbon layers on a woven carbon (graphite) sheet, carbon fleece or carbon fiber carrier. The foil structure is layered with a mixture of activated carbon, suitable catalyst, fillers which are pore-formers (bicarbonate) or repellent binders (PTFE or polyethylene). A mixture of carbon, PTFE and NAFION, is used to produce the anodes of the fuel cell, in which the carrier is stainless steel wool.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Solution: The concentration of solvent used for dissolving single wall carbon nanotube is 0.01-5.0 mg/ml. EXAMPLE - 6.3 g SWNT was refluxed in 700 ml of 2 M nitric acid for 48 hours (oil bath at 130 degreesC). The mixture was centrifuged at 2000 rpm for 30 minutes. The acid layer was discarded and solid was washed with water and then mixed into 0.5 weight% (wt.%) solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate in water (1500 ml). NaOH was added to the solution until pH was above 10. The mixture was sonicated for 10 hours. The suspension was acidified with hydrochloric acid to precipitate acid form of SWNT which was centrifuged at 2000 rpm for 30 minutes. The water layer was decanted and passed through a membrane filter of pore size 1.2 microns. The solid slurry was subjected to membrane filtration. Yield was 2.35 g.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Acid: The solid acid is activated alumina, silica-alumina, zeolite, phosphoric acid and/or heteropoly acid.Preferred Condition: The drain size of the acid on which transition metal is absorbed is 2 mm or less.Preferred Ratio: The volume ratio of copper to the solid acid containing transition metal is 1:3-3:1.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The chemical reaction device includes reaction units connected in series, a reformer unit, and a shift unit. The separation mechanism allows separation of hydrogen produced in one of the reaction units except a last reaction unit, and is located in an upstream side of the shift unit. It comprises a membrane with permeability to hydrogen, and a purge gas supply unit. The membrane has a feeding face receiving a supply of the gaseous mixture, and extraction face extracting selectively permeating hydrogen from the mixture. The purge gas is introduced at a higher hydrogen partial pressure on the feeding face than the extraction face and an even or lower total pressure on the feeding face. The system also comprises a gas flow rate regulation unit in the flow path to maintain the flow rate of the purge gas with that of the residual gas, a memory storing a relationship between a load on the fuel cells and purge gas flow rate, measuring unit to measure the load on the fuel cells, a warm-up determination unit, a control unit for the purge gas supply, and steam separation unit. A noxious component reduction unit is included in a residual gas after the hydrogen separation through the membrane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Apparatus: Each of the fuel gas flow passage and oxygen-containing gas flow passage is designed to have a meandering configuration in a surface direction of each of the electrodes.The pressure of the oxygen-containing gas supplied to the oxygen-containing gas flow passage is set to be higher than a pressure of the fuel gas supplied to the fuel gas flow passage.The fuel cell further comprises: a gas-humidifying device for humidifying at least one of the fuel gas and the oxygen-containing gas for a predetermined time before operation.The fuel cell further comprises: a detector for detecting the amount of water in a discharged gas; and a controller of judging whether or not initial humidification before start of operation is completed on the basis of a detection signal from the detector and controlling the gas-humidifying device.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The heating gas supplied to the fuel modifier is heated by town gas. Waste gas from the anode and cathode chambers of fuel cell is mixed.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The heat recovery unit is integrated with a carbon monoxide convertor comprising several converting units (7,8) with differing reaction temperatures. The reaction temperature of the CO convertor is adjusted w.r.t the rate of flow of waste gas supplied to the heat recovery unit. A combustor (19) for heating the gas supplied to the fuel modifier is provided at the outlet of fuel modifier. The burning temperature of the combustor is controlled by the fuel utilization factor of the fuel cell and according to the rate of flow of waste gas supplied to the combustor. A heating unit (26) to heat the heating gas supplied to the fuel modifier during initiation of the process is provided. The heating unit controls the inlet temperature of heating gas of the fuel modifier during operation. A water supply unit (90) for supplying water to the reformed gas to cool the reformed gas is provided between fuel modifier and CO convertor. A recuperator (6) for controlling the inlet temperature of the reformed gas from the CO convertor is provided. The fuel modifier, combustor and recuperator are arranged integrally.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The base material is silicon or germanium board and the semiconductor layer is gallium-arsenic or indium-phosphorus layer. The base layer of solar battery comprises III-V group compound semiconductor and the emitter layer is indium-gallium-phosphorus layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The carbon microcrystal interlayer distance in amorphous carbon is 0.4 nm or more.Preferred Process: The hydrogen occlusion material is obtained by heat treating at least two substances chosen from raw coke, high molecular compound, natural polymer, petroleum or coal at 500-900 degreesC under inert atmosphere.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Units: The apparatus is equipped with inlets (I,II). Cooling routes (38,40) are provided for connecting inlet (I) and injector and for cooling the arc reaction chamber. Inlet (II) is equipped with flow rate adjustment units. The flow rate adjustment units are provided between injector units and the inlets. A steam generation unit (50) is arranged on the electrode holder and is connected with cooling route units. Micro arc formation unit (78) equipped with a granule of high melting point is arranged in the arc reaction chamber. A micro arc is formed on the crack between the granules. A granule (non)conductor is formed from electrode material. The mixed ratio of granular conductor and granular non-conductor is 1:1.5 - 1.5:1. The electrode unit (A) consists of tubular shaped anode (26). The electrode unit (B) consists of tubular shaped anode and concentric cathode assembly (42). The apparatus also consists of three-phase alternate current tubular shaped electrode in which electrode unit (A) is arranged by leaving axially from the electrode. The electrode unit (B) is equipped with neutral electrode prolonged in tubular shaped liquid. The electric supply unit supplies electric power to tubular shaped electrode in three-phase alternate current electric power (106). The electric supply unit depends on an three-phase alternator (108). The apparatus has front cover which is fixed to housing units and has rapid cooling unit (110).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The main chain of formula (I) is terminated by R1 and R3 groups where less thanMARmore than R1, R3 = H, 1-4C linear or branched alkyl, 6-10C aryl, or group with carboxylic acid or sulfonic acid group less thanMARmore than. R in (I) is ethylene, X- is a residue with COO-, and Y+ is quaternary ammonium ion selected from Ya, Yb, Yc, Yd, Ye or Yfwhere less thanMARmore than R4, R5, R5, R7 = 1-4C linear or branched alkyl less thanMARmore than. Z is maleic acid, fumaric acid or maleic anhydride. The quaternary ammonium compound is obtained by reacting an alkyl halide with a tertiary amine that has a pKa in water at 25 oC of 5-12.Preferred Properties: The polymer has a glass transition temperature of not more than -30 oC. EXAMPLE - Monomethoxypolyethylene glycol (70g) and maleic anhydride (7g) were placed in a reactor and thermally melted under nitrogen by heating with stirring to 145 oC. The mixture was kept at 145-147 oC and acrylic acid (23g) and di-t-butylperoxide (1.7g) were added separately and dropwise over 1 h. The mixture was stirred for a further hour and polymer was produced. This polymer (4.37g), N,N-dibutyl imidazolium bromide (6.12g) and chloroform (100ml) were placed in a reactor and stirred until dissolved. Argon was bubbled through and kept at 20 oC for 18 h before raising the temperature to 50 oC for 5 h. Chloroform was removed by distillation and the residue was dried under vacuum for 40 h to give required polymer. No comparisons of properties were given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The reductant or oxidizable species is an alcohol, ether, aldehyde or ester. It is methanol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The buffer layers comprise materials selected from silicon dioxide, alumina, titanium oxide, tin oxide, indium tin oxide, indium oxide, tungsten oxide, magnesium oxide, niobium oxide, zirconium oxide, aluminum, titanium, copper, tantalum, chromium, cobalt, aluminum/copper and its mixtures. The filter is selected from carbon, wollastonite, mica, talc, silicates, silica, clay, alumina, glass, rock wool, silicon carbide, diamond, fused quartz, aluminum nitride, beryllium oxide, boron nitride, and magnesium titanate, strontium titanate, calcium titanate, barium neodymium titanate, barium strontium titanate, magnesium zirconate, titanium oxide, barium titanate, barium magnesium titanate, lead zirconium titanate, barium zirconate, calcium zirconate, spinel and thoria.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The polymer is selected from polyethylene, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, polystyrene, syndiotecticpolystyrene, poly(oxymethylene), polycarbonate, poly(phenyleneoxide), poly(etherimide), poly(sulfone), poly(ethersulfone), nylon 6, nylon 66, poly (ethylene terephthalate), poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate), poly(ethylenenapthalate), polyaralenesulfide, poly(phenylene sulfide), poly(amide imide), polyaralenetherketone, polyehteretherketone, poly(etherketone), cycloolefine copolymer, thermoplastic liquid crystalline polymers, fluoropolymer, thermoset, polyphenylene sulfone.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The solvent is ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinine, propylene carbonate (PC), or butylene carbonate. The gel electrolyte contains cross linked PMMA beads.Preferred Ratio: The ratio of isotactic to syndiotactic fractions of the poly(methyl methacrylate) is 0.05-0.3. Preferred Method: The solution of a-PMMA or i-PMMA, and the organic solvent are prepared in a non-complexing solvent.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The salt is a lithium salt containing an anion from perchlorate, trifluoromethyl sulfonate, tetrafluoroborate, hexafluorophosphate, or bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide. The gel electrolyte contains fumed silica.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The non-complexing agent is chloroform or dichloromethane. The electrolyte is a binder. EXAMPLE - 0.34 g of i-PMMA (MW 300000) were dissolved in 8 g of 1 M solution of lithium perchlorate in PC. 1.66 g of a-PMMA (MW 996000) was added and dissolved at 85 degreesC. The solution was cooled at room temperature and an ionically conductive elastic gel was formed. It showed a conductivity of 1.28 x 10 to the power -3 S/cm at 20 degreesC; storage and loss compression moduli (at test frequency 1 Hz) of 0.41 x 10 to the power 5 Pa; and 0.05 x 10 to the power 5 respectively; and melting point of 75 degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Resin: The thermosetting resin is a resol type phenol resin. EXAMPLE - Artificial graphite of mean particle diameter 120 mum and specific surface area 0.6 m2/g, flaky graphite of mean particle diameter 130 mum and specific surface area 1.25 m2/g, glass fiber of average diameter 10 mum and average length 1.5 mm, finely ground glass fiber of diameter 10 mum and length 200 mum and dimethylene ether type resol phenol resin of number average molecular weight 700 and melting point 80degreesC, were blended. Melt extrusion was performed at 80degreesC, to obtain a molding material. Compression molding was performed to obtain a molded product whose volume resistivity surface smoothness and bending strength were found to be excellent.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Structure: Fuel reformer and combustor are provided within single container (25). The combustor is provided with an inner tube (29) which functions as raw gas passage. The space between tube and container is filled with combustion catalyst (28), and the gas supplied is catalytically combusted. An electrical heater (26) is arranged between fuel modifier and combustor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Arrangement: The reformer has a detection unit to detect the advance state of warming-up state of the reformer. The supply unit has an alteration unit to alter the area of gas flowing into (16) by intake unit, based on the result of detection unit. The catalyst part has heating units to heat HC or oxygen and a control unit to control heating of the gas by heater, based on the result of detection unit. The in-flow unit is provided in the upstream side from catalyst part. A guide unit is provided to lead gas to predefined area in the upstream side of the catalyst part. The catalyst part has two or more heat transfer units and temperature detection units to detect temperature of heat transfer units. The warm state of reformer is detected based on the result of temperature detection unit. The modification catalyst and oxidation catalyst are single catalysts.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The alkali metal is sodium or potassium. The alkali metal compound is alkali metal hydride.Preferred Process: The film covering the alkali metal lump is destroyed by application of physical strength.Preferred Apparatus: The alkali type fuel cell comprises an aqueous solution of alkali metal hydroxide, as electrolyte contained in electrolyte layer. The fuel cell has electrolyte operator which supplies aqueous solution of alkali metal hydroxide produced by inducing unit, as new electrolyte. The fuel cell has detector for detecting degradation of electrolyte. The flow path for supplying aqueous solution of alkali metal hydroxide is changed. The fuel cell has switching unit which determines whether the aqueous solution is used for exchange of electrolyte, or is used for removal of carbondioxide in the mixed gas. The controller of the fuel cell controls switching unit so that the aqueous solution is used for exchange of electrolyte, when the detector detects the degradation of electrolyte.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Precursor: The solvent-soluble precursor is at least one of a 3,4,9,10-perylene tetracarboxylic acid or mono anhydride or a perylene derivative of formula (I) or (II).R1 = (substituted) aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon or a heterocycle; andA = (substituted) divalent aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon, or divalent heterocycle.The slightly solvent-soluble pigment is a perylene-based pigment of formula (III), (IVa), (IVb) or (V).R1, R2 = (substituted) aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon or a heterocycle; andA, B = (substituted) divalent aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon or divalent heterocycle.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Opto-Electric Equipment: Opto-electric conversion equipment has at least one pair of electrodes in contact with an electrolyte and connecting means for current feeding. At least one of the pair of electrodes uses the optical semiconductor electrode. The opto-electric conversion comprises:(a) keeping an electrolyte in contact with a pair of electrodes connected to each other for current feeding; and(b) irradiating at least one of the pair of electrodes with light for an opto-electric conversion reaction.The electrode irradiated with the light consists of the optical semiconductor electrode.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst Layers: The upper catalyst layer contains noble metals such as ruthenium, platinum and palladium. The lower catalyst layer contains copper and zinc group catalyst.Preferred Method: The lower catalyst layer has a temperature of 150 degrees C.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Reformer: Each of the vaporization part, hot spot and catalyst layer has a part formed as a path for unsteady supply, independently.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Foil Sheet: The foil sheet comprising iron, titanium, niobium, nickel, cobalt, zirconium, hafnium, tungsten, tantalum, their (super)alloys, is embossed with the flow fields.Preferred Properties: The foil sheet has thickness of up to 20 mils (0.51 mm), preferably 2-10 mils (0.05-3.5 mm). The flow fields have rectangular, square, (semi)circular, multi-sided or annular cross-sectional geometry. The foil sheets when assembled, form at least three separate flow passages (41,43,45). Non-metallic gaskets (38) are located between the foil sheets. The electrochemical cell stack has another membrane assembly having anode and cathode disposed on opposite sides of an electrolyte membrane. The cathode is disposed adjacent to other side of bipolar plate. Electrode supports (32) are disposed between bipolar plate and two membrane assemblies. The cell preferably comprises three bipolar plates, the second plate being adjacent to first cathode and third plate being adjacent to second anode, and an elastomeric gasket between bipolar plate and first membrane assembly, contacting the periphery of bipolar plate. Another elastomeric gasket is disposed between the bipolar plate and second membrane assembly. The foil sheets are embossed with fluid flow fields and coolant flow fields such that when assembled, each sheet forms two separate fluid flow passages and a coolant flow passage.Preferred Membrane Support: The membrane supports are made of carbon paper, carbon felt, carbon cloth, porous metal, expanded metal screen, woven screen, non-woven screen, metal fiber or metal particulate. Screen packs are disposed between each membrane support which is preferably carbon paper and bipolar plate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Oil: The weight ratio of isoparaffins to normal paraffins is at least 1.5. The vapour pressure is at least 0.098 MPa. The content of sulfur in the naphtha is at most 0.5 weight ppm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: A temperature-decrease prevention mechanism that prevents temperature of the substrate from decreasing lower than the deposition temperature is provided in the load lock chamber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: After detecting the supply of original heating gas to the modifier, the supply of oxidizing agent gas is initiated. The rate of partial oxidation during regular operation is 21-30% and at the time of initiation is 40-60%. A control is carried out so that the fluctuation curve of the rate of partial oxidation which considered the fluctuation of catalyst layer inlet temperature and defined previously the value of rate of partial oxidation which results from time of initiation and time of regular operation, is followed simultaneously.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The modification catalyst layer comprises copper-zinc group catalyst as modifying catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The spiral piping comprises a spiral outer piping (27) connected to a spiral inner piping (28). The fuel introduction pipe passes through a heating apparatus, so that the fuel is vaporized by the heat of the heating apparatus.Preferred Material: Platinum is carried as combustion catalyst on the vacuum vessel. The heating apparatus comprises platinum supported on porous fiber as catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Reformer: The noble metals are platinum or palladium. The catalyst layers have equivalent cross-section. The length of catalyst layer (31) is 5-35% of the sum total of the length of both catalyst layers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: Oxidation is carried out at 80-200 degrees C. The catalyst contains 0.5-5 wt.% Ru.Preferred Support: The Ce content in the support is 5-20 wt.%. The support is selected from alumina, titania, silica and zirconia.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compound: At least one portion of side chain terminal is a group based on quaternized polyamine. Fluorine containing anion exchanger polymer is formed by reacting perfluoro carbon polymer and polyamine (in form of salt is included) which has -SO2F of -SO2Cl group, and at least one portion is quaternized. Preferred Solvent: The solvent contains 50 weight% of fluorine containing alcohol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The molten metal stirring and gas bubble release apparatus has a perpendicular rotation axis (4) provided with a process gas route (9) extended axially in the inside. A fixed rotational axis having protrusion (10) for stirring molten metal is provided at the lower end of axis (4). A disc-shaped rotator (5) is provided at the bottom of the treatment tank provided with process gas outlet arranged in line with the process gas route. An obstacle plate is arranged in the treatment tank. The rotator is immersed into molten silicon so that upper portion of rotation axis protrudes above the molten metal.Preferred Arrangement: The process gas feed pipe comprised of quartz or alumina is arranged in the process gas route of the perpendicular rotation axis.Preferred Method: Process gas is blown into the molten silicon using a process gas blow-in pipe and stirred by Lorentz force. Process gas is supplied through the process gas route.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process Gas: Process gas is inert gas or hydrogen gas containing water vapor which removes oxygen, non-metallic inclusions, carbon and boron from molten silicon.Preferred Condition: The molten silicon is maintained at negative pressure.Preferred Composition: Surface of the rotator and outer circumferential surface of the perpendicular rotation axis is formed by silicon carbide or silicon nitride.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The grain size distribution of the silica has a standard deviation of 1.2 or less. The silica is prepared by the sol gel method and is then burned at 300-700 degrees C. A substrate for a solar battery is formed by coating the polyimide resin composition on the surface of a heat-resistant substrate consisting of a polyimide film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: When the polymerization reaction is conducted in water, the pH of the reaction solution is adjusted to at least 7. Preferred Aniline: Aniline has at least one substituent on its aromatic ring. EXAMPLE - Aniline (16.5 ml) was dissolved in NMP (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone) (248 ml) to obtain an NMP solution of aniline. Then ammonium peroxodisulfate (41.3 g) was added to the NMP solution of aniline at -5 to 0degreesC for 12 hours, followed by stirring overnight while gradually restoring the temperature to room temperature. The reaction solution was poured into a large excess of deionized water to obtain a solid material. The solid material was washed with deionized water and acetone, followed by deionized water and vacuum dried at 100degreesC, to obtain a meta type polyaniline (I). (I) had an inherent viscosity eta inh of 0.22. (I) was then blended with diphenylphosphoric acid (0.5 molecule) to obtain an acid-doped meta type polyaniline film. The amount of aromatic rings bonded in repeating units of polyaniline was 97 mole%, at the meta positions. A comparative polyaniline was prepared in the similar manner except that aniline was dissolved in 1M aqueous solution of H2SO4 instead of NMP. The amount of the aromatic rings bonded in the repeating units of polyaniline was 0 mole%, at the meta positions.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - COMPUTING AND CONTROL - Preferred System: The fuel cell stack includes several fuel cells and the recovery system includes several fluid conduits, and a closed heat exchange loop in thermal communication with several fuel cells. The fuel cell stack includes a cathode chamber exhaust, and the recovery system recovers thermal energy from the cathode chamber exhaust and the fuel processor. The fuel processor includes a combustion region, and an exhaust. The recovery system recovers thermal energy from the combustion region and exhaust. The recovery system further includes a control system with a controller for controlling the rate at which fluid is drawn form several reservoirs and selectively delivered to the fuel processing system and the thermal energy consuming device. The delivery system further includes at least one sensor in communication with the controller and adapted to measure the temperature of the fuel processor. EXAMPLE - In an EMBODIMENT of the invention, the fuel processing system (10) includes a fuel processor (12) and a fuel cell stack (14). The fuel processor (12) produces hydrogen gas from water and a reforming feedstock comprising an alcohol or a hydrocarbon. The hydrogen gas is used by the fuel cell stack to produce an electric current.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The mechanism device comprises air feed (8) and burner (9) comprising a catalyst. It may also comprise methanizing mechanism for converting carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide (CO/CO2) to methane in the presence of hydrogen. It has also a feed for CO/CO2.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The sweeping gas is produced by introducing air and allowing oxygen to react with hydrogen, or by providing CO/CO2 and allowing it to react with hydrogen, thus giving methane. SPECIFIC MATERIALS - The fuel gas is hydrogen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: A pumping device (16) is coupled to the hydrogen collection system, which pumps hydrogen gas from an atmosphere, through the walls, and to the hydrogen collection chamber. An energy conversion device is connected in line with the collection system, in which the hydrogen gas is utilized as it is collected. The walls comprise a porous barrier that is a hot nickel, hot palladium, and/or ceramic material. The pumping device creates a negative pressure (22) in the hydrogen collection chamber, and a positive pressure (18) on the walls. The atmosphere is an ambient or natural atmosphere. An injection mechanism (24) injects oxygen to the hydrogen collection chamber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: Cooling fins (45) are attached to the bottom surface of the aluminum substrate. Less than 30% of the copper sheet is etched away.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The glare-proof layer contains an organic polymer, an inorganic polymer, or their composite material. The organic polymer consists of an acryl-based resin, a fluorine-based resin, or their mixture. The inorganic polymer uses alkyl silicate as its material, or contains silica.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Photoelectric Transducer: The thickness of the photo-sensitive layer is up to 9 microns.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Dye: The cyanine dye has at least one acidic group, especially carboxyl, hydroxy, phosphonyl, or phosphoryl group.The squarylium cyanine dye has formula (II) .R21-R26 = 1-6C alkyl;R27, R28 = substituted group;X = carboxyl or phosphonyl;n21, n22 = 0-3. Preferred Definitions:    EDG = amino or diarylamino group.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Embodiment: The separator contains 200 to 900 pbw graphite particles for 100 pbw of thermosetting resin. The flexural modulus is at most 20GPa and the flexural strength is at least 50Mpa.Preferred Graphite Particles: The graphite particles are needle-like and have the following particle size (d) distribution:d less than 10 microns = 5 to 20 wt%10 at most d less than 50 microns = 15 to 75 wt%50 at most d less than 100 microns = 15 to 60 wt%100 at most d less than 200 microns = 5 to 25 wt%d at least 200 microns = remainder
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Features: The chalcopyrite compound is a I-III-VI(2) semiconductor selected from the group Cu(InGa)(SSe)2, especially CuInSe2. An n-conducting reinforcing layer made of a transparent and conducting oxide is formed on the side of the n-conducting layer away from the p-conducting layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Substances: The chelates comprise transition-metal-containing metalloporphyrin, preferably transition-metal-containing tetraphenyl porphines.Preferred Conditions: The heat treatment is carried out at 600 degrees C, preferably 700 degrees C for 2 hours.Preferred Compounds: The chelates have general formula: M1xNyRz and M2xNyRz, where M1 and M2 are different transition metals chosen from iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese, ruthenium, vanadium and zinc, N is nitrogen and R is an organic ligand. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The two different nitrogen chelates comprise tetraphenylporphine iron (III) chloride and tetraphenylporphine copper (II), or tetraphenylporphine iron (III) chloride and tetraphenylporphine cobalt (II). The transition metal is selected from iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, manganese, ruthenium, vanadium and zinc.    EXAMPLE - 0.1 g of tetraphenylporphine iron (III) chloride and 0.1 g of tetraphenylporphine copper (II) were mixed ultrasonically and heat treated at 70 degrees C under nitrogen atmosphere for 2 hours. The product obtained was ground to fine powder. Catalytic activity of the obtained powder was evaluated by affixing the fine powder to rotating disk electrode for electrochemical measurement. In oxygen saturated 0.5 molar sulfuric acid solution, in the presence of 1 molar methanol, methanol oxidation was not detected, as evidenced by lack of oxidation currents when performing cyclic voltammetry measurements. When compared to platinum black, the catalyst obtained had superior catalytic activity for oxygen reduction in the presence of 1 molar methanol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: Polyimide resin solution (9b) contains 100-500 weight percent (wt.%) of insulating microparticles with mean particle diameter of 0.05-5 mum. The amount of residual solvent in the film at the time of peeling of bilayered film from support is 10-30 wt.%. The bilayered film peeled from the support is heat dried at 250-400degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Electrolyte Film: The electrolyte film contains silicon, sodium, barium, aluminum, neodymium, cerium, praseodymium, titanium, samarium and/or iron and lanthanum, manganese, cobalt, strontium, calcium and/or nickel. Preferred Method: A solid electrolyte film is formed on an air pole or a fuel electrode, by a slurry coat method. 10 atom % or less of silicon, sodium, barium, aluminum, neodymium, cerium, praseodymium, titanium, samarium and/or iron, is present in the electrolyte film. The solid electrolyte is zirconia-yttria type electrolyte.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Element: The opto-electric conversion element has a conductive layer, a photosensitive layer, a charge-transfer layer, and a counter electrode. The charge-transfer layer contains the electrolytic composition. A photoelectro-chemical battery consists of the opto-electric conversion element.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The electrolyte comprises a solid oxide electrolyte, preferably zirconium dioxide, cerium (IV) oxide, hafnium dioxide, or yttrium- or calcium-doped zirconium dioxide. The active electrode comprises platinum. The passive electrode comprises gold. Preferred Condition: The electrolyte is heated at 300-650degreesC. Preferred Parameters: The electrolyte is a film having a thickness of less than 100 mum, preferably approximately 5-25 mum.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The passive electrode and the heaters comprise a coating (52, 54) that isolates them from the surrounding atmosphere. The coating comprises a glass, ceramic, or glass ceramic.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Parameters: The average distance between the active and passive electrodes is 0.1-10 mm. The passive or active electrode is 0.0001-1 mm thick. The heater raises the temperature of the electrolyte to have an ion-conductance of greater than 10-4/OMEGAcm. Preferred Devices: The fuel cell is a solid polymer fuel cell. The assembly comprises at least two electrochemical gas sensors, the first detecting a hydrogen gas concentration in the oxidant stream and the second detecting an oxygen gas concentration in the fuel stream.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Unit: The first two stages are coated heat exchangers cooled by a common oil cycle. The third stage is a reactor with a CO oxidation zone and a cooling zone, in which the H2-rich gas stream can be cooled to under 200 degrees C. The unit may also have an uncooled fourth stage. There is a heat exchanger between stages two and three, in which the heat exchange preferably is a stream of medium already in the system. The oxidant feed is regulated in all four stages or regulated in stages one to three and carried out passively through a by-pass pipe in stage four. At least stage one and two are carried out in a plate structure and/or at least stages three and four are tube aggregate reactors.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Component: The oxide powder is a single or a multi-metal component oxide, preferably a stabilized zirconia, ceria, silica and/or alumina. Preferred Composition: The oxide powder is included in the suspension at 0.1-1.0 vol.%. Preferred Dimension: The oxide powder has a particle size of 0.005-2.0 mum. The thickness of each ceramic film is 0.5-50 mum, preferably 2.0-15.0 mum. Preferred Condition: The sintering is carried out at 300-1600degreesC, preferably at 1000-1100degreesC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The solvent is an organic solvent and/or water. The organic solvent is an alcohol, preferably methanol, ethanol, and/or propanol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Features: The installation comprises a distributor system downstream from the hydrogen separator to direct the hydrogen to a motor application or to storage. The catalytic reformer may comprise a fixed bed reactor and means for recycling some of the H2 produced by the reaction upstream of the reactor. Alternatively, the reforming unit comprises a rotating barrel containing the catalyst which consists of a collection of reactor tubes arranged in parallel to the vertical axis of rotation of the barrel, so that each tube effects a cycle comprising phases of regeneration as a function of the rotation of the barrel. Means are provided for the circulation of fluids across the reactor tubes including injector orifices and upper and lower covers. Temperature control is effected by thermal exchange with exhaust gases from the motor in an envelope surrounding the barrel. The installation also includes means for drying injected air, used for regeneration phases, and for purification of the H2 produced ; the materials used are molecular sieves used in phases of adsorption, desorption and cooling. The motorization may comprise an internal combustion engine supplied with the high octane petrol and optionally a quantity of H2., or an electric motor supplied with energy produced by a hydrogen fuel cell or a combination of both fitted to a vehicle. EXAMPLE - A commercial catalyst, Procatalyse CR201 (RTM) was used. The sequence of catalytic treatments included (I) purge to eliminate hydrocarbons present, by passage of exhaust gases depleted in O2; (II) combustion at 350 - 550 degreesC., using exhaust gases and air; (III) combustion at 400 - 600 degreesC. using exhaust gases and air; (V) oxychlorination at 400 - 600 degreesC, using air and a chlorinating product; (VI) calcination, using pure dry air at 400 - 600 degreesC; and (VII) reduction using purified hydrogen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The media divider is a material which is carbon, nickel, cobalt, titanium, zirconium, niobium, tungsten, hafnium, iron, their oxides, their mixtures, and/or their alloys.Preferred Properties: The media divider is up to 0.5 (preferably 0.001-0.3) inch thick. It has a bubble pressure of greater than 0.01, preferably 7-8 psi.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The electrochemical cell (30) includes a hydrogen flow field (32) disposed adjacent to and in fluid communication with the hydrogen electrode; an oxygen flow field (34) disposed adjacent to and in fluid communication with the oxygen electrode; and a media divider (40) disposed adjacent to and in fluid and electrical communication with the oxygen flow field. The system includes a mechanical force bias capable of maintaining a gas/liquid pressure differential of up to the bubble pressure. The movable divider (48) is bladder, bellows, piston, or diaphragm.Preferred Method: The method includes passing the water from the compartmentalized storage tank (42) to a water flow field (38) through the media divider and the oxygen flow field to the oxygen electrode.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The weight ratio of Al and Fe in the molten silicon is regulated to 0.6-1.2.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred molding: The hydrogen storage material is a metal, carbon material or alloy having hydrogen storage and release properties.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred molding: The silicon resin is radical hardened rubber, heat hardened rubber or condensed rubber. The silicon resin is contained in an amount of 0.5-50 weight%. EXAMPLE - A hydrogen storage alloy comprising 3.75 parts Ni, 0.75 parts Co, 0.20 parts Mn, 0.30 parts Al and 1.0 part of a mixture of La (34 weight%), Ce (45 weight%), Pr (6 weight%) and Nd (weight%) is heat processed in an argon atmosphere and finely ground under a nitrogen atmosphere.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Cell: The component which contacts with the polymer electrolyte membrane of the gas seal part is chemically bonded to the polymer electrolyte film. The gas seal part has a gasket having through holes for flow of fuel gas and oxidizing gas to the main body. EXAMPLE - A porous electrode is formed by supporting platinum particles on acetylene black carbon particles, and dispersing these catalyst particles in isopropanol, mixing ethylene glycol dispersion of perfluorocarbon sulfonic acid of formula (I), forming into a paste and screen printing to produce a catalyst layer. The electrolyte membrane-electrode assembly is formed by contacting the catalyst layer to both surfaces of the central part of the hydrogen ion conductive polymer electrolyte membrane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: A noble metal catalyst, oxide catalyst or composite catalyst functions as positive and negative electrodes. Preferably, manganese oxide addition platinum catalyst and molybdenum oxide addition platinum catalyst provided on either surfaces of YSZ function as positive and negative electrode, respectively. The additional amount of oxide in the above catalyst is 10-30 weight%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The quantity of hydrogen supplied to electricity generation unit is compensated by filling of insufficient hydrogen produced by insufficient supply of raw material to the reforming unit from a different hydrogen cylinder.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The process is a continuous or batch process and takes place in a single vessel. Alternatively, each of the stages of the continuous process takes place in an individual vessel. The gaseous product is fed into third stage having the metal-base material to convert a molecule(s) of the feed source material remaining in the gaseous product into fullerenes. The first, second and third stages take place at 150-450 degrees C, 450-1200 degrees C and 600-1500 degrees C, respectively.Preferred Material: The feed source material is derived from a (non-)mineral source. It contains hydrocarbon, elemental carbon, particulate carbon, or carbonaceous material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The metal-based material is copper-based catalyst. It contains elemental copper, particulate copper, copper mixture, copper alloy, or copper based material.Preferred Gas: The non-reactive gas is helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, radon, or nitrogen. EXAMPLE - Tar pitch (10 kg) was fed into a reactor, which had been purged with helium and heated to 300 degrees C. Helium was continuously fed into the reactor at 3 ml/minute. After 10 minutes, a dark gaseous material containing a mixture (9 kg) exited the reactor and entered a glass condenser. The mixture contained fullerenes (2 kg). The fullerene mixture was recovered by evaporation.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: A porous material is made to exist in the container. The hydrogen mixed gas may be stirred with water and is set as hydrate while storing.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Apparatus: Two or more catalyst layer cells are provided in the carbon monoxide reduction apparatus. The gas diffusion part which is formed of a mesh and/or a porous substance, is provided in one or more gas inlet sides of the catalyst layer cells.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Electrode: The plasma electrode is metal or electroconductive roller. The plasma electrode is a structure electrically contacted to the casting surface.Preferred Process: The silicon melt solution is obtained in a non-bottom crucible by heating the silicon raw material using electromagnetic induction by induction coil and plasma heating by transfer type plasma arc.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The energy necessary to initiate the reaction between the gaseous phases is electrical, in the form of an incandescent or spark plug.The amount of O2 introduced is greater than that necessary for the complete combustion of the hydrocarbon, and the reaction between the gaseous phases takes place at a temperature greater than 1000degrees C.The addition of water is effected in stages.After the functioning temperature has been reached, a constriction at the gaseous outlet is effected to establish a pressure in the reformer.The installation comprises two reaction zones separated from each other by an intermediate gas-permeable element; the first zone is supplied with nozzles for the introduction of hydrocarbons, O2 and water, and also a means for introduction of electrical energy.The intermediate zone comprises a sintered metallic material, metallic trellis or a bulk filling of high surface area.The secondary zone contains a catalyst on a metallic honeycomb support or supported on a metallic or ceramic balls.It is heated by thermal conduction and by contact with the intermediate element. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The rubber is fluororubber, chloroprene rubber, chloro butyl rubber or bromobutyl rubber. The halogenated rubber has a substituent that increases the polarity on one side and charges the addition of an oxygen atom to a carbon atom on the other side using a steric effect. The substituent is a tertiary butyl group or phenyl. The rubber mixture contains 40-80, preferably 45-60 weight % halogenated rubber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: A waste gas line (6) is connected to the reformer and a combustion unit (11) supplies heat to the reformer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The aluminum oxide hydrate is selected from boehmite, pseudo-boehmite and boehmite gel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Composite Material: The hydrogen-separating metal is particularly carried inside the support in a film, or layer, form. Such support can also carry a catalyst for chemical reaction to produce hydrogen from a specific raw material. Such catalyst is particularly detached from the hydrogen-separating metal e.g. in layers, and both layers are of different physical structures, or compositions, from the support. The composite material has protrusions and recesses in the thickness direction, and at least 1 of the faces in the thickness direction is bound to a porous material in a thickness enough to ascertain mechanical strength.Preferred Composite Material Production: The composite material in composition and structure is as already defined. Microparticles constituting the porous support includes not less than 2 types of particles of different specific gravity.Preferred Device: Hydrogen is particularly produced by catalytic decomposition of a specific raw material like hydrocarbon and steam. Transportation means are particularly provided for supplying raw material, steam and the obtained hydrogen. The used pipes are specifically with a curvature inside where a catalyst is held for chemical reaction, particularly a double tube modified to reduce carbon monoxide with a catalyst in the outer tube. Other means are also available to stir the internal gas, separate the mixed gas and transported gas, and prevent gas leakage by pressure adjustment. EXAMPLE - A composite material was produced for use with the fuel gas-reforming device and fuel cell as specified.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The carbon monoxide is contacted with oxygen at 30-200 (100-200)degreesC in the presence of a catalyst comprising cobalt and platinum such that the amount of oxygen contacted is 0.5-2 (0.5-4) times the amount of carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen-containing gas. The amount of catalyst used is 1000-100000 (100-100000) (1/h) in terms of a gas hourly space velocity.Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst components contain 0.1-80 wt.% cobalt, nickel, copper or manganese and 0.05-50 wt.% platinum. EXAMPLE - An aqueous solution in which cobalt acetate dihydrate was dissolved in an amount of 0.5 wt.% in terms of Co, and alumina balls were placed in an evaporator and dried under reduced pressure to support 0.5 wt.% of Co on the alumina support, followed by further drying. Then an acetone solution containing acetylacetonato platinum in an amount of 0.5 wt.% in terms of Pt was charged into an evaporator together with the obtained Co-supporting alumina, and dried under reduced pressure to further support 0.5 wt.% of Pt on the alumina support. The resultant Co/Pt-supporting alumina was dried and then calcined at 360degreesC to obtain an alumina-supported catalyst on which 0.5 wt.% Co and 0.5 wt.% Pt were supported.    When using the catalyst, no methane was produced at 40-260degreesC, and the CO concentration of treated gas was reduced to 0.05 mol % or lower in a reaction temperature range of 40-190degreesC. Further, in the above temperature range, the oxygen reaction rate was 90% or higher, and the oxidation selectivity was about 50%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Preparation: (I) is prepared by reacting 1,2-phenylenediamine with a complex derived from 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione. The phenanthrolinedione-derived complex can be reacted with 5,6-diamino-1,10-phenanthroline to give a complex, which is then reacted with bis(2,2'-bipyridine) dichloruthenium (II) monohydrate to give complex (II). EXAMPLE - 4,7-Dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione (60 mg) and bis(2,2'-bipyridine)dichloruthenium (II) monohydrate (121 mg) were dissolved in ethanol (20-30 ml). The solution was refluxed for 3 hours under nitrogen, then cooled to room temperature and concentrated to 5 ml. The concentrated solution was mixed with saturated lithium perchlorate solution (10 ml) and the precipitate was filtered. 100 mg of the product obtained and 1,2-phenylenediamine (19 mg) were dissolved in ethanol (20-30 ml). The solution was refluxed for 8 hours under nitrogen, then cooled to room temperature. After removing the solvent, the solids were dissolved in a small amount of acetonitrile and the solution was passed through a column chromatograph. Recrystallization from ethanol gave 31 mg of complex of formula (X):
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The hydrogen-permeable device includes fixed high polymeric hollow fibers made of polyimide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Assembly: A blocking medium impermeable to methanol but permeable to hydrogen atoms is also interposed between the anode and cathode.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The blocking medium is a metallic membrane of palladium, niobium, tantalum or vanadium or a combination of these. The electrodes may combine a sol-gel derived support structure and may also incorporate a catalyst.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The electrolyte may be a solid polymer, preferably a perfluorosulfonic polymer membrane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Device: The angle between the front line of the peeled portion and the straight line is 5 degrees or larger, preferably 10 degrees or larger. The thin film single crystal has a diamond structure or zinc blende structure. The thin film single crystal is epitaxially grown on the surface of a porous layer on the surface of a wafer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Electrode: Preferably the second electrode is also a porous catalytic electrode.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The flow field preferably comprises a conductive porous support of nickel, cobalt, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, niobium, tungsten, carbon or iron or alloys of these.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The precursor layers are preferably deposited by a hybrid sputtering and evaporation method at controlled flux rates for each element.Preferred Materials: Preferably the IB element is copper, silver or gold. The IIIA element is gallium, indium, aluminum or thulium. The VIA element is sulfur, selenium or tellurium. A specific semiconductor is copper indium gallium selenide (CuInGaSe).
EXAMPLE - M is preferably a metal wherein an ion radius in a crystal of LaGaO3 mixture conductor is approximately equal to that of La. (Y) represents a quantity ratio of Fe dissolved in a solid manner in a Ga site. The (y) is 0.2 - 0.6 and preferably 0.25 - 0.45. In Values of (X) and (y), (x) is preferably 0.05 - 06 and (y) is 0.2 - 0.6. An oxygen penetration amount of an LaGaO3 mixture conductor is not especially limited but the more it is higher, the more it is better.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Sheet: The laminate is formed using an adhesive layer for dry laminating or a melt extrudable adhesive layer. The laminate contains reinforcing fibers, ultraviolet (UV) absorbent and/or oxidation preventing agent. The cyclic polyolefin resin layer is formed from a homo- or copolymer of a cyclic diene. EXAMPLE - The sheet is formed from a biaxially drawn polyethylene terephthalate sheet of thickness 50 microns in which a benzophenone UV absorbent is included and a polydicyclopentadiene resin sheet of thickness 100 microns.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The catalyst is monolith type catalyst which is multiply divided with separator. An air feed pipe is connected to the divided catalyst parts in order to supply air from upper part and intermediate part to each side of divided parts of the catalyst, respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The particle diameter of ruthenium or ruthenium and platinum mixture, is 200 Angstrom or less. The catalyst comprises 0.01-10 weight% of ruthenium or ruthenium-platinum mixture.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Membrane: The aromatic rings in repeating units of the polyaniline have substituents. The acidic group-containing polymer is a sulfonic acid group-containing water-absorptive polymer such as perfluorosulfonic acid polymer, and preferably has proton conductivity. The composite membrane expresses proton conductivity by hydration.Preferred Method: The acidic group-containing polymer membrane is subjected to equilibration treatment in deionized water or an aqueous solution of an acid before the adsorption of aniline to allow an acid to be contained in the polymer membrane. The thickness of the polyaniline-containing polymer membrane and the concentration of the polyaniline contained in the composite membrane are increased by increasing the concentration of the aqueous solution of the acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The through-holes are progressively increasing in size from one side on the die base toward the other side.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: An insulating member or a dielectric coating isolates the nail current collector (42) from the cathode and electrolyte components. The nail collectors are disposed along the length of the gas flow passage, and the distance between adjacent nail current collectors is approximately the diameter of the gas flow passage. The anode layer increases in thickness in the direction of current flow through the solid state fuel cell. Solid state fuel cells are assembled such that a nail current collector traversing a gas flow passage of a first solid state fuel cell contacts an interconnect of an adjacent, second solid state fuel cell. The interconnect has a concave surface to receive the protruding nail current collector.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst is a glyme-compound which is at least one compound selected from diethyleneglycoldimethyl ether, diethyleneglycoldiethyl ether, dimethoxy ethane, diethoxy ethane, tetraglyme and crown ether. The glyme compound is preferably a diglyme compound.Preferred Compound: In formulae (I) and (II), n = 0. The amount of the catalyst used in the process is 0.1-1000 parts weight (preferably 0.1-10 parts weight) per 100 parts weight of the compound (I). M in (I) and (II) is an alkali metal, preferably sodium. EXAMPLE - NaOCOCFCF3OCF2CF2SO3Na was thermally decomposed at 130 degrees C for 2 hours in the presence of Cl(CF2CFCl)3Cl and diglyme. The orange-brown grains dispersed in Cl(CF2CFCl)3Cl were filtered, washed with Cl(CF2CFCl)3Cl and dried. The obtained grain were dissolved in water and condensed by evaporation so as to obtain CF2CFOCF2CF2SO3Na with a production yield of 83%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Details: The formaldehyde generated from the low temperature plasma is removed by water absorption.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Process A binder and a plasticizer are added to the paste. The pressing is at 100-150 degreesC, the pressed product is dried at 30-80 degreesC and the paste is 10-100 microns thick on the membrane.Preferred Materials The polymer is Naflon (RTM) and the catalyst is platinum.Preferred Composition The paste comprises 10-50 (20-30) wt.% solids, 0-10 (102) wt.% binder, 0-5 (1-2) wt.% plasticizer and remainder, preferably 60-80 wt.%, solvent. EXAMPLE - A membrane electrode was prepared by applying a layer of a paste comprising 0.77 g of a 1:2 mixture of Pt/carbon: 5 vol.% Naflon (RTM) solution and 2.6 g solvent mixture with 0.1% binder and 0.05 g oleic acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Properties: The fuel cell has a power density of 1.2-2 W/cm2 at 800 degreesC and 0.5-1 W/cm2 at 650 degreesC.Preferred Method: The consolidation step is obtained by die pressing at elevated pressure, tape casting, slip casting, electrophoretic deposition, and/or injection-molding. The die-pressing occurs at 20-30 MPa at ambient temperature. The sintering occurs at 1400 degreesC for 0.5-3 (preferably 1) hour. The LSM mixture is calcined at 1000 degreesC for 8 hours. The YSZ mixture is calcined at 1200 degreesC for 0.5-5 (preferably 1) hour. The unreduced fuel cell is contacted with water and hydrogen at 650-900 degreesC for 0.5-5 hours.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The alcohol can be methanol, ethanol, or propanol. The organic liquid can be 1-10C alcohol, 2-10C ether, 3-10C ketone, and/or 2-10C ester.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The LSM mixture comprises MnO2, La2O3 or Y2O3, and strontium carbonate. The ratio of water and hydrogen is 1:99 to 10:90. The thicker anode contains 70-90 vol.% NiO, and the thinner anode contains 50-65 vol.% NiO.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Property: The interconnect layer exhibits a shrinkage property during simultaneous co-sintering that is the same as the shrinkage property of the fuel cells.Preferred Composition: The ratio of calcium:strontium is 1:1-3:1.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Structure: The crystalline sequence on the outermost surface of crystalline substrate consists of the crystal structure of indium oxide (In2O3). The crystal structure of ITO thin film is C rare earth type In2O3 crystal or corundum type In2O3 crystal. Preferred Substrate: The crystalline substrate is chosen form YSZ single crystal, sapphire substrate and a substrate carrying zinc oxide thin film of c axis orientation. The YSZ single crystal substrate whose surface is superflattened to atomic order is used after heat treating to 1200-1500degreesC. Hetero epitaxial growth of ITO film of uniform thickness is carried out on the substrate. Preferably, the crystalline substrate is silicone carbide single crystal substrate or silicon single crystal substrate. Preferred Target: The target consists of material chosen from sintered compact of high purity In2O3 or pressed powder, high purity In metal, sintered compact of high purity ITO or pressed powder and high-purity In-Sn alloy. Preferred Composition: The ITO thin film contains 2.8-10.5 mol% or less of tin oxide (SnO2). Preferred Properties: The low resistance ITO thin film has resistance factor of 1x10-4 OMEGAcm. Preferred Process: The target and substrate autorotate during the thin film formation. Degree of vacuum during film forming is set to 1x10-3-1x10-7 Torr. Substrate temperature is maintained at 600degreesC. The film is formed by low voltage sputtering, oxygen cluster beam aided vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition method, organometallic CVD method, organometallic CVD-atomic layer laminated layers method or molecular beam epitaxy method.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Battery: A solar battery consists of the electrode, a counter electrode and a redox electrolytic solution contacting the electrodes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The solid electrolyte consists of polybenzimidazole or a polymer blend comprising polyimidazole e.g., poly(2, 2'-(m-phenylene)-5, 5'-bibenzimidazole) (PBI) and a thermoplastic polymer, e.g., polyimides (PI), polyamides (PA), polyamide imides (PAI), poyetherimides (PEI), polyarylate (PAr), poly(4-vinyl pyridine) (PvPy), or preferably sulfonated polysulfone (SPSF).The first supporting layer consists of 40 - 60 wt.% carbon black and 60 - 40 wt.% hydrophobic polymer. The first catalyst layer consists of 30 - 55 wt.% catalyst powder, preferably comprising platinum catalyst and 70 - 45 wt.% polymer e.g., polybenzimidazole or a blend of polybenzimidazole and a thermoplastic polymer.Preferred Method: The first supporting layer is formed by tape-casting and is subsequently dried and sintered. The first catalyst layer is formed by slurry casting and subsequently dried and sintered.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The solid electrolyte is doped with a non-volatile acid e.g., sulfuric acid or preferably phosphoric acid. The acid has a concentration of 40 - 90 wt.%.The first catalyst layer is doped with a mixture of acids, preferably a mixture of non-volatile acid e.g., phosphoric acid and volatile acid.The second catalyst layer a platinum-ruthenium alloy.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The volatile acid is trifluoroacetic acid or acetic acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The thermoplastic vulcanizate is formed of a polyolefin elastomer (preferably a polar thermoset rubber such as an acrylate rubber or an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber) or a polyolefin thermoplastic (preferably a polar engineering thermoplastic such as polypropylene thermoplastic) or a polyamide thermoplastic. The filler is based on intrinsically conducting polymers, which comprise electrically conductive salts of polypyrrole, polyaniline or polythiophene.Preferred Process: The thermoplastic composition is processable on thermoplastic processing equipment comprising compression, injection, or blow molding or extrusion. The elastomer is processable by injection or compression molding, or by extruding.Preferred Filler: The filler is carbon or metal based and comprises carbon black, graphite, PAN (polyacrylonitrile) based or pitch based carbon fibers.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Filler: The metal-based filler comprises powders, flakes or fibers of aluminum, copper, gold, nickel, steel, tungsten, zinc, brass, tin, stainless steel, or silver coated glass spheres. EXAMPLE - A99 (graphite) (50 wt.%) was mixed with Santoprene 101-87 (olefin based thermoplastic vulcanizate) (50 wt.%) at 190 degrees C for 7.5 minutes, dropped and milled, then remixed for another 6 minutes. Then the sample was compression molded to prepare a thermoplastic composition. The composition was tested for volume resistivity, which was 5.2 ohm-cm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The heavy hydrocarbon fuel comprises hydrocarbon molecules containing at least 6C (preferably gasoline, kerosene, jet fuel, or diesel fuel). It has a sulfur content greater than 500 ppm by weight.Preferred Condition: The catalyst contact time is not more than 500 milliseconds, and a liquid hourly space velocity is greater than 25 hr.-1.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The catalytic structure is a noble metal mesh or a noble metal coating on a metallic mesh. The noble metal is platinum, palladium, iridium, or preferably rhodium. The oxygen containing gas comprises air or oxygen-enriched air.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Support: The open-channel support comprises a ceramic monolith, a porous alumina monolith, or ceramic-coated metallic monolith. EXAMPLE - A hydrocarbon feed of surrogate fuel containing 500 ppm dibenzothiophene was contacted with oxidizer gas comprising 20% oxygen and 5% argon, in the presence of 21 wt.% rhodium catalyst maintained at 1150 degrees C. The contact time was 100 milliseconds. The carbon monoxide production yield was 95% and the hydrogen gas yield was 87%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: At least one of the coextruded organic polymer resins is a resin of Vicat softening point 40-100degreesC. At least one of the resins contains a ultraviolet absorbent. At least one of the resins contains a light stabilizer. A photoelectromotive force element is adhered to the cover material. One of the thermoplastic organic polymer resins is based on polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polycarbonate, nylon, acrylic resin, polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer, polychlorotrifluoroethylene resin, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoro(alkylphenyl ether) copolymer, polyvinylidene fluoride resin, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer or vinylidene fluoride copolymer. The others are based on ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-(meth)acrylate copolymer, ethylene-(meth)acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-(meth)acrylate-(meth)acrylic acid terpolymer, or ethylene-(meth)acrylate-maleic acid anhydr ide terpolymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Module: The wavelength conversion layer comprises a material which converts the short wavelength light into long wavelength light, and comprises a layer containing at least one complex of Eu, Tb, Sm, Er, Pr, Ho and Ru. The inorganic compound layer is a layer or its laminate of silicon oxide, aluminum oxide and/or titanium oxide. The photoelectric conversion layer is a non-crystalline semiconductor layer, fine crystal semiconductor layer or polycrystalline semiconductor layer of silicon.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Module: The resin layer is a layer comprising PET, polycarbonate, polyimide resin, acrylic resin and PEN.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The variation in the supply ratio of oxidizing gas (with respect to heating gas) and changing time of supply ratio are altered based on change in modifier output.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel Modifier: 70% of the catalyst layer is cooled with air for partial oxidation. The catalyst layer contains a manifold part which does not contain the catalyst, in the intermediate part of the heating gas flow direction. The manifold part is cooled using a cooling flow path which is provided in the wall surface of the manifold part. The modification catalyst layer, heating gas inlet manifold and the outlet manifold are connected along the heating gas flow direction. A baffle plate is provided between the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold such that heating gas is passed alternately to the respective manifolds.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The fuel cell system has a mechanism for determining the CO and hydrogen content in the stream. It has a second electrically energized injector supplying a second group of pulses of gaseous mixture comprising oxygen into the stream to catalyze the oxidation of at least a portion of any remaining CO in the stream. The second injector also has an ECM. Preferred Process: The second CO content is determined and the pulse duration is changed proportional to the second CO content to maximize CO consumption. Hydrogen content in the feed stream is determined and the pulse duration is changed inversely with the hydrogen content to minimize hydrogen consumption.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The adsorber material is made of a metal oxide of the MXOY type or a metal oxocarbonate of the MxOy(CO3)z type (where, M = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, La, Mn or Y, and x, y and z = whole numbers), or a hydrotalcite or a complex carbonate compound with a structure-maintaining matrix of the (M2+)x(M3+)y(OH)zCO3.n.H2O type. Preferred Process: Vapor reforming is carried out at 200-900 degreesC with complete removal of CO2 to produce a gas free from CO2 and which is rich in hydrogen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Features: The anode waste gas is methanized during recycling.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Features: The liquid is water and the gas stream is a CO-containing reformer product gas.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Cell: The glass which forms the conductive film is a low alkali glass comprising 35-50 weight % PbO, 40-50 weight % SiO2, 10-15 weight % B2O3 and 5-10 weight % Al2O3.The conductive film comprises 50-90 weight % low alkali glass and 10-50 weight % conductive particles.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The conductive particles are Au, Pt, Rh, Pd, TiN, ZrN, TaN, TiC, WC, ZrC and/or RuO2. EXAMPLE - Pt particles of 30 Angstrom average particle size are supported on acetylene black carbon powder and the catalyst particles are dispersed in isopropanol. To this dispersion liquid, an ethyl alcohol dispersion liquid of perfluorocarbon carboxylic acid powder of formula (I)    (where m = 5-13, n is about 1000, x = 1 and y = 2) is mixed, and coated on the surface of carbon nonwoven cloth to form a catalyst layer on the electrode.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Cell: To ensure a fixed spacing between the separators, a polymer electrolyte having a fixed thickness is provided by arranging on the outer side of (I). This polymer electrolyte is sandwiched between a pair of opposed gasket sheets. The end parts of the pair of opposed gasket sheets project. The spacer sheet is arranged between the gasket sheet sandwiched part and the gasket or the gasket is formed between the gasket sheet sandwiched part and the spacer sheet. The gasket is unified with the gasket sheet. The rubber cured material is the cured material of liquid silicone rubber, liquid nitrile rubber, liquid ethylene-propylene rubber, or liquid fluoro rubber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Evaporator: The evaporator is a plate type evaporator. The evaporator further has vapor flow path (6) provided with spacer, on the non-adhered side of wick, mist capture material (9) provided to outer side of vapor flow path and fin (11) adhered to separator in the heating chamber. The evaporation liquid is supplied to the wick through a liquid part material arrangement (13), connected to evaporation liquid supply pipe. Preferred Method: Cotton fiber and metals such as stainless steel and copper are molded, plate-shaped and sintered, to form wick.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The polysilane consists of formula (1).R1, R2, R3, R4 = aliphatic hydrocarbon residue which may have substituent, aromatic hydrocarbon residue, or alicyclic hydrocarbon residue;n, m = integer.The production of the optoelectric conversion element comprises:(a) laying up the first optoelectric conversion layer, the conductive layer consisting of the organic polysilane, and the counter electrode layer in that order on the electrode layer;(b) applying a voltage to the electrode layer and the counter electrode layer;(c) aligning the organic polysilane.A solar battery has the optoelectric conversion element.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The introduction line has flow path with check valve in the middle, to allow liquid fuel to flow from cylinder (1) to heat exchanger (2). The introduction line also has another flow path with check valve, in parallel to the previous flow path, to allow liquid fuel to flow from heat exchanger to cylinder. Pressure loss is generated in introduction line, due to thin structure of flow path. The exhaust heat generated from reformer during electricity generation of fuel cell is supplied as a heat source to the heat exchanger.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Liquid Fuel : The liquid fuel is butane, propane, paraffin oil, gasoline and/or methanol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: A rod-shaped member (31) is arranged vertically in the reaction chamber (19), for guiding water to vapor generation layer (5).Preferred Process: The cylindrical rod-shaped member is surface-treated, in order to improve wettability of water. The vapor generation layer is formed by filling granules of high heat conductivity in the reaction chamber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The hydrogen gas which is occluded in the hydrogen occlusion alloy powder (by supplying reformed gas containing hydrogen directly or indirectly into the container from the fuel reformer) is released and supplied to a fuel cell. The surplus hydrogen gas supplied to the fuel cell from the fuel reformer is absorbed by the supply apparatus and used during initiation or high output of fuel cell.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The conductive particulate material comprises carbon powder having a specific surface area of up to 100m2/g, and comprises glassy carbon. The cell has at least one layer selected from zinc, tin, aluminum, chromium-containing compound and/or tungsten-containing material between the metal base material and the conductive resin layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: Iron and silicon are deposited simultaneously or alternately by sputtering on silicon substrate. Preferably, iron is deposited as negative ion on substrate. Radical ion of hydrogen or noble gas (neon, argon, krypton or xenon) is irradiated simultaneously, during deposition of iron and silicon on substrate. Alternately, after depositing iron on surface of first silicon substrate, a second silicon substrate can be laminated on the first substrate and heat treatment can be performed in an atmosphere of hydrogen, nitrogen or argon gas, from the surface side of first silicon substrate, so as to form a beta-iron silicide layer between silicon substrates. Before performing deposition of iron, the silicon substrates are subjected to hydrophilization and ion implantation by iron, silicon, neon, argon, krypton, or xenon and doping impurities. Preferred Conditions: The silicon substrate is heated at 400-700degreesC. The silicon substrate is n- or p- type substrate and beta-iron silicide layer is n- or p- type thin film. The amount of radical ion implantation is 5x1012-1x1015 cm-2. The thickness of deposited iron film is less than 3.2 times the depth of ion implanted. Preferred Doping Impurities: The n-type doping impurities are manganese, chrome or molybdenum and p-type doping impurities are cobalt, nickel, platinum or palladium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Dye: The methine dye of formula (I) is a squarylium cyanine dye of formula (VII).The methine dye of formula (II) is a merocyanine dye of formula (VIII).The methine dye of formula (III) is a squarylium merocyanine dye of formula (IX).R41, R42, R44, R45, R51, R52, R61, R62 = H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, or aryl;R43, R46, R53, R63 = H, alkyl, or aryl;R54 to R56 = alkyl or aryl;L51 = methine chain consisting of even number of methine groups,X51 = -O-, -S-, -CO-NR56,-, or -NR56-;Y51 = =O, =S, or =CR57R58;Y61 = =O, =S-, or =CR64R65;R57, R58, R64, R65 = cyano, carboxyl, acyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, or arylsulfonyl.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Semiconductor Particles: The semiconductor fine particles comprises titanium dioxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: At least one medium can be forced through and/or over the layers under a pressure drop. The plates are sub-divided into thermally insulated functional zones by insulating plates (6), preferably parallel to the layers, and/or between lower and upper end plates (1, 2), especially aluminum end plates. The layers are held between the end plates by fasteners, preferably tie rods (5). The edges of the layers are sealed against the surroundings. Functional zones of higher temperature develop in the stack. The sides of the stack are surrounded by insulation. The end plates and fastener are outside the thermally insulated zone. The apparatus has educt ducts (20, 21) for selective feeding of each educt to individual zones and/or ducts passing through (part of) the layers, through which the educts or products can be transferred from the first zone to the second and/or product ducts (22) through (part of) the layers, through heated educts or reaction products can be discharged from each zone. It is also possible to feed the same educt to different zones selectively with communicating educt ducts and discharge the product from each zone through different product ducts.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: In the reactor cold-start phase, fuel and a gas stream containing oxygen are passed over (I) until the monitored temperature of (I) exceeds a predeterminable switch-over value, before treatment with (II). To retain the heat content of the reactor, the (I) temperature is monitored continuously after operation and compared with a third, lower threshold and treatment with (II) is started at the latest when the temperature is below this value and stopped when the maximum is exceeded. Reactivation is restarted at the earliest when the monitored temperature of (I) is below a first threshold. (II) is an air stream diluted with steam and (I) is purged with steam before and/or after each treatment with (II). Reactivation in a reactor in a vehicle is started by detection of refueling or by the driver. The tolerance value is not more than 100 K, preferably not more than 20 K. In the cold start phase, the initial fuel-gas mixture contain a stoichiometric excess of oxygen and the stoichiometry can be changed during this phase. The switch-over temperature is 100-200, preferably about 150degreesC. The temperature of (I) is monitored and compared with a second lower threshold and reactivation is started directly by adding (II) when this threshold is exceeded.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The metal alkoxide is tetraethoxysilane.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The polymer is Nafion.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: In the gasification process containing water vapor and hydrogen and/or carbon monoxide, the gasification temperature range is 900-1500 degrees C and the temperature of the formed gas is at least 900 degrees C. A heating auxiliary can be introduced into the high temperature gasification process.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The reduction catalyst contains a metal such as platinum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: (1) with R1, R2 = electron-donating groups and (1) with R1, R2 containing a partial structure of formula (3) are preferred.R5, R6 = H or optically substituted alkyl or aryl or R5 and R6 fuse with each other directly or via divalent optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted aryl, O, S, optionally substituted imino, carbonyl or thiocarbonyl. EXAMPLE - A mixture of 4-dicyanomethylene-2,6-dimethyl- 4H-pyran (3.2 g), 4-N,N-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde (9 g) and piperidine (base catalyst) (4.8 g) in isopropanol (50 ml) was stirred for 10 hours at 90 degreesC and diluted with methanol (100 ml) to precipitate the product. The mixture was filtered by suction and the filtered mass was recrystallized from n-butanol twice to give green plate crystals of (14) (6 g).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Compound: rings formed by nitrogen and 4 examples of Za or Zb are given including formulae (II) and (III).R11, R21 = carboxyl, sulphonic acid, hydroxyl, hydroxam acid, phosphoryl, or phosphenyl group;R12, R24 = substitution group;a11, a12, a21 = 0-8;A1 - A4 = N or =CR13- group;4 dyes of formula (I) are given including a compound of formula (IV);R31, R32 = carboxyl, sulphonic acid, hydroxyl, hydroxam acid, phosphoryl, or phosphenyl group;R37, R38 = substitution group;a31, a32 = 0-8;a37, a38 = 0-4.The semiconductor fine particles are titanium oxide ones. A photo-cell comprises the photo-electric transducer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: 70 mol.% or more of substituted aromatic rings in repeating units of polyaniline are bonded at the meta-positions. The polymer is obtained by doping the polyaniline with a strong acid or an acid compound which is an inorganic acid (preferably phosphoric acid and/or sulfuric acid) or an organic phosphoric acid compound. EXAMPLE - Aniline (16.5 ml) was dissolved in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (248 ml). Ammonium peroxodisulfate (41.3 g) was added to the solution at -5 - 0 degreesC for 12 hours and stirred overnight to room temperature. The solution was poured into large excess of deionized water. The solid obtained was washed repeatedly with deionized water and acetone and finally with the water. The solid was dried at 100 degreesC to obtain a meta type polyaniline.    The polyaniline (2 g) was dissolved in trifluoroacetic acid (20 ml) at 10% concentration. Diphenylphosphoric acid was added in 0.75 molecule per repeating unit of the charged polyaniline and stirred overnight. The solution was cast on a polytetrafluoroethylene sheet on a hot plate. The solvent was evaporated at 40 degreesC and vacuum dried at 80 degreesC to obtain a 30 - 60 microns thick acid-doped polyaniline (proton conducting polymer) film. This was compared with an acid-doped poly(2,2'-(m-phenylene)-5,5'-bibenzimidazole film.    The comparative showed a permeation rate of methanol of 1.82 x 10 to the power -6 g/cm2.minute.    The invention showed the rate of 1.5 x 10 to the power -6 g/cm2.minute. The invention showed extremely high proton conductivity although the dopant amount in this was smaller than the comparative. The invention had higher methanol barrier property compared to Nafion 112 (hydrated membrane film) and Nafion 117 (hydrated membrane film) with 1.7 x 10 to the power -3 g/cm2.minute and 1.2 x 10 to the power -3 g/cm2.minute respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Composition: The glass contains (in wt.%) 58-65 SiO2, 6-11.5 B2O3, 14-25 Al2O3, 4-8 MgO, 0-2 CaO, 0.5-4 SrO, 0-0.5 BaO and 0-2 ZnO. The glass has a thermal expansion coefficient alpha(20/300) of 2.8-3.4 x 10 power minus 6/K.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: A reforming section (160) is also disposed within the vessel. It comprises a combustion and gasification catalyst bed (162) which is spaced apart and in fluid communication with the reactant mixer (140), and a steam reforming catalyst bed (164) in contact with the combustion and gasification catalyst bed. Two heat exchangers (120) and a fuel vaporizer (130) are also disposed within the vessel. Preferred Arrangement: The injection tubes and the mixer tubes are arranged in a hexagonal array. Preferred Dimension: The length of the mixer tubes is at least ten times their inner diameter.
EXAMPLE - A typical thermosetting resin of noncarbonaceous resin includes phenol resin, furan resin, epoxy resin, polyimide resin, and amino resin. Typical thermoplastic resin includes polyolefin resin, such as polypropylene resin, and ethylene-propylene resin, polyester resin, such as polyalkylene terephthalate, and polyalkylene naphthalate, polycarbonate resin, and polystyrene resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: A condenser for collecting the water component ejected from the fuel cell is installed to the water supply apparatus. The heat exchanger is equipped with piping (62) for cooling media arranged above the liquid fuel supply apparatus. Alternatively, the system has heat exchanger installed with fuel tank above mixing tank. A water flow pipe is arranged around the fuel tank. The fuel tank may be arranged in the condenser.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: Temperature of melting silicon at outer wall surface of the melting pot is set to 1420-1470 degreesC. The circumferential speed of the cooling body is 0.004-4 m/second, preferably 0.1-2.20 m/sec. The angle of perpendicular cross section of outer circumferential surface to horizontal surface of lower part of cooling body is 60-90 degreesC, preferably 80-90 degreesC. The flow rate of cooling gas introduced into the cooling body is 0.001-4 (m3/sec)/m2, preferably 0.6-3.8 (m3/sec)/m2 of the unit area of crystallized part of cooling body. The cooling gas is a mixed gas comprising inert gas which doesn't oxidize or mixed gas of two or more types of gases such as nitrogen. The pulling up speed when pulling the purified and crystallized silicon to cooling body from melting silicon is 5-70 cms, preferably 10-60 cms. The manufacturing process is repeated more than twice.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The organic compound contains oxygen, nitrogen and/or sulfur atom and is preferably methanol, ethanol, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, formic acid or acetic acid.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The carbon atom (n) in fullerene is preferably at least60. The soot contains 2-5 weight percent of fullerene. The photocatalyst has catalytic activity under visible ray and/or ultraviolet ray irradiation. A co-catalyst having oxidation-reduction potential and which accelerates oxidation, and noble metal which accelerates generation of hydrogen during decomposition of organic compound are added to the catalyst. The photocatalyst is a suspension of soot containing fullerene in liquid or is a porous body impregnated with soot. Preferred Method: The decomposition of carbon compound is performed under normal temperature and pressure. During decomposition of organic compound, hydrogen and carbon dioxide are generated. The fullerene molecule is obtained by arc discharge method using carbon containing electrode. Preferred Cell: The photocatalyst is contacted with cathode. The hydrogen is supplied to cathode to form hydrogen ion. Then, the hydrogen ion is passed to anode through the electrolyte. The hydrogen ion reacts with the oxygen ion in the anode.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Moiety: The functional group is sulfonic acid group or carboxylic acid group.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Laminate: At least 1 layer of the laminate is a fluoropolymer layer having carboxylic acid group, and another at least 1 layer is a fluoropolymer layer having sulfonic acid group. The layer positioned directly under the outermost layer is the fluoropolymer layer having carboxylic acid group.Preferred Properties: The DC (direct current) resistance value of outer most layer is less than half of the DC resistance factor of fluoropolymer layer having carboxylic acid group which exists directly under it. The thickness of outer most layer is 0.1-50 micron. EXAMPLE - Film (A) with a thickness of 75 micron and exchange capacity of 0.93 milliequivalent/g (mEqv/g) was produced from copolymer of perfluoro carbon monomer (CPCM) having methyl carboxylate and tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) having exchange capacity of 0.84 mEqv/g. Film (B) having thickness of 125 micron and film (C) having thickness of 25 micron and exchange capacity 1 mEqv/g, were produced from CPCM having sulfonyl fluoride group and TFE. Film-A was laminated between film-B and -C, heated at 220degreesC and soaked in solution containing (in weight parts) potassium hydroxide (16.8), dimethyl sulfoxide (30) and pure water (70), at 90degreesC for 1 hour, to convert sulfonyl fluoride group into potassium sulfonate, and methyl carboxylate group into potassium carboxylate. Then washed with pure water, soaked in 0.5 N sodium hydroxide and maintained at 85degreesC for 30 minutes, to form sodium sulfonate. Brine electrolysis was performed on film C and electrolytic voltage of film C was found to be 3.23 V. Similarly, film A and C were separately soaked as above, except in solution containing potassium hydroxide (16.8). Film A had DC resistance of 120 omega/cm and film C had 40 omega/cm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The fibrous base material is oriented at 60-120degrees with respect to the thickness direction of the thick parts to the molded product. Preferred Compound: The composite compound preferably comprises (pbw) graphite (100), thermosetting resin (15-45), and fibrous base material (3-35).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INDUSTRIAL STANDARDS - Preferred Properties: The fuel cell separator has a flexural strength of 40-100 MPa, a flexural modulus of 20-60 GPa, and an amount of warpage of not more than 0.5 mm, as measured according to JIS K6911. EXAMPLE - A mixture composed of (pbw) graphite (100) having particle average size of 50 microns and a purity of 99.7%, phenolic resin (35), and carbon fiber (5) was extruded into pellets, each measuring 5 mm long and 5 mm in diameter. The pellets were injected into a test piece. The test piece was found to have a flexural strength of 45.2 MPa and a flexural modulus of 40 GPa.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: The barrier material is first applied to the substrate, after which the doping material is applied. The doping material is applied over the barrier material and over regions of the substrate located between the barrier material. It is applied virtually exclusively to regions between the barrier material or it is applied to the substrate at highly doped regions, after which the barrier material is applied to the substrate at low doping regions. A diffusion barrier material, which is a dielectric material in paste form, is sintered after being applied to the substrate. The doping material has been added to the barrier material. An etching material is added to the diffusion barrier material to etch away the substrate.Preferred Properties: The surface resistance of highly doped regions is 10-60 ohm square, while that of low doped regions is 40-500 ohm square. The concentration of the doping material in the highly doped regions is 1 x 10 to the power 18/cm3 to 1 x 10 to the power 21/cm3 for a diffusion depth is 0.1-0.5 microns. The concentration of the doping material in the regions of low doping is 1 x 10 to the power 17/cm3 to 1 x 10 to the power 21/cm3 for a diffusion depth of 0.1-5 microns.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Cell: The water repellency of the substrate varies in the thickness direction and is higher on the separator plate side than on the polymer electrolyte side. The water repellency of the substrate varies in the surface direction and is higher on the gas outlet side than on the gas inlet side of the separators. The water repellency of the cathode is higher than the water repellency of the anode. The gas permeability of the substrate is 1-60 seconds/100 ml, by Garley constant. The gas permeability of the substrate in the cathode is 1.2-2.0 times that in the anode. The porosity of the substrate in the cathode 1.2-2.0 times that in the anode. The thickness of the substrate in the cathode is 1.2-3 times that in the anode. The cathode and anode have a contact layer joined to the electrolyte and a gas diffusing layer which contacts to the separator plate.The contact layer comprises catalyst particles supported on carbon particles and hydrogen ion conductive polymer electrolyte. The gas diffusion layer comprises a conductive porous substrate containing carbon particles. The water repellency of the carbon particles in the gas diffusion layer is higher than that in the contact layer, and the water repellency of the cathode and/or anode varies in the thickness direction.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred System: The pair of reflector wings use a solar controlled motorized tracking system. The solar electric-powered refrigerator has 4 units of PCT junctions. The system further comprises a light battery charger having a rectifier diode connected in series with paralleled high consumption light bulbs. These series connections are completed with the batteries to be charged and closed the circuit with alternating current power. The ATP battery has a 3-6 singles cells (6-12 Volts) with external connection like modular cell pack. The controller is hyper-boost. The system further comprises an electron organizer of flat sandwich of two different metal alloys. The metal alloys are separated by a thin spongy paper moistened with ATP. The system further comprises a flat aluminum sheet covering 75% of the back surface of the solar panel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The reactive silyl group consists of a hydrolyzing silyl group. The monomer having the ultraviolet ray absorbing group consists of at least one monomer of formula (I) or formula (II).R1 = H, or 1-8C hydrocarbon;R2 = lower alkylene;R3 = H, or methyl;X = H, halo, 1-8C hydrocarbon, lower alkoxy, cyano, or nitro;R4 = lower alkylene;R5 = H, or methyl.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The ion exchange membrane is produced by coextruding in a film shape the polymer containing the repeating unit of formula (1) and the polymer containing the repeating unit of formula (2) at a temperature higher than the melting points of the polymers from a slit die.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: An inlet portion is provided adjacent the spacer. The excess gas is exhausted from the spacer by supplying inert gas through the inlet. Alternatively, the excess gas is deactivated by supplying mixed gas containing at least oxygen to the spacer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Alloy: The A and B sites of alloy are lanthanum and nickel, respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The high purity hydrogen gas supplied to the membrane separation unit is heated using a heat exchanger. The breed gas obtained from hydrogen separation membrane is utilized as hydrogen gas for hydrodesulfurization of sulfur contained in the hydrocarbon, or as heating gas for heating the mixed fluid, and is re-supplied to hydrogen separation membrane after pressure application. A burner is installed inside the water vapor reformer (15) containing steam reforming unit. The raw material preheating unit (16) preheats the hydrocarbon prior to supply to the desulfurization unit. The raw material heater (17) heats the mixed fluid containing hydrocarbon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The impurity removal unit comprises combustion unit which burns the organic substance, nitrogen oxide (NOx) and sulfur oxide (SOx) and adsorption unit. The combustion unit consists of catalyzed combustion layer. The heat produced from combustion unit is used for increasing temperature in fuel cell system. The combustion unit consists of a burner. Waste gas ejected from the reformed gas of fuel electrode is used as fuel for the burner.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Design: The inlet and outlet of the heat exchangers are arranged such that the fuel supplied to the heat exchanger from the reformer zone flows along parallel direction. A partition is placed between adjoining pair of inlet and outlet of the heat exchangers. The fuel reformer has at least two pairs of plates with a waveform fin interposed in between.Preferred Unit: The heat supply unit supplies heat to the inlet and outlet of the heat exchanger, and a coolant supply to supply the coolant to the fuel reformer. An exhaust gas supply ejects the gas formed during reforming process.Preferred Function: The amount of supply of heat exchange can be varied. The fuel reformer is mounted to the vehicle and the reformer responses to the acceleration-deceleration condition of the vehicle by adjusting the amount of hydrogen and oxygen present in the gas.Preferred Gas: The fuel supplied to the reformer is hydrocarbon, water vapor and oxygen containing gas.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Design: The apparatus contains an outer side casing (21) having a predetermined space into which tubular units such as the oxidation chamber, modification chamber and gas permeable thin film pipe are arranged concentrically in the vertical direction. The oxidation chamber is provided between the casing and modification chamber. The thin film pipe is formed by coating a thin metal layer on a porous base material which is a porous stainless steel or porous ceramic material.Preferred Thickness: The porous base material has thickness of 0.5-2 mm and the thin metal layer has thickness of 1-20 microns.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The coal property fuel is selected from methanol, ethanol, gasoline, petroleum and their mixture.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metals: The metal layer formed on the base material contains palladium or palladium alloy. The modification catalyst bed contains catalyst substances selected from nickel, copper and iron. The oxidation catalyst bed contains palladium or platinum.Preferred Conditions: The water vapor modification reaction is carried out at 250-550 degrees C. Hydrogen gas is extracted at permeation pressure difference of 0.20-2 MPa. Coal property fuel which is a mixture containing water vapor and methanol is supplied into the apparatus at velocity (WHSV) of 0.5-30 hour-1. Molar ratio of water vapor and methanol is 1:2.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Electrolyte: The electrolyte is a self-cohesive gal based on uric acid or sulfuric acid further comprising dry silica and silver/tin alloy salts.Preferred Battery: The battery is a multicell battery. Each cell comprises a porous fibre glass or fullerene-based cover sheet at the top of the housing covering the electrolyte.Preferred Battery Charger: The charger is located in a nitrogen-containing atmosphere together with the battery. It comprises, in its charging line, a light emitting element emitting at least part of the frequency spectrum of a black body radiator.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The process is operated at 200-800 mbar and 500-1400degreesC, using a gas mixture containing a silane and up to 50 vol.% silicon-free gas, with a ratio of gas flow rate to rate of relaxation = 1-10. The process is carried out in a fluidized bed consisting of silicon particles with a diameter of 50-5000 microns, while the addition of particles and the removal of the silicon product may be carried out continuously or at intervals and suitable dopants for the silicon may be added during the process.Preferred Gases: Silane (SiH4), with hydrogen and/or nitrogen as silicon-free gas. EXAMPLE - Silane decomposition tests were carried out at 650degreesC in a fluid bed reactor containing 600 g silicon particles with a diameter of 250-355 microns, which was supplied with a mixture of silane (SiH4) and hydrogen. With a feed gas containing 10 vol% silane and a slight overpressure (150 mbar) in the reactor, the silicon particles agglomerated directly after this concentration was established, causing irreversible defluidization of the bed. Reproducibly stable operation over long periods at normal pressure could only be achieved with silane concentrations of less than 10 vol.%. If the reactor was operated at reduced pressure (800 mbar abs.), thermal decomposition proceeded with no problems for 30 minutes after the silane content was adjusted to 10 vol.%. This gave a silane conversion of ca. 100%, with deposition of 81.08 g silicon (98.7% on the bed particles and 1.3% as fine dust which was collected with a cyclone and filter).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The base is a mixed liquid also containing glycols. The rust preventative contains a weak alkaline additive and/or a weak acidic additive. The alkaline additive is an ethanolamine e.g. triethanolamine, diethanolamine, or a monoethanolamine. The acidic additive is a triazole, phosphoric acid or an organic phosphate. The rust preventative is maintained at a hydrogen ion exponent of 6-9 and maintains the coolant at a low conductivity of 100 microS/cm. The rust preventative has a rust prevention property to aluminum and is a nonionic material containing a saccharide and/or a nonionic surfactant.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The electroconducting polymer is polyaniline, polypyrrole, polythiophene and polyfuran.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Structure: Several protruding lines and grooves are provided on the surface of electrode substrate or solid polymer electrolyte film. The groove functions as supply path of reacting matter and spillway of product. The cross-section of one end of groove is made larger than the cross-section of another end. Preferred Process: The catalyst microparticle is coupled at a ridgeline part on which the top of protruding line of solid polymer electrolyte film or electrode substrate (in which the protruding line and groove are not formed), and the wall surface of groove are formed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred protection film of vapor-deposition: The film is a thin film of metal oxide made by chemical or physical vapor deposition, preferably of silicon oxide formed by plasma CVD, especially a compound of silicon and oxygen containing trace amounts of carbon and/or hydrogen. The layer is 10-150 Angstroms thick.Preferred metal oxide vapor deposition film: The film consists of a single layer of metal oxide or two or more layers of the same or different metal oxide, with a thickness of 150-4000 Angstroms.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred plastic sheet: The plastic sheet has visible light transmittance of at least 90%. It is made from fluororesin, cyclic polyolefin, polycarbonate, poly(meth)acrylate or polyester resins, and contains an ultraviolet absorber and/or an antioxidant.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The energy carrier is an alcohol, especially methanol, or a hydrocarbon. For the reforming stage, a process with partial oxidation of hydrocarbons or alcohols, an autothermal reforming of hydrocarbons or alcohols, an autothermal reforming of fuels miscible with water or an autothermal reforming of fuels non-miscible with water.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The gas shift reaction is adjusted so the CO2/CO ratio in the exhaust gas of the fuel reformer is at least 0.2. The supply ratio of fuel and steam is such that the H2O/C ratio is at least 0.5 (at most 3). The exhaust gas temperature of the reformer is at most 800 degrees C. The supply amount of fuel and oxygen is such that the O2/C ratio is at least 0.9 times the O2/C theoretical ratio in the partial oxidation reaction. Specifically, the O2/C ratio is at most 1.5 times the O2/C theoretical ratio. The activation point of the catalyst is formed by rhodium and/or ruthenium. The catalyst is supported on a honeycomb-type monolithic support.Preferred System: An exhaust gas supply means (25) is provided to supply steam-containing gas from the oxygen electrodes of other fuel cells to the reformer. An output current controller is provided which controls the output current of the fuel cells by setting the oxygen concentration and steam concentration of the exhaust gas supplied to the reformer to a fixed range.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Property: The solid polymeric electrolyte has ionic conductivity and compressibility of 4x10-4 S/cm or more and 60 KPa or more, respectively. Preferred Composition: The polyamide group resin contains 1-20 mol% of polyoxyalkylene monoamine. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The alkali metal salt is lithium perchlorate, lithium tetrafluoro borate, lithium hexafluoro phosphate, trifluoromethyl sulfonyl lithium nitrite (LiN (CF3SO2)2).    EXAMPLE - (In grams) Polyamide group resin intermediate (A) was prepared by reacting, 4,4'-diphenyl methane diisocyanate (115.87), adipic acid (24.36), sebacic acid (44.95), dodecanedioic acid (38.39) and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) (252.8), at 130degreesC for 2 hours and 170degreesC for 2 hours. A solution (A) (88.75), containing bisphenol (A) type epoxy resin dissolved in NMP (92.6) and solution (B) comprising Jeffamin M-100 (27.9) dissolved in NMP (103.8), were sequentially added to polyamide group resin intermediate maintained at 170degreesC, and reaction mixture was prepared. The reaction mixture was reacted for 1 hour at 170degreesC, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (249.6) was added, cooled and solution of polyamide group resin having Jeffamin M-100 residue in side chain was obtained.    The solution was coated on polyethylene terephthalate, dried for 1 hour at 150degreesC and polymer film of thickness 40 mum was formed. The film was made to swell in mixed solvent of ethylene carbonate/dimethyl carbonate (in volume ratio of 1/1) containing lithium hexafluoro phosphate. The obtained solid polymeric electrolyte was found to have ionic conductivity of 5x10-4 S/cm, compressibility of 140 KPa, favorable softness and charging, discharging characteristics of 180.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The reaction containers are mutually connected using a connection material which has favorable thermal conductivity. An air inlet is provided at a connection part (14) of the container for introduction of air. The containers are flat, and has a tortuous gas passageway (12).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The gas flow path is inclined by packing it with catalyst particle whose packing density can be changed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: The first semiconductor layer is grown by bringing the substrate (100) into contact with a melt at a temperature, e.g., not lower than 500 degrees C, such that defects due to oxygen (101) are suppressed to less than 1000/cm2 on an oxygen-containing substrate surface. The second semiconductor layer is further grown by increasing the temperature of the melt after the first layer is grown to a thickness, which does not cause defects due to oxygen. The temperature is controlled to be not lower than 750 degrees C when a silicon substrate is used. A surface of the first and second silicon layer side of the substrate is anodized to produce a solar cell. A third semiconductor layer is grown on the first layer by growing the first layer to the specified thickness and then taking the substrate out of the melt and into another melt. Preferred Components: The silicon substrate is a Czochralski (CZ) silicon wafer. The first semiconductor layer is at least 0.01 microns thick.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred System: The heaters have means for spot introduction of the heated educt(s) at one or more points of the reaction chamber inlet section. The heater has several heating elements covering all or part of the inlet section of the reaction chamber. Alternatively, the reactor has a switchable educt feed system, such that the educt are supplied only over part of the inlet cross-section in a start-up mode and over the entire cross-section in a normal operating mode.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The layers are surrounded by a gas-tight foil. These is also at least one vent with catalyst between the foils and layers. The catalyst is pressed onto a metal mesh support, especially of dendritic copper.The edge of the catalyst is sealed by:(a) greater compression;(b) by adding other material(s) to the edge before pressing to form a gas-tight seal on pressing; or(c) by applying a gas-impermeable, thermostable material to the stack of pressed layers.Preferred Process: In method (b), the layers are sintered after pressing or the added material forms a gas-tight edge seal under the process conditions. In method (c), the material is applied by dipping or plasma or flame spraying; or a solder foil is applied and the apparatus is heated, so that the foil penetrated the layers and forms a gas-tight edge seal.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The desulfurizer is a hydrodesulfurizer. The fuel processor comprises a shift reactor for receiving the reformate fuel stream downstream of the reformer and reacting carbon monoxide in the reformate fuel stream with water to produce carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The processor also comprises an oxidizer for receiving the reformate fuel stream downstream of the shift reactor and reacting carbon monoxide in the reformate fuel stream with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide. A fuel compressor increases the pressure of the inlet fuel stream. A recycling passage recycles a portion of the hydrogen-rich fuel stream into the inlet fuel stream upstream of the compressor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The organocadmium compound is a dimethylcadmium.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - The substrate comprises glass, or glass coated with indium tin oxide, cadmium telluride (CdTe), cadmium zinc telluride, gallium arsenide (GaAs), silicon (Si), GaAs/Si, or CdTe/GaAs.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: The temperature of the substrate is maintained at 150-300degreesC (preferably at 250-300degreesC). The reaction is carried out in the presence of mercury vapor. The method further comprises doping the Hg1-xCdxTe material to form a p-n junction, and growing a passivating layer of CdTe on the Hg1-xCdxTe.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Layers: Polyethylene terephthalate is especially used for forming the resin film (11) of protective back sheet. The EVAc film has a crosslinked structure. Organic flame retardants containing more than one halogen atom (especially chlorine or bromine) per molecule or an inorganic flame retardant such as hydroxylated mineral salts, phosphorylated compounds or red phosphorus is used in the EVAc film. Antimony trioxide and/or expanded graphite are additionally present as flame resistant adjuvants in the EVAc film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Ion: The ion is a proton and has a proton releasing agent in the film.Preferred Ion Transmitter: The ion transmitter is propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate or sulfolanes. The three-dimensional crosslinked structure is formed by bonding silicon and oxygen.Preferred Polymer: The organic polymer has hydrolysable silyl group in principal chain terminal part and/or side chain which is coupled to the three dimensional crosslinked structure through covalent bond. The organic polymer is a polyether and polytetramethylene oxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Agent: The proton releasing agent is an solid inorganic acid or tungstophosphoric acid. The solid inorganic acid has the metal-oxygen bonding and covalent bond.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Method: The laminate is processed by irradiating ultraviolet rays of 290-460 nm and having strength of 80-150 mW/cm2, for 100-1000 hours.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The main body of catalytic reactor is inserted into the heating unit. The carrier is a metal carrier.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The source material layer is formed by applying a paste containing source material on a holder and drying.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Manufacture: A solar module is formed by successively laying up the following on one surface of the surface protective sheet described above: (a) a filler layer; (b) a solar battery element serving as a photoelectromotive force element; (c) a filler layer; and (d) the rear surface protective sheet described above. Vacuum adsorption is applied to them to form an integrated molded part by heat pressing lamination.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The positive temperature gradient is passed from central part of mold to the surrounding areas. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The method further includes baking the waste of unbaked fuel cell separator, before or after the crushing step at 500-3,000 degrees C. An environmental gas is supplied to the powdered material in the baking step. The baking step converts the resin in the waste of fuel cell separator to carbon or graphite. The resin is supplemented in a weight ratio of 2.4-40%. The method further includes adding a solvent to the powdered material to granulate the powdered material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The conductive material comprises carbon powder having an average diameter of 10-100 microns (preferably 30 microns).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Process: The semiconductor layer is separated while holding the substrate by vacuum attachment and/or electrostatic attachment. The separation layer is a porous layer formed by anodisation.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Assembly: The tubular metallic assembly comprises a spiral or a mesh of thread preferably nickel thread. The tubular metallic structure comprises a support tube which is at least substantially rigid. The support tube is selected from an expanded metal tube, a woven mesh tube and a perforated tube and is formed of nickel or nickel alloy. The support tube comprises a substrate of heat resistant, heat conducting metal and a nickel or nickel alloy surface layer. The substrate is steel. The surface layer is a foil or is coated on the substrate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The carbonaceous material has a curved structure. The carbonaceous material has a work function of more than 4.9 eV. The carbonaceous material is formed by arc discharge using carbon electrodes. The carbonaceous material is a carbonaceous material formed on a negative electrode by an arc discharge method using a direct or alternating power source using a carbon electrode as positive electrode. The carbonaceous material is carbon nanotubes or one or a mixture of a fullerene Cn, where n at least 20. The unit of the fullerene molecule is C60 fullerene or C70 fullerene, and the mixture of fullerene molecules is C60 fullerene and C70 fullerene. The carbonaceous material is formed using a mixture of carbonaceous material and a transition metal such as iron, rare earth element, nickel, cobalt, palladium, rhodium, platinum and/or their alloys.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Arrangement: The support has gas flow in pipe (12) which supplies an inert gas into the chamber. Susceptor has an outlet through which inert gas flows out of the chamber (2) from surface of the silicon raw material or silicon melt solution. Elevator is fixed to the chamber. A susceptor phase control part rotates the susceptor in periphery of the shaft centered around the elevation direction of the support. A support part (15) is provided for supporting the support (10).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Apparatus: The volume of each of the fuel chamber and the recovery chamber is changeable and the volume of the fuel chamber is decreased depending upon the amount of fuel consumed and the volume of the recovery chamber is increased by the decreased volume of the fuel chamber.The hydrogen supply system further comprises: a container (10) for enclosing the fuel chamber and the recovery chamber; and a movable partition (12) located in the container for partitioning the inner portion of the container into the fuel chamber and the recovery chamber. The movable partition is moved depending on the amount of fuel in the fuel chamber and the amount of by-product in the recovery chamber.A combustible element burns the by-product outside the recovery chamber. The heat of combustion of the by-product is used as a heat source of the hydrogen supply system.The hydrogen supply system further comprises: a chemical heat pump system (HP) which absorbs waste heat from the fuel cell and generates higher temperatures than that of the fuel cell; and a heat exhauster (26, 30) for exhausting at least part of the higher heat.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Sensor: The coating comprises a polymer matrix, e.g. of silicone or hydroxyethyl methacrylate polymer, in which the indicator is embedded. The indicator is selected from thermotropic and/or thermochromic substances, a porphyrin, chlorophyll, fluorescein, rhodamine, ruthenium and/or phthalocyanine complexes, pyrenes, polycyclic aromatics, rare earth and fluorescent substances, e.g. perylenes or pyronines. The coating also includes a fluorescent dye as light amplifier or is overcoated with a film (especially gas-permeable) containing a fluorescent dye, especially one that emits in a spectral region corresponding to the absorption of the indicator. The solar cell is based on amorphous or crystalline silicon, gallium arsenide, indium phosphide, germanium, selenium, cadmium telluride, cadmium sulfide, copper-indium-gallium diselenide or copper-indium sulfide. Only part of the solar cell is coated, the coated and uncoated parts being provided with separate electrodes.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Sensor: The coating preferably comprises a polymer matrix, e.g. of silicone or hydroxyethyl methacrylate polymer, in which the indicator is embedded EXAMPLE - A sensor for performing an human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) test comprises a polycrystalline silicon solar cell coated with a transparent porous membrane having an active part and a reference part. The active part is printed with special genetically manipulated protein molecules (no details given). A drop of diluted blood is applied to the active part, followed by a detection reagent (no details given). If HIV is present, reaction between the detection reagent and antibodies captured by the protein molecules results in a blue color which alters the spectrum of light falling on the solar cell and increases the photocurrent.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Fuel Cell: A separator is placed between the anodic electrode coating and reformer catalyst layer. The concentration and/or composition of the catalyst in the coating is variable. The amount of second reformer catalyst layer is 3-50 mg/cm2. The membrane of the electrode assembly preferably is reinforced with textile fabric.Preferred Process: The function as DMFC is used for cold starts, in which a liquid methanol-water mixture is reacted at the anode. In long-term operation, the operating pressure and/or temperature is sufficient for the reforming reaction to occur inside the fuel cell. These conditions are not less than 150 degrees C and/or not less than 5 bar and the cell especially operates long-term as high temperature fuel cell (HT-PEM).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The containment tank includes a water inlet (89), an H2 outlet (90) and a water outlet (83) in its lower portion. The alkaline metal injector comprises a hydraulic piston (98) and metering wheel device. It incrementally introduces alkaline metal into the containment tank while remaining sealed from the ambient air, without loss of hydrogen pressure. It is signaled by a pressure sensor to add an incremental amount of alkaline metal when pressure in the containment tank falls below a predetermined pressure. When the pressure in the containment tank fails to reach a predetermined maximum pressure within a predetermined number of incremental amounts of alkaline metal within a predetermined period of time, the alkaline metal injector is not signaled to add an additional incremental amount of alkaline metal.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Property: The nano-particles have an average diameter of 2-100, preferably 2-80 nm, or 200-950 nm.Preferred Component: The material comprises an aggregate of nano-materials with an average critical dimension of 15-200 nm, a non-graphitic nano-material with a critical dimension of less than 40 nm, or a nano-material with a critical dimension of less than 100 nm. It is a dry metal. At least part of the material catalyzes a splitting of molecular hydrogen to atomic hydrogen. The material comprises member(s) from Ti0.98Zr0.02V0.45Fe0.1Cr0.05Mn1.4, Ca0.2M0.8Ni5, Ni64Zr36, Fe0.8Ni0.2Ti, LaNi4.7Al0.3, iron-titanium, Fe0.9Mn0.1Ti, CaNi5, LaNi5, magnesium-nickel, magnesium-copper, magnesium, vanadium, titanium, zirconium, thulium, palladium, calcium, or their hydrides, where M0.8 is mischmetal. The nano-particle has at least two different sizes and comprises an alloy, a liquid nano-droplet of a chemical hydride. It is coated, multiply coated, or partially coated with an additional material. It is liquid, crystalline, or amorphous. The material comprises junk ore or a precursor metal mixture recovered from ore. EXAMPLE - Iron particles (1 kg) with average diameter of 50 nm were held with a hydrogen permeable bag. The bag was expandable to contain the nanoparticles even if the volume within the bag quickly changes. It had smaller pores than 40 nm and was held within a low pressure vessel that was resistant to hydrogen embrittlement and capable of gently heated and optionally coated for hydrogen release/uptake.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The monomer is: (a)1, 3, 5-triazine and/or its salt; or (b) melamine, ammeline, ammelide, cyanuric acid, 2- ureidomelamine, melam, melem or melone, a melamine salt, e.g. melamine cyanurate or phosphate, dimelamine pyrophosphate or melamine polyphosphate, or a functional derivative of melamine, e.g. hexamethoxymethyl melamine and/or acrylate -functionalised melamine. The substrate is polymer sheet, e.g. polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyamide, polyimide, polycarbonate, or cardboard or metal strip. EXAMPLE - In an EMBODIMENT coating with monomer is carried out in the same vacuum chamber as the original treatment. The coating may be partially removed or structured in a reactive atmosphere, e.g. a plasma, to form a mask for further processing. It may also be removed by heating, electron or photon treatment, or laser or infra-red treatment. The substrate may be mono- or polycrystalline or amorphous silicon. it may be coated with a barrier layer of e.g. aluminium, SiOx or AlOx.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The conductive covering film is a precious metal film. The invasive compound is an N or C compound of Ti, Cr, Zr, Al, Ta and W. The gas circuits are provided with an insulating sheet having dynamic elasticity as their gasket.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Condition: Semiconductor (3) is formation between normal pressure-2.5 atmospheric pressure. Preferred Method: After growth of nitride semiconductor (3), the process is repeated and unevenness is formed on semiconductor (3). Convex portion is formed above semiconductor (2) concave portion. Concave portion is formed on the lower convex portion formed on semiconductor (2). Unevenness is formed on semiconductor (2) to a depth of 500-3000 Angstrom. Unevenness formed on semiconductor (2) is stripe-shaped. The stripe-shaped-like unevenness is formed on any one of either side to the vertical axis from an orientation flat surface shifted to 0.1-1degrees. C coats of sapphire is carried out on the heterogeneous substrate in the shape of step at off-angle of 0.1-0.5degrees.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Substrate: About 5-500 wt.% of insulating particles having mean particle diameter of 0.1-1 mum are dispersed in the polyimide resin layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Battery: The battery is equipped with a ratio regulator to adjust the ratio of waste gas and air in the oxidizing gas. A temperature detector (51) detects the temperature of water supplied by the water vapor supplier. A heat controller, pressure regulator and air supplier are also provided.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred fuel cell: The structure (103.5,103.6) is formed on the active areas (103.2) of the anode (102) and the cathode (104). The membrane (100) allows penetration of first fluid e.g. water (H2O) and a second fluid e.g. hydrogen (H2) but not the a third fluid e.g. oxygen (O2).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The solid catalyst comprises one or more metals from group 4B (Ti, Zr, Hf), 5B (V,Nb,Ta), 6B (Cr,Mo,W), 7B (Mn,Tc,Re), 8B (Fe,Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Os,Ir,Pt), the lanthanide series (Ce,Pr, Nd, Pm,Sm, Eu,Gd,Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) of the periodic table on a refractory substrate. The solid catalyst further comprises platinum and indium on alumina, or chromium on alumina, or iron, or other suitable catalyst.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The pyrolyzing step is catalytic or noncatalytic and is carried out at 650, preferably 650 - 1200, more preferably 750 - 850, most preferably 800 - 850,degreesC. The hydrocarbonaceous fuel is passed over at least one catalyst mass containing a solid catalyst. The oxygen carrying gas stream contains a material such as water, methanol, and oxygen. The carbon monoxide-rich gaseous fuel stream is introduced to a Diesel cycle engine, an Otto cycle engine, an Atkinson cycle engine or a gas turbine.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The woven fabric is polytetrafluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene/perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymer or tetrafluoroethylene/ethylene copolymer.The perfluorocarbon polymer is a copolymer containing polymerizable units based on CF2=CF2 and polymerizable units based on CF2=CF-(OCF2CFX)m-Op-(CF2)n-SO3HX = F atom or trifluoromethyl groupm = an integer of 0-3n = an integer of 0-12p = 0 or 1when n = 0, p = 0The ion exchange film has a thickness of 20-200 microns. EXAMPLE - 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane (3.09 kg) and alpha, alpha'-azobisisobutyronitrile (13.5 g) are introduced into a reactor vessel. CF2=CFOCF2CF(CF3)O(CF2)2SO2F (4.41 kg) is then introduced. The temperature is raised to 70 degrees C, and the polymerization is initiated by raising the pressure in the vessel to 12.4 kg/square cm with tetrafluoroethylene. The pressure is maintained in the vessel by introducing tetrafluoroethylene and the reaction is stopped after 7.0 hours to obtain a copolymer comprising units based on CF2=CFOCF2CF(CF3)O(CF2)2SO2F and units based on tetrafluoroethylene. The copolymer is made into a film by drawing at 220 degrees C of thickness 25 microns. PTFE tape yarns of denier 16.5 as warps and wefts are used to produce a woven cloth which is inserted between 2 of the above films to produce the ion exchange membrane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The inlet and exhaust coolant manifolds are axial manifolds.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The compressible material is polymeric microspheres (preferably polystyrene and polyvinylidine chloride), elastomer microspheres (preferably butyl rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM), or silicon rubber), or polymeric or elastomeric microballoons.Preferred Property: Each microspheres has a diameter (preferably 50 mum) larger than the pores (having 1-5 mum diameter) of an anode or cathode flow field plate, but smaller than that of the coolant channel (having 200-600 mum diameter).Preferred Condition: The compressible material is evenly dispersed throughout the coolant at approximately 5-30% of the total volume of the coolant. The compression of the compressible material compensates for approximately 10% volumetric expansion of the total volume of the coolant.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Coolant: The coolant is preferably water.Preferred Condition: The predetermined temperature is the freezing point of the coolant (preferably 0degreesC).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Cell: A control valve for adjusting the flow rate of cooling water which is used as heat exchanger, is provided in the fuel cell. A heating gas bypass line is connected between upperstream side of battery air pre-heater and downstream side of heat exchanger.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: Multiples of a reformed gas flow path provided with air feed zone for supply of air at the upper part is provided to the heat exchanger. The air feed zone supplies air to the flow path cuff part (32a) at upper part of reformed gas flow path. The mixed air is made to flow through the cuff part of the reformed gas flow path at least for more than 1 time.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: Furnace black (I) contains 0.005-0.01 wt.% ash and 0.005-4 wt.% S. The ash contains noble metal, lanthanide, actinides, germanium (Ge), zirconium (Zr), yttrium (Y), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo) and/or aluminum (Al) oxide(s). Production: (claimed) (I) is made by the furnace black process from gaseous or volatile carbon black raw materials, using water with a low content of metal ions for quenching and granulation, such that the sum of the ash contents of the raw material, quenching water and granulation water is between 0.005 and 0.05 wt.%. Preferred Production: The carbon black raw material is propane, butane and/or natural gas or aromatics and/or aliphatics. Readily volatile compounds of noble metals, lanthanides, actinides, Ge, Zr, Y, Cu, Ni, W, Mo and/or Al may be added to the raw material or quenching water. EXAMPLE - The production of 1 kg end product from 2 kg C black raw material (ash content 0.050% or 1.0 g), 1000 g quenching water (ash content 0.004% or 0.4 g) and 1000 g granulation water (ash content 0.005% or 0.5 g) was calculated to give a product containing 1.9 g or 0.19% ash.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The creation of the pseudo cluster voltage for the second cluster comprises measuring the total cell voltage across all of the fuel cells in the stack; determining the average cell voltage for the entire stack; multiplying the average cell voltage for the entire stack by the difference between the number of cells in the first clusters and the number of cells in the second cluster; and adding the product to the actual measured voltage across the second cluster. The method also includes establishing a constant equal to the difference between the number of cells in each of the first clusters and the number of cells in the second cluster; multiplying the constant by average cell voltage across the entire stack; and adding the resultant product of the multiplication to the actual measured voltage across the second cluster.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred process: The fuel cell comprises a phosphoric acid fuel cell, solid oxide fuel cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred process: The fuel cell comprises a molten carbonate fuel cell. The carbonaceous material comprises a material selected from coal, pulp and paper waste, wood products, municipal waste, sewage, food waste, plant matter, animal waste and mixtures, most preferably wood.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Assembly: The end plate assembly further comprises a plunger (80) partially receivable within the cavity. The plunger has a first surface engageable with the bladder, and a second surface engageable with an end of the fuel cell stack. Preferred Components: The bladder comprises a releasably sealable port (65) for introducing the two-phase liquid. The fuel cells comprise solid polymer electrolyte membrane.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The two-phase fluid is trichlorofluoromethane, propane, propylene, and/or ammonia. Preferred Property: The two-phase fluid has a vapor pressure of 25-1000 psi at 20-110degreesC, preferably 100-600 psi at 70-110degreesC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The housing is made of plastic.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The heat insulating container includes a side wall (5), a bottom cover (7), and a top cover (9) closed and sealed over. The cathode is an air cathode supported in the container and arranged to form an air space inside the surface of the container side wall. The charge of carbon is a shaped charge. The cathode is concentrically housed in the container. The electrolyte is confined to a matrix. The matrix and electrolyte is in contact with only one surface of the charge of carbon. The water vapor is recovered from the CO2 produced from the carbon-electrolyte interaction for recycling back into the oxygen-containing stream.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The oxygen-containing gas stream contains water vapor. The electrolyte is intercalated with acidic oxides and oxyanions from arsenic oxide, antimony oxide, silicon oxide, or pyrophosphates and persulfates of sodium and potassium. The carbon is a bio-mass carbon, a shaped mass of carbon, or in the form of chunks. The matrix is alumina and/or magnesia.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Component: The container comprises stainless steel, and is in the form of a Dewar flask.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Process: The aqueous dispersion is obtained by mixing aqueous suspension of fluororesin microparticle, solution of an ion exchange property polymer and solution of fluorine containing surfactant. Preferred Substances: The dispersion further contains a crosslinking agent for the fluororesin. The ion exchange property polymer is a cation exchange fluorine polymer containing a fluorine atom and a cation exchange group. EXAMPLE - 20 ml of aqueous dispersion containing 20 weight% (wt.%) of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) particles (300 nm average diameter), and 1 ml of mixed solution of 10 wt.% isopropyl alcohol/water and perfluoro dodecyl sodium sulfonate (PFDS) were mixed and 80 ml of mixed solution of 20 wt.% isopropyl alcohol/water and perfluoro carbon sulfonic acid polymer Nafion 117 was added and the mixture was stirred for 2 hours at room temperature to form an aqueous dispersion. The aqueous dispersion was dropped on a SUS316 board and dried for 30 minutes at 60degreesC to form a skin layer of thickness 100 mum. Applying the aqueous dispersion and drying were repeated for 3 times. The dried skin layer was heated for 5 minutes at 370degreesC and immersed in ethanol at -50degreesC. The skin layer was peeled from the SUS316 board. A cation exchange membrane was obtained which had thickness of 21 mum. The membrane had tensile fracture strength of 25 MPa in dry condition and 21 MPa after immersing for 24 hours in water. The ion exchange membrane was cut into a circle of diameter 2 cm and pinched between platinum electrodes. The electrode-membrane contact structure formed had volume resistivity of 11 OMEGA.cm, when voltage of 1 V was impressed. The membrane-electrode contact structure had tensile fracture strength of 23 MPa at dried condition and 20 MPa after immersing in water for 24 hours and volume resistivity of 12 OMEGA.cm after operating for 50 cycles.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Condition: The aqueous biomass raw material solution is subjected to pressure of 220 atmospheric pressure and at 400degreesC to form high pressure supercritical fluid. Preferred Design: High pressure reaction container and high pressure gas supply source are connected to switching valve (3). The reaction container is also connected to first gas separation tank through a safety wall. The tank (7) is connected to a second tank (9) through an upper valve (8) and to the third tank (11) through a central valve (10). The first tank is also connected with forth tank (14) through lower valve (13).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Raw material: The biomass raw material is bean curd lees or waste paper. Preferred Method: The surfactant is added to aqueous solution of waste paper and subjected to decomposition process to form the raw material for combustible gas. A copper-zinc acid compound powder catalyst is added in the aqueous biomass raw material solution to generated combustible gas. Preferred Container: The inner surface of the high pressure reaction container is coated with copper.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Bacteria: The anaerobic bacteria is a microbe belonging to Clostridium of the type AK-02.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Device: A hydrogen reservoir is provided to the device. The fuel cell is solid polymer electrolyte type fuel cell. EXAMPLE - (In grams) Peptone (10) and glucose (10 weight %) were added to an aqueous solution containing L-cysteine (5), calcium chloride (500), magnesium sulfate (8), and sodium chloride (80) to prepare a peptone-yeast extract containing liquid medium (I). A liquid medium (II) agar was prepared and mixed with (I) and the mixture was heated. A Clostridium bacteria was cultivated at 40 degrees C in the above medium. The culture solution was used as a substrate and transferred into a hydrogen generator. The generator was connected with a solid polymer electrolyte type fuel cell and hydrogen generated was supplied to the cell. The generation rate of the hydrogen was 6 L/hour. The electric power of 5 W was obtained stably.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The nitrogen-containing heterocycle-conjugated cyclic compound is of formula (I).R1, R2, R4, R5, R7, R8, R10, R11 = H, 1-48C alkyl, 6-48C aryl, 7-48C aralkyl, halo, -OR13, -SR14, -SeR15, or -TeR16;R3, R6, R9, R12, R13, R14, R15, R16 = H, or 1-24C organic group;M1 = two H's, or metal ion.Preferred Pigment: The pigment consists of a ruthenium complex pigment, or polymethine pigment.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Semiconductor: The semiconductor particles-containing layer consists of titanium dioxide particles.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred apparatus: The CO/H2-sensor (3) is a Lambda-sensor The two air supply-regulators (4,5) have differing capacities.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Method: The ion-exchange membrane can also be manufactured by injection molding. The method further comprises:(i) extruding polymeric material through an auto-die having a first lip block with multiple segments and a second lip block spaced apart from at least one of the first lip block segments, which is placed at a first position;(ii) measuring a first thickness of the extruded polymeric material with a sensor;(iii) providing an input signal corresponding to the first thickness to a central processing unit (CPU);(iv) processing the signal in the CPU by comparing it to a set point corresponding to a desired thickness;(v) providing an output signal; and(vi) moving at least one first lip block segment to a second position to change the spacing between the first lip block segment(s) and the second lip block. EXAMPLE - The material may comprise Amberlite IR120 (RTM: ion-exchange resin) or Amberlite IRA420 (RTM: ion-exchange resin) in a binder comprising AES Santoprene (RTM: thermoplastic vulcanizate) or DSM Sarlink (RTM: thermoplastic vulcanizate).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The reaction agent is formed by dissolving 0.5-1 wt.% calcium compound such as calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide or calcium salt (e.g. calcium acetate) in 2.7-9.6 wt.% aqueous solution of glucose derivative (e.g. cellulose, starch, saccharide or its derivative) having a methoxy group. The obtained reaction agent is mixed with silicon dioxide or fiber (which contains silicate), whiskers or powder (e.g. silica and glass). The obtained mixture is molded and treated with water vapor at 180 degrees C or less (preferably 130 degrees C or less), to give acicular porous compact with a length of 5 microns or more and aspect-ratio (length/size) of 10 or more. The porous compact contains 20 wt.% or more of amorphous silica or silicate. EXAMPLE - (In grams): An aqueous solution of methyl cellulose (containing 9.6 wt.% of methyl cellulose) was mixed with calcium hydroxide powder (62), to obtain a reaction agent paste. The obtained paste was added to silica powder (350) and mixed for 15 minutes to give a raw material slurry. The obtained slurry was molded to a size of L70 mm x W25 mm x T13 mm, and dried at 80 degrees C, to obtain a block of reaction precursor. The obtained precursor was introduced into an autoclave containing 100 ml water. The precursor was maintained at 170 degrees C in the autoclave for 6 hours, and subsequently cooled to obtain an acicular porous compact (having a length of 5-20 microns and aspect ratio of 10-400) which was then dried at 80 degrees C. The maximum bending strength of the obtained compact was evaluated and found to be 30.3 MPa.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The rotating diamond cutter has many openings on the outer surface with predetermined space in between. A small amount of coolant is sprayed or applied to the outer surface of diamond cutter.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Arrangement: The thin tubes have upper end part inclined at 60 degrees or less along the vertical direction.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Functional Groups: The functional groups have at least one sulfonic acid group and a carboxylic acid group.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Power Plant: The fuel cell power plant includes a fuel processing component for processing hydrocarbons into the reducing fluid. The component includes a burner (40) and a reformer (58). The burner receives anode exhaust stream from the fuel cell and directs an oxidized exhaust stream into a passage to mix with cathode exhaust stream. The plant exhaust stream is the combination of anode and cathode exhaust.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Support Matrix: The support matrix comprises one or a mixture of: porous graphite, porous graphite and polymer, inorganic fiber and thermoset polymer, glass fiber, synthetic fiber and hydrophilic filter paper, porous metal.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The encapsulating layers comprise ethyl vinylacetate (EVA). The protection means comprises three transparent layers: the inner layer (24) showing good adhesion to the encapsulating material; the intermediate layer (25) having electrical insulation properties and good mechanical stability; and the outer layer (26) showing good weather resistance. The inner and outer layers preferably comprise polyvinyl fluoride (sic) and the intermediate layer comprises polyethylene phthalate (sic).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Etching Agent: The isotropic wet etching liquid consists of nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The pulling up mechanism has main load cell (4) for wires, which detects the load exerted on main wire. The carriage base is mounted to support plate through load cell (2) for total weights, which detects load exerted on pulling up mechanism and crystal holding mechanism. The holding lever drive units is suspended from the holding lever, and has a rod. The winding up and rolling back units have sub-wires. A stopper is provided to the hollow shaft, which fixes the stopping position of holding lever based on holding position of the holding lever.Preferred Method: The holding lever is rotated around holding lever pin by pulling the rod, and is transferred to a vertical or level position. On rewinding the holding lever and sub wires, the holding lever rotates around holding lever pin with the dead weight of retainer holding the single crystal on reverse side in a vertical position. On winding the subwire, the holding lever is transferred to a level position.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The semiconductor single crystal is manufactured by Czochralski method. The container is previously made to contain semiconductor raw material melt. Preferred Compounds: Lump of semiconductor raw material is polycrystalline silicon and the seed crystal is silicon single crystal. Seed crystal is cylindrical shape. Preferred Structure: The lump of semiconductor is retained, by connecting holder provided to clamp portion and seed crystal provided to semiconductor raw material lump. The clamp portion is disc shaped. The diameter of clamp is 3-4 times that of the diameter of cylindrical shaped seed crystal. The clamp portion has connection groove which contains seed crystal, and hollow portion which connects circular portion of seed crystal.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Absorbent: The absorbent used in the purification method is silica gel, zeolite, activated alumina or activated carbon.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Conditions: The water at a pH of 6-7 is made to contact with monogermane gas for 0.1-1000 seconds. Preferred Apparatus: Purification of monogermane gas which involves removing the soluble impurities with water is performed using bubbler or a scrubbing tower.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Structure: (C) and (F) are formed in this order on the smooth surface of a substrate. The surface has a roughness Ra of not more than 1 micron. Alternatively, a first electrode, (C), (F) and a second electrode are layered on the substrate. Preferably the substrate and the first electrode are transparent. Alternatively, (C) and a pair of electrodes are layered on the substrate and (F) is formed at least between the electrodes.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Fullerene Film: The fullerene molecules are C60 and/or C70. (F) is a fullerene polymer film or a fullerene vapor-deposited film. The polymer film is polymerized by illumination with electromagnetic waves (e.g. RF plasma, microwaves, UV rays, X-rays or an electron beam) or by an electrolytic or photopolymerization method. It may be a polymerized film of a vapor-deposited film formed to a pre-set thickness. The film thickness is measured by a meter in a vacuum chamber. EXAMPLE - A platinum electrode was formed by sputtering on a quartz substrate. A carbonaceous film was deposited by decomposing toluene vapor (in argon) at 800 degreesC. The substrate was placed in a plasma chamber and exposed to vaporized C60. A fullerene polymer film was formed to a thickness of 1000 Angstrom. The surface roughness of the polymer film was less than 2 nm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The separator consists of a first layer made of nylon, polypropylene or polyethylene treated woven fabric which imparts mechanical strength to the separator and provides first stage protection from silver oxide penetration, a second layer made from cellulose materials which prevents whisker and silver penetration and a third layer made of an ion separation polyethylene-polypropylene film and executed in the form of a closed bag.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The water flow is decreased by increasing the amount of hydrophobic additive and/or incorporating 0.1-0.2 mul volume per cm2 porosity-reducing additive in the anode catalyst layer. The water flow may also be decreased by incorporating a sublayer between the anode catalyst layer and the substrate. Preferred Amount: The anode catalyst layer is present at greater than 6 wt.% of the hydrophobic additive.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Additives: The hydrophobic additive is polytetrafluoroethylene. The porosity reducing additive comprises a mixture of 12-32 wt.% polytetrafluoroethylene and 0.03-0.2 mg/cm2 acetylene carbon black.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The sublayer comprises graphite and titanium oxide (Ti4O7). The substrate comprises carbon. Preferred Amount: The water content in the anode catalyst layer is greater than that contained in a layer comprising 30 wt.% amount of fully hydrated perfluorosulfonic additive in the anode catalyst layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The anode structure comprises greater than 30 wt.% of a perfluorosulfonic ionomer, a trifluorostyrene ionomer, a polyaryletherketone ionomer, or a polyarylethersulfone ionomer. Preferred Method: The water content is increased by incorporating an ionomer in the anode catalyst layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: A polymeric material which does not show electron conductivity can also be used with the carbonaceous material. The polymeric material is polyfluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride and/or polyvinyl alcohol.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: Protons are moved via the proton dissociating group. The ion conductivity is greater than electron conductivity. The carbonaceous material is a carbon cluster which is an aggregate of carbon atoms, especially a fullerene molecule, tube-type carbon material or diamond-structure carbon. The proton dissociative group is -XH where X = an atom or atom group which has a divalent bond, or -OH or -YOH where Y = an atom or an atom group which has a divalent bond. Specific groups include -OH, -OSO3H, -COOH, -SO3H and -OPO(OH). An electron absorbing group such as nitro, carbonyl, carboxyl, nitrile, haloalkyl or halogen, is also introduced into the carbonaceous material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The hot melt adhesive comprises an ethylene-copolymer, an oxidation inhibitor which is 0.1-0.2 wt.% tri(monononylphenyl) phosphite, and an ultraviolet (UV) absorber.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The UV absorber is 0.5-1.0 wt.% 2-hydroxy-4-noctyloxybenzophenone. The UV stabilizer is 0.5-1.0 wt.% 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl sebacate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The silicon based solar cell is a monocrystalline silicon cell, or a polycrystalline silicon cell. The interconnects are welded to the silicon based solar cells without using a flux.Preferred Property: The superstrate layer has a thickness of 2-5, preferably 3-4 mm, or 1.0-2.0 mil.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: Alkali hydroxide is potassium or sodium hydroxide. Preferred Process: Potassium or sodium hydroxide is obtained by electrolytic decomposition process such as ion exchange membrane process. Aqueous alkali hydroxide solution and carbon dioxide are directly supplied to the tank which performs etching, during solar battery manufacture. Preferred Composition: Aqueous alkali hydroxide solution, contains 0.5-19.5 mol/l, preferably 1.5 mol/l of potassium hydroxide, and 0.5-6.6 mol/l, preferably 1.5 mol/l of sodium hydroxide. The amount of carbon dioxide supplied is more than half, preferably two-third to four-third the molar quantity of alkali hydroxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Unit: The hole conducting unit is a nitrogen atom bonded to aromatic ring.Preferred Polymer: The super-branched polymer is a dendrimer and has polypropyleneimine unit. EXAMPLE - (In weight parts) 4-diethylamino benzoic acid (100) was dissolved in anhydrous ethanol. Sulfuric acid (1) was added to the solution and azeotrope of water-ethanol was distilled. Production of ethylester was accelerated and the product, 4-(N,N-diethylamino) ethylbenzoate (A) (hole conducting unit) obtained was separated, refined and filtered. The product obtained showed specific FT-IR spectrum and proton-NMR spectrum. Polypropyleneimine dendrimer (B) (1 eq) comprising 64 branch terminal amino groups and 4-(N,N-diethyl amino) ethyl benzoate (80 eq) were dissolved in N,N-dimethyl formamide, heated under reduced pressure, distilled, purified and transformed to amide (C) of 4-ethyl diamino benzoic acid having branch terminal amino groups same as that of B. The obtained dendrimer with hole conductivity showed specific FT-IR spectrum and proton-NMR spectrum. The dendrimer was used to form a molded sheet with high hole conductivity.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The connecting flow passages include grooves (50, 74) and through-holes (52, 76) penetrating through the separator. The gas flow passages have several grooves provided in direction of gravity, and through-holes composed of long holes corresponding to the numbers of the grooves. The through-hole is inclined through separator thickness.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The insulating sheet has the same material as the filler, and the same color tone with back protection cover. The wiring element is copper wire or copper foil coated with solder and tin. The wiring element and the bus are solder-plated copper foil with a width of at least2 mm, and a thickness of at least50, preferably 100-200 mum. The insulating sheet is glass nonwoven fabric sheet on a 160degreesC-heat resistant synthetic fiber fabric sheet.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The insulating sheet is formed from ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), silicone, or polyvinylbutyral (PVB).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The step of monitoring the temperature includes monitoring at least two temperatures of the recirculating gases stream adjacent the discharge end of the heater, at different points in time; calculating the rate-of-change of the temperature versus time; and comparing the result to a preselected rate of change value.An output signal is generated if:(a) monitored temperature is less than a first selected temperature value and hydrogen-containing gas is supplied to fuel cell stack,(b) monitored temperature is greater than a second preselected temperature value, or(c) the rate-of-change of the monitored temperature is greater than a third preselected value. If an output signal is generated, the signal is blocked for a time and operation is terminated when time duration is over.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - TEXTILES AND PAPER - Preferred Property: The strands embedded within the web are at equal and/or varying depths. The diameter of the second fiber is 0.1-50 microns. The first fibers have an average length of more or less than 3 mm.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The strand has a polymer applied to the its surface or impregnated within. The ion-conducting polymer is a proton conducting polymer. The filler material also has a non-ion-conducting polymer. Particulate material(s) is/are first coated with an ion-conducting polymer, a non-ion-conducting hydrophobic or hydrophilic polymer, or a catalyst. EXAMPLE - A mixture of chopped silica fibers (0.185 g) and silica micro-fiber (0.09 g) were dispersed with mixing in water (3000 cm3). A porous fiber with silica yarn at 0.5 cm spacing was formed from the mixture in a single step process based on paper-making technology. The porous fiber sheet was removed from the wire and air dried at 150 degrees C. It was sprayed with a binder solution comprising 5% solution of Nafion, 1100 EW in lower aliphatic alcohols giving a dry Nafion loading of 0.78 g. The sheet showed a stress at yield of 40 x 108 and a force at yield of 36 N. The webs were sufficiently strong to be suitable in the reel to reel processes commonly employed in volume manufacture.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The cathode material is made of La1-xSrx(Mn, Fe, Co)O3 perovskite.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Electrolyte: The polymer backbone is preferably a perfluoro poly(p-phenylene oxide), a perfluorosulfo poly(p-phenylene sulfide), a perfluorosulfo poly(phenylene sulfone), a perfluorosulfo organic polyamide, a perfluorosulfo aromatic polycarbonate, a perfluorosulfo aromatic polyamide, a perfluorosulfo aromatic polyester, a perfluorosulfo aromatic polyurea, a perfluorosulfo aromatic polyurethane, a perfluorosulfo aromatic polysulfone, a perfluorosulfo polybenzazole, a perfluorosulfo polyquinoxaline or a perfluorosulfo polyquinoline. The ion exchange group is a sulfuric or phosphoric acid or is a perfluorophenol, a sulfonyl(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide or a sulfonylbis(trifluoromethyl)methide. The electrolyte may further contain Cl, NO2, -CN, -COR1, SOR1, SO2R1, COOR1, or CF3 covalently bound to the backbone as an electron withdrawing group.R1 = aromatic groupThe backbone and/or electrolyte may be conjugated. Preferred Film: The electrolyte is poly(perfluoroethersulfone)sulfonic acid. The basic polymer in the film is polybenzimidazole. The film may further contain an organic polybasic compound (triazine or benzotriazole) or a metal ion (calcium or platinum). EXAMPLE - Poly(perfluoroethersulfone)sulfonic acid polymer was dissolved in dimethylacetamide and triethylamine. The solution was added to a solution of polybenzimidazole in dimethylacetamide. The solution was cast into a polymer film. The film was transferred into electrode conductivity cell where it was held at 100degreesC at 100% relative humidity over a few hours for hydration. The proton film conductivity of poly(perfluoroethersulfone)sulfonic acid was 0.05 S/cm at 200degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The proton releasable group is represented by -XH or -OH and -YOH, preferably -OH, -OSO3, -COOH, -SO3H or -OPO(OH)3, where X and Y are arbitrary bivalent atom or atomic group.The fullerene molecules also contain electron attractive groups consisting of NO2, carbonyl, COOH, nitrile, halogenated alkyl, or halo.Preferred Property: The fullerene molecule is a spherical carbon cluster molecule Cm, where m is 36, 60, 70, 78, 82 or 84.The fullerene powder is pelletized without binder. EXAMPLE - 1 g polyhydroxyl fullerene powder was put into 60 ml of fuming sulfuric acid and stirred for 3 days in a nitrogen atmosphere. The product was put into anhydrous diethylether thrice, then with diethylether and acetonitrile twice at 2:1 mixture ratio, and then dried at 40 degrees C in reduced pressure. The product formed was polyhydroxyl fullerene hydrogenated ester. A 70 mg of the product was pressed to form a circular pellet without binder resin at 7 ton/cm2. The shape pellet was 15 mm in diameter and 300 microns thick. The pellet showed a conductivity of 9 x 10 Power(-4) S/cm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Process: Before it is recycled, the gas containing H2 is passed to a fuel cell for generating current. The reformed is operated autothermally. The gas containing H2 leaving the fuel cell is (partly) passed to complete combustion in a catalytic burner. EXAMPLE - Hydrogen drives for vehicles had an autothermal reformer supplied with air, water and petrol at suitable temperatures. Exothermic oxidation of carbon, carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons and H2 gave the heat needed for reaction. Hydrogen was generated by steam cracking of hydrocarbons, whilst CO was also converted to hydrogen by the shift reaction. All the mixture from the reformer was passed to a fuel cell, where 80% of the H2 present was converted to current. In an existing system, the stream leaving the fuel cell system was passed to a catalytic burner to recover part of the heat/energy. If the gas was recycled to the reformer, the carbon dioxide, H2 and water present reduced soot formation and increased the yield of the shift reaction by 1%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: Layers of catalyst-doped porous graphite may be formed on the plasma-polymerized layer, preferably by plasma deposition.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Film: The plasma-polymerized film is obtained by copolymerization of a matrix-forming component and an ion-conducting chemical group. Preferred precursors are fluoroethene or hexafluoropropylene for the matrix and alkene-phosphonic acids, preferably vinylphosphonic acid, or fluorinated alkene-phosphonic acids for the ion-conducting groups. The films are between 10 and several 100 nm thick. They are deposited in a parallel plate plasma reactor, under stationary or continuous conditions. They form a barrier against methanol, molecular hydrogen and molecular oxygen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The substrate is silicon wafer. The inert gas is argon.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The parting material is cellulose acetate and the solvent is acetone.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: The sputtering process is carried out using magnetron sputtering equipment.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Apparatus: The fuel cell is equipped with two plates (41,42) having holes for flow of hydrogen gas, with an ion exchange membrane (43) intervened in between. A negative electrode catalyst (43A) capable of dissociating hydrogen gas into hydrogen ion and electron is intervened between plate (41) and ion exchange membrane. A negative electrode collector (44) for collecting the electron produced, is provided. A positive electrode catalyst (43B) capable of reacting oxygen gas with hydrogen ion and electron, is intervened between plate (42) and ion exchange membrane. A positive electrode collector (45) supplies electron to positive electrode catalyst. The circumference of negative and positive electrode collectors are surrounded by gaskets (47,48). Each of the portion between the negative electrode collector and gasket, and positive electrode collector and gasket are filled with water absorbing polymer gel. A water supply layer for hydrating hydrogen ion to humidify the hydrogen gas is provided between the negative electrode collector and negative electrode catalyst or between negative electrode catalyst and ion exchange membrane. The water supply layer has a composition of a water absorption material interposed between a pair of moisture permeable water-proof sheets.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: An ultraviolet light is irradiated in the fuel cell system at a wavelength of 200 nm or less. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - Photocatalyst is titanium oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Refiner: The fuel cell is phosphoric acid-type or solid polymeric-type fuel cell. The exhaust gas of fuel cell is heat of battery cooling water, cooling air, exhaust gas from air coal or fuel electrode.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Process: The proton conductive polymer film is obtained by doping the sodium salt of the DNA film with a strong acid. The film of DNA is immersed in a polar organic solvent, which contains a strong acid. This is followed by drawing the doped film.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Solvent: The polar organic solvent which contains the strong acid for doping is methanol or ethanol.Preferred Strong Acid: The strong acid is hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, methane sulfonic acid or ethane sulfonic acid. EXAMPLE - 5% aqueous solution of sodium salt of DNA obtained from salmon sperm was cast on a Teflon plate and dried. The film obtained was immersed in an uniform solution of methanol containing phosphoric acid having a concentration of 20 % volume. The film was then washed with deionized water, methanol and dried. The film (milky white color, semi-transparent and 100 micro m thickness) was then peeled off from the support. The electrical conductivity of the film before drying (at 80 degrees C) was in the order of 10 (to the power of -2) Scm-1 and on drying (to 160 degrees C) the electrical conductivity changed only by a small amount and was in the order of 10 (to the power of -3) Scm-1.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The porous substrate has a porosity of 20-80%, and a pore size of 100-1000 microns. The substrate includes a 5-25 (preferably 10) microns thick conductive coating (47); and a groove(s), which is 250-1000 (preferably 500) microns deep. The stack further comprises a seal (20) for sealing an edge(s) of the porous substrate between the interconnect and the cathode or anode.Preferred Method: The volatilizing step occurs at a temperature lower than the temperature required for the firing of the stack. The solid fuel cells are provided by tape casting an electrolyte (34, 40), and screen printing an anode and a cathode to form an unfired solid oxide fuel cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The impregnate, which has a viscosity of at least 1000 cP is thixotropic slurry with a ceramic component, and a rheological agent. The agent comprises 0.01-10 wt.% impregnate, which includes a binder.Preferred Component: The seal is a gas impermeable yttria stabilized zirconia. The conductive coating is doped lanthanum cobaltite, lanthanum manganite, praseodymium cobaltite or manganite, and/or other doped conductive oxides or metals.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The flow field form is an open celled reticulated foam selected from polyurethanes, polyesters, polyvinyl chlorides, acetates, or other copolymers. The rheological agent is carboxymethyl cellulose or hydroxymethyl cellulose. The binder is polyvinyl butyrol or polyvinyl acetate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The platinum is doped and/or alloyed with Ru, Sn, W, Mo, Fe, V, Mn, Co, Cr, Ni, Pd, Rh or Ir. The atomic ratio of platinum to the doped or alloyed component is 9-1: 1-9. The platinum is present in an amount of 5-80 wt.%.Preferred Process: After the wet chemical preparation of the electrocatalyst, treatment is then carried out at 0-1000 degrees C in inert gas or reducing atmosphere.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Condition: The magnet reciprocates once, or a half time, i.e., moves one way, in depositing a thin metal oxide film.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The thin metal oxide film is a transparent conductive film made of zinc oxide (preferably), indium-tin oxide, or tin dioxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Composition: The aluminoborosilicate glass contains (in wt.%): more than 55-70 SiO2, 3-8 B2O3, more than 12-17 Al2O3, more than 1- less than 5 Na2O, 0.5-4 K2O, more than 1- less than 5 Na2O + K2O, 0.5-4 MgO, 3- less than 8 CaO, 0.1-4 SrO, more than 5-11 BaO, 11-23 MgO + CaO + SrO + BaO, 0-1.5 SnO2, 0-3 ZrO2, 0-1 TiO2 and 0-1 ZnO.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: In fuel cell (I), the electrolyte is a solid polymer and the fuel cell is a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: In fuel cell (I), the catalyst comprises platinum.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: In fuel cell (I), the support comprises acetylene or carbon black.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: In fuel cell (II), the catalyst covers more than 9 % of the surface of the support.In fuel cell (III), the catalyst/support interface perimeter less than 4 x 10 to the power 10 m per gram of catalystIn fuel cell (IV), the support comprises a graphitic carbon with a d002 spacing less than 3.56 Angstrom (preferably 3.45 Angstrom) and a BET surface area less than 230 m2/g (preferably 86 m2/g).In fuel cell (IV), the support comprises Ti4O7.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Steel: The steel comprises ca. 6 wt.% Al and 18-25 (preferably 21) wt.% chromium (Cr).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Cell: The gas distribution element comprises nickel (Ni). The cathode-side component comprises a gas distribution element comprising non-stainless steel with a corrugation on the side of the separator. The fuel cell stack comprises MCFC or SOFC cells.Preferred Operation: Bringing the separator plate into contact with the carbonate starts operation of the fuel cell stack.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The catalyst further includes a noble metal (oxide). It comprises a solid solution having the perovskite crystal structure of the rare earth metal cobalt oxide and an alkaline earth metal cobalt oxide.Preferred Materials: The rare earth metal is lanthanum. The noble metal (oxide) is ruthenium (oxide) or platinum (oxide). The alkaline earth is calcium, strontium, or barium.Preferred Composition: The alkaline earth metal cobalt oxide is in a proportion of up to 50%. The noble metal (oxide) is present in up to 2 mole%.Preferred Process: The catalyst undergoes thermal decomposition so that its surface becomes coated with catalytically active lanthanum oxide, hydrated lanthanum oxide, and cobalt metal particles.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The gasification process involves heat decomposing-gasifying combustible material in a low temperature gasification furnace, and gasifying the formed gas in a high temperature gasification furnace.The low temperature gasification furnace is a fluidized bed furnace having a moving bed in which a fluid medium is precipitation dispersed and a fluid layer in which a fluid medium is actively fluidized.The combustible material is combustible waste.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Assembly: The solar power assembly has sufficient flexibility to be transported in a roll (14) to a use site, unrolled and attached to a support at the use site. It has a minimum diameter of at most60 cm. The assembly further comprises a PV device laminate (8) including a flexible substrate carrying interconnected PV devices.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The thermal solar collector comprises ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The polymer (2) is a proton-conducting polymer with perfluorosulfonic acid as base and the solvent contains water and/or alcohol(s), preferably water and propanol mixture.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Conditions: The applied potential difference between the electrodes is 5-100 volts. The distance between the electrodes is 0.5-5 cm. EXAMPLE - A solvent of propanol/water mixture (95/5wt/wt), a porous polyethylene film (with 80 volume % of porosity, 1.5 microns mean pore size and 30 microns thickness) in 5% solution of proton-conducting polymer Nafion with perfluorosulfonic acid as base was contacted with an electrode at a rate of 20 microns/ minute. The contacting surface between the film and the electrode (anode) was 150 cm2. A counter-electrode (cathode) was placed at a distance of 0.5 cm from the electrode and a voltage of 50 V was applied. The pores in the part of the film which passed along the electrode, appeared to be filled with Nafion.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Gas: The greenhouse gas stream is carbon dioxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Process: The production of electrical energy takes place in an electric power reducing fossil fuel plant, in a petroleum refinery, or in a petrochemical plant. The gasifier contains a fluidized catalytic bed (14) and operates at 400-700degreesC. A portion of the synthesis gas is converted in a chemical reactor into useful hydrocarbon products. A major portion of the water is condensed from the first half-cell exit gas using a condenser (50). The hydrogen and at least a portion of the condensed water is passed to the gasification unit to adjust the hydrogen to carbon ratio of the combined feedstock and greenhouse gas stream to result in a synthesis having an optimum ratio for the reactor. The oxygen-containing gas, which is air and nitrogen, remains after exiting the electrical reduction into the atmosphere. Preferred Ratio: The synthesis gas has hydrogen to carbon ratio of 1.75-2.25. Preferred Component: The chemical reactor is a Fischer-Tropsch reactor (30). The first half-cell contains an electrolyte (40) surrounding a porous catalytic anode electrode (42). The second half-cell contains an air electrolyte surrounding a catalytic cathode electrode. The cells are separated by an ionically conducting membrane (44) that will not allow passage of components from the respective half-cells.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The organic waste feedstock is carbonaceous-containing municipal garbage.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The palladium-bearing membrane is palladium/35-45 weight% copper alloy. The turbulence is created by particulates, screens and/or non-flattened expanded metal sheets inserted along the path. The turbulence promoters which are chemically non-reactive with hydrogen, steam, oxides of carbon and methanol, comprise a particulate reforming copper-based catalyst within the path. The amount of residual hydrogen in the depleted reformate is controlled to 5-25% of the generated hydrogen. The excess steam is controlled to 5-20%.Preferred Conditions: The reforming process is performed at 200-325 degreesC. The reforming and permeation processes are carried out simultaneously, preferably between 275-325 degreesC. At least two-third of hydrogen generation occurs simultaneously with permeation.Preferred Method: The residual hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the depleted reformate are subjected to catalytic air or oxidation in situ heat exchange, thereby providing carbon monoxide-free exhaust and at least part of the required process heat.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The polymer with amide bond is obtained by the ring opening polymerization of oxazoline. EXAMPLE - 10.6 grams ethyl triethoxy silane and 21g ethanol were added to 3.6 g polyoxazoline (polymerization degree = 7.6) obtained by polymerization of 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline. 1.2 g of terbium bipyridyl complex solutions containing N,N-dimethylformamide was added and stirred for 30 minutes. 1N hydrochloric acid was dropped and mixed for 24 hours and the composite liquid was stirred for 5 days at room temperature. A coating of the liquid was provided on light receiving surface of solar battery by dip coating and dried at normal temperature. The obtained solar battery with the transparent film had excellent transparency, film forming property and moldability.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - In (1), R1 in four low molecules and crosslinking agent = H or aliphatic low molecule; R2 in lipophilic system (I) = aliphatic, aromatic or organometal monomer; heterocycle system (II) = heteroatom-containing aromatic or aliphatic cyclic monomer; carboxylic acid system (III) = carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid derivative monomer; and strong acid group system (IV) = phosphoric acid group-bearing monomer.The ion exchange membrane is produced by copolymerization with the following mol. ratios in polymerization reaction conditions: monomer (I), 0.3-13; monomer (II), 0.1-11; monomer (III), 0.2-14; monomer (IV), 0.01-9; and crosslinking agent (V), 0.001-5.0.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The adhesion enhancing film comprises one or a mixture of CaTiO3, MgAl2O4, calcia stabilized zirconia and yttria stabilized zirconia. Porosity of the adhesion enhancing layer is 5-30%, thickness of the film is 20-30 microns and surface roughness is 10 microns or more.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Device: The reformer is membrane reformer.Preferred Method: The generated hydrogen is once stored in a hydrogen absorbing alloy(s) incorporated into a storage apparatus (5) before supplying it to the fuel cell. Some of the absorbing alloy absorbs hydrogen supplied from the reformer while the other are discharging and supplying it to the fuel cell. Hydrogen is generated by carbon monoxide shift reaction after partial oxidation of the fuel, or after reforming reaction of the fuel carried out by water vapor.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The fuel is compressed natural gas, ethane, propane, butane, gasoline, naphtha, dimethyl ether, and/or methanol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The cuprates have the following composition: Ln2-xMxCuO4-d or mixtures of Ln2-xMxCuO4-d and CuO (where, x = 0 - 0.5; Ln = Y, Sc, La, lanthanides; M = Ca, Sr or Ba).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Antifreeze Solution: The antifreeze is selected from glycerol, butanetriol and pentanetriol.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Fuel Cell: The cell includes a pressure control means to maintain a positive pressure difference between the process oxidant stream passing through the fuel cell and the antifreeze solution passing through the transport plate so that the oxidant stream in the fuel cell is at a greater pressure than the antifreeze in the water transport plate. The cathode support includes a waterproof cathode diffusion layer between a waterproof substrate and the cathode catalyst. The electrolyte is a proton exchange membrane.Preferred Cell Process: The oxidant stream enters the oxidant inlet of the fuel cell at more than 30% relative humidity at a temperature at the oxidant inlet. The antifreeze solution defines an antifreeze solution coolant stream flow pattern through the fuel cell that is transverse-concurrent to an oxidant flow axis defined by the process oxidant stream passing through the fuel cell and the reducing fluid stream defines a reducing fluid f low pattern through the fuel cell that is transverse-concurrent to the oxidant flow axis.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The gas treated by the reforming and modifying processes passes a carbon dioxide water absorption process as a pre-stage of the carbon dioxide amine absorption process.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The polymer contains fluorine. The catalyst-supporting carbon contains at least one or more of platinum, gold, palladium, ruthenium, iridium. Production of the electrode catalytic layer comprises:(a) coating a catalyst-polymer solution composition consisting of a uniformly dispersed catalytic particles-containing polymer solution on a base material;(b) bringing the coated layer into contact with a coagulating solvent for the polymer; and(c) simultaneously applying coagulation and solvent extract to the catalyst-polymer solution composition.A fuel cell uses an electrode consisting of the electrode catalytic layer and an electrode base material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Electrolyte: The compound has an N,N,N'-substituted amidine group of formula (I).R1 = H or 1-20C hydrocarbon which may be substituted by hydroxyl; andR2, R3, R4 = 1-10C hydrocarbon which may have hydroxyl, amino, nitro, cyano, carboxyl, ether or aldehyde substituents.Two of R1, R2, R3 and R4 = may form a ring by bonding to each other.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Generator: The generator is selected from fuel cell, combustion engine and gas turbine or a hybrid power source e.g. combined gas turbine and fuel cell, preferably fuel cell selected from solid oxide fuel cell, molten carbonate fuel cell, phosphoric acid fuel cell, alkaline fuel cell and proton exchange membrane fuel cell.Preferred Off-board Station: The station includes means to deliver fuel, preferably hydrogen, gaseous fuel, hydrogen liquid fuel,hydrogen solid fuel, alcohol fuel, methanol, ethanol, a fuel derived from solid or liquid waste and renewable fuel, especially hydrocarbon fuel, to power system. The station further includes an inverter to convert generated direct current to alternating current for on-board or off-board use and a power meter together with a water supply means. A security means is also included to prevent tampering with the fuel and electrical connections.Preferred Mobile Vehicle Power System: The system includes means for receiving fuel from the off-board station, a fuel meter, a fuel reformer and fuel shifter to produce hydrogen-containing fuel for the generator.
EXAMPLE - A biocell using starch wastewater and anaerobic sludge in a volume ratio of 4:1 with a total volume of 25 ml was tested for electric current productivity and wastewater treatment ability. A phosphate buffer solution-based medium was used as a medium. The electric current generated was (0.22 mA), quantity of electricity was increased up to (26.7 coulomb) and a chemical oxygen demand (COD) was reduced from 1940 to 55 parts per million (ppm). Thus the reducing power generated from the oxidation of a substrate present in starch wastewater was consumed directly by an electrode to generate electric current and also to purify the starch wastewater.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel Battery Cell: The amount of magnesium in high magnesium substituted crystalline region among total metallic elements is 10 atom% or more.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Manufacture: The pressure in reaction chamber is reduced by pressure regulating units by closing supply valve of material gas which finalize the film formation of a film layer and opening valve which supplies material gas for the subsequent layer. The flow rate of gas supply to the reaction chamber is fixed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: A partition (5) is provided in tank (2) so as to facilitate supply of molten silicon, when silicon is drawn as sheet in the other side through an interval (12). Tank (3) contains fused metal, like tin or tin alloy, on whose surface silicon is drawn as a sheet. Melting point of molten metal is lower than that of silicon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The cylinder extends inside the combustion tube and the water feed pipe is introduced into the combustion tube and contact with the inner peripheral wall of the combustion tube. The reformed gas delivery tube delivers the reformed gas to the exterior of cylinder. The mixed gas of fuel and water vapor is preheated by the heat of reformed gas and then guided to the catalyst layer. The reformed gas delivery tube and the mixed gas introduction pipe are wound into a double helix structure. The fuel before winding the reformed gas delivery tube spirally, is guided to catalyst layer and mixed gas are then supplied. The heat exchange chamber to which combustion gas is guided, is installed with the reformed delivery tube, fuel feed pipe, and mixed gas introduction pipe.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst (25) contains porous metallic oxide, a basic metallic oxide carrying noble metals. The catalyst (27) comprises metallic oxide containing copper oxide and zinc oxide. Preferred Property: Each of the volume ratio of catalyst (23) to catalyst (27), and catalyst (25) to catalyst (27) is 0.1 or 1.0. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The catalyst (23) comprises ferric oxide or tin dioxide carrying molybdenum trioxide. The catalyst (25) contains zirconium dioxide or cerium dioxide carrying platinum or palladium. The metallic oxide of catalyst (27) comprises zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide or silicon oxide as arbitrary component.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Arrangement: Heaters are independently dispersed in two or more places with two or more temperature controls. A reformation unit is provided at the raw material supply side at the downstream of which another reformation unit containing pellet-like catalyst held in a holder and heater provided externally are arranged. Preferred Condition: Temperature at the raw material supply side is increased from the production gas emission of each heater. Unreacted raw material is recovered from the latter part of the reformer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst is at least one kind of Group (IIIa-IVa) element. The copper microparticle is precipitated on surface by preprocessing using reactive gas (such as methanol or water vapor at 200-400degreesC) volume/unit time opposing to catalyst volume of 0.2-1 second-1 at 300-500degreesC for 10 hours or more by 300-500degreesC in air.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Condition: The particle size of nonmetallic inorganic material mixed to the porous object is smaller than the particle size of the metal particle present in the porous object.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The electrolyte layer comprises hydrogen ion exchange membrane mainly composed of solid polymer, preferably perfluorocarbon polymer containing sulfonic group as the ion exchange group. It also contains non-proton cation of higher concentration at the second contact area than the first. The oxygen electrode has ribs and grooves. Water repellent is also provided on surface of the non-contact region.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The single cell comprises solid polymer electrolytic membrane (2) having cathode (3) and anode electrode (4) on both sides. Preferred Layer: The rubber layer is made with at least one member from natural rubber, silicone rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber, acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, acrylic rubber, or fluorine-containing rubber. Preferred Composition: The rubber layer contains carbon black (10-100 parts by weight) of 120-500 nm particle size. Preferred Coating: The coating agent contains rubber-compounded composition with a viscosity of 0.1-40 Pa.second at 20degreesC. Preferred Process: The coating agent is printed on the separator by screen printing or is coated on the separator, dried, and vulcanized or crosslinked to form a thin rubber layer. EXAMPLE - An unvulcanized rubber was prepared by incorporating (parts by weight) of dicumyl peroxide (3) as crosslinking agent into ethylene-propylene terpolymer rubber (EPT) (100) along with plasticizer, filler, lubricant and other additives, and mixed. The unvulcanized rubber was cut into pieces and fed into the stirrer together with toluene at 30/70 weight ratio and stirred for 10 hours. The mixture was further stirred with deaerator for 15 minutes. The viscosity of the rubber fluid was 5 Pa.seconds at 23 degrees C. The deaerated EPT rubber fluid was applied on a carbon graphite by screen printing and the coat was dried at 80 degrees C for 5 minutes. The coating and drying process was repeated 7 times such that 300 microns thick rubber coating layer was formed. The rubber sealing was made by crosslinking the rubber layer by irradiating electronic beams.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Process: The process further comprises drying the unit cell prior to soaking, substituting the liquid included in the separated electrolyte membrane by water, washing the electrolyte membrane, irradiating the membrane with a light beam, and measuring an intensity of the transmitted light.Preferred Apparatus: The apparatus further comprises a substitution tank (55) and a wash tank (57).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The electrode comprises a platinum-containing catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Sintering Process: The atmospheric gas contains at least 2 vol.% hydrogen (H2) and at least 5 vol.% carbon monoxide (CO).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The FeCrAl particles preferably have the composition (by wt.) 70-76% iron (Fe), 20-22% chromium (Cr), 4-7% aluminum (Al) and 0-1% yttrium (Y), titanium (Ti) and/or zirconium (Zr).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The second layer is silica, alumina, tin oxide, zinc oxide or zirconia or tantalum oxide. The third, chromium nitride layer is CrNx, where x is 0.5-1.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Materials: The oxide particles consist of a ceramic selected from (a) hydrated oxides of formula Al2O3.xH2O (x = 1 to 10), V2O5.xH2O (x = 1 to 10), VOx.yH2O (y = 1 to 10, x = 1.5 to 3) and WOx.yH2O (y = 1 to 10, x = 2 to 3); (b) protonated ion-exchanged mixed oxides, which form a beta-aluminate structure in their original form and having the formulae zMe2OxMgOyAl2O3, zMe2OxZnOyAl2O3, zMe2OxCoOyAl2O3, zMe2OxMnOyAl2O3, zMe2OxNiOyAl2O3, zMe2OxCrOyAl2O3, zMe2OxEuOyAl2O3, zMe2OxFeOyAl2O3 or zMe2OxSmOyAl2O3 ( x = 0.1 to 10, y = 0.1 to 10); (c) other ceramics containing oxides of Mg, Zn, Co, Mn, Ni, Cr, Eu, Fe, Sm, Ti, V, Cu, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ce, Ta, W, Gd and/or Yb; and (d) carbonates and proton conductive perovskite oxides.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The material comprises 70-99 vol.% polymer and 1-30 vol.% oxide and contains a percolating oxide particle network with a polymer/oxide mixing ratio of more than 30 vol.%, The proton conductivity being greater than 10-5 S/cm at above 100degreesC. The high temperature polymer is (a) an aryl main chain polymer with components of R1 = -C6H6-C(R3)2-C6H6-, R2 = -(C6H6(R4)2)x-, R5 = -O-, R6 = -SO2-, R7 = -CO- and R8 = -S-, selected from poly(ether ether ketone) PEEK Victrex (RTM) ((R5-R2-R5-R2-R7)n; x = 1, R4 = H), poly(ether sulfone) PSU Udel (RTM) ((R1-R5-R2-R6-R2-R5)n; x = 1, R4 = H), poly(ether sulfone) PES Victrex (RTM) ((R2-R6-R2-R5)n; R2; x = 1, R4 = H), poly(phenyl sulfone) Radel R (RTM) (((R2)2-R5-R2-R6-R2)n; R2; x = 2, R4 = H), poly(ether ether sulfone) Radel A (RTM) ((R5-R2-R5-R2-R6)n-(R5-R2-R6-R2)m; R2; x = 1, R4 = H, n/m = 0.18), poly(phenylene sulfide) PPS ((R2-R8)n; R2; x = 1, R4 = H) and poly(phenylene oxide) PPO ((R2-R5)n; R4 = CH3); or (b) a hetaryl main chain polymer selected from polyimidazole, polybenzimidazole, polypyrazole, polybenzpyrazole, polyoxazole and polybenzoxazole.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Method: The coating of the suspension of ceramic material in a liquid medium is applied by aerosol spay, dip coating, electrophoretic coating, vacuum infiltration and tape casting.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Material: The substrate material is selected from chromium, silver, iron, copper and nickel.Preferred Method: The substrate material is pre-fired (bisque fired) to enhance mechanical strength for subsequent ceramic material coating. The substrate material is pre-sintered such that after the ceramic material is applied, only the ceramic material densifies in the firing step.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Conditions: The concentration of the ionic monomer is 6-16 mol%.Preferred Components: The alkali metal salt or hydroxide is an alkali metal carbonate, preferably lithium carbonate. Rf = CF3 in (I), 1-4C perfluoroalkyl optionally substituted by ether oxygen's in (I);    M+ = H+, Li+;    n = 1.    EXAMPLE - A mixture of ICF2CF2OCF2CF2SO2F (213 g), (D)-limonene (0.5 g) was added to an autoclave and pressurized with ethylene (30 g). The autoclave was heated to 210 degreesC for 8 hours, after which the autoclave was allowed to cool, and the product removed. The product was distilled to give ICH2CH2CF2CF2OCF2SO2F (187.3 g), b.pt. 88-89 degreesC/30 mmHg. 19F NMR analysis showed: -45.0 (t, J = 5.7 Hz, 1F), -82.7 (m, 2F), -87.2 (m, 2F), -112.7 (m, 2F), -119.3 (t, J = 17Hz, 2F).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The modification catalyst layer is a copper-zinc group catalyst. Preferred Process: Raw material supply to the modifier is detected based on the pressure value of the pressure indicator and temperature value of the thermometer provided in the modifier close to the raw material supply system.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The fuel supply system has a fuel pre-heat path passing through the inside of modifier and fuel vaporization path which moves via a start combustor (25) which forms combustion gas, provided in the front part of modifier.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: Composition of liquid is ethylene glycol and propylene glycol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: A partition (11) is arranged along the circumference of cooling plate. The partition divides the enclosure to upper (10a) and lower parts (10b). The upper part envelops the crucible and cooling plate. The lower part does not contain the crucible. Cooling plate is connected with a coolant feed pipe which introduces a coolant to a hollow part inside the plate from outside, through coolant supply aperture. Coolant exhaust outlet is connected to the exterior of the chamber, by the coolant discharge pipe which ejects the coolant. The cooling member is arranged to the exterior of the enclosure, when an opening (13) is not provided to the enclosure. The moving apparatus of the cooling member inserts the cooling member, when the opening is provided and brings the cooling member to cooling plate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: When the pressure in the modifier exceeds a predetermined pressure, the regulating valve is opened to supply water to the modifier. The pressure sensor detects the pressure in the modifier and supplies water. A switching valve opens and closes depending on, the pressure detected by the pressure sensor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Water Permeability Adjusting Layer: The layer is formed of a conductive, porous material including a water repellent present in a higher concentration nearer the oxidiser entrance than elsewhere, preferably 1.05-2.0 times (15-90, preferably no more than 60 wt.%) the amount of that found on the side of the oxidiser exit. The percentage of the fixed area starting from the end of the water permeability adjusting layer on the side of the oxidiser entrance to the entire area of the water permeability adjusting layer is 10-90%. The layer is constructed of a gas diffusion layer formed of the water-repellent, conductive, porous material, and a mixed layer between the diffusion layer and the cathode catalyst layer formed of a carbon material to which the water repellent material has been added.Preferred Cathode Catalyst Layer: The layer is formed from a carbon catalyst support supporting the catalyst.Preferred Device: A number of fuel cells are s tacked in layers to form a stack with coolant channels between the cells. The coolant and oxidiser travel in the same direction.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Water Repellent: The repellent is a fluororesin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Multicrystalline Silicon: The concentration of Ga contained in the crystal is 3x1014-2x1017 atoms/cm3. Preferred Process: Ga is added to the melt using a doping agent obtained by pulverising a silicon crystal doped with a high concentration of Ga. The Si can be sliced to give Ga-doped multicrystalline Si wafers for use in solar cells.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Membrane: The membrane is formed of an asymmetric polymer. The membrane has a covering layer made of a thermoplastic polymer supported by a polymeric supporting structure. The supporting structure has pores vertical to the covering layer, the pore diameter extending from the covering layer. The covering layer has a thickness of 1-50 mum. The supporting structure has a thickness of 10-500 mum. The thermoplastic polymer is made of polysulfone, polyethersulfone, cellulose acetate, polyacrylonitrile, polyetheretherketone, polyimide or polybenzimidazole. The thermoplastic polymer additionally has radiation-induced defects and/or functional groups to increase the ion conductivity. A catalyst material is inserted into the supporting structure.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The electrolyte membrane is produced from a fluorine-containing material. The liquid vulcanized rubber is selected from silicon or fluoro-silicon. The sealing body is made of a metal having a thickness of 0.03-0.5 mm.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The sealing body is made of a polymer resin having a thickness of 0.03-0.5 mm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The metallic lattice is coated with an oxidation-resistant protective layer (7) made of chromium carbide. The metallic lattice is made of nickel or precious metal.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - The other face and the first planar face of each frame are respectively provided with keying and alignment pins (10) and sockets of different shapes. The pins and sockets prevent the stacking of the electrodes and the separators in an incorrect alternate order and/or in an incorrect orientation. The inner flange, electrodes, and separators are rectangular. The frames have convex sides. The directions of flow of the negative and of the positive electrolyte in respective flow chambers along the opposite sides of each separator are opposite to each other. Each electrode consists of a fluid-impervious electrically conductive plate having on its opposite faces a porous fluid-pervious three-dimensional electrode structures in the form of a felt or fabric of carbon fibers bonded in electrical continuity to the electrically conductive plate. The electrolyte enters the electrode chamber along one side and exits the chamber from the opposite side. The porous electrode structure has two distinct comb-shaped channel works. The finger channels of one channel work are parallel to each other and interleaved with the parallel finger channels of the other channel work. A source comb-shaped channel work has a base or manifolding channel running along the side of the chamber through which the electrolyte is fed into the chamber. A drain channel work has its base or manifolding channel running along the opposite side from which the electrolyte exits the chamber. All finger channels of one channel work extend from the respective base or manifolding channel and terminate short of reaching the manifolding channel of the other channel work. The ducts for the separate circulation of each negative and positive electrolytes are defined by two or more holes spaced along one side of the rectangular frame.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Assemblage: The heat transfer fin population fin density gradient is operable to maintain a peak burner gas passage wall temperature of not more than 927degreesC (1700degreesF), especially no greater than about 38degreesC (100degreesF) above a peak process gas temperature in the assemblage. The inlet section of the burner gas passage is devoid of heat transfer fins. The inlet section of the burner gas passage is about 40% of the length of the burner gas passage .The intermediate section of the burner gas passage is about 10% of the length of the burner gas passage. The outlet section of the burner gas passage is about 50% of the length of the burner gas passage.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Housing: The housing comprises a black conducting polyamide material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Laminate: The first outer layer, the mid-layer(s) and the second outer layer are cohesively or adhesively (preferred) bonded together. The first layer has an optical density of at least 1.0. It is visibly transparent but at least 99% opaque to ultraviolet light. The mid-layer consists of CTFE and the second outer layer is of EVA which comprises 2-33 (preferably 2-8) wt.% vinyl acetate. The laminate further comprises heat sealable layer(s) bonded to the second outer layer.Preferred Dimensions: The thickness of the first outer layer, the mid-layer and the second outer layer is 15-50 (preferably 25-38) mum, 10-50 (preferably 24) mum, and 50-200 mum, respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: A solid catalyst/electrolyte arrangement (22) is disposed in the porous surface. The porous and hermetic regions are planar.Preferred Method: The screening step removes the solids, and produces a wet preform which is dried at less than 80 degrees C, resulting in an initial component porosity of 70-90%. The molding step is slurry molding. The densifying step uses drying and curing techniques, and is accomplished by mechanical compression at low pressure in shaped graphite molds at 120-160 degrees C. The pyrolyzing/carbonizing step is accomplished by heating to 700-1300 degrees C in an inert atmosphere, resulting in a total porosity of 40-60% and a pore size of 10-100 microns.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The homogeneous material is an aqueous slurry comprising a mixture of carbon fiber of 0.1-100 mm long, and 20-50 wt.% phenolic resin powder binder.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The shift reaction device is a thermal insulated structure, which is filled with a shift reaction catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Functional Group: The acid functional group is sulphonic acid, carboxylic acid and/or precursors. Preferred Property: The nominal diameter of fluoropolymer corresponding to hole of the sponge structure is 2.5 mum or less. The exchange capacities of sulphonic acid or its precursors and carboxylic acid or its precursors, are 0.8-1.5 mm equivalent weight/g, and 0.6-1.2 mm equivalent weight/g, respectively. Preferred Composition: The fluoropolymer contains 5-40 weight% of carboxylic acid or its precursors. EXAMPLE - 30 g of perfluoro carbon of carboxylic acid methyl ester type was added to 70 g of perfluoro carbon of sulphonyl fluoride type powder and mixed for 1 hour at 200degreesC. The mixed polymer was subjected to hot pressing film production for 5 minutes at 240degreesC to obtain homogeneous membrane film having thickness of 120 mum and clouding point of 208degreesC. The film was heated in an oven at 230degreesC for 3 minutes, lowered to 100degreesC for 1 minute and maintained in room temperature to obtain a sponge-like microstructure film having nominal diameter of 2.3 mum. The film made from sodium sulfonate type and sodium carboxylic acid was found to have tension fracture strength of 1.39 kg/mm2 and direct current resistance value of 410 OMEGA/cm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Structure: The device has header (12) on the upper portion which controls air supply to catalyst layer. The air pipe (13) has vent (14). The catalyst layer has lower portion which increases quantity of reformed gas supplied to each catalyst layer. The reaction container is equipped with cooler to maintain constant catalyst temperature. Preferred Process: The temperature difference between catalyst layers is reduced and catalyst layers are maintained at uniform temperature.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: Air is heated by supplying air to heat recovery wall (72) through suction side of an air blower which is provided to the burner. Water is supplied to a heated recovery wall, where the water is heated. The heated water is then supplied to a water vapor generator (22).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: A part of the remaining gas is recirculated to the catalyst layer. Preferred Apparatus: An amount controlling valve is provided to the three counter flow paths of the remaining gas. A reflect by-pass piping carries out the reflux of the remaining gas supplied to the catalyst layer from the amount controlling valve.
EXAMPLE - Compound of formula (II) was dissolved in N-methyl pyrolidone (to give a concentration of 10 % by weight) and spread in an aluminum Petri dish then dried at 80 degreesC under a reduced pressure to remove the solvent to give a thin film of Compound (II) (thickness of 200 - 300 microns), then the film was immersed in 85 mass % phosphoric acid aq solution for 48 hours and washed with methanol then dried at 80 degreesC to give a composite film comprising Compound (II) /phosphoric acid composite body. The tin film was kept under 90 %RH for 24 hours to give a polymer solid electrolyte of the present invention.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The graphite layer is formed at a fixed angle of less than 90degreesC on main axis of carbon fiber. A coil shaped carbon fiber is preferably used. Preferred Method: An activated treatment of hydrogen occlusion material is carried out. A metal catalyst which has an anisotropy is used.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Separator: The fine carbon fiber is of average diameter at most2 micron and average length at most500 micron, the graphitized meso-carbon microbeads are of average diameter at most50 micron, the graphite powder is of average diameter at most10 micron and the carbon black is of average diameter at most100 nm. The thermoplastic resin is either crystalline with a melting point of at least 150degreesC, or is amorphous with a softening point of at least 90degreesC. The graphite powder and carbon black have a purity of at least 95%. The thermoplastic resin is selected from polypropylene, polystyrene, polyamides, polyesters, polycarbonates, polyphenylene sulfides, liquid crystal resins and fluorinated resins. The thermosetting resin is selected from phenol, furan, epoxy, unsaturated polyesters and polyimide resins.Preferred Method: The molding method is injection molding at 40-200degreesC. Alternatively, the molding method is compression molding at 130-220degreesC and 196-1470 N/cm2, preferably with a solvent mixed into the mixture, where the mixture is heated before molding to precure the thermosetting resin.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Separator: At least one surface contains grooves, where the root mean square error of their depth is +/-5x10-2 mm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The intermediate layer is made of NaCl, KCl, NaF or BaF2. The carrier layer is made of metal or ceramic.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The carrier layer is made of polyimide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The supply of the oxidant stream to the fuel cell cathode is periodically interrupted. The fuel cell is one of a set of fuel cells in a fuel cell stack (100). The supply of oxidant to each cathode of the set of fuel cells is not simultaneously interrupted. The supply of the oxidant stream to the fuel cell cathode is interrupted at regular time intervals.The method further comprises closing a valve downstream of the fuel cell cathode simultaneously with the interruption of the supply of oxidant, to prevent the oxidant stream from being exhausted from the fuel cell cathode.The method further comprises: monitoring an operational parameter of the fuel cell; and adjusting the frequency with which the oxidant supply stream to the cathode is interrupted responsive to the monitored parameter.The method comprises periodically introducing pulse of a substantially oxidant-free fluid into the oxidant stream upstream of the fuel cell cathode, whereby successive portions of the cathode are oxidant starved.The oxidant-free fluid introduced into the oxidant stream is cooler than the internal operating temperature of the fuel cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The oxidant stream is a gas stream and the oxidant-free fluid is a gas selected from nitrogen, argon and helium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The embedded MgO grains have an average diameter of 0.1-2 microns. The material contains 55-80 wt.% MgO and may also contain other oxide(s) selected from calcium oxide (CaO), silica (SiO2), zirconia (ZrO2) and iron-III oxide (Fe2O3). In a layer of the ceramic material on a metallic or ceramic article with a predetermined coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), the MgO content is selected so that layer has the same CTE. Production: (claimed) The material is produced by melting Al2O3 and 26-96 wt.% MgO to a liquid phase, solidifying this by cooling and grinding the solid to a powder.Preferred Production: The starting materials are mixed homogeneously and then melted in an electric arc furnace. The powder is converted to larger grains by agglomeration. EXAMPLE - Ceramic powder suitable for thermal spraying had the composition 40 wt.% MgAl2O4, 58 wt.% MgO, 1 wt.% Al2O3, the remainder the usual impurities. It contained MgO grains with an average diameter of 0.5 microns, embedded in a spinel matrix. Material, e.g. a metal part, coated by thermal spraying with this powder had a coefficient of thermal expansion of 11.3 x 10 power -6 K power -1, which was about the same as that of the material before spraying.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The metal-doped carbon-based material is an alkali metal-doped carbon-based material. The carbon material is preferably carbon fiber, carbon nanofiber (10-60 nm average diameter), activated carbon, carbon nanotubes (5-30 nm average diameter), graphite or amorphous (disordered) carbon.Preferred Salt: The salt is a nitrate, hydroxide, carbonate, halide, acetate, hydride or nitrite. The alkali metal is sodium (Na), potassium (K), rubidium (Rb), cesium (Cs) or lithium (Li).Preferred Condition: The molar ratio of the alkali metal salt to the carbon material is 1:20-1:1.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The alkali metal-doped carbon-based material is prepared by a solid state reaction between carbon material and alkali metal salt under helium, nitrogen, argon or hydrogen gas atmosphere. It is carried out at (i) 973-1273 degreesK when the alkali salt is sodium or potassium salt or (ii) 573-1073 degreesK when the alkali salt is lithium salt. The solid sorbent is exposed to hydrogen atmosphere at (a) 250-400 degreesK and 1-100 atmospheres when the alkali metal is sodium or potassium, or (b) 400-800 degreesK when the alkali metal is lithium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The increase in hydrogen and/or energy production is an increase in the rate or quantity of hydrogen and/or energy production. The half cell reactions are selected such that the sum of the value of the residual materials in the hydrogen cell at the endpoint of the reaction is greater than that of the sum of reactants introduced into the cell. The electronegative half cell reaction is 2H2O + 2e- right arrow 2OH- + H2. The first electropositive half cell reaction is 2H- right arrow H2 + 2e-. The second electropositive half cell reaction is Al + 4OH- right arrow AlO2- + 2H2O + 3e-.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Reactions: The electropositive half cell reactions involve the species selected from binary hydrides, ternary hydrides, amphoteric elements, electropositive elements in groups one and two of the Periodic Table and chelated transition elements. The first electropositive half cell reaction involves the oxidation of a binary and/or ternary hydride and the second electropositive half cell reaction involves the oxidation of an amphoteric element. The amphoteric element is selected from aluminum, zinc, chromium, gallium and tin. The first electropositive half cell reaction has a reduction potential E0 greater than +83 V when a reductant is written on the left hand side of the one half cell equation according to the Latimer conversion. The reductant in the first electropositive half cell is hypophosphorous acid, dithionite or a metal organic complex capable of changing configuration to release at least one electron in realization of an increased coordination number.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The compound thin film is ZnO, ZnS, ZnSe, Zn(O, OH), Zn(O, OH, S), Zn(O, Se), Zn(O, OH, Se) and/or ZnXMgYOX = a number between 0 and 1;Y = a number between 0 and 1.The Group Ib element is Cu and the Group IIIb element is In and/or Ga. The Group VIb element in the first compound semiconductor is Se and in the second compound semiconductor is S. The second compound semiconductor thin film also contains a Group II element such as Mg, Ca, Zn and/or Cd. The first compound semiconductor thin film contains its elements in the weight ratio A:B:C where A = 0.15-0.35, B = 0.15-0.35 and C = 0.4-0.6, and the second compound semiconductor thin film contains its elements in the ratio D:E:F where D = 0.15-0.35, E = 0.15-0.35 and F = 0.4-0.6.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compacts: The compact comprises 10-50 mol% of phosphorus pentoxide and 90-50 mol% silica. The compact further comprises 1-10 weight percent (wt.%) of proton and 1-20 wt.% of water. The specific surface area of the compact is 10 m2/g or more.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The air supplier may be provided to the periphery of the catalyst layer so that air is supplied from periphery to the central part of the catalyst layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The catalyst layers are connected via by-pass pipes. The number of catalyst layers will depend on the quantity of gas mixture supplied.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Membrane: The ion-exchange membrane consists of fluoropolymer or perfluoro carbon polymer of formula CF2=CF-(OCF2CFX)m-Oq-(CF2)n-SO3H, where X is fluorine or trifluoro methyl group, m is 0-3, n is 0-12 and q is 0 or 1. The reinforcing material consists of fiber, cloth or fibril.Preferred Properties: The thickness of ion-exchange membrane in the current supply part, is 10-80 microns. The ion-exchange membrane contains 0.2-50 weight percent of reinforcing material. The electrodes and the ion-exchange membrane are joined by heat pressing.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Reactor: Chamber (R1) has a lower heat capacity, a catalyst with a higher activity, is more weakly thermally coupled to the surroundings and is less cooled than the chamber (R2).The chambers (R1) are homogeneously distributed in the reaction chamber.The reaction chamber (1) is coupled to a cooling chamber in a plate reactor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Protective Sheet: The weather resistant sheet consists of a fluorocarbon resin, a polycarbonate, a poly(meth)acrylic acid, polyester or cyclic polyolefin film having a visible radiation transmittance of 90% or above. The weather resistant sheet contains an ultraviolet absorber and/or an oxidation inhibitor.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Protective Sheet: The inorganic oxide thin film is a single layer, multilayer or composite film. The ultraviolet intercepting layer contains dispersed metal oxide particles of TiO2, ZnO, alpha-Fe2O3 or CeO3. Alternatively the uv intercepting layer is a deposited metal film especially of aluminium or silver.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Process: The colloidal disperse solution has pH at least 7. The coated glass is heated to not less than 700, especially not less than 800 degreesC and preferably molded before chilling.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Solvent: The solvent, if used, is an alcohol, preferably (m)ethanol, iso- or n-propanol, 1-methoxy-2-propanol or 2-methoxyethanol.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The polymer has a molecular weight of 500-50000. It preferably is a polyethylene glycol alkyl ether, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, poly-(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline), poly-(hydroxymethyl acrylate) or poly-(hydroxyacrylate). Preferred Definitions:    a = 0.    EXAMPLE - A coating solution of the specified type was prepared as described in the example of DE 19642219 A1. Eight panes of flint glass were coated by immersion in this solution and removal at a constant rate, then each was exposed to a temperature between 500 and 1200 degreesC for 15 minutes and tested by spectral photometry. Samples heated to 500-1000 degreesC had reflection minima less than 0.5% and the porous coating became sealed only above 1000 degreesC. Hence the antireflection layers sintered in a temperature range 500 degreesC above that described in the literature.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Device: The fuel cell is free of concentric polarization and activation polarization. The pulse power fuel cell also contains an alkaline electrolyte, acidic electrolyte, and a polymeric electrolyte membrane. Preferred Component: The cathode also contains a hydroxyl-containing materials in which the hydroxyl is released by small voltage swings, preferably silver/silver (II) oxide (Ag/AgO), nickel (II) hydroxide (Ni(OH2)), and platinum hydroxide (Pt(OH)). It is conformed to allow electrolyte to flow through the cathode. The cathode conduction medium comprises graphite. The cathode shaped composition is catalyst free, and contains an activated carbon (30-65%), a graphite (10-35%), and an inert binder (0-25%). The activated carbon has at least 75 mg/cm2 and is capable of storing at least 100 mg/cm2 of oxygen (O2), and comprises an aerogel. The anode comprises a hydride-forming metal or alloy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The intermediate band semiconductor comprises a gallium germanium phosphoarsenide of formula PxAs1-xGayGe1-x (x, y = 0-1) and the semiconductor material can be doped with e.g. Sn, P, B, Zn or Be. The semiconductor layers on either side of the intermediate band semiconductor comprise PGaxInx-1 (x, y = 0-1).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The foam core catalyst bed comprises an iron oxide/calcium oxide on the first region, and a nickel catalyst on the second region.The first region further contains a noble metal catalyst, preferably platinum, palladium and/or rhodium.The fuel gas inlet passage contains a fuel gas/steam mixture.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Component: The foam core catalyst bed includes at least one ceramic foam support body.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Component: The foam core catalyst bed includes a high temperature-compatible metal support from stainless steel, nickel alloys, or iron-aluminum alloys.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred process: The method comprises sheathing the feed admixture by indirect exchange with at least a portion of the fuel exhaust stream. The effective stream reforming conditions comprise a reforming temperature of about 650 to 900 degree C and reforming pressure of about 80 to 5000 kpa.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred process: The feedstream is selected from the group consisting of a hydrocarbon, an alcohol and mixtures.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred process: The steam reforming catalyst comprises nickel supported on a refractor carrier selected from magnesia, magnesium aluminate, alumina, silica, zirconia, and mixtures.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The precursor also comprises a layer of highly fluorinated carboxylate polymer precursor, i.e. highly fluorinated methyl carboxylate polymer precursor, adhered to the side of the highly fluorinated sulfonyl halide polymer layer opposite from the support. The microporous support comprises an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene with a microstructure of polymeric fibrils, and further comprises an attached fabric, i.e. woven. The microporous support and the sulfonyl halide polymer are perfluorinated.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The precursor is fabricated by:(a) laminating a film of highly fluorinated sulfonyl halide polymer to the microporous support at least 280 degrees C, preferably at least 300 degrees C; or(b) by laminating a bi-film of highly fluorinated carboxylate polymer precursor and highly fluorinated sulfonyl halide polymer to the support with the sulfonyl halide polymer contacting the microporous support.The impregnating step is performed to fully embed the support in the highly fluorinated sulfonate polymer.Preferred Property: The composite ion exchange membrane is 20-400, preferably 30-60 mum thick.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Medium: The polar medium is at least one 1-4C alcohol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The sulfonated PES have 560-720 EW, and differ by at least 50 EW units. The first sulfonated PES comprises at least 70% (w/w) of the membrane and an EW of greater than 1000. The second sulfonated PES comprises not more than 30% (w/w) of the membrane. The membrane further comprises an unsulfonated PES which is not more than 25% (w/w) of the total weight of the membrane. The unsulfonated PES is the base polymer of the sulfonated PES.
EXAMPLE - 4,4'-dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (590g), cyclohexyl isocyanate (62.6g) and 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-phosphorene-1-oxide as carbodiimidization catalyst (6.12g) were reacted at 180 degreesC for 48 hours to give a (4,4'-dicyclohexylmethane)polycarbodiimide having an average polymerization degree of 100 or less.    The (4,4'-dicyclohexylmethane)polycarbodiimide (2 pts. wt.), a wholly aromatic thermoplastic polyester having a heat deformation of 240 degreesC at 18.6 kg/mm2 (100 pts. wt.) and an electroconductive carbon powder (100 pts. wt.) were melt-kneaded using a double-screw extruder to prepare a master batch.    The master batch was injection molded to produce multipurpose dumbbells. These had the following properties: resistivity = 13.7 (18.9) milliohm.cm and bending strength = 4.68 (4.23) kgf/cm2. The figures in brackets are for a comparative example prepared from the wholly aromatic thermoplastic polyester having a heat deformation of 240 degreesC at 18.6 kg/mm2 (100 pts. wt.) and the electroconductive carbon powder (900 pts. wt.).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: Oxygen is injected as air. The stream ejected from water-gas shift reactor is shunted around fuel cell until CO concentration of the inlet is at an acceptable level by the fuel cell. The stream is recycled to the fuel cell when the CO concentration is at acceptable range. Preferred Amount: The amount of oxygen injected is 0.1 mols/min for each mol of carbon monoxide flowing into the catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The ceramic material consists of LiAlO2, Li2ZrO3, Li2TiO3, CeO2, Al2O3 with an in-situ synthesized LiAlO2 layer, MO2 (M = a group IVb element, preferably Zr or Ti) with an in-situ synthesized Li2MO3 layer or a multi-phase ceramic selected from Al2O3-LiAlO2-Li2ZrO3 mixed ceramic, Al2O3-ZrO2-Li2ZrO3 mixed ceramic and/or ZrO2-Li2ZrO3-CeO2-Li2TiO3 mixed ceramic.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The impregnation of porous carbonaceous part with methacrylate impregnant comprises the steps of: (a) degassing the part and impregnant under vacuum; (b) immersing the part in the impregnant; (c) impregnating the part with the impregnant in an impregnating atmosphere; and (d) washing the impregnated part in a compatible solvent, such as water; prior to the curing step.Preferred Conditions: The pressure in a curing atmosphere while curing the impregnant, is 50 psig. The curing and impregnating atmospheres are oxygen-free and contains nitrogen. Impregnation is carried out at a pressure greater than the atmospheric pressure.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The impregnant comprises 80 weight percent of methacrylate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Materials: The carbonaceous part comprises flexible graphite, has a thickness of less than 2 mm and has density of less than 1.7 g/cm3.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Part: The carbonaceous part is a fuel cell component, preferably a flow field plate. EXAMPLE - Fuel cell flow field plate was prepared by embossing flexible graphite sheets (thickness of 1.8 mm and 50% porosity) and impregnating them with methacrylate resin Heron HPS991. Water was first removed from the embossed sheet. Impregnation was then performed by degassing the sheet and methacrylate resin in vacuum and by immersing the sheets in the resin under a pressure of 90 psig. The impregnated sheet was then washed in a water bath. Curing was performed in nitrogen atmosphere under a high pressure of 80 psig, maximum cure temperature of 100degreesC and temperature ramp rate of 3degreesC/minute. The cured sheet was tested and the test results showed that the sheet was fully cured without the occurrence of blistering.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred fuel cell: The first electrode device comprises a gas porous gold film interfacing an acidic solid ion conducting substrate. The electrolyte device comprises the substrate. The second electrode device is a gas porous platinum electrode. Preferred sensor device: comprises first channel device for bringing the gas to the first electrode device and second channel device for brining the oxygen containing gas to the second electrode device.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Two of the retainer plates have a wavy cross section shape. They have hollow parts independent of each other for supplying cooling water. The conductive separator plate has circuits for cooling water.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst is a monolith catalyst which is in the form of pellets.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Design: The non-contact route consists of bypass routes which is not filled with the catalyst pellets. Filling factor per unit volume of the catalyst in the upstream side of reactor is lower than the filling factor of catalyst in downstream side.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Arrangement: The pressure loss board is arranged close to the catalytic layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Flow Path: The flow path of the raw material or hydrogen-rich gas is formed in the shape of a winding. The flow path of the raw material and the gas crosses orthogonally. The flow path cross-section for raw material decreases towards the downstream side from the upstream side while that of the hydrogen-rich gas decreases towards the upstream side from the downstream side. An inflow opening of the raw material flow path is provided to the downward portion of the heat exchanger, while an outlet hole is provided to the upper part of the heat exchanger.Preferred Fuel Reformer: The fuel reformer has carbon monoxide reduction units to reduce carbon monoxide in the hydrogen-rich gas cooled by the heat exchanger, by oxidation. Heaters are provided to heat at least a part of the raw material which is also heated by the heat exchange using heat produced by oxidation of the carbon monoxide in the carbon monoxide reduction units.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The evaporator has a guide route (70) which is connected to the heating chamber for passing the combustion gas ejected from the heat medium tube to the floor surface (50A) of an evaporation chamber (50). A support evaporator (90) is arranged which uses combustion gas evolved from the evaporator as heat medium for forming original fuel vapor which is guided to the evaporation chamber and then sent to the modifier via the heating chamber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Electrolyte: The (poly)alkylene glycol derivative is of formula (1).m, n = integer of 0-6, preferably 1-6;R11, R12 = aliphatic group- and/or aromatic group-containing hydrocarbon bond;G1, G2 = ether bond, ester bond, urethane bond, or carbonate bond;R2 = (poly)ether linkage chain having an average molecular weight of 44-10,000 in which straight chain or branched alkylene group is bonded to ether bond, or (poly)ether residue.The electrolyte contains at least one electrolyte selected from an alkaline metal salt, quaternary ammonium salt, quaternary phosphonium salt, and transition metal salt. A macromolecular solid electrolyte consists of the hardened product of the macromolecular solid electrolyte-forming material.
EXAMPLE - Mixture of 4-bromobutylstyrene(70 g), divinylbenzene (20 g), dioctyl phthalate(10 g) and benzoyl peroxide(1.0 g) was bubbled in nitrogen gas atmosphere to remove the dissolved oxygen. The solution was applied on a netting made from high-density polyethylene, covered with polyester film as a releasing agent, and finally polymerized at 80 degreesC for 8 hours. The obtained polymer film was dipped in methanol solution (300 g) of aqueous 30 % trimethylamine solution (100 g) and reacted at 40 degreesC for 5 hours to give anion-exchanging film having a thickness of 150 micron. The anion-exchanging film had neutral salt-decomposing capacity of 3.1 meq/g, moisture content of 26 %, electric resistance of 3.8 ohm-cm2 and a transference number of 0.96.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Module: The anti-glare film has a light entering surface with a rough surface texture (preferably with an arithmetic roughness (Ra) of 0.1-10 mum) for scattering light and a gloss of at most 60 (preferably at most 10) at 60degrees. The module also includes a surfactant film (40) between the insulating substrate and the anti-glare film, and a flat-surfaced dirt preventing film (50) on the rough surface of the anti-glare film. The module may also include a filler resin (6) and a back cover (7).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The anti-glare film includes a catalyst, preferably an organic tin compound.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The organic material binder contains an acrylic resin which includes an acryl copolymer containing a hydrolyzable silyl containing a group of formula (I) and/or a fluororesin containing a hydroxyl group.(R1O)3-a-(R2)aSi- (I)R1 = 1-10C alkyl;R2 = alkyl, aryl or 1-10C aralkyl monovalent hydrocarbon or H; anda = 0-2.The organic material particles contain an acrylic resin, a fluororesin and/or a polyethylene wax, and have a diameter of 1-10 mum. The binder and particles have a mixing ratio so that the weight of the particles is 1-10 when the weight of the binder is 100. The dirt preventing film includes an organic and/or inorganic polymer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The inorganic binder is formed of alkyl silicate (preferably containing ethyl and/or butyl silicate), consists of silica or is complexed with an organic material. The inorganic material particles consist of silica.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Control: Control for supplying excess electric power to the heater is based on a detection signal where magnitude of external power load is smaller than output electric power of the fuel cell. A thermodetector is used to detect temperature in the storage tank. Thermistors (14) also detect temperature of water in heat exchanger and a pump regulates water flow through the heat exchanger to keep water temperature constant.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The oxidation resistant material is alumina and the thickness of the copper layer is 0.4-0.7.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The semiconducting, rod-like shaped columns perturbations are polycrystalline or amorphous silicon material, and they are disposed perpendicular to the substrate or base layer. They have a diameter of 1-50 (preferably 3-7) nm, and are found in clusters having a diameter of 50-500 nm. The substrate is metal foil, insulation material, or semiconductor-containing material.Preferred Property: The film has a thickness of greater than 10 nm, and its porosity is controlled by substrate coating, plasma power, process pressure, magnetic field, plasma-substrate bias, chamber conditioning, deposition gases, flow rates, or deposition temperature.Preferred Components: The composite structure may comprise a coating and capping layers. The coating and the capping layers are organic insulators, silicon nitride, silicon oxide, or active material from piezoelectrics, ferroelectrics, metals, or semiconductors.Preferred Method: The method may comprise etching the porous film, where deposition and etching steps occur simultaneously. The etching is conducted in the presence of hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, and their derivative radicals. The high density plasma deposition is conducted in the presence of a precursor environment containing hydrogen or silicon-containing gas (preferably silane). The deposition is carried out in the presence of magnetic field in the substrate region at +800 to -600 gauss and in an excitation of microwave power at 100-1200 watts. The deposition may be conducted with no impressed voltage between the plasma and the substrate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The substrate is glass.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The substrate is made of plastic material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred System: The source is a container which is capable of supplying the emulsion to the reformer. The system further comprises a water gas shift reactor between the reformer and the fuel cell, or between the reformer and a carbon monoxide clean-up processor. A pre-heater heats the emulsion before it enters the reformer. The fuel is selected from alcohols which form emulsions with water, jet fuel, naphtha, gasoline, kerosene, Fischer-Tropsch derived liquids and mixtures of these. The fuel and water emulsion further comprises a freezing point depressant, preferably an alcohol. The emulsion is a fuel in water emulsion or a water in fuel emulsion. The emulsion further comprises a surfactant, preferably non-ionic and only including carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. The system further comprises a water recovery device from the fuel cell.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: 90-99 wt.% of MIEC phase and 1-20 wt.%, preferably 1-10 wt.% of second phases are contained in the membrane.Preferred Phase: The MIEC phase has formula AxA'x,A''2-(x+x')ByB'y,B''2-(y+y')O5+z (I), especially formula LaxSr2-xB1yB'2-yO5+z (Ia).The second phase is (A,A')2 (B,B')O4, A'2(B,B')O4, (A,A')(B,B')2O4, A'(B,B')2O4, A2(B,B')O4, (A,A')2BO4, (A,A')2 B'O4, (A,A')B2O4, (A,A')B'2O4 or A(B,B')2O4, preferably A2BO4, AB2O4, A2B'O4, AB'2O4, A'2BO4, A'B2O4, A'2B'O4 or A'B'2O4, more preferably (Sr,La)2(Al,Fe)O4 or Sr(Fe,Al)2O4.A = element of f block lanthanide elements;A' = element of Group II elements;A = element of f block lanthanide or Group II elements;B = Al, Ga and/or In;B1 = Ga or Al;B' and B = different elements and element of Mg and d-block transition element, including Zn, Cd or Hg;x, x', y, y' = 0-2;x+x' and y+y' = up to 2.z varies to maintain electroneutrality.Preferred Process: The reactor cell of step (b) is heated to 600-1100 degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The alkaline metal salt fiber of titanic acid has a fiber diameter of 0.1-5 microns, preferably 0.2-2 microns and a fiber length of 3-200 microns.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred System: The redox catalyst contains pure copper, copper oxide and/or mixed oxides of copper.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The protective layer covering the substrate is made of SiO2 or is a layer combination of Si3N4 and SiO2.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Apparatus: The burner has a pair of symmetrically arranged identical burner sections (28a, b), each of which has a combustion chamber-facing surface at an acute angle to the spray direction of the first injector (25).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Method: Water is added to the oxyacid-containing polymer solution (B) in a molar ratio equivalent to the oxyacid. The oxyacid-containing solution is concentrated prior to casting. The polymer is a polyalkene, polyacrylic, polyvinyl ether, polyvinyl halide, polystyrene, polyester; polyurethane or polyamide, preferably polyphosphazene. The prganic solvent is tetrahydrofuran. The oxyacid is boric, carbonic, cyanic, isocyanic, silicic, nitric, nitrous, phosphoric, phosphorus, hypophosphorus, arsenic, arsenious, antimonic, sulfuric, sulfurous, selenic, selenious, telluric, chromic, dichromic, perchloric, chloric, chlorous, hypochlorous, bromic, bromous, hypobromous, periodic, iodic, hypoiodous, permanganic, manganic, pertechnetic, technetic, perrhennic, rehnnic acid or corresponding condensation products, preferably phosphorus oxychloride. The casting surface comprises polytetrafluoroethylene. The organic sovlent is removed by evaporation. EXAMPLE - Phosphorus oxychloride (0.8 ml) and distilled water (0.16 ml) were added to a solution of poly(bis(phenoxy)polyphosphazene) (1g) in THF (200 ml). The mixture was concentrated using a rotary evaporator until it became viscous (30 ml) and was then poured into a PTFE tray (6x6 cm) and allowed to evaporate over 24 hours. After curing, the membrane was hydrolyzed by repeatedly soaking in water until a constant pH was maintained . The resulting polymer membrane was insoluble in water and methanol and had an ionic conductivity of 2.8x10-3 S/cm and a methanol diffusion coefficient of 0.23-0.27x10-6 cm2/s. In comparison Nafion117(RTM; polymer membrane) had an ionic conductivity of 2.7x10-3 S/cm and a methanol diffusion coefficient of 1.12-2.02x10-6 cm2/s.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The step of preparing the suspension comprises adding electrode material particles of a semiconducting material to the suspending agent.The step of compressing the particles comprises feeding a substrate (64) between two cooperating pressure rollers (62, 63) which provide the pressure to form the electrically and mechanically stable nanostructured porous film.The particles are compressed using a planar pressure tool. The tool has a relief pattern which is transferred to the nanostructured porous film during the compression.Preferred Materials: The semiconducting material is selected from titanium dioxide (TiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), niobium oxide (Nb2O5), zirconium oxide (ZrO2) and tin oxide (SnO2).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The suspending agent is selected from ethanol, methanol, acetone and water.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The substrate material is glass.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The substrate material is plastic.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: Each shutdown command is subjected to decision logic based on selected system criterion (86), and a normal or rapid shutdown procedure is implemented depending on the status of the selected criterion. One criterion comprises comparing the electrical power or voltage supplied to the external load to a reference power or voltage related to the capacity of the system to consume hydrogen, checking for external software or external hardware abnormalities, or monitoring the temperature of the fuel stack and determining if a shutdown command occurs before the fuel stack reaches a predetermined normal operating temperature. The hydrogen stream is removed from the system by dumping the hydrogen stream to the atmosphere or routing the hydrogen stream to a storage facility, and disconnecting the load by interrupting the electrical power to the load. Preferred Component: The system also includes a combustor receiving exhaust from the fuel cell stack and the reference power is related to the capacity of the combustor to process the exhaust gases received from the fuel stack.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The hole (65) has an inlet and an outlet which is impinged against a wicking layer. The wicking layer distributes the hydration fluid to the membrane. The fuel cell (44) is located in a fuel stack comprising fuel cells. The land has a groove that is connected to the hole.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fluid: The hydration fluid is deionized water.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred System: The oxidant flow field is a double-pass oxidant reactant flow field. The first-pass directs the oxidant in a downward direction and the second-pass directs the oxidant in an upward direction. The system further includes an air valve at the output of the oxidant reactant flow field and a coolant accumulator communicating with the coolant flow field and positioned above the MEA of the fuel cell system. The air valve is coupled to the controller. It is closed during power plant shutdown to prevent coolant from draining out of the oxidant reactant flow field. Preferred Components: The fine pore plates include plate members that include pattern of projections (28, 40) and grooves (32, 44), which are abutting each other. The projection and grooves cooperate to form reactant (38) and coolant flow field (36) channels.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: An electrode catalyst covering agent consists of a crosslinking high polymer electrolyte of formula (II).X = -COCF2CF2SO2-, -SO2CF2CF2CO-, or -SO2CF2CF2SO2-;Y = hydrogen, or divalent or higher valent metal;p = integer of 2 or greater.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The methanation reaction device is divided into more than two compartments. The inlet temperature of the device is 160-200degreesC. The methanation reaction device is cooled by supplying air to burner (2a) of water vapor modifier (2), burner of vaporizer and cathode (1a) of fuel battery (1). Preferred Catalyst: The methanation of CO is carried out using ruthenium, rhodium and nickel catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polyolefin: The cyclic olefin-based ring-opening polymer consists of the ring-opening polymer of norbornene-based monomers, in which a norbornene structure contains at least one norbornene-based monomer. The cyclic olefin-based ring-opening polymer or its hydrogenated product has a glass transition temperature preferably of at least 80 degreesC, more preferably of at least 90 degreesC.Preferred Battery: The solar battery module is formed by successively laying up a top surface protective layer, a solar battery element, and a bottom surface protective layer. If necessary, an adhesive resin layer is provided between the top surface protective layer and the solar battery element. At least one of the top surface protective layer and the bottom surface protective layer consists of the protective sheet. The top surface or the bottom surface of the protective sheet has a thickness preferably of 10-2000 microns, more preferably 30-1500 microns, most preferably 40-1000 microns.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The solid electrolyte substrate is formed of stabilized zirconia burned body containing yttria. The electrode on the cathode side is formed of lanthanum strontium manganese oxide ((La0.85Sr0.15)0.90MnO3).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Unit: The protruding part of the seal has holes for assembly and/or introducing media into a fuel cell stack. To form a complete cell, both sides of the active area of the membrane electrode unit are covered with a gas distributor and a bipolar plate and/or conductor and the bipolar plate and/or conductor is stuck directly to the seal on at least one side. There may also be an additional seal between the edge seal and conductor.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Sealant : The hot melt adhesive is a copolymer of a monomer and a carboxylic acid, salt or polar derivative, preferably an ethylene/methacrylic acid or ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer. It has carboxylic ester groups at regular intervals in the polymer skeleton. It may also be copolymerized with other components, such as organic acids or other polar acid derivatives, e.g. acid anhydrides or esters.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Unit: The adhesive layer protrudes beyond the edge of the electrode unit and fuses to a homogeneous, one-piece adhesive layer. The gas distributor is inserted in the space surrounded by the frame(s), especially in front of the stiff plates. The unit also has conductors or bipolar plates on both sides and a seal between these and the frame on at least one side. The outer part of the frame, beyond the edge of the membrane, has holes for assembly and introducing media.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Sealant : The hot melt adhesive has ionic or strongly polar groups giving a surface interaction effect with the ionic groups of the membrane and preferably melts in the 80-140degreesC range. It preferably has groups of a carboxylic acid, salt or polar derivative introduced by copolymerization. Preferred Material: The stiff plate consists of plastics or material containing plastics, which may be fiber-reinforced.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Equipment: The fuel tank has a reservoir from which the engine fuel is pumped through a pipe to a system forming the mixture and excess fuel is removed, with pressure control, through a recycling pipe. Up-stream from the pressure-retaining valve, the fuel is supplied with heat of vaporization by passing it from the recycling pipe through a heat exchanger. The heated fuel then flows through a regulating valve into a vapor separator, from which the vapor of low-boiling fuel components is removed by suction of a compressor connected with a tank supplying condensate. The condensate tank is connected to the fuel tank by a blow off pipe fitted with a pressure valve. It is also connected from a high point with the suction side of the compressor through a valve-controlled pipe. The hardly volatile or high-boiling constituents of the fuel collecting in the vapor separator are returned to the fuel tank through a fuel-cooling heat exchanger, with valve control. The engine is used in a vehicle, in which the condensate is produced by waste heat from the vehicle and stored in a tank for the reformer, which is connected to an ancillary fuel as current/voltage source for the power supply.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The solid polymer electrolyte membrane comprises monomer units of tetrafluoroethylene and 2-20 mol % of the monomer -(O-CF2CFR)aO-CF2(CFR')bSO3-H+R and R' are independently selected from F, Cl or a perfluorinated 1-10 C alkyl group, a = 0,1 or 2, b = 0 to 6.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Sub-Gaskets: The sub-gaskets are made from a fluoro-polymer, preferably a material selected from FEP, TFE, ETFE, PFA, CTFE, E-CTFE, PVF2 and PVF.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: In the high heat dissipation direction side, the plate surface has a concentration distribution in content of silicon. Heat dissipation is high in the center part of the plate surface. Alternately, heat dissipation is made higher on one side of plate surface and lower on the other side. The impurity concentration distribution in the grown silicon crystal is made to increase towards one crystal surface. During cooling, after solidification of silicon melt solution, a gas for inclusion of impurities, for control of conductivity, is introduced into the controlled crystal growth atmosphere and impurities are included into the solidified silicon crystal.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The support body side which has low heat dissipation contains quartz glass to which hexagonal boron nitride crystals or cubic boron nitride, having heat reflective property, are provided. The impurity elements are boron or aluminum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Layer: The transparent glass layer is formed by baking powder glass having different refractive indices. Its thickness is 50-1000mum. It is an adhesion layer for bonding radiation protection glass into the surface of the solar cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The transparent glass layer includes cerium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The apparatus has lightweight construction and recesses (6, 7) for reducing the heat capacity. The end plate has a honeycomb structure, a through-hole (5) for supplying media and a base surface (4) on which rods (2) and/or sleeves (3) are arranged.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metal: The metal comprises copper, silver, zinc, lithium, or their analog.Preferred Molecules: The molecules in gas comprise ammonia, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, or preferably oxygen molecules.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Ligand: Each of the ligands comprise (substituted) hydrocarbon compound.The substituents on the hydrocarbon compound are disposed terminally of the substituted hydrocarbon compound.One of the ligands comprises (substituted) phenanthroline compound.Preferred Components: The substituted hydrocarbon comprises a hydrocarbon compound containing at least one of alkyl, aryl, alkaryl or halogen-, chalcogen-, nitrogen- or phosphorus-containing moiety or a heteroatom. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The acidic solution comprises sulfuric acid, hydrogen peroxide, nitric acid, and water. The precipitation agent is sodium borohydride. The metallic materials can be gold, lead, cadmium, and/or tellurium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The sulfur in the raw material gas is optionally hydrated, while the hydrocarbon gas is hydrated. The fuel battery uses the water formed by decomposing hydrate, as water vapor for reforming process. During decomposition of hydrate, cooling takes place and is used for cooling an air-conditioning unit in car. Preferred Apparatus: The motor vehicle comprises a fuel tank for storing heating gas in hydrated state, an engine which uses the heating gas (obtained by decomposing hydrate) as an engine fuel, and fuel battery which is operated by using the heating gas as a source of hydrogen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The two phases comprise CuInS2 (32) and CuIn5S8 (31).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: Controls (7, 4) adjust the feedstock mixture ratio. Steam/methane ratio is adjusted in accordance with the temperature (T) of reformate gas leaving the reactor. The reformate temperature is held constant, by adjusting the mixture ratio.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred device: The reticulated material has a porosity of at least 50% and is preferably thermally conductive and a metal foam. At least one of the gaseous reactants is air and the gaseous reactants are used to pressurize the water in the water supply tank. A stack of the polymer membrane fuel cells and humidification elements (11) is arranged in a press-filter configuration, the humidification device being heated to between 50degreesC and the temperature of the fuel cell(s).Preferred method: An excess amount of water is fed into the chamber with respect to the amount of the gaseous reactant(s), the water at least partially evaporating in the polymer membrane fuel cells to remove at least part of the heat generated in the cells. The air is fed into the chamber at 100degreesC and is cooled on contacting the water in the chamber to less than 100degreesC before entering the fuel cells. The gaseous reactant(s) and water flow is generally vertical, preferably upwards.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Matrix: Porous material is polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyetheretherketone, polyethersulfone, perfluoroalkoxy, fluorinated ethylene propylene, polybenzimidazole, polyethersulfone, sulfonated polyetheretherketone, poly(phenylene oxide), sulfonated poly(phenylene oxide), polyaniline, polystyrene oxide or poly(methacrylate). Melting point is 100-500 degrees C. Thickness of the matrix is preferably 13-38 microns. Pores preferably have maximum dimension of 0.025-0.2 microns. Porosity of the matrix is preferably 60-95%.Preferred Binder: The binder material is perfluorinated sulfonic acid resin, polystyrene sulfonic acid resin or perfluorinated carboxylic acid resin.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Solid: The ionically conductive solid preferably has conductivity of 0.1-0.2 /ohm/cm. The ionically conductive solid is heteropoly acid, metal hydrogen phosphate, phosphotungstic acid, phosphomolybdic acid or zirconium hydrogen phosphate.Preferred Membrane: Membrane includes fine powder of silica or titania.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Membrane: The composite membrane includes a noble metal selected from ruthenium, rhenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium and platinum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The first substrate comprises silicon. The first substrate comprises a single crystal.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: In step (c), the peripheral region of the semiconductor layer is removed together with a porous layer lying directly beneath that region. In step (d'), the semiconductor layer region not covered with the second substrate is removed together with the porous layer lying directly beneath that region.In steps (b) and (b'), a semiconductor junction is formed in the semiconductor layer.
SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The self-dissociating compound is phosphoric, phosphinic and/or phosphonic acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The rigid polymeric material is polycarbonate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - TEXTILES AND PAPER - Preferred Component: The cloth portion comprises carbon cloth.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Electrolyte: Solid electrolyte comprises polymer film selected from perfluorinated sulfonic acid group derived from fluorinated styrene, fluorinated ethylenes and polybenzimidazole.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Apparatus: Oxidant distribution channels serve to provide thermal management to fuel cell. The distribution channels which comprise manifold network are connected directly to each other in series or in parallel. The fuel and oxidant connecting channels are formed in periphery of double sided distribution plates and in periphery of MEAs such that fuel and oxidant remain separated and move vertically through stack from one distribution plate to the next. MEA and double sided distribution plate are sealed without use of gasket. The fuel cell power density is in excess of 5 watts/cm3. The oxidant distribution channel also serves as passage way to remove heat from the fuel cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Materials: The double sided distribution plates are formed of aluminum.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The fuel is hydrogen and the oxidant is air.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Properties: The composite membrane is less than 5 mils thick, and provides a Gurley number of greater than 10000 seconds. The microporous polymeric sheet is 0.06-1.6 (preferably 0.5-1.5) mils thick, and has a porosity of greater than 35% (preferably 70-95%). The support of the microporous polymeric sheet is hydrophobic.Preferred Components: The microporous polymeric sheet is a microporous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). The porous fabric is a woven ePTFE having a window area of the weave where the impregnation of ion exchange materials is carried out. Each of the ion exchange materials consists of fluorinated ionic polymer or a non-ionic polymer. The fluorinated ionic polymer is a cationic ion-exchange material consisting of a carboxylic and sulfonic functionality. The ion exchange materials are impregnated with a solution impregnation.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The ion exchange material may contain a finely divided powder of metal oxide, or can be coated with an electrocatalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The surface of the molten silicon is covered with an inert gas. A flow rate (f) of the blown inert gas, an inside radius (r) of a gas-supplying lance (5) which introduces the inert gas into the surface of the molten silicon, and a distance (f) from a port of the lance to the surface of the molten silicon satisfy formula 3 at most f/(rH) at most 60.Preferred Method: A susceptor (6) is disposed above the surface of the molten silicon and the inert gas is introduced into a space between the susceptor and the molten silicon.The flow rate of the blown inert gas is decreased by upwardly moving the solid-liquid phase boundary of the silicon in the mold.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: Kerosene or gas oil are recovered as hydroprocessed product(s) from the hydrotreated feedstock. Part or all of the non-recovered material from the treatment with hydrogen is subjected to a catalytic oxidation process which produced hydrogen and carbon (di)oxide. A catalyst system is used which is capable of converting at least 50 wt.% per pass, preferably at least 65 wt.% of the material having a boiling point range which is the same or above the boiling point range of the hydroprocessed product. The catalyst contains zeolite beta as active component.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The amino group containing polymer is an aryl main chain polymer, preferably a polyethersulfone, particularly Polysulfone UDEL (RTM), and the organometallic compound is a lithium compound, preferably n-, sec.- or tert.-butyl lithium (claimed). The solvent is THF, glyme, diglyme, triglyme, dioxane, benzene, toluene, xylene and/or sulfolane (claimed). The alkyl halide is of formula CnH2n+1 (n = 1-12; X = Cl, Br or I), preferably an alkyl iodide (claimed). EXAMPLE - 9.44 g diaminated polysulfone was reacted with 10 M n-BuLi, 37 ml triethylamine and 7.6 ml methyl iodide in 500 ml THF to give secondary aminated polysulfone. 10.04 g of this product was reacted with 10 M n-BuLi, 37 ml triethylamine and 7.6 ml methyl iodide in 500 ml THF to give tertiary aminated polysulfone. When 0.5 g of the product was mixed with 4.5 g sulfonated polysulfone Udel (RTM) in the SO3Li form in 25 g NP and formed into a film, the film had an RspH+ of 29.5 and was 23.9 % swollen, cf. 32.4 and 22.2% when the primary aminated polysulfone was used.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The degasifier comprises an inlet for accepting the oxidant from the oxidant source generator, before providing it to fuel cell stack, and an inlet for accepting the exhausted oxidant from fuel cell stack. A degasifier portion (51) of the apparatus (45), enables the interaction between coolant and oxidant. The treated coolant is collected by a reservoir portion and then supplied to fuel cell stack, by a coolant exit conduit (61). The humidified oxidant is supplied to the fuel cell stack by an oxidant exit conduit (62) which also removes the exhausted oxidant from degasifier. A heat exchanger (39) comprising a fan, is provided along the coolant conduit upstream of degasifier for removing heat from circulated coolant. A demineralizer (40) for purifying predetermined amount of circulated coolant, is provided in the coolant exit conduit downstream or along downstream of a trim conduit which diverts a portion of a treated coolant from coolant exit conduit. A coolant pump (37) provided in the conduit upstream, supplies circulated coolant to the degasifier portion. The oxidant source generator comprises a pump which supplies air oxidant.Preferred Method: A predetermined amount of purified coolant is merged with treated coolant before providing it to fuel cell stack.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The coolant comprises water. The contaminants contained in exhaust coolant are dissolved gases comprising ammonia, carbon dioxide and/or hydrogen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: A gallium arsenide layer overlies and contacts the layer of phosphide material. The bulk germanium region is p-type germanium. The phosphorus-doped germanium region is n-type germanium. The structure includes at least one additional solar cell overlying the layer of phosphide material, and two electrical contacts to the bulk germanium region and to the layer of gallium arsenide, respectively.Preferred Properties: The phosphorus-doped germanium region extends inwardly from the first surface toward the germanium region for a distance of 0.1-3.0 mum. It has an average phosphorus content of 1x1017-1x1020 atoms/cm3.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The layer of phosphide material comprises a material from gallium indium phosphide, aluminum indium phosphide, and gallium aluminum indium phosphide.Preferred Property: The layer of phosphide material has a thickness of 25-5000 Angstrom.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Conditions: The exchange capacity of fluoropolymer A in the solid electrolyte film is 0.50-2.00 milliequivalent/g. The content of fluoropolymer B in the solid electrolyte film is 0.1-4 weight percent. Further, a fluoropolymer C which has a carboxylic group precursor is mixed with fluoropolymer B at a temperature above Tg of fluoropolymer C but below 340degreesC and film forming of fluoropolymer B is performed so that the carboxylic acid precursor is converted to carboxylic acid group. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The fluoropolymer B of the solid electrolyte film is tetrafluoro ethylene polymer (claimed).    EXAMPLE - 49.5 g of Aciplex (fluoropolymer A) containing perfluorocarbon of carbonyl methyl ester type, and 0.5 g of (fluoropolymer B) PTFE powder polyfreon F-201L were mixed for 1 hour at 245degreesC and shaped to obtain homogeneous membrane of 100 mum of thickness. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement was taken for the obtained film and no diffraction peak was seen at 18.2degrees, whereas a sharp diffraction peak was seen at 18.2degrees when analyzed for the PTFE powder. Also a strong deflection light scattering was observed in the light scattering measurement of the PTFE powder. A second film was formed from a polymer (D) perfluoro carbon (containing sulphonyl fluoride-tetrafluoro ethylene copolymer) and was cast to a thickness of 25 mum. The coextrusion film production of the two films were carried out at 275degreesC to obtain a laminated film. The obtained laminated film was saponified to convert the carbonyl ester and sulphonyl fluoride groups to their potassium salts and later by ion exchange to sodium salts. The electrolytic properties of the membrane were measured and the tension fracture strength was found to be 1.5 kgf/cm, the electrolytic voltage was 3.00V and the current efficiency was measured as 97.4%.
EXAMPLE - In an EMBODIMENT of the process, the gas within the gas flow guide tube is caused to flow at at least 0.5 m/s to be circulated and dispersed. A second reactor is connected in series with, and at a side downstream of, the first reactor. It has a fixed bed including the specified substance. The gas discharged from the first reactor is introduced to the second reactor to react gas with the substance.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Composition: The substrate is a porous polymer. The porous graphite layers are deposited above and below the ionically conducting membrane, preferably using an acetylene plasma in the region of a gas phase reaction. The graphite layer contains metal catalyst clusters, preferably of Pt and Pt-Ru on the faces adjacent ot the ionically conducting membrane. The ionically conducting membrane is prepared by a plasma co-polymerization process preferably from fluoroethylene and vinylphosphonic acid. The layers are deposited in a structured manner by means of mechanical masks, photolithography and etch techniques. The connection is carried out by thin-film metallization. Individual cells are stamped out of the film. Deposition is carried out by a stationary process or by flow process. The cells are connected to form planar stacks or rolled cylindrical cells.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Process: The combining of components may comprise (a) melting and mixing the polymers, co-polymerizing the two or more monomers, co-precipitating a solution of the first and second polymers to form a gelatinous mass, drying the gelatinous mass and sintering and/or rolling the gelatinous mass at 150degreesc or above 300degreesC; or (b) forming a solution of the first polymer, filling the pores of the porous matrix with the solution, removing the solvent from matrix pores to form a pore-free composite material. Preferred Components: The ion conducting polymer is perfluorosulfonic acid, perfluorosulfonylfluoride, perfluoro-ethylene-1,2-bis-phosphonic acid derivatives, (partially derivatized) trifluorostyrene, and/or polystyrene or their copolymers. The second polymer component is (a) an inert organic polymer from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), perfluoroalkoxy derivative of PTFE (PFA), fluorinated ethylene-propylene copolymer (FEP), polyvinyl (di)chloride, polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), polystyrene, polytrifluorostyrene (TFS), polyether ketone, poly-bis((perfluoroalkyl)sulfonyl)imide (derivatives), polyether sulfone, and/or polyparaphenylene or (b) a porous matrix comprising an inorganic material from fiber glass, fibrous quartz, rock wool, fibrous alumina, other fibrous silicates and/or alumino-silicate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The fuel is a hydrogen source, which can be ammonia, hydrazine, or preferably hydrogen gas. Preferred Condition: The fuel is at greater ambient pressure.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - The vehicle can be a land-based, water-based, or an aircraft vehicle. It has an electrically powered device, e.g. propulsion device, to which the energy generating skin supplies electric power. It can be a lighter than air ship. The hydrogen source is capable of providing lift to the lighter than air ship. The vehicle can also be an airplane having a fuselage, where the energy generating skin forms at least a portion of the fuselage. The airplane can have wings having an exterior covering formed by the energy generating skin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The heat resistant polymer membrane comprises a polymer having a heterocyclic structure containing at least nitrogen.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The phosphoric acid has a concentration of at least 85 %.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred System: Air is supplied to the fuel cell without being humidified. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The polymer is polybenzimidazole.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials : The sol-gel material is a 3-D crosslinked (optionally organically modified) amorphous glass obtained by hydrolysis and polycondensation of low molecular compounds such as Si alkoxides. It contains network structures of formula (I), or especially of formula (II).(R1-(E)i-)j-SiR2k(O1/2)4-k-j (I)(R1)j-SiR2k(O1/2)4-k-j (II)i = 0 or 1;j = 1, 2 or 3;k = 0, 1 or 2;k + j = 3 or below;E = O or S;R1 = optionally substituted alkyl or aryl or a bridging alkylene or arylene in the case of structure (I) or is a bridging 1-8C alkylene in the case of structure (II); andR2 = optionally substituted alkyl or aryl.An especially preferred structure has j = 1; R1 = 1-4C alkylene and R2 = Me or Et and the alkylene R1 may be linked with a chain-, star-, cage- or ring-form siloxane residue.Preferred Process : The sol-gel coating is applied as a solution optionally containing other functional materials such as those forming anti-reflection layers. Drying and/or hardening of the coating is at below 200 degreesC. EXAMPLE - The effective life of a ca. 300-400 mu silicon disc with a phosphorus n-doped surface was increased from 8.9 to a value of 15-16 microseconds which was stable for 165 days by coating with a room temperature-dried 15 micro sol-gel layer, the process comprising (i) treating a mixture of cyclo-(OSi(CH3)((CH2)2Si(CH3)2(OH)))4 (22g) and Si(OEt)4 (28.3g) dissolved in EtOH (44.8g) with a 0.1 N solution (4.8 g) of p-toluenesulfonic acid in water; (ii) stirring for 60 minutes at room temperature to give a product workable for 3 hours; (iii) etching the surface of the disc with a 1 : 3 : 3 mixture of 40 % HF, 65 % HNO3 and 85% H3PO4 to ca. 20 micro on each side and then removing the oxide layer with 5% HF; and (iv) spreading the sol-gel solution on the disc.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Resin: The polyolefin type resin of extrusion resin layer includes polyethylene. The base film consists of fluorine-resin film, cyclic polyolefin type resin film, polycarbonate type resin film, polymethacrylic type resin film, polyamide type resin film or polyester type resin film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The installation profile is provided with cutouts for accommodation of sealing materials such as silicone, for example.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The photovoltaic modules convert solar energy into electrical energy for driving the pump and the turbine-generator combination converts the potential energy of the raised liquid into electrical energy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred material: (B) are Si compounds.Preferred property: The polymer composition has storage modulus at 150 degreesC of at least 1,000 Pa and total transmissivity of at least 90 %. EXAMPLE - Ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer (95 parts, refractive index : 1.50, methacrylic acid content: 15 wt. %) and SiO2 (5 parts, refractive index: 1.46) were kneaded and press molded to prepare a sheet. It had (1) storage modulus at 150 degreesC of 6.0 x 103 Pa and (2) total transmissivity of 92.8 %. In a comparative example where the SiO2 was replaced by Al borate whisker, the sheet had(1) 9.0 x 103 Pa and (2) 83.5 %.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Amount: The amount of unsaturated carboxylic acid content is 4 wt.% or more. Preferred Properties: The ethylene-unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer or its ionomer blend has a melting point of 80degreesC or more. The storage modulus of the solar battery element at 150degreesC is 103 Pa or more.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: Cooling fins (45) are attached to the bottom surface of the aluminum substrate. Less than 30% of the copper sheet is etched away.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The absorber layer comprises a low-bandgap double-heterostructure PV semiconductor, including in optical alignment a first InP n-layer formed with an n-type dopant, a Ga0.47In0.53As layer having an n-region, formed with an n-type dopant, and a p-region formed with a p-type dopant to form a single pn-junction, and a second InP p-layer formed with a p-type dopant, the cell, the diode and an InP absorber layer interfacing in an orientation of the same conductivity type. A back surface reflector is disposed beneath the substrate. The substrate is InP, GaSb, or InAs.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Device: The angle between the front line of the peeled portion and the straight line is 5 degrees or larger, preferably 10 degrees or larger. The thin film single crystal has a diamond structure or zinc blende structure. The thin film single crystal is epitaxially grown on the surface of a porous layer on the surface of a wafer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - The hard anodic oxidation coating layer is composed of CrB, TiB and ZrB dispersed by asitentic stainless steel having NiCrCu alloy which has Ni and Cr as principal components, and boride.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The back cover film comprises a laminate including a multi-layered film of the polyethylene terephthalate-based supporting film and the amorphous polyester-based heat seal layer, and a fluorocarbon resin film bonded to another surface of the supporting film. The multi-layered film can be heat-sealed under temperatures falling within 140-200 degreesC.Preferred Properties: The multi-layered film has a thickness of 30-100 microns. The heat seal layer has a glass transition point of not more than 100, preferably not more than 75 degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Photovoltaic devices made of selenium
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: At least one of the coextruded organic polymer resins is a resin of Vicat softening point 40-100degreesC. At least one of the resins contains a ultraviolet absorbent. At least one of the resins contains a light stabilizer. A photoelectromotive force element is adhered to the cover material. One of the thermoplastic organic polymer resins is based on polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polycarbonate, nylon, acrylic resin, polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer, polychlorotrifluoroethylene resin, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoro(alkylphenyl ether) copolymer, polyvinylidene fluoride resin, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer or vinylidene fluoride copolymer. The others are based on ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethylene-(meth)acrylate copolymer, ethylene-(meth)acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-(meth)acrylate-(meth)acrylic acid terpolymer, or ethylene-(meth)acrylate-maleic acid anhydr ide terpolymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: (1) with R1, R2 = electron-donating groups and (1) with R1, R2 containing a partial structure of formula (3) are preferred.R5, R6 = H or optically substituted alkyl or aryl or R5 and R6 fuse with each other directly or via divalent optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted aryl, O, S, optionally substituted imino, carbonyl or thiocarbonyl. EXAMPLE - A mixture of 4-dicyanomethylene-2,6-dimethyl- 4H-pyran (3.2 g), 4-N,N-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde (9 g) and piperidine (base catalyst) (4.8 g) in isopropanol (50 ml) was stirred for 10 hours at 90 degreesC and diluted with methanol (100 ml) to precipitate the product. The mixture was filtered by suction and the filtered mass was recrystallized from n-butanol twice to give green plate crystals of (14) (6 g).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The device converts the kinetic energy of a tidal water flow into electrical energy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred protection film of vapor-deposition: The film is a thin film of metal oxide made by chemical or physical vapor deposition, preferably of silicon oxide formed by plasma CVD, especially a compound of silicon and oxygen containing trace amounts of carbon and/or hydrogen. The layer is 10-150 Angstroms thick.Preferred metal oxide vapor deposition film: The film consists of a single layer of metal oxide or two or more layers of the same or different metal oxide, with a thickness of 150-4000 Angstroms.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred plastic sheet: The plastic sheet has visible light transmittance of at least 90%. It is made from fluororesin, cyclic polyolefin, polycarbonate, poly(meth)acrylate or polyester resins, and contains an ultraviolet absorber and/or an antioxidant.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The solar generator converts incident solar radiation into electrical energy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The solar module has a solar generator with a number of solar cells converting incident solar radiation into electrical energy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The source material layer is formed by applying a paste containing source material on a holder and drying.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The hetero ring completed by the group Q in formula (II) comprises a benzothiazole nucleus, a benzoxazole nucleus, a 2-quinoline nucleus, a 4-quinoline nucleus, or an indolenine nucleus. The ring completed by the group Z in formula (I) or group Z' in formula (II) comprises an acidic nucleus of formula (a), (b), (c), (d), or (e).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The semiconductor particles are titanium dioxide particles.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Adhesive: The adhesive is preferably ethylene-vinyl acetate (sic).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Coating: The intermediate coating is not transparent and is preferably a frit which is printed on at the edges of the panel. The electrode is also printed on. The thickness of the electrode is preferably 15 microns. EXAMPLE - No relevant example selected.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The solar module array is used for converting incident solar radiation into electrical energy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The dynamo has a rotor body (4) coupled to a cord or elastic band acting as the drive means. The rotor body is preferably a disc with a channel (5) extending all the way around it for the preferably elastic drive means. Handles (6) are attached to the drive means. A current rectifier (8) is connected to the dynamo and used to supply power to the batteries.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The drive means comprises 68 % elastodiene and 32 % polyester. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Assembly: The solar power assembly has sufficient flexibility to be transported in a roll (14) to a use site, unrolled and attached to a support at the use site. It has a minimum diameter of at most60 cm. The assembly further comprises a PV device laminate (8) including a flexible substrate carrying interconnected PV devices.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The thermal solar collector comprises ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The luminescent material has Ir3Si5 or OsSi as an activated layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Electrolyte: The compound has an N,N,N'-substituted amidine group of formula (I).R1 = H or 1-20C hydrocarbon which may be substituted by hydroxyl; andR2, R3, R4 = 1-10C hydrocarbon which may have hydroxyl, amino, nitro, cyano, carboxyl, ether or aldehyde substituents.Two of R1, R2, R3 and R4 = may form a ring by bonding to each other.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The casting resin is a single or multi-component acrylate system, e.g. a laminated acrylate/methacrylate monomer which hardens to polyacrylate. The resin layer is at least 1 mm thick.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Component: The intrinsic or substantially intrinsic region having a thickness of 0.5 microns is formed by chemical vapor deposition.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The intrinsic or substantially intrinsic region contains not more than 2 x 10 to the power 17, preferably 1 x 10 to the power 15 - 2 x 10 to the power 17 atoms/cm3 of boron. The N-type region contains not greater than 1x1019 of phosphorus.Preferred Components: The N-type region comprises microcrystalline silicon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The module provides electrical energy for the home using photovoltaic cells for converting incident solar radiation into electrical energy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Module: The anti-glare film has a light entering surface with a rough surface texture (preferably with an arithmetic roughness (Ra) of 0.1-10 mum) for scattering light and a gloss of at most 60 (preferably at most 10) at 60degrees. The module also includes a surfactant film (40) between the insulating substrate and the anti-glare film, and a flat-surfaced dirt preventing film (50) on the rough surface of the anti-glare film. The module may also include a filler resin (6) and a back cover (7).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The anti-glare film includes a catalyst, preferably an organic tin compound.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The organic material binder contains an acrylic resin which includes an acryl copolymer containing a hydrolyzable silyl containing a group of formula (I) and/or a fluororesin containing a hydroxyl group.(R1O)3-a-(R2)aSi- (I)R1 = 1-10C alkyl;R2 = alkyl, aryl or 1-10C aralkyl monovalent hydrocarbon or H; anda = 0-2.The organic material particles contain an acrylic resin, a fluororesin and/or a polyethylene wax, and have a diameter of 1-10 mum. The binder and particles have a mixing ratio so that the weight of the particles is 1-10 when the weight of the binder is 100. The dirt preventing film includes an organic and/or inorganic polymer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The inorganic binder is formed of alkyl silicate (preferably containing ethyl and/or butyl silicate), consists of silica or is complexed with an organic material. The inorganic material particles consist of silica.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The solar cell uses a photovoltaic method for converting incident solar radiation into electrical energy for operation of the transmitter and/or receiver.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polyolefin: The cyclic olefin-based ring-opening polymer consists of the ring-opening polymer of norbornene-based monomers, in which a norbornene structure contains at least one norbornene-based monomer. The cyclic olefin-based ring-opening polymer or its hydrogenated product has a glass transition temperature preferably of at least 80 degreesC, more preferably of at least 90 degreesC.Preferred Battery: The solar battery module is formed by successively laying up a top surface protective layer, a solar battery element, and a bottom surface protective layer. If necessary, an adhesive resin layer is provided between the top surface protective layer and the solar battery element. At least one of the top surface protective layer and the bottom surface protective layer consists of the protective sheet. The top surface or the bottom surface of the protective sheet has a thickness preferably of 10-2000 microns, more preferably 30-1500 microns, most preferably 40-1000 microns.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The solar foil uses a photovoltaic coating for converting incident solar radiation into electrical energy
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Module: The thermoelectric module contains silicon, silicon-germanium alloy, germanium, skutterudite or boron carbide and at least one thermoelectric module has quantum structure.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Device: The heat extractor is ducted air flow, fuel, oxidant, cryogenic liquid, cryogenic gas, cold gas flow and/or ambient air. The heat source is jet exhaust, frictionally heated aircraft surface or combustion source.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Resin: The polyolefin type resin of extrusion resin layer includes polyethylene. The base film consists of fluorine-resin film, cyclic polyolefin type resin film, polycarbonate type resin film, polymethacrylic type resin film, polyamide type resin film or polyester type resin film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Materials: The substrate is silicon carbide. Preferred Emitter: The tungsten coating is 4 microns thick. A refractory oxide coating chemically isolates the emitter coating from the substrate. The antireflective coating is ca. 0.14 microns thick.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The solar collector can convert incident solar radiation into electrical energy using photovoltaic cells.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The plant is used for converting a mechanical gravitational force into an electrical current.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The device converts the mechanical energy of a wind or water flow stream into electrical energy and heat energy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The fire resistant material is tetrafluoro ethylene-hexafluoro propylene-vinylidene fluoride (THV) of tetrafluoro ethylene-ethylene copolymer (ETFE). THV is in inner surface and ETFE is in outer surface. Preferred Property: The thickness of THV is 150-400 mum.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Amount: The amount of unsaturated carboxylic acid content is 4 wt.% or more. Preferred Properties: The ethylene-unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer or its ionomer blend has a melting point of 80degreesC or more. The storage modulus of the solar battery element at 150degreesC is 103 Pa or more.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The sealing material is a copolymer of unsaturated fatty acid and ethylene. The unsaturated fatty acid is acrylic acid or methacrylic acid. The content of unsaturated fatty acid in the sealing material is 5-30 weight percent. The surface member and sealing material is adhered by plasma process or corona treatment. EXAMPLE - Ethylene-methacrylate copolymer and ethylene-tetrafluoro ethylene copolymer were laminated on photovoltaic cell as sealing material and surface member. Further Teflon coat fiber sheet and silicon rubber sheet were laminated to form solar battery module. The needle insertion peak temperature of the sealing material resin was 90degreesC. The solar battery module had excellent creep resistance property and weather resistance property.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The grain size distribution of the silica has a standard deviation of 1.2 or less. The silica is prepared by the sol gel method and is then burned at 300-700 degrees C. A substrate for a solar battery is formed by coating the polyimide resin composition on the surface of a heat-resistant substrate consisting of a polyimide film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Method: Cooling fins (45) are attached to the bottom surface of the aluminum substrate. Less than 30% of the copper sheet is etched away.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Apparatus: The substrate has terraces, and the circuit array further comprises a stacked concentrator solar cell circuit. The apparatus further comprises gallium arsenide/gallium antimonide cells forming the circuit, contacts between fronts and backs of top cells of the circuit and between fronts and backs of bottom cells of the circuit, a ridge on the substrate, solders connecting backs of adjacent cells, bonds connecting fronts of adjacent cells forming a shingle chip stack, and a thermally conductive epoxy which forms the terraces and the shingle pattern. The substrate has a coefficient of thermal expansion matched to the thermophotovoltaic cells.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The metal layer is copper pads deposited on the terraces. The thermophotovoltaic cells, which are bonded to the copper pads, are gallium antimonide cells. The substrate is an aluminum silicon carbide material, a copper/Invar/copper laminate sheet or an iron/nickel alloy with 46% nickel. The solder is bismuth-tin solder having thermal coefficient of expansion of 15. The aluminum silicon carbide material is a microstructure comprising a continuous aluminum-metal phase with discrete silicon carbide particulate phase. The microstructure is fully dense with no void space to create a hermetic material with environmental protection of functional components in the circuitry.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The solid fuel dissolved in caustic soda is recovered from the gasifier in the form of a smelt and supplied to a causticizer plant from which caustic soda is regenerated. The refined waste gas is heated in a combustion furnace.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Device: The angle between the front line of the peeled portion and the straight line is 5 degrees or larger, preferably 10 degrees or larger. The thin film single crystal has a diamond structure or zinc blende structure. The thin film single crystal is epitaxially grown on the surface of a porous layer on the surface of a wafer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Features: The difference between the flow areas at the two locations is defined by a flow restriction (16) in the fluid passage, and includes a section of diverging diameter downstream of the gas stream. The primary and secondary thermocouple junctions are in thermal contact with the gas stream upstream and downstream of the section respectively.Preferred Valve: The conduit forms part of a valve (6) for controlling the flow rate of the gas stream. The valve comprises a closure (18) in the conduit, which is movable relative to the flow restriction between open and closed flow positions. The valve includes an actuator for selectively subjecting the closure to a predefined drag force, exerted by the fluid stream and inducing the closure to move from its open to its closed position. An electrical control system is included for the actuator, and is powered by the thermocouple. The actuator includes a flapper vale (30), upstream of the closure and rotatable between open and closed positions to allow and prevent flow in the conduit respectively. The flapper rotates on a cam about an axis (34) such that the flapper is divided into sections of different surface areas. The control system includes a solenoid, activated when flapper rotation is prevented and deactivated when the flapper rotation is allowed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Sheet: The laminate is formed using an adhesive layer for dry laminating or a melt extrudable adhesive layer. The laminate contains reinforcing fibers, ultraviolet (UV) absorbent and/or oxidation preventing agent. The cyclic polyolefin resin layer is formed from a homo- or copolymer of a cyclic diene. EXAMPLE - The sheet is formed from a biaxially drawn polyethylene terephthalate sheet of thickness 50 microns in which a benzophenone UV absorbent is included and a polydicyclopentadiene resin sheet of thickness 100 microns.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Features: The thermoelectric generator includes at least one thermocouple (63), each with a hot junction (64) in thermal contact with the first wall, and a cold junction (66) in thermal contact with the second wall. A rechargeable battery (70) is included which can be charged by the thermocouple. the battery is incorporated in an electronic control circuit for transmitting signals to a surface facility and/or a remote wellbore device, and for receiving control signals from the surface.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Details: The wellbore has a tubular casing and the conduit is formed by a production tubing extending through the casing. The outer surface of the side pocket is in thermal contact with a layer of cement surrounding the inner casing surface.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The carrier layer of the solar sheet includes thermosetting materials such as polyimide, unsaturated polyesters, vinyl esters and amorphous thermoplastic material such as PEI, PSU, PPO, PES, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), PVC, PVDC, fluorinated ethylene-propylene copolymer (FEP), and other fluorine containing polymers, semicrystalline thermoplastic materials such as PET, PEN, polyether ether ketone, PEKK, PTFE.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The back cover film comprises a laminate including a multi-layered film of the polyethylene terephthalate-based supporting film and the amorphous polyester-based heat seal layer, and a fluorocarbon resin film bonded to another surface of the supporting film. The multi-layered film can be heat-sealed under temperatures falling within 140-200 degreesC.Preferred Properties: The multi-layered film has a thickness of 30-100 microns. The heat seal layer has a glass transition point of not more than 100, preferably not more than 75 degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Photovoltaic devices made of selenium
ZT = T(S squared)/k.rho, where T = operating temperature of the material, S = Seebeck coefficient, rho = resistivity, and k = thermal conductivity of the material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred System: The pair of reflector wings use a solar controlled motorized tracking system. The solar electric-powered refrigerator has 4 units of PCT junctions. The system further comprises a light battery charger having a rectifier diode connected in series with paralleled high consumption light bulbs. These series connections are completed with the batteries to be charged and closed the circuit with alternating current power. The ATP battery has a 3-6 singles cells (6-12 Volts) with external connection like modular cell pack. The controller is hyper-boost. The system further comprises an electron organizer of flat sandwich of two different metal alloys. The metal alloys are separated by a thin spongy paper moistened with ATP. The system further comprises a flat aluminum sheet covering 75% of the back surface of the solar panel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: An inlet portion is provided adjacent the spacer. The excess gas is exhausted from the spacer by supplying inert gas through the inlet. Alternatively, the excess gas is deactivated by supplying mixed gas containing at least oxygen to the spacer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred protection film of vapor-deposition: The film is a thin film of metal oxide made by chemical or physical vapor deposition, preferably of silicon oxide formed by plasma CVD, especially a compound of silicon and oxygen containing trace amounts of carbon and/or hydrogen. The layer is 10-150 Angstroms thick.Preferred metal oxide vapor deposition film: The film consists of a single layer of metal oxide or two or more layers of the same or different metal oxide, with a thickness of 150-4000 Angstroms.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred plastic sheet: The plastic sheet has visible light transmittance of at least 90%. It is made from fluororesin, cyclic polyolefin, polycarbonate, poly(meth)acrylate or polyester resins, and contains an ultraviolet absorber and/or an antioxidant.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The solar module has a solar generator with a number of solar cells converting incident solar radiation into electrical energy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Electrically conductive tab is selected from group of nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), aluminum (Al), gold (Au), cobalt (Co), palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Layers: Polyethylene terephthalate is especially used for forming the resin film (11) of protective back sheet. The EVAc film has a crosslinked structure. Organic flame retardants containing more than one halogen atom (especially chlorine or bromine) per molecule or an inorganic flame retardant such as hydroxylated mineral salts, phosphorylated compounds or red phosphorus is used in the EVAc film. Antimony trioxide and/or expanded graphite are additionally present as flame resistant adjuvants in the EVAc film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The source material layer is formed by applying a paste containing source material on a holder and drying.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Adhesive: The adhesive is preferably ethylene-vinyl acetate (sic).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Coating: The intermediate coating is not transparent and is preferably a frit which is printed on at the edges of the panel. The electrode is also printed on. The thickness of the electrode is preferably 15 microns. EXAMPLE - No relevant example selected.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Substrate: About 5-500 wt.% of insulating particles having mean particle diameter of 0.1-1 mum are dispersed in the polyimide resin layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The solar module array is used for converting incident solar radiation into electrical energy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The nitrogen-containing heterocycle-conjugated cyclic compound is of formula (I).R1, R2, R4, R5, R7, R8, R10, R11 = H, 1-48C alkyl, 6-48C aryl, 7-48C aralkyl, halo, -OR13, -SR14, -SeR15, or -TeR16;R3, R6, R9, R12, R13, R14, R15, R16 = H, or 1-24C organic group;M1 = two H's, or metal ion.Preferred Pigment: The pigment consists of a ruthenium complex pigment, or polymethine pigment.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Semiconductor: The semiconductor particles-containing layer consists of titanium dioxide particles.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: Alkali hydroxide is potassium or sodium hydroxide. Preferred Process: Potassium or sodium hydroxide is obtained by electrolytic decomposition process such as ion exchange membrane process. Aqueous alkali hydroxide solution and carbon dioxide are directly supplied to the tank which performs etching, during solar battery manufacture. Preferred Composition: Aqueous alkali hydroxide solution, contains 0.5-19.5 mol/l, preferably 1.5 mol/l of potassium hydroxide, and 0.5-6.6 mol/l, preferably 1.5 mol/l of sodium hydroxide. The amount of carbon dioxide supplied is more than half, preferably two-third to four-third the molar quantity of alkali hydroxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Condition: The magnet reciprocates once, or a half time, i.e., moves one way, in depositing a thin metal oxide film.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The thin metal oxide film is a transparent conductive film made of zinc oxide (preferably), indium-tin oxide, or tin dioxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Assembly: The solar power assembly has sufficient flexibility to be transported in a roll (14) to a use site, unrolled and attached to a support at the use site. It has a minimum diameter of at most60 cm. The assembly further comprises a PV device laminate (8) including a flexible substrate carrying interconnected PV devices.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The thermal solar collector comprises ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The solar cell converts photon energy in the visible spectral range and/or thermal energy into electrical energy used for topping -up the battery charge, for minimizing overall energy losses.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Protective Sheet: The weather resistant sheet consists of a fluorocarbon resin, a polycarbonate, a poly(meth)acrylic acid, polyester or cyclic polyolefin film having a visible radiation transmittance of 90% or above. The weather resistant sheet contains an ultraviolet absorber and/or an oxidation inhibitor.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Protective Sheet: The inorganic oxide thin film is a single layer, multilayer or composite film. The ultraviolet intercepting layer contains dispersed metal oxide particles of TiO2, ZnO, alpha-Fe2O3 or CeO3. Alternatively the uv intercepting layer is a deposited metal film especially of aluminium or silver.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The solar cell module is also provided with a frame member (106) that is fixed to the incombustible member. The porous incombustible member can be a metal mesh member, an incombustible woven fabric member, a porous ceramic member, or an expanded metal member.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The photovoltaic element is sealed by an organic polymer resin (102), which can be ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Component: The surface member comprises a glass member.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The module provides electrical energy for the home using photovoltaic cells for converting incident solar radiation into electrical energy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Module: The anti-glare film has a light entering surface with a rough surface texture (preferably with an arithmetic roughness (Ra) of 0.1-10 mum) for scattering light and a gloss of at most 60 (preferably at most 10) at 60degrees. The module also includes a surfactant film (40) between the insulating substrate and the anti-glare film, and a flat-surfaced dirt preventing film (50) on the rough surface of the anti-glare film. The module may also include a filler resin (6) and a back cover (7).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The anti-glare film includes a catalyst, preferably an organic tin compound.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The organic material binder contains an acrylic resin which includes an acryl copolymer containing a hydrolyzable silyl containing a group of formula (I) and/or a fluororesin containing a hydroxyl group.(R1O)3-a-(R2)aSi- (I)R1 = 1-10C alkyl;R2 = alkyl, aryl or 1-10C aralkyl monovalent hydrocarbon or H; anda = 0-2.The organic material particles contain an acrylic resin, a fluororesin and/or a polyethylene wax, and have a diameter of 1-10 mum. The binder and particles have a mixing ratio so that the weight of the particles is 1-10 when the weight of the binder is 100. The dirt preventing film includes an organic and/or inorganic polymer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The inorganic binder is formed of alkyl silicate (preferably containing ethyl and/or butyl silicate), consists of silica or is complexed with an organic material. The inorganic material particles consist of silica.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The conversion device and the device for producing electricity from hydrogen are integrated into a single unit, comprising at least one fuel cell whose function is reversed during the conversion of water into hydrogen. Hydrogen is stored in solid or gaseous form using a matrix of metal or carbon compound material, to which it can be adsorbed. The electricity generating device comprises a wind turbine (2), electric generator (3) and rectifier (4).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Reactor: A reducing agent is supplied to the anode chamber and an oxidizing agent is supplied to the cathode chamber. The reaction product is generated in the electrolytic solution. Two electrolytic solutions are provided in the intermediate chamber, which are divided using a diaphragm. The cathode contains electroconductive carbon material and/or silica. The carbon material is activated carbon, carbon fiber, graphite, carbon whisker and/or carbon black. The electrolytic solution is a weak or strong electrolyte aqueous solution which is acidic, neutral or alkaline. The electrolyte aqueous solution is an aqueous solution containing hydrogen chloride (HCl), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), sodium chloride (NaCl), lithium chloride (LiCl), lithium sulfate (Li2SO4), sodium sulfate (Na2SO4), potassium sulfate (K2SO4), cesium sulfate (Cs2SO4), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), ortho phosphoric acid (H3PO4), perchloric acid (HClO4) and/or rubidium sulfate (Rb2SO4).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - preferred Battery: A set battery is formed by connecting secondary batteries in series.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred System: The amount (b) of occluded hydrogen in the first storage part at the start of hydrogen transfer, is set to bat least0.5a.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The composition comprises greater than or equals 10 wt.% of additive sulfonate salt based on the weight of the conductive salt.The conductive salt is present at a concentration of 0.5-1.5 mole/l and the additive sulfonate salt is present at a concentration of 10-100 millimole/l.Preferred System: The system further comprises a non-aqueous matrix material.The system is a battery or rechargeable battery (preferably lithium battery) comprises a lithium-intercalated carbon anode and a metal oxide cathode. Preferred Definitions:    Rd = straight or branched 6-10 (preferably at least 8)C perfluoroalkyl group;    M = alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, rare earth metal, Group IIB metal, Group IIIB metal, tetraalkylammonium, N-alkylpyridinium and N,N'-dialkylimidazolium (preferably Li+, Na+, Ca+2, Ba+2, Al+3, Eu+3, Sm+3, (C2H5)4M+, (CH3)4N+, 1-butyl pyridinium or 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolinium).    SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - C8F17SO3Li is specifically claimed as the additive sulfonate salt.    Lithium bis(perfluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, lithium tris(perfluoromethanesulfonyl)methide, lithium bis(perfluoroethanesulfonyl)imide and lithium(perfluorobutane sulfonyl) (perfluoromethanesulfonyl)imide are specifically claimed as the conductive salt.    EXAMPLE - 10% Lithium perfluorooctane sulfonate salt (PFOS) was incorporated into an electrolyte solution containing lithium bis(perfluoroethanesulfonyl)amide (BETI). (BETI) alone was used as a control composition. The capacitor retention (%) of test/control composition at macrocycle 1, 2 and 3 was 78/36, 72/3 and 75/0 respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The electrolyte is an alkaline electrolyte. The electrodes have electrocatalysts which are selective by virtue of their electric potential. A gas burner is provided within the cell. One or more reactants can be regenerated or renewed electrically, thermally, chemically, or physically. Turbulence within the system is used to enhance species transport between the electrodes. One or both of the electrodes is capable of adsorbing and storing fuel or oxidant species. The interconnect is at least partially substituted by an electrically conductive and/or ionically insulating reactant mixture. An oxygen carrying liquid is used to dissolve oxygen or co-dissolve oxygen and at least one other constituent of the mixture. A high activation energy, slow kinetics, or a diffusion barrier or partial barrier is utilized to provide stability against self-discharge of the device.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The fuel is carbon, or carbonaceous species. It may also be hydrogen, hydrocarbons, 1-4C alcohols, sodium borohydride, ammonia, hydrazine, or metal salts in molten or dissolved form. The fluid electrolyte is water, aqueous solutions, acidified perfluorocarbons, plasma, molten salts, acids, or alkalis.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The oxidant can be oxygen, air, hydrogen peroxide, metal salts, or acids. It may also be chromate, vanadate, and/or manganate. The solid electrolyte can be inorganic ionic carriers including yttria stabilized zirconia, ceria stabilized zirconia, indium oxide, stabilized zirconia, ceria stabilized gadolinia or silver iodide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The solid electrolyte can also be sulfonated and/or non-sulfonated polymeric membranes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst contains monmorillonite which is activated by an acid. Monmorillonite has interlayer ions containing calcium ions.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The second material may be made from a polymer, especially Nafion and polyetherketone.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Battery: The battery has (i) cells comprising a housing containing an electrolyte, anode(s), and cathode(s) in the housing and connected electrically in series, respectively to separate connectors, and (ii) an applicator, a reservoir or a unit dose container for repetitively incorporating a battery life extending composition in the electrolyte to maintain an amount of the battery life extending composition in the electrolyte;    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The composition further comprises a foaming agent. It is compacted into the form of pellets.Preferred Parameter: The effective amount of the composition is 1-5000, preferably 10-1000 ppm.Preferred Components: The organic compound contains nitrogen and a carrier for encapsulating the compound for slow release into an electrolyte. It is a straight chain 2-22C alkyl substituent. The carrier is a hydrocarbon compound, or an organic compound (particularly a wax) having at least 20 carbon atoms.Preferred Compound: The organic compound is a cationic organic amine of formula RaN+.R = straight, cyclic or branched hydrocarbon;a = 1-4.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The nitrogen is an amine; or a quaternary ammonium compound.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Method: The method further comprises adding the economizer (less than 800, preferably 50-800 ppm) to a replenishment water where the composition is added to form the mixture, to control the growth of organisms.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The apparatus further comprises a filling device, connectable to a reservoir, having a mechanism for automatically adding the mixture to the electrolyte and for automatically stopping the addition when a selected level has been reached.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Membrane: The membrane has central region (3) having fine porosity to retain molten salt in the pores (5). The porosity in the external region (7, 8) is greater than in the central region, such that the pores (6) are not filled with molten salt. The membrane comprises layers of different porosity. Its oxidation surface (10) is provided with a steam reforming catalyst, while the reduction surface (9) is provided with a reduction catalyst. It further comprises a three-dimensional catalyst on the oxidation and/or reactant zone.Preferred Property: The molten salt is impregnated into the electron-conducting matrix to facilitate ion transport through the membrane. The average pore size in the central region is less than 1 mum, while in the external region is greater than 1 mum.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The matrix is formed from a transition metal or their mixture, preferably nickel or its mixture with other transition metal. It can be a conductive ceramic. The molten salt may be a halide, phosphate, sulfate or nitrate salt, but preferably a carbonate salt consisting of lithium carbonate and/or potassium carbonate. The steam reforming catalyst comprises nickel or nickel-based alloy supported on alumina, titania, silica or zirconia, preferably nickel supported on alumina. The gas containing carbon dioxide and oxygen is air.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The reduced gas comprises hydrocarbon, preferably methane or naphtha. It may also comprise alkene, alkyne, aromatic compound, epoxide, aldehyde, ketone, alcohol and/or amine.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The organic polymer has amino (bis)alkylene (preferably (bis)methylene) phosphonic functional groups. It is a polystyrene cross-linked by divinylbenzene.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The organic expander is lignin sulfonic acid and/or lignin sulfonate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The battery plate further comprises barium sulfate. EXAMPLE - A negative paste was prepared by mixing lead oxide (10 pounds), sulfonated lignin as organic expander, barium sulfate, and carbon black, at a concentration of 2 wt.% lead oxide in an expander weight ratio of 1.2 wt.% sulfonated lignin, 0.4 wt.% barium sulfate and 0.4 wt.% carbon black (based on dry lead oxide), and an organic polymer having phosphonic functionality at a concentration of 2 wt.% (based on dry lead oxide). The organic polymer was a cross-linked polystyrene having amino methylene phosphonic acid groups on the aromatic rings. The paste was applied to negative grid, cured, and assembled into a 2-volt cell. An improvement in capacity maintenance was obtained.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The high temperature catalyst is platinum catalyst or ruthenium catalyst with a high activity at operating temperature of 150 degrees C or more. The low temperature catalyst is platinum/mordenite with high activity at low temperatures, especially normal temperature to 150 degrees C.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The low temperature catalyst at the downstream side chamber treats relatively a small amount of hot gas, such as the quantity necessary for starting a fuel cell and operates at normal temperature to 150 degrees C. The high temperature side catalyst treats a large amount of hot gas such as the quantity required at the time of normal operation of fuel cell, at high temperatures greater than 150 degrees C. During the selective oxidation, the high temperature catalyst reduces the carbon monoxide concentration in the hot gas to a level suitable for subsequent oxidation in the low temperature catalyst. The low temperature catalyst reduces the carbon monoxide concentration to that suitable for fuel cell operation.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Property: The conductive film has thickness of 10 microns or less, preferably 3 microns or less.Preferred Material: The material of conductive film is conductive graphite paste, gold paste or silver paste. The graphite powder is natural graphite, artificial graphite, carbon black or kish graphite, preferably expanded graphite.Preferred Method: The conductive film is coated by spraying, vapor deposition, printing or application.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Resin: The thermosetting resin is polycarbodiimide resin, epoxy resin, furfuryl alcohol resin, urea resin, melamine resin, unsaturated polyester resin or alkyd resin, preferably phenol resin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The battery pack housing can be formed from a glass fibre reinforced polypropylene material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Oil: The oil also contains 1-50 vol.% of isopentane and/or 1-12 vol.% of a 4C hydrocarbon compound. A specific oil contains at least 50 vol% alkylate gasoline, 1-50 vol.% isopentane, 1-10 vol.% 4C hydrocarbon compound and at most 7 vol.% oxygen-containing compound. The oil also contains 1-30 vol.% desulfurized light naphtha. The oxygen-containing compound is methyl t-butyl ether, ethyl t-butyl ether and/or t-amyl methyl ether. The research method octane number is at least 89 and the vapor pressure is 44-93 kPa. Another fuel oil comprises 10-60 vol.% desulfurized naphtha and 40-90 vol.% benzene-free reformed gasoline which also can contain at most 10 vol.% of a 4C hydrocarbon compound.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Device: The fuel processor further includes a filter assembly (60); a purification region; an air delivery system; and a combustion chamber with a heating assembly. The fuel processor, a hydrogen-consuming device, fuel cell stack, energy-consuming device(s) are integrated together.Preferred Component: The hydrogen-producing region includes a reforming region (32) with reforming catalyst bed(s). Each reforming region forms a separate modular component that can be removed and replaced as a unit from the fuel processor relative to the rest of the reforming region. The separation region (38) and the modular component comprise hydrogen-selective membrane(s). The modular component includes a filter assembly comprising filter element(s); and a purification region comprising a methanation catalyst bed or a reforming catalyst bed. The energy-consuming device comprises a heater, a motor vehicle, an appliance, a lighting assembly, communications equipment, signaling equipment, sea craft, or a dwelling.Preferred Function: The filter assembly removes particulate from the mixed gas stream. The purification region receives the hydrogen-rich stream and reduces the concentration of selected components of the hydrogen-rich stream to form a product hydrogen stream. The air delivery system delivers an air stream to the fuel processor or the heating assembly. The combustion chamber and the air delivery system selectively delivers the air stream to the combustion chamber to regulate the temperature of the combustion chamber. The separation region separates the mixed gas stream into the hydrogen-rich stream and the byproduct stream via a pressure-driven separation process. The hydrogen consuming device receives at least a portion of the product hydrogen stream from the fuel processor. The fuel cell stack receives at least a portion of the product hydrogen stream from the fuel processor and to produce an electric current.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The manganese compound having valency of +2 to +3 is used.Preferred Condition: The hydrothermal reaction is performed at 180-250degreesC for 6-36 hours. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The oxidizing agent is oxygen, ozone or hydrogen peroxide.    EXAMPLE - gamma-oxyhydroxide manganese (gamma-MnOOH) and lithium hydroxide were mixed in the ratio of 2:1.3, and hydrogen peroxide solution (as oxidizing agent) was added to the reaction mixture and reacted hydrothermally at 220degreesC for 12 hours, to obtain single-phase spinel-type lithium manganate (Li:Mn=1.04:2). When the lithium manganate was used as anode active material for lithium secondary battery, the battery had capacitance change (due to repeated charging and discharging) of 3-4.3 V and current density of 0.5 mA/cm2. The initial discharge capacitance of the battery was 114 mAh/g, and the discharge capacitance after 50 cycles was 100 mAh/g. Thus, the battery was found to have excellent cyclic characteristics.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The gas generation system supplies a fuel cell for electrochemical current generation.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The separator film can be micro-porous polyethylene film, micro-porous polypropylene film, or multi-layer film, or a polymer film for polymer electrolyte of polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethylene oxide, polyacrylonitrile, or polyvinylidene fluoride hexafluoropropylene copolymer. The polymer film for polymer electrolyte comprises a primary micro-porous polymer layer and secondary gelling polymer layer of polyvinylidene fluoride chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: Each cathode of the full cell is an electrode coated with a cathodic material (14) on both sides of a cathode current collector, and each of an anode is an anode electrode coated with an anodic material (13) on both sides of an anode current collector.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The separator film can be micro-porous polyethylene film, micro-porous polypropylene film, or multi-layer film, or a polymer film for polymer electrolyte of polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethylene oxide, polyacrylonitrile, or polyvinylidene fluoride hexafluoropropylene copolymer. The polymer film for polymer electrolyte comprises a primary micro-porous polymer layer and secondary gelling polymer layer of polyvinylidene fluoride chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: Each cathode of the full cell is an electrode coated with a cathodic material (14) on both sides of a cathode current collector, and each of an anode is an anode electrode coated with an anodic material (13) on both sides of an anode current collector.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The organic compounds are DMO, EG, formic acid ester of EG, ethylene oxalate, and poly(ethylene oxalate). They can also be mixed with known fuels, preferably with methanol.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The cathode comprises an oxygen reduction catalyst and a fuel oxidation catalyst in a ratio of 1-50%, preferably 5-20%, (w/w). A thin hydrophobic porous matrix is placed in the anode compartment or in the fuel tank to release the carbon dioxide produced during the operation of the fuel cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The fuel oxidation catalyst is platinum-ruthenium, platinum-tin, platinum-ruthenium-tin, platinum-silver-ruthenium, and/or platinum-osmium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The fuel cell system uses an electrochemical reaction for providing electrical energy, e.g. for an automobile propulsion drive.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The fuel cell system uses an electrochemical reaction for providing electrical energy, e.g. for an automobile propulsion drive.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred System: A heat exchanger (9) is arranged between storage tank (8) and catalytic reactor. Heat exchange of hydrogenated aromatic compound, and of dehydrogenated product are performed in the heat exchanger. Hydrogen is supplied to the catalytic reactor through a valve and reverse reaction of dehydrogenation is increased by supplying hydrogen from this valve.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The dehydrogenation catalyst is chosen from platinum, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, iridium, nickel, cobalt, rhenium, vanadium, tungsten and molybdenum. The system comprises a catalyst support chosen from activated carbon, zeolite, titania, carbon nano tube, molecular sieve carbon, zirconia, mesoporous silica materials e.g FSM-16 MCM-41, alumina and silica. The hydrogen separator is silver-palladium film, zeolite film or porous silica glass film. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The hydrogenated aromatic compound is tricyclic, bicyclic or monocyclic components such as cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, dimethyl cyclohexane, 1,3,5-trimethyl cyclohexane, decalin, methyl decalin or tetra deca hydroanthracene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The reactive solution is heated and held at 60-300degreesC. A substrate made of porous material is set onto a surface of the anode electrode opposite to the cathode electrode, to synthesize the compound thin film on the substrate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Solution: The reactive solution is composed of the blended solution made by melting hydrated lithium hydroxide (LiOH.H2O) into distilled water and cobalt metallic powders added into the blended solution, and an oxide thin film including lithium element and cobalt element is synthesized.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The first reactive solution is lithium hydroxide hydrate melted in distilled water, and the second reactive solution is composed of cobalt sulfate heptahydrate melted in distilled water, such that the compound thin film is a cobalt-based oxide thin film.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Process: The flow rate of the reactive solutions is within 0.001-100 ml/min. The reactive solutions are heated to 40-300 degrees C. An oxidizer is added to the reactive solutions. The oxidizer is composed of sodium thiosulfate or hydrogen peroxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Process: The flow rate of the reactive solution is within 1-100 ml/minute or 2-200 ml/minute. An oxidizer (i.e. hydrogen peroxide) is incorporated in the reactive solution so that an oxide thin film is formed on the electrodes. The film is formed on a substrate arranged in the flow direction of the reactive solution.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The reactive solution is composed of lithium hydroxide water solution and the anode electrode is composed of a cobalt electrode, such that a lithium cobalt thin film is formed as the compound thin film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuels: The first group of fuels comprises hydrocarbons, especially higher alcohols, petrol, diesel, LPG and NG, excepting methanol and dimethyl ether. The second group comprises: methanol and dimethyl ether.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The aliphatic carbon chain is attached to carbon nanotubes by directly reacting carbon nanotubes with an amine or alkylaryl amine of formula (I) or (II). Alternately, carbon nanotubes are mixed with amine or alkylaryl amine of formula (I) or (II). The resultant mixture is heated at 50-200, preferably 60-100 degrees C, for at least 72 hours, and the aliphatic carbon chain is attached to carbon nanotubes.RNH2 (I)R1R2NH (II)R, R1, R2=(CH2)nCH3 or (C6H4)(CH2)mCH3;n=9-50; andm=5-50.Preferred Amine: The amine is octadecylamine. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The aliphatic carbon chain is nonylamine, dodecylamine, pentacosylamine, tetracontylamine, pentacontylamine, 4-pentylaniline, 4-dodecylaniline, 4-tetradocylaniline, 4-pentacosylaniline, 4-tetracontylaniline and 4-pentacontylaniline, preferably octadecylamine. The organic solvent is chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, trichlorobenzene, tetrahydrofuran, chloroform, methylene chloride, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, carbon disulfide, benzene, toluene, tetrachlorocarbon, pyridine, dichloroethane, diethyl ether, xylene, naphthalene, nitrobenzene and ether.    EXAMPLE - Single walled carbon nanotubes (0.192 g) were heated for 72 hours at 70 degrees C in octadecylamine (2.073 g). The black mixture was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran and filtered through a coarse filter paper. The filtrate was then dried under vacuum. The solid single walled carbon nanotubes with octadecylamine ligand was collected on a membrane filter, washed with ethanol and dried. The yield was 0.077 g.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The lithium-containing manganese composite oxide can also be of formula (I):M = is the substitute metal;x is a lithium deficiency quantity, y is a substitution quantity of the substitute metal substituting for a part of Mn, and z is an oxygen quantity z.The lithium deficiency quantity x and the substitution quantity y have a value greater than 0 and less than 1 (preferably greater than 0.03 and at most0.5), and the oxygen quantity z is 2 or at most2. The oxygen quantity z can also be equal to 2-delta, where delta is an oxygen non stoichiometry quantity having a value of at most0.2. The lithium deficiency quantity is equal to a ratio a/b, where a is 1-30 and b is 1-30 and which is greater than a. The substitution quantity y is equal to a ratio c/d, where c and d are 1-30 with d being greater than c.A composition variation of the lithium deficiency quantity x is +/-5%, and a composition variation of the substitution quantity y is +/-5%. The substitute metal M comprises at least one of cobalt, nickel, iron, gallium, indium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, titanium, zirconium, or cerium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The lithium deficiency quantity is equal to a ratio a/b, where a is 1-30 and b is 1-30 and which is greater than a. The lithium manganese composite oxide is a lithium-deficient manganese layered composite oxide in which part of lithium is removed regularly from a stoichiometric composition, and the lithium deficiency quantity x is controlled. A variation width of the lithium deficiency quantity x is +/- 5%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The lithium deficiency quantity x has a value greater than 0 and less than 1, and the oxygen defect quantity delta has a value at most0.2. The lithium deficiency quantity is equal to a ratio a/b, where a is 1-30 and b is 1-30 and which is greater than a. The fluorine substitution quantity y has a value 0.03-0.25. A variation width of the lithium deficiency quantity x is +/-5%. The lithium-containing manganese layered composite oxide can also be of formula (II):Me = at least one of cobalt, nickel, chromium, iron, aluminum, gallium or indium;and z is 0.03-0.5.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Concentration: The concentration of water in (A) exceeds 5000, preferably 300, ppm. The concentration of methane in (A) exceeds 1000, preferably 300, ppm.Preferred Components: The components include water, methane and carbon monoxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - COMPUTING AND CONTROL - Preferred System: The control system includes at least one sensor to measure the concentration of components of the product hydrogen stream, and a controller in communication with the sensor to compare the concentrations with one or more threshold values. The threshold values are stored in a memory component of the control system. The controller further actuate the isolation assembly if the measured concentration of carbon monoxide exceeds 1, preferably 50, ppm. The isolation assembly includes at least one isolation valve to prevent flow of (A) to the fuel cell stack by diverting (A) to form a waste stream. The fuel processing assembly produce the product stream via at least one of steam reforming, electrolysis, pyrolysis, partial oxidation and autothermal reforming. The separation assembly includes a hydrogen-selective membrane, an absorbent bed and a catalytic reactor. The fuel processing system further includes a purification region to reduce the concentration of impurities in (A). The purification region includes a polishing catalyst bed and a reforming catalyst bed.Preferred Method: The method includes automatically shutting down the fuel processor if the measured concentration exceeds the determined threshold value. The method further includes automatically actuating the response system if the measured concentration exceeds the determined threshold value. The response system includes a user-notification device.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: A benzene is removed from medium boiling point fraction by solvent extraction process.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Sensor: The apparatus comprises photosensor, pressure sensor, voltage and electric current sensor and flow rate sensor. The apparatus has a sensing control unit which controls the route of hydrogen gas passage way using a switch and a connection apparatus or an electric circuit switch. The hydrogen gas generated is used for apparatus such as hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen combustion turbine, hydrogen turbo engine, hydrogen storage apparatus and apparatus having a connector provided with a check valve, which on insertion or removal prevents flow of gas other than hydrogen gas from the exterior. Preferred Method: Surplus water used by hydrogen manufacturing apparatus is recovered from the apparatus and recycled.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Arrangement: The apparatus has a mixing unit which has inlet (I) for introducing water, and inlet (II) for introducing gas fuel and water. A cooling route unit (38) is provided between inlet (I) and injector, for cooling at least one of the arc reaction chamber and electrode holder. The inlet (II) is equipped with a flow regulating valve (66) provided between injector and mixing unit for gas fuels. A neutral electrode (23) arranged in the edge portion of chamber (76) generates an arc between three-phase alternating current electrode and neutral electrode. The electrical supplier supplies electricity from three-phase alternator. A front cover fixed to the housing unit has a quenching chamber (88). A micro arc formation material (78) arranged in the arc reaction chamber has a granule with high melting point, and micro arc is formed on the crack between granules. The granule is formed from an electrode material. The mixed ratio of granular conductor to that of granular non-conductor is 1:1.5-1.5:1. The electrode consists of three-phase alternate current electrode.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The apparatus consists of solid-shaped catalyst selected from granules of titanium oxide group catalyst, iron oxide group catalyst, and silicon oxide group catalyst, with high melting point. The granular non-conductor is formed from silicon oxide group catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Converter: The DC current is supplied through a rectification circuit from an alternating input. The device for supplying the fixed current flow is a condenser connected in series between the alternating input and the rectification circuit. A device for controlling voltage induced to the jointed electrochemical device is connected in parallel to the electrochemical device. A resistance (17) is connected in series between the electrochemical device and a DC power source (6). The electrochemical device is used as an ozone generator, an oxygen gas generator, a hydrogen gas generator or a dehumidifying device.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: 0.5-4 times more of oxygen with respect to CO is contained in hydrogen containing gas. The hydrogen containing gas is contacted with the catalyst at 20-120 degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Vaporizer: The vaporizer also has means of: (a) reducing the partial pressure of the medium to be vaporized to less than the saturation vapor pressure at a given temperature, especially a pump; (b) dosed introduction of air, inert gas and/of cathode waste gas; and (c) recycling a reformate. Alternatively, the unit can be operated at a temperature above the boiling point of the medium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The heat exchanger fluid conduit includes tubes which are connected to a coolant source. The tubes which closest to the coolant source are the coldest tubes, and are positioned closest to the fuel inlet manifold. The assembly further includes an external selective oxidizer bed residing outside the fuel inlet manifold. It also has an output plenum which is connected to the internal selective oxidizer bed. It also includes a selective oxidation catalyst and a heat exchanger fluid conduit routed through the catalyst. Another temperature sensor is provided in the external selective oxidizer bed in connection to the heat exchange fluid conduit.Preferred Catalyst: The selective oxidation catalyst is catalyzed open cell foam or catalyzed heat exchanger fins.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The solar energy device converts incident solar energy into electrical energy for supplying an electrical load or re-charging a storage battery.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The system also includes a combustor, a first heater for heating the reforming fuel, a second heater for heating the oxidizing agent, a third heater in which a catalyst is held in an entrance of the reformer, a carbon monoxide remover for oxidizing carbon monoxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The methanol reforming catalyst further comprises two catalyst portions. The first catalytic component is mainly contained in the first catalytic portion, and the second catalytic component is mainly contained in the second catalytic portion. SPECIFIC MATERIALS - The metal oxide consists of alumina, cerium oxide, zirconia, silica, titania, magnesia, zinc oxide, gallium oxide, or indium oxide. The second catalytic component contains palladium, zinc oxide, cerium oxide, or zirconia.    EXAMPLE - A slurry was prepared by mixing copper/zinc oxide based methanol reforming catalyst (100 g) and nitric acid alumina sol (100 g). The slurry was coated on a ceramic monolithic substrate, dried at 150 degreesC for 10 minutes, and burned in air at 400 degreesC to obtain the first catalyst layer. A palladium nitride aqueous solution was sprayed onto zinc oxide, dried, and burned to prepare the catalyst powder. The catalyst powder (100 g) was mixed with nitric acid alumina sol (100 g). The mixture was coated on the first catalytic layer, dried at 150 degreesC for 10 minutes, and burned in air at 400 degreesC to form the second catalyst layer. The first catalytic layer contained copper oxide and zinc oxide, and the second catalytic layer contained palladium and zinc oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The fuel in-feed includes a regulating fuel valve (40) and the liquid water in-feed includes a regulating valve. The valve can be regulated electromagnetically, hydraulically, or pneumatically, and includes a spray insert, in particular a swirl insert (42) or a multiple-hole insert (50). The fuel valve in the region of the valve seat includes a water cooling mechanism (38) having a switching valve or proportional valve at its outlet. The liquid water in-feed is integrated with the water cooling mechanism. The water cooling mechanism in the region of the liquid water in-feed in the inlet has a switching valve, an adjustable throttle valve, a clocking valve, a metering pump, or a proportional valve for setting a water pressure. A diaphragm spring element is seated sealingly, up to a predetermined water pressure, in front of an outlet opening of the reactor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Details: A positive electrode active material consists of lithium manganate using lithium and manganese as a major constituent and having a cubic system spinel structure. A negative active material consists of a carbonaceous material. The lithium secondary battery has a capacity of 2 ampere hours or higher. The production of the lithium secondary battery uses the non-ionic surface active agent-added non-aqueous electrolytic solution.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The apparatus has mixed unit of inlet (I1) for introducing water and inlet (I2) for introducing fuel gas. A cooling unit connecting I1 and injector, for cooling arc reaction chamber and electrode holder is provided. A flow rate adjustment unit is provided in I2, and between injector and mixed unit. A steam generation unit arranged by the electrode holder is connected with cooling unit. A micro arc forming material equipped with high melting point granule, is filled inside the space of arc reaction chamber left with three phase alternate current tubular shaped electrode. The micro arc is performed on crack between the granules. The electrode (E1) consists of tubular shape anode. The electrode (E2) is supported by electrode holder and consists of tubular shape anode and concentric cathode assembly. The electrical supply unit is a three phase alternator.Preferred Composition: The granule comprises 1:1.5-1.5:1 of conductive and non-conductive granules.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalysts: The metal nitrides and/or carbides are formed in situ on chemically or mechanically activated surfaces of the storage material by contact with carbon and/or nitrogen. The catalysts are or contain (mixed) nitrides and/or (mixed) carbides or are oxynitrides and/or oxycarbides of magnesium, aluminum, silicon, calcium, scandium, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, yttrium, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, tin, lanthanum, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten or rare earths.Preferred Materials: The catalyst and/or storage material have nanocrystalline structure. It is milled with the storage material and/or the hydride and preferably is added only after the storage material and/or the hydride has been ground for a predetermined time. EXAMPLE - 35.4 g magnesium hydride (MgH2) and 4.6 g vanadium nitride (VN), in 19:1 molar ratio, were ball milled under argon for 200 hours. After charging for 120 seconds at a pressure of 150 psi and various temperature, the hydrogen content was 5.3 wt.% at 300 degrees C, 3.0 wt.% at 200 degrees C and 0.6 wt.% at 100 degrees C. Desorption of the hydrogen in vacuo took 300 seconds at 300 degrees C and 600 seconds at 250 degrees C. If no VN was added, no hydrogen was adsorbed at 100 degrees C and no significant dehydrogenation occurred at 250 degrees C.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Dimension: The membrane has a thickness of less than 50 microns.Preferred Precursor: The ion-exchange polymer has sulfonyl fluoride groups.Preferred Process: The polymer is hydrolyzed to convert the sulfonyl fluoride groups to sulfonate groups. EXAMPLE - A blend consisted of (wt.%) perfluorinated sulfonyl fluoride polymer (50) and Teflon AF (50), and showed a tensile modulus of 45000-50000 psi.
EXAMPLE - A mixture of artificial graphite powder (100 pts., average particle size: 110 microns) and kish graphite powder (100 pts., average particle size: 12 microns), epoxy resin (16.25 pts.), and other additives (9 pts.) were kneaded and ground. The ground product having average particle size of 16 microns was press molded to prepare moldings having specific resistance of 0.0096 ohm cm as opposed to 0.03 ohm cm prepared in the case where the kneaded prod. was not ground.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials The inert solvent is preferably from 5-15C hydrocarbons liquid at below 25 degrees C, particularly dichloromethane. The anhydride is from those of aliphatic and aromatic mono- and di-carboxylic acids and cycloaliphatic acids, particularly acetic or trifluoroacetic anhydride. The sulfonation agent is oleum or chlorosulfonic acid.Preferred Process Reaction is at below 10, preferably below 5 degrees C, for below 6 hours. EXAMPLE - A product of degree of sulfonation 96% was prepared by reacting 200 ml 97% H2SO4, 220 ml oleum, 80 g PES, 16 ml chlorosulfonic acid and 18 ml acetic anhydride in 100 ml dichloromethane for 4 hours at below 0 degrees C.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The hydrocarbon used is methanol.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The supply of heat energy in the first heat-exchanger is by catalytic combustion of the off-gas from the fuel cell and/or of additional fuel, the combustion in the second or later heat-exchanger being in countercurrent mode. Alternatively, the combustion is in a pre-combustion device (10) giving almost complete oxidation of the off-gas from the fuel cell and/or of the additional fuel. An after-burner can also be used between the heat-exchangers (3,4). One of the heat-exchangers is of significantly smaller mass than the other. The valve distributor is a proportionating valve or a 2- or 3-way tap. The flow of the hydrocarbon or a hydrocarbon/water mixture is controlled in relation to the temperature by valve or by a dosing device (5).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Component: The carbon-to-metal connection includes a conductive metal substrate that connects the carbon material to the metal material. This conductive metal substrate includes silver, aluminum, gold, bismuth, copper, chromium, cobalt, iron, gallium, indium, magnesium, manganese, nickel, lead, antimony, tin, platinum, palladium, titanium, zinc, and/or their alloys. Preferred Material: The substrate can be in the form of an expanded foil mesh, woven foil mesh, wire, ribbon, or sheet. The metal material maybe a conductive metal powder or a conductive metal wire. The carbon material maybe conductive fiber(s), conductive fibers that are formed into a cloth, or a carbon foam. Preferred Method: The carbon material and the metal material maybe joined by welding, placing a conductive carbon and solvent based ink at the location of contact, vacuum deposition of metal, hot tinning, reflow soldering, electron beam welding, chemical vapor deposition, metal sputtering, casting, or laser welding. The metal area maybe coated with an oxidizing metal or a non-conductive polymeric material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Device: The cooling layers, in combination, are the anodic and/or cathodic electrodes or gas diffusion layers, and the separator plates. They have a channel structure provided with gas channels within the active section area. The active section area is rectangular is shape, and has a length (16) exceeding the width by a factor of at least1.5 (preferably 2.5-3.5). The material of the cooling layers has a larger specific heat conductivity parallel to the plane of each of fuel cell than orthogonal to that plane. The device further comprises a blower for generating an enforced airflow traversing over the cooling fin areas. The airflow is supported by the dynamic and/or static pressure of the ambient air with respect to a moving vehicle.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The material of the cooling layers is a foil made of expanded graphite. It has a metal core that is covered by a carbon-polymer layer. The graphite contains distributed soot.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Alloy: The region having a crystal structure which is different to the main phase in the crystal particles of at least part of the main phase formed a parallel structure. Other alloys are e.g. R1-a-bMgaTbNiz-xM3x.M3 = Co, Mn, Al, Ga, Zn, Sn, Cu, Si, B, Nb, W, Mo, V, Cr, Ta, Li, P and/or S;a = 0.15-0.37; andx = 0-2.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The lithium compound is lithium hexafluorophosphate. The anode active substance is lithium manganese oxide, which has a cubic system spinel structure. The negative electrode active substance is a highly graphitized carbon fiber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The electrolyte contains lithium perchlorate dissolved in ethylene carbonate and diethyl carbonate. The solid electrolyte is of 5-10 weight% of battery, minus the weight of outer housing (13). The lithium perchlorate, ethylene carbonate and diethyl carbonate, are of same weight.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Reactor: The volume of the reforming zone is at least twice that of the heating zone. The exothermic reaction catalyst is a combustion catalyst or a carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation catalyst for selective oxidation of CO in the gas from the reforming zone(s). Each heating zone is the space between a pair of corrugated plates, and two such pairs of plates define a reforming zone. Each reforming zone contains spacers for supporting the adjacent pairs of plates.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Catalyst: The metal oxide is cerium oxide, zirconium oxide or a mixed cerium-zirconium oxide. The palladium:zinc weight ratio is 1:1-50. The catalyst is prepared by process (ii) in which the calcination step is performed at 400-600 degrees C and is followed by a reduction step performed at 400-600 degrees C. EXAMPLE - A cerium-zirconium oxide powder (500 g) was impregnated with a mixture of a palladium nitrate solution (188.7 g, 26.5% palladium) and a zinc nitrate solution (139.8 g). The product was dried at 150 degrees C and calcined at 500 degrees C. The resulting catalyst powder (100 g) was slurried in an 8% nitric acid/alumina sol (100 g), applied to a ceramic monolith, dried at 150 degrees C for 10 minutes, calcined in air at 500 degrees C, and reduced in a hydrogen stream at 500 degrees C for 1 hour. In a reforming test performed at 400 degrees C and 4 LHSV, the catalyst gave a methanol conversion of 98% with a carbon monoxide concentration of 2.5%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Method: The portion of the surface layer is stripped by applying a shearing force to it. The heterogeneous film is a micro-porous polymer film (10). The method comprises:(a) attaching a first anchor (16) to a major surface (20) of the heterogeneous film;(b) applying a first shearing force via the first anchor to the major surface to remove at least a portion of a first surface layer from the film; and preferably further(c) attaching a second anchor to the opposing major surface of the film (24); and(d) applying a second shearing force via the anchor to remove at least a portion of a second surface layer from the film.The method is carried out in a reel-to-reel process, in which:(a) the heterogeneous film is transferred from a feed roller (12) to a collection roller (14);(b) the first anchor (16) is associated with a first stripping roller (18); and(c) the first shearing force is applied by the first stripping roller.The surface density of the heterogeneous film is greater than the density of the interior bulk material.Preferred Stripped Film: The stripped film is micro-porous, and comprises a polymer selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, and ethylene-propylene copolymers. The film is preferably polyethylene, more preferably ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The ceramic material consists of zirconia, magnesia, alumina, or its composite. The two ceramic materials may be the same or different.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The metal consists of noble metals and their alloys, or transition metals and their alloys.Preferred Method: The polycrystalline magnesium orthosilicate compound is made by contacting a silica based clay material with magnesium oxide, and sintering the magnesium oxide that contacts the silica based clay material at 1300-1600degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Acid: The solid acid is activated alumina, silica-alumina, zeolite, phosphoric acid and/or heteropoly acid.Preferred Condition: The drain size of the acid on which transition metal is absorbed is 2 mm or less.Preferred Ratio: The volume ratio of copper to the solid acid containing transition metal is 1:3-3:1.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The carbon microcrystal interlayer distance in amorphous carbon is 0.4 nm or more.Preferred Process: The hydrogen occlusion material is obtained by heat treating at least two substances chosen from raw coke, high molecular compound, natural polymer, petroleum or coal at 500-900 degreesC under inert atmosphere.
EXAMPLE - A typical lithium compound being a raw material for a positive electrode material includes a lithium hydroxide, a lithium hydroxide, a lithium oxide, a lithium peroxide, a lithium nitrate, and a lithium carbonate. The lithium hydroxide is preferable in terms of a cost and workability. a lithium halogenide, such as a lithium chloride, and a lithium sulfate are unfavorable since the lithiums remain in a positive electrode active material and an adverse influence is exercised on battery characteristics.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The first layer mixture is dried by heating up to 300degreesC. The dried layer is then coated with a layer of tribasic acrylic acid. A cathode member is also formed by coating a layer of a second mixture containing at petroleum coke into a second metal substrate. An electrolyte is then formed by dissolving lithium perchlorate in ethylene carbonate or diethyl carbonate at the same weight. It is injected between the anode and cathode members, and dried. The battery is then charge at 0.1-0.2 C of its designed capacity.Preferred Component: The battery includes at least a gas release valve with at least an ethylene propylene terpolymer rubber piece that is elastic. It is also provided with a mechanism for engaging the battery with another battery to form a battery assembly. The cathode member includes a second metal substrate coated with a layer of a second mixture containing at least petroleum coke of 30-40 microns size. The electrolyte is 5-10 weight % of the battery without the outer casing.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The fluoride is lithium fluoride. The first metal substrate is aluminum. Preferred Composition: The first mixture layer includes (weight %) lithium manganate (83-90.5) and chromium (1-2), or lithium fluoride (1.5-3).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The second mixture also contains (weight %) graphite (1-2), acetylene black (0.5-1), or petroleum coke (97-98).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The fuel cell system uses a chemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidizing agent for production of an electrical current and water.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The electrochemical cell uses electrical energy for converting water into oxygen and hydrogen, for storing the energy in chemical form, or for converting chemical energy into electrical energy and heat using a catalytic reaction.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Reformer: Each of the vaporization part, hot spot and catalyst layer has a part formed as a path for unsteady supply, independently.
EXAMPLE - - A single cell consists of an electrolytic film, being an ion exchange film, formed of fluororesin, an anode and a cathode consisting of carbon cloth, a carbon paper, or a carbon felt, and nipping the electrolytic film from both sides to form sandwich structure, and separators to nip the sandwich structure from both sides. A plurality of sets of the single cells are laminated and a collecting plate, not shown, is situated.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Oil: The weight ratio of isoparaffins to normal paraffins is at least 1.5. The vapour pressure is at least 0.098 MPa. The content of sulfur in the naphtha is at most 0.5 weight ppm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Reformer: The noble metals are platinum or palladium. The catalyst layers have equivalent cross-section. The length of catalyst layer (31) is 5-35% of the sum total of the length of both catalyst layers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Unit: The first two stages are coated heat exchangers cooled by a common oil cycle. The third stage is a reactor with a CO oxidation zone and a cooling zone, in which the H2-rich gas stream can be cooled to under 200 degrees C. The unit may also have an uncooled fourth stage. There is a heat exchanger between stages two and three, in which the heat exchange preferably is a stream of medium already in the system. The oxidant feed is regulated in all four stages or regulated in stages one to three and carried out passively through a by-pass pipe in stage four. At least stage one and two are carried out in a plate structure and/or at least stages three and four are tube aggregate reactors.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Features: The installation comprises a distributor system downstream from the hydrogen separator to direct the hydrogen to a motor application or to storage. The catalytic reformer may comprise a fixed bed reactor and means for recycling some of the H2 produced by the reaction upstream of the reactor. Alternatively, the reforming unit comprises a rotating barrel containing the catalyst which consists of a collection of reactor tubes arranged in parallel to the vertical axis of rotation of the barrel, so that each tube effects a cycle comprising phases of regeneration as a function of the rotation of the barrel. Means are provided for the circulation of fluids across the reactor tubes including injector orifices and upper and lower covers. Temperature control is effected by thermal exchange with exhaust gases from the motor in an envelope surrounding the barrel. The installation also includes means for drying injected air, used for regeneration phases, and for purification of the H2 produced ; the materials used are molecular sieves used in phases of adsorption, desorption and cooling. The motorization may comprise an internal combustion engine supplied with the high octane petrol and optionally a quantity of H2., or an electric motor supplied with energy produced by a hydrogen fuel cell or a combination of both fitted to a vehicle. EXAMPLE - A commercial catalyst, Procatalyse CR201 (RTM) was used. The sequence of catalytic treatments included (I) purge to eliminate hydrocarbons present, by passage of exhaust gases depleted in O2; (II) combustion at 350 - 550 degreesC., using exhaust gases and air; (III) combustion at 400 - 600 degreesC. using exhaust gases and air; (V) oxychlorination at 400 - 600 degreesC, using air and a chlorinating product; (VI) calcination, using pure dry air at 400 - 600 degreesC; and (VII) reduction using purified hydrogen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The quantity of hydrogen supplied to electricity generation unit is compensated by filling of insufficient hydrogen produced by insufficient supply of raw material to the reforming unit from a different hydrogen cylinder.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The additive is an acetate, preferably sodium acetate. The methanol contains 10-1000 ppm additive.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The energy necessary to initiate the reaction between the gaseous phases is electrical, in the form of an incandescent or spark plug.The amount of O2 introduced is greater than that necessary for the complete combustion of the hydrocarbon, and the reaction between the gaseous phases takes place at a temperature greater than 1000degrees C.The addition of water is effected in stages.After the functioning temperature has been reached, a constriction at the gaseous outlet is effected to establish a pressure in the reformer.The installation comprises two reaction zones separated from each other by an intermediate gas-permeable element; the first zone is supplied with nozzles for the introduction of hydrocarbons, O2 and water, and also a means for introduction of electrical energy.The intermediate zone comprises a sintered metallic material, metallic trellis or a bulk filling of high surface area.The secondary zone contains a catalyst on a metallic honeycomb support or supported on a metallic or ceramic balls.It is heated by thermal conduction and by contact with the intermediate element. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The electrical energy resource converts the mechanical potential energy of the lifting forks into electrical energy for topping up the electric battery charge.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Arrangement: The current limiter is on top of a cell compartment of the battery. The contact points of the unit are between adjacent cells. Preferred Component: The current limiter is a Clixton type limiter. It is activated by a remote control. The remote control circuit includes PIC 16 C58 microcontroller integrated circuit. The current limiter has a circuit and the activating and/or deactivating mechanism has a switch (preferably mechanical self-latching or self-latching solenoid) or relay. The relay interrupts the flow of current between a pair of adjacent connected cells. The switch has a coil, permanent magnet and plunger. The plunger has a contact, which bridges a pair of contacts. Preferred Property: The current limiter limits the current to 2 amps. The radio operates on 433 MHz international frequency. Preferred Mechanism: One of the contact points is electrically connected to the current limiting circuit such that when the battery circuit is open the current from the first cell of the battery flows into the current limiting circuit. The radio uses standard frequency hopping techniques.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The current limiter is encapsulated within epoxy housing.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The carbon monoxide is contacted with oxygen at 30-200 (100-200)degreesC in the presence of a catalyst comprising cobalt and platinum such that the amount of oxygen contacted is 0.5-2 (0.5-4) times the amount of carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen-containing gas. The amount of catalyst used is 1000-100000 (100-100000) (1/h) in terms of a gas hourly space velocity.Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst components contain 0.1-80 wt.% cobalt, nickel, copper or manganese and 0.05-50 wt.% platinum. EXAMPLE - An aqueous solution in which cobalt acetate dihydrate was dissolved in an amount of 0.5 wt.% in terms of Co, and alumina balls were placed in an evaporator and dried under reduced pressure to support 0.5 wt.% of Co on the alumina support, followed by further drying. Then an acetone solution containing acetylacetonato platinum in an amount of 0.5 wt.% in terms of Pt was charged into an evaporator together with the obtained Co-supporting alumina, and dried under reduced pressure to further support 0.5 wt.% of Pt on the alumina support. The resultant Co/Pt-supporting alumina was dried and then calcined at 360degreesC to obtain an alumina-supported catalyst on which 0.5 wt.% Co and 0.5 wt.% Pt were supported.    When using the catalyst, no methane was produced at 40-260degreesC, and the CO concentration of treated gas was reduced to 0.05 mol % or lower in a reaction temperature range of 40-190degreesC. Further, in the above temperature range, the oxygen reaction rate was 90% or higher, and the oxidation selectivity was about 50%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The membrane is made of polyurethane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The thermoplastic resin consists of a polyphenylene sulfide-based resin. The conductive agent consists of at least one selected from graphite particles, and conductive carbon black.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The (aluminum) alloy provided below the water is subjected to cutting or grinding.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The hydrogen-permeable device includes fixed high polymeric hollow fibers made of polyimide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Separator: The separator includes three layers with the 1st and 3rd layer having better adhesive properties than the 2nd layer.Preferred Separator Composition: The separator layers are formed from a composition containing a polymer, preferably polyvinylidene fluoride, a filler, preferably silica and a plasticiser, preferably dibutyl phthalate. The 1st and 2nd layers contain (wt.%) 33.4 of the polymer, 44.4 of the plasticiser and 22.2 of the filler. The 2nd layer contains (wt.%) 30 of the polymer, 35 of the plasticiser and 35 of the silica.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: 10-85 wt.% of nickel hydroxide particles (I) with particle size of 53-75 micron or 10-80 wt.% of particles (I) with particle size of 75-80 micron is contained. 15-90 wt.% preferably 20-90 wt.% of nickel hydroxide particle (II) is contained. The nickel hydroxide powder comprises 1-10 wt.% of metal chosen out of cobalt, zinc, cadmium, magnesium, calcium and manganese.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The ion conductive substance is a polymer electrolyte material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The electron conductive substance comprises carbon powder, and the catalytic activation substances include noble metal(s).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The fuel cell stack uses an electrochemical reaction for generating electrical power.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Battery: The highest elevated temperature T2 is the boiling point of the non-aqueous electrolyte solution or lower is the lowest temperature among the boiling points of the main components of the electrolyte solution or is the highest melting point among the melting points of the main constituents of the separator. The battery has a battery capacity of 2 Ah or higher at the time of full charging.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The solid electrolyte consists of polybenzimidazole or a polymer blend comprising polyimidazole e.g., poly(2, 2'-(m-phenylene)-5, 5'-bibenzimidazole) (PBI) and a thermoplastic polymer, e.g., polyimides (PI), polyamides (PA), polyamide imides (PAI), poyetherimides (PEI), polyarylate (PAr), poly(4-vinyl pyridine) (PvPy), or preferably sulfonated polysulfone (SPSF).The first supporting layer consists of 40 - 60 wt.% carbon black and 60 - 40 wt.% hydrophobic polymer. The first catalyst layer consists of 30 - 55 wt.% catalyst powder, preferably comprising platinum catalyst and 70 - 45 wt.% polymer e.g., polybenzimidazole or a blend of polybenzimidazole and a thermoplastic polymer.Preferred Method: The first supporting layer is formed by tape-casting and is subsequently dried and sintered. The first catalyst layer is formed by slurry casting and subsequently dried and sintered.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The solid electrolyte is doped with a non-volatile acid e.g., sulfuric acid or preferably phosphoric acid. The acid has a concentration of 40 - 90 wt.%.The first catalyst layer is doped with a mixture of acids, preferably a mixture of non-volatile acid e.g., phosphoric acid and volatile acid.The second catalyst layer a platinum-ruthenium alloy.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The volatile acid is trifluoroacetic acid or acetic acid.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - A polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell can be used for electrochemical energy generation.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Resin: The resin of the coating liquid is a thermosetting resin having thickness of 5-20 microns.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The aluminum structure comprises tubes (19) and a tank connected to the tubes. The heat exchanger further includes corrugated fins (21), and a tank comprising a base portion made of aluminum and a major portion made of a resin. The tubes and fins are alternatively arranged and assembled together into a core portion (23) of the heat exchanger.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - IMAGING AND COMMUNICATION - Preferred Method: The coating is conducted by applying a coating liquid comprising a resin to the inner surface of the brazed assembly by filling the inner space of the brazed assembly with the coating liquid and then discharging the coating liquid from the inner space thus forming a precursory layer on the inner surface; drying the precursory layer into a dried layer; and baking the dried layer into the resin coating layer (25). Preferred Property: The coating liquid has a solid matter concentration of 15-35 wt.%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The adsorber material is made of a metal oxide of the MXOY type or a metal oxocarbonate of the MxOy(CO3)z type (where, M = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, La, Mn or Y, and x, y and z = whole numbers), or a hydrotalcite or a complex carbonate compound with a structure-maintaining matrix of the (M2+)x(M3+)y(OH)zCO3.n.H2O type. Preferred Process: Vapor reforming is carried out at 200-900 degreesC with complete removal of CO2 to produce a gas free from CO2 and which is rich in hydrogen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Features: The liquid is water and the gas stream is a CO-containing reformer product gas.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The first electrically conducting material is dispersed in a fluorinated polymer binder (PVDF). The first section of the main layer is made of the second electrically conducting material and the second section of the main layer is made of the second electrically conducting material mixed with PTFE.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Solvents: Diethyl ether, benzene or chloroform are used for production of (I). EXAMPLE - An ice-cooled mixture of 250 ml diethyl ether, 138 g dry dimethylamine and 153 g saturated sodium hydroxide solution was treated over 2 hours with 202 g gaseous trifluoromethylsulfonyl fluoride and then heated over 2 hours to 40 degreesC, using a reflux condenser at -78 degreesC. The mixture was worked up by dilution with 500 ml water and extraction with ether, to give 230.4 g (98%) N,N-dimethyl-trifluoromethylsulfonamide (I) (b.pt. 151-152 degreesC; characterized by 1H-NMR and 19F-NMR analysis). This product (I) could not be ignited with a bare flame in air.    In a test cell with platinum electrodes and lithium counter- and reference electrodes, an electrolyte consisting of 1-M lithium hexafluorophosphate in EC/DMC/(I) (47.5/47.5/5) showed no oxidative decomposition at potentials below 5.5 V vs. Li/Li+. This electrolyte showed conductivities of 8.6, 2.9 and 2.1 mS/cm at +20, -20 and -30 degreesC respectively. Compound (I) showed unlimited miscibility with the reference electrolyte (1-M LiPF6) in 1:1 EC/DMC).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: At least one medium can be forced through and/or over the layers under a pressure drop. The plates are sub-divided into thermally insulated functional zones by insulating plates (6), preferably parallel to the layers, and/or between lower and upper end plates (1, 2), especially aluminum end plates. The layers are held between the end plates by fasteners, preferably tie rods (5). The edges of the layers are sealed against the surroundings. Functional zones of higher temperature develop in the stack. The sides of the stack are surrounded by insulation. The end plates and fastener are outside the thermally insulated zone. The apparatus has educt ducts (20, 21) for selective feeding of each educt to individual zones and/or ducts passing through (part of) the layers, through which the educts or products can be transferred from the first zone to the second and/or product ducts (22) through (part of) the layers, through heated educts or reaction products can be discharged from each zone. It is also possible to feed the same educt to different zones selectively with communicating educt ducts and discharge the product from each zone through different product ducts.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: In the reactor cold-start phase, fuel and a gas stream containing oxygen are passed over (I) until the monitored temperature of (I) exceeds a predeterminable switch-over value, before treatment with (II). To retain the heat content of the reactor, the (I) temperature is monitored continuously after operation and compared with a third, lower threshold and treatment with (II) is started at the latest when the temperature is below this value and stopped when the maximum is exceeded. Reactivation is restarted at the earliest when the monitored temperature of (I) is below a first threshold. (II) is an air stream diluted with steam and (I) is purged with steam before and/or after each treatment with (II). Reactivation in a reactor in a vehicle is started by detection of refueling or by the driver. The tolerance value is not more than 100 K, preferably not more than 20 K. In the cold start phase, the initial fuel-gas mixture contain a stoichiometric excess of oxygen and the stoichiometry can be changed during this phase. The switch-over temperature is 100-200, preferably about 150degreesC. The temperature of (I) is monitored and compared with a second lower threshold and reactivation is started directly by adding (II) when this threshold is exceeded.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred composition: the catalyst comprises 1 or more nanopowder, whose active site is at a higher temperature than the bulk reactor environment temperature which is at less than 300 degrees C. Pre-treatment comprises separate and different heating, cooling, mixing, milling, compression, expansion, distillation, separation, extraction, dissolution, crystallization, scrubbing, oxidation, reduction, combustion or spraying steps. The catalyst comprises a power supply, catalyst having an active area, and electrodes coupling electromagnetic energy from the power supply to the catalyst such that a current flow through its active area. The catalytic body in forming the useful product behaves like a platinum, palladium, rhodium, osmium, ruthenium or iridium catalyst. EXAMPLE - Methanol is partially oxidized using a nanoparticle mixture of 75 % ITO with a BET surface area of 15.7 m2 per g. and 25 % Al2O3 with a surface area of 61.7 M2 per g formed by milling the 2 powders together. A slurry was prepared from this in isopropanol. An electroded porous honeycomb of Al2O3 structure of size 3.8 cm. x 1.3 cm. x 0.6 cm. was dipped into the mixture. Silver electrodes were used, and the sample was dried at room temperature. The catalyst was reduced in a flow through quartz tube reduction system in 5 % hydrogen in nitrogen at 350 degrees C. After 30 minutes, its resistance dropped to 1000 ohms. with a visible change of color from green-blue to light blue. The reduced or activated thin film was transferred to the reactor and was exposed to 100 ml. per minute of methanol/air vapor under a small electric field. The voltage used was 95 volts, current used was 0.15 amperes, and temperature 22 degrees C, using 17.5 % hydrogen with a conversion of 80 % of the methanol.
EXAMPLE - A typical carbon material includes an organic compound sintered substance, such as natural graphite, spherical or fibrous artificial graphite, and graphitization retarding carbon, an organic compound burnt substance, such as phenol resin, and graphitizable carbon, such as coke.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The organic compound contains oxygen, nitrogen and/or sulfur atom and is preferably methanol, ethanol, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, formic acid or acetic acid.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The carbon atom (n) in fullerene is preferably at least60. The soot contains 2-5 weight percent of fullerene. The photocatalyst has catalytic activity under visible ray and/or ultraviolet ray irradiation. A co-catalyst having oxidation-reduction potential and which accelerates oxidation, and noble metal which accelerates generation of hydrogen during decomposition of organic compound are added to the catalyst. The photocatalyst is a suspension of soot containing fullerene in liquid or is a porous body impregnated with soot. Preferred Method: The decomposition of carbon compound is performed under normal temperature and pressure. During decomposition of organic compound, hydrogen and carbon dioxide are generated. The fullerene molecule is obtained by arc discharge method using carbon containing electrode. Preferred Cell: The photocatalyst is contacted with cathode. The hydrogen is supplied to cathode to form hydrogen ion. Then, the hydrogen ion is passed to anode through the electrolyte. The hydrogen ion reacts with the oxygen ion in the anode.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - In the area adjacent to the band-pass filter in the waveguide, an anti-reflection layer is coated towards the end on so as to construct the incidence-limiting means, and between the limiting means and the band-pass filter, a sleeve of non-reflecting material is formed, with a dilating dark box having anti-reflection properties inside. A shielding member having internal passage is installed between the opening and the filter in such a way that the incidence angle is regulated with specified diameter. The limiting means allows the incident infra-red ray to enter at an incidence angle of not less than 30degrees, particularly not less than 25degrees. Center wavelength of the band-pass filter is about 466 micron, with half-amplitude of 0.09 micron. The transmission zone of such band-pass filter is 4.5-4.8 micron, particularly 4.54-4.78 micron. A reference infra-red detector can also be provided and a standard filter as well so that interfering gas components can be eliminated by subtraction. Another filter, a pressurization means and a thermistor for temperature detection are also provided to improve detection accuracy. EXAMPLE - A carbon monoxide sensor was constructed as specified.
EXAMPLE - It is preferable that when a whole of a manufacturing positive electrode paste composition is 100%, a mixture ratio of a positive electrode active material is at least 2 wt%. Further, it is preferable that a mixture ratio of organic acid is at least 0.5 wt%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - TEXTILES AND PAPER - Preferred Structure: The metal structure in the carbon thin metal matrix is knit, textile fabric or nonwoven fabric. The porous structure subjected to sintering is used as a microparticle metal in metal structure. Preferred Condition: The carbon content in the carbon film metal matrix is 90 mass% or more. The carbon film with the thickness of 1 mum or less has porous structure. Preferred Method: Low temperature heating of carbon film metal composite is performed at 300degreesC, before subjecting to high temperature heat treating of metal structure formed with nitrile group containing polymer. The heat treatment of metal structure formed from nitrile group containing polymer is performed at 520-900degreesC. Preferred Monomer: The polymer is formed from (meth)acrylonitrile. EXAMPLE - Nickel fiber with diameter of 2 mum was dipped in a mixed solution containing acetonitrile and tetraethylammonium. Electrolytic polymerization was performed for 30 sec in which dipped nickel film was used as cathode at the potential of -2.0 V to form polyacrylonitrile (PAN) at 150degreesC. The polyacrylonitrile was heated at 300degreesC for 60 min. The PAN was subjected to yellow coloring by cyclization reaction in nitrogen atmosphere. Subsequently, PAN was heated at 700degreesC for 60 min to form blackened carbon thin film matrix. The carbon atom rate content in the carbon film measured with eliminated analysis was 99 mass%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Apparatus: The fuel storage apparatus comprises an ion exchange resin column (7) filled with ion exchange resin provided in a circulation flow pipe (4) which circulates methanol in the fuel container. A fuel circulating pump (5) supplies methanol into the container through the circulation flow pipe. An electric conductivity sensor (8) or pH sensor detects the formic acid produced by oxidation of methanol in the fuel container. A control unit (9) controls the circulation of methanol based on the measured value of the electric conductivity sensor. Another ion exchange resin column is provided in the fuel feed pipe (3) which supplies fuel to a modifier from the fuel container. A device for adding corrosion inhibitor (such as sodium silicate) to the methanol in fuel container, is provided. The pH sensor detects the pH value for evaluating the corrosion inhibitory effect of the methanol in the fuel container. Based on the pH value, the control unit controls the additional amount of corrosion inhibitor supplied to the container. The pH value is preferably controlled to 10 or more. The ion exchange resin cartridge provided in the fuel container, is exchangeable.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Alloy: The A and B sites of alloy are lanthanum and nickel, respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Design: The inlet and outlet of the heat exchangers are arranged such that the fuel supplied to the heat exchanger from the reformer zone flows along parallel direction. A partition is placed between adjoining pair of inlet and outlet of the heat exchangers. The fuel reformer has at least two pairs of plates with a waveform fin interposed in between.Preferred Unit: The heat supply unit supplies heat to the inlet and outlet of the heat exchanger, and a coolant supply to supply the coolant to the fuel reformer. An exhaust gas supply ejects the gas formed during reforming process.Preferred Function: The amount of supply of heat exchange can be varied. The fuel reformer is mounted to the vehicle and the reformer responses to the acceleration-deceleration condition of the vehicle by adjusting the amount of hydrogen and oxygen present in the gas.Preferred Gas: The fuel supplied to the reformer is hydrocarbon, water vapor and oxygen containing gas.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Design: The apparatus contains an outer side casing (21) having a predetermined space into which tubular units such as the oxidation chamber, modification chamber and gas permeable thin film pipe are arranged concentrically in the vertical direction. The oxidation chamber is provided between the casing and modification chamber. The thin film pipe is formed by coating a thin metal layer on a porous base material which is a porous stainless steel or porous ceramic material.Preferred Thickness: The porous base material has thickness of 0.5-2 mm and the thin metal layer has thickness of 1-20 microns.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The coal property fuel is selected from methanol, ethanol, gasoline, petroleum and their mixture.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metals: The metal layer formed on the base material contains palladium or palladium alloy. The modification catalyst bed contains catalyst substances selected from nickel, copper and iron. The oxidation catalyst bed contains palladium or platinum.Preferred Conditions: The water vapor modification reaction is carried out at 250-550 degrees C. Hydrogen gas is extracted at permeation pressure difference of 0.20-2 MPa. Coal property fuel which is a mixture containing water vapor and methanol is supplied into the apparatus at velocity (WHSV) of 0.5-30 hour-1. Molar ratio of water vapor and methanol is 1:2.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Batteries: The lithium compound is lithium hexafluorophosphate. Lithium manganese oxide of cubic system spinel structure containing lithium and manganese as the main components is used as the positive electrode active substance. A highly graphitized carbon fiber is used as the negative electrode active substance. The battery capacity is 2 Ah or more.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The energy generation method converts the mechanical energy of a rotating vehicle wheel into electrical energy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The reaction containers are mutually connected using a connection material which has favorable thermal conductivity. An air inlet is provided at a connection part (14) of the container for introduction of air. The containers are flat, and has a tortuous gas passageway (12).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred System: The heaters have means for spot introduction of the heated educt(s) at one or more points of the reaction chamber inlet section. The heater has several heating elements covering all or part of the inlet section of the reaction chamber. Alternatively, the reactor has a switchable educt feed system, such that the educt are supplied only over part of the inlet cross-section in a start-up mode and over the entire cross-section in a normal operating mode.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The inorganic liquid is a water-containing or water-free inorganic liquid containing undissolved solid electrolyte, a mixed conductor or an electrolyte material. The inorganic contains magnesium chloride, especially vanadium oxyhalide, aqueous or anhydrous sulfuric acid, KOH or LiAlO4/SO2. The powdered solid is made of SiO2, Si3N4, Al2O3, AlN or MgO.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The matrix is made of a crosslinked liquid or soft resin selected from addition polymers and condensation resins, especially aminoplasts, phenoplasts, epoxy resins, polyesters, polycarbamates and methylmethacrylate reaction resins. The organic polymer of the matrix is selected from natural polymers and synthetic polymers, especially polysaccharides, proteins, resins, waxes and (non)halogenated rubbers, thermoplasts and thermoelastomers. A hygroscopic salt is embedded in the matrix material. The layer formed is hardened by UV radiation or electron radiation.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The main body of catalytic reactor is inserted into the heating unit. The carrier is a metal carrier.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The method further includes baking the waste of unbaked fuel cell separator, before or after the crushing step at 500-3,000 degrees C. An environmental gas is supplied to the powdered material in the baking step. The baking step converts the resin in the waste of fuel cell separator to carbon or graphite. The resin is supplemented in a weight ratio of 2.4-40%. The method further includes adding a solvent to the powdered material to granulate the powdered material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The conductive material comprises carbon powder having an average diameter of 10-100 microns (preferably 30 microns).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Adhesive: The adhesive is preferably ethylene-vinyl acetate (sic).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Coating: The intermediate coating is not transparent and is preferably a frit which is printed on at the edges of the panel. The electrode is also printed on. The thickness of the electrode is preferably 15 microns. EXAMPLE - No relevant example selected.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Property: The nano-particles have an average diameter of 2-100, preferably 2-80 nm, or 200-950 nm.Preferred Component: The material comprises an aggregate of nano-materials with an average critical dimension of 15-200 nm, a non-graphitic nano-material with a critical dimension of less than 40 nm, or a nano-material with a critical dimension of less than 100 nm. It is a dry metal. At least part of the material catalyzes a splitting of molecular hydrogen to atomic hydrogen. The material comprises member(s) from Ti0.98Zr0.02V0.45Fe0.1Cr0.05Mn1.4, Ca0.2M0.8Ni5, Ni64Zr36, Fe0.8Ni0.2Ti, LaNi4.7Al0.3, iron-titanium, Fe0.9Mn0.1Ti, CaNi5, LaNi5, magnesium-nickel, magnesium-copper, magnesium, vanadium, titanium, zirconium, thulium, palladium, calcium, or their hydrides, where M0.8 is mischmetal. The nano-particle has at least two different sizes and comprises an alloy, a liquid nano-droplet of a chemical hydride. It is coated, multiply coated, or partially coated with an additional material. It is liquid, crystalline, or amorphous. The material comprises junk ore or a precursor metal mixture recovered from ore. EXAMPLE - Iron particles (1 kg) with average diameter of 50 nm were held with a hydrogen permeable bag. The bag was expandable to contain the nanoparticles even if the volume within the bag quickly changes. It had smaller pores than 40 nm and was held within a low pressure vessel that was resistant to hydrogen embrittlement and capable of gently heated and optionally coated for hydrogen release/uptake.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The fuel cell system uses electrochemical energy conversion via fuel cells with a proton conducting polymer membrane, for providing the electrical energy for an electrical machine.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The energy stores can be provided by Ni/MH storage batteries.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The water condensation method is incorporated in a fuel cell system, with the mechanical energy obtained from the gas expansion converted back into electrical energy.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The conductive covering film is a precious metal film. The invasive compound is an N or C compound of Ti, Cr, Zr, Al, Ta and W. The gas circuits are provided with an insulating sheet having dynamic elasticity as their gasket.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: Hydrogen gas is generated by electrolysis of water in air or in sea bed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The solid catalyst comprises one or more metals from group 4B (Ti, Zr, Hf), 5B (V,Nb,Ta), 6B (Cr,Mo,W), 7B (Mn,Tc,Re), 8B (Fe,Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Os,Ir,Pt), the lanthanide series (Ce,Pr, Nd, Pm,Sm, Eu,Gd,Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) of the periodic table on a refractory substrate. The solid catalyst further comprises platinum and indium on alumina, or chromium on alumina, or iron, or other suitable catalyst.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The pyrolyzing step is catalytic or noncatalytic and is carried out at 650, preferably 650 - 1200, more preferably 750 - 850, most preferably 800 - 850,degreesC. The hydrocarbonaceous fuel is passed over at least one catalyst mass containing a solid catalyst. The oxygen carrying gas stream contains a material such as water, methanol, and oxygen. The carbon monoxide-rich gaseous fuel stream is introduced to a Diesel cycle engine, an Otto cycle engine, an Atkinson cycle engine or a gas turbine.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: Furnace black (I) contains 0.005-0.01 wt.% ash and 0.005-4 wt.% S. The ash contains noble metal, lanthanide, actinides, germanium (Ge), zirconium (Zr), yttrium (Y), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo) and/or aluminum (Al) oxide(s). Production: (claimed) (I) is made by the furnace black process from gaseous or volatile carbon black raw materials, using water with a low content of metal ions for quenching and granulation, such that the sum of the ash contents of the raw material, quenching water and granulation water is between 0.005 and 0.05 wt.%. Preferred Production: The carbon black raw material is propane, butane and/or natural gas or aromatics and/or aliphatics. Readily volatile compounds of noble metals, lanthanides, actinides, Ge, Zr, Y, Cu, Ni, W, Mo and/or Al may be added to the raw material or quenching water. EXAMPLE - The production of 1 kg end product from 2 kg C black raw material (ash content 0.050% or 1.0 g), 1000 g quenching water (ash content 0.004% or 0.4 g) and 1000 g granulation water (ash content 0.005% or 0.5 g) was calculated to give a product containing 1.9 g or 0.19% ash.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The creation of the pseudo cluster voltage for the second cluster comprises measuring the total cell voltage across all of the fuel cells in the stack; determining the average cell voltage for the entire stack; multiplying the average cell voltage for the entire stack by the difference between the number of cells in the first clusters and the number of cells in the second cluster; and adding the product to the actual measured voltage across the second cluster. The method also includes establishing a constant equal to the difference between the number of cells in each of the first clusters and the number of cells in the second cluster; multiplying the constant by average cell voltage across the entire stack; and adding the resultant product of the multiplication to the actual measured voltage across the second cluster.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Condition: The aqueous biomass raw material solution is subjected to pressure of 220 atmospheric pressure and at 400degreesC to form high pressure supercritical fluid. Preferred Design: High pressure reaction container and high pressure gas supply source are connected to switching valve (3). The reaction container is also connected to first gas separation tank through a safety wall. The tank (7) is connected to a second tank (9) through an upper valve (8) and to the third tank (11) through a central valve (10). The first tank is also connected with forth tank (14) through lower valve (13).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Raw material: The biomass raw material is bean curd lees or waste paper. Preferred Method: The surfactant is added to aqueous solution of waste paper and subjected to decomposition process to form the raw material for combustible gas. A copper-zinc acid compound powder catalyst is added in the aqueous biomass raw material solution to generated combustible gas. Preferred Container: The inner surface of the high pressure reaction container is coated with copper.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Power Plant: The fuel cell power plant includes a fuel processing component for processing hydrocarbons into the reducing fluid. The component includes a burner (40) and a reformer (58). The burner receives anode exhaust stream from the fuel cell and directs an oxidized exhaust stream into a passage to mix with cathode exhaust stream. The plant exhaust stream is the combination of anode and cathode exhaust.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Support Matrix: The support matrix comprises one or a mixture of: porous graphite, porous graphite and polymer, inorganic fiber and thermoset polymer, glass fiber, synthetic fiber and hydrophilic filter paper, porous metal.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: A manganese raw material is mixed in a lithium raw material such that a mol ratio between lithium and manganese is set to 1:2. First baking is applied to the mixture in an atmosphere containing more oxygen than the air. Thereafter, a mixture where a lithium raw material is mixed in the aforesaid mixture such that a mol ratio between lithium and manganese is 1:2 to 4:5 is prepared. Second baking is applied to the mixture in an atmosphere, containing more oxygen than the air, at a temperature below the oxygen desorption starting temperature.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The pulling up mechanism has main load cell (4) for wires, which detects the load exerted on main wire. The carriage base is mounted to support plate through load cell (2) for total weights, which detects load exerted on pulling up mechanism and crystal holding mechanism. The holding lever drive units is suspended from the holding lever, and has a rod. The winding up and rolling back units have sub-wires. A stopper is provided to the hollow shaft, which fixes the stopping position of holding lever based on holding position of the holding lever.Preferred Method: The holding lever is rotated around holding lever pin by pulling the rod, and is transferred to a vertical or level position. On rewinding the holding lever and sub wires, the holding lever rotates around holding lever pin with the dead weight of retainer holding the single crystal on reverse side in a vertical position. On winding the subwire, the holding lever is transferred to a level position.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The water flow is decreased by increasing the amount of hydrophobic additive and/or incorporating 0.1-0.2 mul volume per cm2 porosity-reducing additive in the anode catalyst layer. The water flow may also be decreased by incorporating a sublayer between the anode catalyst layer and the substrate. Preferred Amount: The anode catalyst layer is present at greater than 6 wt.% of the hydrophobic additive.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Additives: The hydrophobic additive is polytetrafluoroethylene. The porosity reducing additive comprises a mixture of 12-32 wt.% polytetrafluoroethylene and 0.03-0.2 mg/cm2 acetylene carbon black.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The sublayer comprises graphite and titanium oxide (Ti4O7). The substrate comprises carbon. Preferred Amount: The water content in the anode catalyst layer is greater than that contained in a layer comprising 30 wt.% amount of fully hydrated perfluorosulfonic additive in the anode catalyst layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The anode structure comprises greater than 30 wt.% of a perfluorosulfonic ionomer, a trifluorostyrene ionomer, a polyaryletherketone ionomer, or a polyarylethersulfone ionomer. Preferred Method: The water content is increased by incorporating an ionomer in the anode catalyst layer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: A polymeric material which does not show electron conductivity can also be used with the carbonaceous material. The polymeric material is polyfluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride and/or polyvinyl alcohol.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: Protons are moved via the proton dissociating group. The ion conductivity is greater than electron conductivity. The carbonaceous material is a carbon cluster which is an aggregate of carbon atoms, especially a fullerene molecule, tube-type carbon material or diamond-structure carbon. The proton dissociative group is -XH where X = an atom or atom group which has a divalent bond, or -OH or -YOH where Y = an atom or an atom group which has a divalent bond. Specific groups include -OH, -OSO3H, -COOH, -SO3H and -OPO(OH). An electron absorbing group such as nitro, carbonyl, carboxyl, nitrile, haloalkyl or halogen, is also introduced into the carbonaceous material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The step of monitoring the temperature includes monitoring at least two temperatures of the recirculating gases stream adjacent the discharge end of the heater, at different points in time; calculating the rate-of-change of the temperature versus time; and comparing the result to a preselected rate of change value.An output signal is generated if:(a) monitored temperature is less than a first selected temperature value and hydrogen-containing gas is supplied to fuel cell stack,(b) monitored temperature is greater than a second preselected temperature value, or(c) the rate-of-change of the monitored temperature is greater than a third preselected value. If an output signal is generated, the signal is blocked for a time and operation is terminated when time duration is over.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The cathode material is made of La1-xSrx(Mn, Fe, Co)O3 perovskite.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The proton releasable group is represented by -XH or -OH and -YOH, preferably -OH, -OSO3, -COOH, -SO3H or -OPO(OH)3, where X and Y are arbitrary bivalent atom or atomic group.The fullerene molecules also contain electron attractive groups consisting of NO2, carbonyl, COOH, nitrile, halogenated alkyl, or halo.Preferred Property: The fullerene molecule is a spherical carbon cluster molecule Cm, where m is 36, 60, 70, 78, 82 or 84.The fullerene powder is pelletized without binder. EXAMPLE - 1 g polyhydroxyl fullerene powder was put into 60 ml of fuming sulfuric acid and stirred for 3 days in a nitrogen atmosphere. The product was put into anhydrous diethylether thrice, then with diethylether and acetonitrile twice at 2:1 mixture ratio, and then dried at 40 degrees C in reduced pressure. The product formed was polyhydroxyl fullerene hydrogenated ester. A 70 mg of the product was pressed to form a circular pellet without binder resin at 7 ton/cm2. The shape pellet was 15 mm in diameter and 300 microns thick. The pellet showed a conductivity of 9 x 10 Power(-4) S/cm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Process: Before it is recycled, the gas containing H2 is passed to a fuel cell for generating current. The reformed is operated autothermally. The gas containing H2 leaving the fuel cell is (partly) passed to complete combustion in a catalytic burner. EXAMPLE - Hydrogen drives for vehicles had an autothermal reformer supplied with air, water and petrol at suitable temperatures. Exothermic oxidation of carbon, carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons and H2 gave the heat needed for reaction. Hydrogen was generated by steam cracking of hydrocarbons, whilst CO was also converted to hydrogen by the shift reaction. All the mixture from the reformer was passed to a fuel cell, where 80% of the H2 present was converted to current. In an existing system, the stream leaving the fuel cell system was passed to a catalytic burner to recover part of the heat/energy. If the gas was recycled to the reformer, the carbon dioxide, H2 and water present reduced soot formation and increased the yield of the shift reaction by 1%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Dimension: The length and width of the electrically conducting frames are smaller than the lengths and widths of the peripheral frame and the anolyte and catholyte frames. The length of the electrically conducting frames and the electrode plates is greater than the width. Preferred Arrangement: There are a number (n) of cells (at least) arranged sequentially in a single stack (22), with two cells at opposed end of the stack. The cell stacks are arranged in parallel to define rows of cells. The cells in each stack define a column of cells. The double electrode plates are folded down in a middle portion so that the anode electrode supported on the conducting frame is in opposite to the cathode attached to the frame in the adjacent cell. Preferred Component: The electrolyzer includes at least n-1 double electrode plates and two single electrode plates. The double electrode cell has insulating panel (54) sandwiched between the two portions of each double electrode plate. Preferred Process: The peripheral frame is bonded to the frames by thermal ultrasonic, solvating, or adhesion bonding.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - The electrodes have a conductive portion consisting of gold, platinum, or carbon. The electron mediator fixed to the electrodes consists of a compound having a thionine skeleton fixed to the electrodes in a state of formulas (I) and (II), or a compound having a 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone skeleton fixed to the electrodes in a state of formulas (III) and (IV). A battery has the electrodes selected from the microorganism, or the cell having a function as an electron donor. The electrodes are formed by fixing the electron mediator on the surfaces of the electrodes.R = organic straight chain.P' = electrode
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The solar cells are used for a solarthermic system for air-conditioning or refrigeration units.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Gas: The greenhouse gas stream is carbon dioxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Process: The production of electrical energy takes place in an electric power reducing fossil fuel plant, in a petroleum refinery, or in a petrochemical plant. The gasifier contains a fluidized catalytic bed (14) and operates at 400-700degreesC. A portion of the synthesis gas is converted in a chemical reactor into useful hydrocarbon products. A major portion of the water is condensed from the first half-cell exit gas using a condenser (50). The hydrogen and at least a portion of the condensed water is passed to the gasification unit to adjust the hydrogen to carbon ratio of the combined feedstock and greenhouse gas stream to result in a synthesis having an optimum ratio for the reactor. The oxygen-containing gas, which is air and nitrogen, remains after exiting the electrical reduction into the atmosphere. Preferred Ratio: The synthesis gas has hydrogen to carbon ratio of 1.75-2.25. Preferred Component: The chemical reactor is a Fischer-Tropsch reactor (30). The first half-cell contains an electrolyte (40) surrounding a porous catalytic anode electrode (42). The second half-cell contains an air electrolyte surrounding a catalytic cathode electrode. The cells are separated by an ionically conducting membrane (44) that will not allow passage of components from the respective half-cells.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The organic waste feedstock is carbonaceous-containing municipal garbage.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Device: The reformer is membrane reformer.Preferred Method: The generated hydrogen is once stored in a hydrogen absorbing alloy(s) incorporated into a storage apparatus (5) before supplying it to the fuel cell. Some of the absorbing alloy absorbs hydrogen supplied from the reformer while the other are discharging and supplying it to the fuel cell. Hydrogen is generated by carbon monoxide shift reaction after partial oxidation of the fuel, or after reforming reaction of the fuel carried out by water vapor.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The fuel is compressed natural gas, ethane, propane, butane, gasoline, naphtha, dimethyl ether, and/or methanol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Generator: The generator is selected from fuel cell, combustion engine and gas turbine or a hybrid power source e.g. combined gas turbine and fuel cell, preferably fuel cell selected from solid oxide fuel cell, molten carbonate fuel cell, phosphoric acid fuel cell, alkaline fuel cell and proton exchange membrane fuel cell.Preferred Off-board Station: The station includes means to deliver fuel, preferably hydrogen, gaseous fuel, hydrogen liquid fuel,hydrogen solid fuel, alcohol fuel, methanol, ethanol, a fuel derived from solid or liquid waste and renewable fuel, especially hydrocarbon fuel, to power system. The station further includes an inverter to convert generated direct current to alternating current for on-board or off-board use and a power meter together with a water supply means. A security means is also included to prevent tampering with the fuel and electrical connections.Preferred Mobile Vehicle Power System: The system includes means for receiving fuel from the off-board station, a fuel meter, a fuel reformer and fuel shifter to produce hydrogen-containing fuel for the generator.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Conditions: The concentration of the ionic monomer is 6-16 mol%.Preferred Components: The alkali metal salt or hydroxide is an alkali metal carbonate, preferably lithium carbonate. Rf = CF3 in (I), 1-4C perfluoroalkyl optionally substituted by ether oxygen's in (I);    M+ = H+, Li+;    n = 1.    EXAMPLE - A mixture of ICF2CF2OCF2CF2SO2F (213 g), (D)-limonene (0.5 g) was added to an autoclave and pressurized with ethylene (30 g). The autoclave was heated to 210 degreesC for 8 hours, after which the autoclave was allowed to cool, and the product removed. The product was distilled to give ICH2CH2CF2CF2OCF2SO2F (187.3 g), b.pt. 88-89 degreesC/30 mmHg. 19F NMR analysis showed: -45.0 (t, J = 5.7 Hz, 1F), -82.7 (m, 2F), -87.2 (m, 2F), -112.7 (m, 2F), -119.3 (t, J = 17Hz, 2F).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Property: The grid has a thickness of 0.02-0.06, preferably 0.02-0.04 inch.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Composition: The alloy composition includes aluminum (0.004-0.01%).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The fuel supply system has a fuel pre-heat path passing through the inside of modifier and fuel vaporization path which moves via a start combustor (25) which forms combustion gas, provided in the front part of modifier.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The electrolyte membrane is produced from a fluorine-containing material. The liquid vulcanized rubber is selected from silicon or fluoro-silicon. The sealing body is made of a metal having a thickness of 0.03-0.5 mm.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The sealing body is made of a polymer resin having a thickness of 0.03-0.5 mm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The metallic lattice is coated with an oxidation-resistant protective layer (7) made of chromium carbide. The metallic lattice is made of nickel or precious metal.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - The other face and the first planar face of each frame are respectively provided with keying and alignment pins (10) and sockets of different shapes. The pins and sockets prevent the stacking of the electrodes and the separators in an incorrect alternate order and/or in an incorrect orientation. The inner flange, electrodes, and separators are rectangular. The frames have convex sides. The directions of flow of the negative and of the positive electrolyte in respective flow chambers along the opposite sides of each separator are opposite to each other. Each electrode consists of a fluid-impervious electrically conductive plate having on its opposite faces a porous fluid-pervious three-dimensional electrode structures in the form of a felt or fabric of carbon fibers bonded in electrical continuity to the electrically conductive plate. The electrolyte enters the electrode chamber along one side and exits the chamber from the opposite side. The porous electrode structure has two distinct comb-shaped channel works. The finger channels of one channel work are parallel to each other and interleaved with the parallel finger channels of the other channel work. A source comb-shaped channel work has a base or manifolding channel running along the side of the chamber through which the electrolyte is fed into the chamber. A drain channel work has its base or manifolding channel running along the opposite side from which the electrolyte exits the chamber. All finger channels of one channel work extend from the respective base or manifolding channel and terminate short of reaching the manifolding channel of the other channel work. The ducts for the separate circulation of each negative and positive electrolytes are defined by two or more holes spaced along one side of the rectangular frame.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: A solid catalyst/electrolyte arrangement (22) is disposed in the porous surface. The porous and hermetic regions are planar.Preferred Method: The screening step removes the solids, and produces a wet preform which is dried at less than 80 degrees C, resulting in an initial component porosity of 70-90%. The molding step is slurry molding. The densifying step uses drying and curing techniques, and is accomplished by mechanical compression at low pressure in shaped graphite molds at 120-160 degrees C. The pyrolyzing/carbonizing step is accomplished by heating to 700-1300 degrees C in an inert atmosphere, resulting in a total porosity of 40-60% and a pore size of 10-100 microns.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The homogeneous material is an aqueous slurry comprising a mixture of carbon fiber of 0.1-100 mm long, and 20-50 wt.% phenolic resin powder binder.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: Hydrogen sulfide is removed to a concentration of 100-200 ppm in the process. Preferred Absorbent: The absorbent is a carbonaceous absorbent, metallic oxide and zeolite.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The hydrocarbon is made to contact a catalyst layer comprising mixed gas added with water vapor. The amount of nickel in the catalyst is 75-100 wt.%.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The hydrocarbon in the mixed gas is aliphatic hydrocarbon such as methane, ethane, ethylene, propane or cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon such as cyclopentane or cyclohexane or aromatic hydrocarbon such as benzene, toluene, or xylene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The solar generator module converts incident solar radiation into electrical energy for recharging the automobile battery or powering an electric ventilator fan.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The embedded MgO grains have an average diameter of 0.1-2 microns. The material contains 55-80 wt.% MgO and may also contain other oxide(s) selected from calcium oxide (CaO), silica (SiO2), zirconia (ZrO2) and iron-III oxide (Fe2O3). In a layer of the ceramic material on a metallic or ceramic article with a predetermined coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), the MgO content is selected so that layer has the same CTE. Production: (claimed) The material is produced by melting Al2O3 and 26-96 wt.% MgO to a liquid phase, solidifying this by cooling and grinding the solid to a powder.Preferred Production: The starting materials are mixed homogeneously and then melted in an electric arc furnace. The powder is converted to larger grains by agglomeration. EXAMPLE - Ceramic powder suitable for thermal spraying had the composition 40 wt.% MgAl2O4, 58 wt.% MgO, 1 wt.% Al2O3, the remainder the usual impurities. It contained MgO grains with an average diameter of 0.5 microns, embedded in a spinel matrix. Material, e.g. a metal part, coated by thermal spraying with this powder had a coefficient of thermal expansion of 11.3 x 10 power -6 K power -1, which was about the same as that of the material before spraying.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The increase in hydrogen and/or energy production is an increase in the rate or quantity of hydrogen and/or energy production. The half cell reactions are selected such that the sum of the value of the residual materials in the hydrogen cell at the endpoint of the reaction is greater than that of the sum of reactants introduced into the cell. The electronegative half cell reaction is 2H2O + 2e- right arrow 2OH- + H2. The first electropositive half cell reaction is 2H- right arrow H2 + 2e-. The second electropositive half cell reaction is Al + 4OH- right arrow AlO2- + 2H2O + 3e-.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Reactions: The electropositive half cell reactions involve the species selected from binary hydrides, ternary hydrides, amphoteric elements, electropositive elements in groups one and two of the Periodic Table and chelated transition elements. The first electropositive half cell reaction involves the oxidation of a binary and/or ternary hydride and the second electropositive half cell reaction involves the oxidation of an amphoteric element. The amphoteric element is selected from aluminum, zinc, chromium, gallium and tin. The first electropositive half cell reaction has a reduction potential E0 greater than +83 V when a reductant is written on the left hand side of the one half cell equation according to the Latimer conversion. The reductant in the first electropositive half cell is hypophosphorous acid, dithionite or a metal organic complex capable of changing configuration to release at least one electron in realization of an increased coordination number.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compacts: The compact comprises 10-50 mol% of phosphorus pentoxide and 90-50 mol% silica. The compact further comprises 1-10 weight percent (wt.%) of proton and 1-20 wt.% of water. The specific surface area of the compact is 10 m2/g or more.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Membrane: The ion-exchange membrane consists of fluoropolymer or perfluoro carbon polymer of formula CF2=CF-(OCF2CFX)m-Oq-(CF2)n-SO3H, where X is fluorine or trifluoro methyl group, m is 0-3, n is 0-12 and q is 0 or 1. The reinforcing material consists of fiber, cloth or fibril.Preferred Properties: The thickness of ion-exchange membrane in the current supply part, is 10-80 microns. The ion-exchange membrane contains 0.2-50 weight percent of reinforcing material. The electrodes and the ion-exchange membrane are joined by heat pressing.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Reactor: Chamber (R1) has a lower heat capacity, a catalyst with a higher activity, is more weakly thermally coupled to the surroundings and is less cooled than the chamber (R2).The chambers (R1) are homogeneously distributed in the reaction chamber.The reaction chamber (1) is coupled to a cooling chamber in a plate reactor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - The control valve is provided between the coupler and the second hose. The tank includes an indicator (23) for indicating a level of the tank. The device further comprises a facility (24) coupled to the tank.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The fuel cell system uses electrochemical energy conversion for providing the electrical operating energy for electrical auxiliaries onboard an automobile.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: Oxygen is injected as air. The stream ejected from water-gas shift reactor is shunted around fuel cell until CO concentration of the inlet is at an acceptable level by the fuel cell. The stream is recycled to the fuel cell when the CO concentration is at acceptable range. Preferred Amount: The amount of oxygen injected is 0.1 mols/min for each mol of carbon monoxide flowing into the catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst comprises a noble metal and calcium oxide. The foam core catalyst bed comprises at least two catalyzed regions, each having a different catalyst composition. The first region of the foam core catalyst bed contains a noble metal catalyst in combination with calcium oxide. The second region of the foam core catalyst bed contains a base metal catalyst in combination with calcium oxide. The first region of the foam core catalyst bed contains a platinum catalyst, and the second region contains a copper or copper/zinc catalyst. Alternatively, the first region contains an iron oxide/calcium oxide catalyst and the second region contains a copper or copper/zinc catalyst. The first region of the foam core catalyst bed is further promoted with a noble metal catalyst. The noble metal catalyst is selected from platinum, palladium and rhodium, or mixtures of these. The foam core catalyst bed comprises a first region containing a noble metal and calcium oxide catalyst and a subsequent region which does not contain calcium oxide and does contain the noble metal catalyst. The noble metal catalyst is selected from platinum, palladium and rhodium. The foam core catalyst bed includes at least one ceramic foam support body, and a high temperature-compatible metal support selected from stainless steel, nickel alloys and iron-aluminum alloys. The metal support is connected to a source of electrical current so as to serve as a resistance heating element during start-up of the reformer assembly. The metal support is electrically heated to operating temperatures within about twenty seconds after applying electrical current to it. The catalyst bed is cylindrical in shape. The fuel gas inlet passage contains a fuel gas/steam mixture. The air inlet passage contains an air/steam mixture. The fuel gas is methanol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Apparatus: The burner has a pair of symmetrically arranged identical burner sections (28a, b), each of which has a combustion chamber-facing surface at an acute angle to the spray direction of the first injector (25).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Ratio: The weight ratio of the binder to the solid particulate material is 5:95 - 50:50. Preferred Materials: The solid particulate material comprises silica aerogel, fumed silica, silica gel, silica hydrogel, silica aerogel, silica sol, colloidal silica, alumina, titania, magnesia, kaolin, talc, diatomaceous earth, calcium silicate, calcium carbonate, and/or magnesium carbonate. Preferred Property: The porous composite separator layer has a thickness of 5-100 microns. Preferred Process: Transforming the solution of separator precursor comprises curing the solution by applying heat in an oven at 90-130degreesC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compounds: The chlorinated polyolefin binder comprises an unsaturated polycarboxylic acid or anhydride of the acid grafted on a polyolefin backbone. The carboxyl groups or acid anhydride groups are crosslinked with an epoxy compound, which has at least2 epoxy groups/molecule. Preferred Composition: The chlorinated polyolefin binder contains 25 wt.% chlorine.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The rate of gain of specific surface area of graphite fiber and the rejection of graphite material after heat treatment satisfies the relation, 2(rate of gain-0.5)2at least rejection.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Equipment: The fuel tank has a reservoir from which the engine fuel is pumped through a pipe to a system forming the mixture and excess fuel is removed, with pressure control, through a recycling pipe. Up-stream from the pressure-retaining valve, the fuel is supplied with heat of vaporization by passing it from the recycling pipe through a heat exchanger. The heated fuel then flows through a regulating valve into a vapor separator, from which the vapor of low-boiling fuel components is removed by suction of a compressor connected with a tank supplying condensate. The condensate tank is connected to the fuel tank by a blow off pipe fitted with a pressure valve. It is also connected from a high point with the suction side of the compressor through a valve-controlled pipe. The hardly volatile or high-boiling constituents of the fuel collecting in the vapor separator are returned to the fuel tank through a fuel-cooling heat exchanger, with valve control. The engine is used in a vehicle, in which the condensate is produced by waste heat from the vehicle and stored in a tank for the reformer, which is connected to an ancillary fuel as current/voltage source for the power supply.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Film: The polymer (a) is a ring-opened polymer of an unsaturated condensed alicyclic compound e.g. norbornene or norbornene derivative. The resin (b) is a polyolefin resin such as ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. The content of (a) is 0.5-70 weight% and the content of (b) is 30-99.5 weight%. All or a part of the double bonds of polymer (a) are lost. The components can be crosslinked.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The apparatus has lightweight construction and recesses (6, 7) for reducing the heat capacity. The end plate has a honeycomb structure, a through-hole (5) for supplying media and a base surface (4) on which rods (2) and/or sleeves (3) are arranged.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The sulfur in the raw material gas is optionally hydrated, while the hydrocarbon gas is hydrated. The fuel battery uses the water formed by decomposing hydrate, as water vapor for reforming process. During decomposition of hydrate, cooling takes place and is used for cooling an air-conditioning unit in car. Preferred Apparatus: The motor vehicle comprises a fuel tank for storing heating gas in hydrated state, an engine which uses the heating gas (obtained by decomposing hydrate) as an engine fuel, and fuel battery which is operated by using the heating gas as a source of hydrogen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The solar cell device allows solar energy to be converted into electrical energy for supplying the ventilation fan independent of the vehicle battery.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The nano-structured elements are made of a metal, a galvanometal, e.g. nickel, a precious metal or a conducting polymer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The rigid polymeric material is polycarbonate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - TEXTILES AND PAPER - Preferred Component: The cloth portion comprises carbon cloth.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The degasifier comprises an inlet for accepting the oxidant from the oxidant source generator, before providing it to fuel cell stack, and an inlet for accepting the exhausted oxidant from fuel cell stack. A degasifier portion (51) of the apparatus (45), enables the interaction between coolant and oxidant. The treated coolant is collected by a reservoir portion and then supplied to fuel cell stack, by a coolant exit conduit (61). The humidified oxidant is supplied to the fuel cell stack by an oxidant exit conduit (62) which also removes the exhausted oxidant from degasifier. A heat exchanger (39) comprising a fan, is provided along the coolant conduit upstream of degasifier for removing heat from circulated coolant. A demineralizer (40) for purifying predetermined amount of circulated coolant, is provided in the coolant exit conduit downstream or along downstream of a trim conduit which diverts a portion of a treated coolant from coolant exit conduit. A coolant pump (37) provided in the conduit upstream, supplies circulated coolant to the degasifier portion. The oxidant source generator comprises a pump which supplies air oxidant.Preferred Method: A predetermined amount of purified coolant is merged with treated coolant before providing it to fuel cell stack.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The coolant comprises water. The contaminants contained in exhaust coolant are dissolved gases comprising ammonia, carbon dioxide and/or hydrogen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Method: The strip is continuously cast. The quenched rolled strip is heated at 200-500degreesF for a time to increase the population of special grain boundaries in the strip.Preferred Property: The grid thickness is at least 0.1, preferably 0.025-0.06 inch.Preferred Composition: The alloy comprises 0.025-0.065 wt.% (preferably 0.035-0.065 wt.%) calcium, 0.4-1.9 wt.% (preferably 0.5-1.5 wt.%) tin, 0.015-0.05 wt.% (preferably 0.02-0.045 wt.%) silver, and the remainder lead.Preferred Ratio: The thickness ratio of strip to the grid is at least 2:1.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The fuel is a hydrogen source, which can be ammonia, hydrazine, or preferably hydrogen gas. Preferred Condition: The fuel is at greater ambient pressure.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - The vehicle can be a land-based, water-based, or an aircraft vehicle. It has an electrically powered device, e.g. propulsion device, to which the energy generating skin supplies electric power. It can be a lighter than air ship. The hydrogen source is capable of providing lift to the lighter than air ship. The vehicle can also be an airplane having a fuselage, where the energy generating skin forms at least a portion of the fuselage. The airplane can have wings having an exterior covering formed by the energy generating skin.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The heat resistant polymer membrane comprises a polymer having a heterocyclic structure containing at least nitrogen.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The phosphoric acid has a concentration of at least 85 %.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred System: Air is supplied to the fuel cell without being humidified. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The polymer is polybenzimidazole.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Sources: The carbon source is glucose, sugarcane bagasse, or sugarcane molasses having at least 1 % concentration. The nitrogen source is 2.4 mM ammonium tartrate.Preferred Concentration: The concentration of the MSW is 10-60 %, preferably 10-25%.Preferred Method: The fungal biomass is directly contacted with the raw molasses spent wash. The fungal biomass is removed manually or by filtration. EXAMPLE - Malt extract broth (9 ml) containing 3 % malt extract and 0.5 % peptone in distilled water, was added with 4-day old Flavodon flavus culture. Sterilized molasses spent wash (MSW) (1 ml) was added and the system was oxygenated for 1 minute. An aliquot (0.5 ml) of the culture supernatant was diluted and the changes in absorbance maximum at 475 nm were measured. Up to 90 % of MSW were decolorized in 8 days and 50 % of the color was removed in 2 days.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The substance is a natural from methane, propane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, ethane, butane, oxygen, or freon.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Apparatus: The apparatus further comprises a sleeve positioned within the passage of the retractable pole; a detector operable to couple the detector coupling and detect the presence of substance; a mount for supporting the detector to the retractable pole; an auxiliary tube operable to couple between the detector and the detector coupling; and a non-conductive handle positioned on the retractable pole.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Enzyme: The heat-resistant amylolytic enzyme is heat-resistant alpha-amylase.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Refuse: The organic refuse contains starch food, such as cooked rice, bread, noodles and/or potatoes.
EXAMPLE - No relevant details given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The pH of the packed bed is set to 0.7-1.5, and the pH of circulating water is set to 1-1.5. The pH of the packed bed or circulating water is in the vicinity of 1. pH of the circulating water is controlled using low salt concentration make-up water (10) having a salt concentration of 3% or less and/or electric conductivity of 200 ms/cm or less.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The catalyst with reduced activity is contacted with heating gas at 150-400degreesC to regenerate the catalyst.Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst is copper content catalyst used for methanol modification and carbon monoxide shift reaction. The catalyst contains 1 or more of metallic oxides chosen from aluminum oxide, cerium oxide, zirconium oxide, silica, titanium oxide, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide, gallium oxide and indium oxide or noble metals chosen from platinum and palladium. The catalyst is a monolith catalyst with a layer containing copper on catalyst support and another layer containing 1 or more of metallic oxide or noble metals.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Process: Prior to dehydration, the residue is ground. The biogas obtained during fermentation is supplied as fuel to a fuel cell system (61).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The fermentation apparatus further comprises a residue grinding mechanism. The feed drive unit is a vacuum conveyor. The reservoir is installed with a dishwasher.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: A' is lanthanum and/or cerium, A'' is at least one selected from lanthanum, calcium, samarium, cerium, strontium, barium and praseodymium, B' is at least one selected from cobalt, iron, manganese and gadolinium, and B'' is ruthenium and/or rhodium. x is greater than or equal to 0.1 and less than or equal to 0.5 and y is greater than 0.05 and less than or equal to 1.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Apparatus: Alternatively, cathode gas is used for fuel combustion of the reformer after passing through the cooling medium of the CO converter while the anode gas is used as a fuel for heating the reformer.Preferred Process: The reformer is heated by combustion using a combustion catalyst. The outlet temperature of the CO converter is 100-150 degrees C.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The taurate surfactant is sodium methyl cocoyl taurate. The fluoride salt is sodium fluoride. The foam-generating container is an aerosol container charged with a hydrocarbon gas having a mixture of isobutane and propane. ADMINISTRATION - The composition is dispensed from the container into a trough of a dental tray to form fluoride foam and placed in contact with a patient's teeth.    EXAMPLE - A foamable fluoride composition comprised (wt.%) deionized water (92.95), sodium fluoride (2.72), sodium benzoate (0.1), sodium phosphate monobasic (1.38), sodium saccharin (0.25), hydrochloric acid (1) Tauranol (sodium methyl cocoyl taurate) (1) and flavor-mint (0.6). The ingredients were dissolved in water at room temperature. The composition (139.5 g) and Aeron A-46 (a 80/20 mixture of isobutane and propane) (10.5 g) were introduced into an aerosol container. A dental foam dispensed from the container collapsed within 1 minute after being dispensed into the trough of a dental tray and placed in contact with a patient's teeth. Upon collapse the foam tray was removed from the patient's mouth and any residual foam was removed by simple water rinsing of the patient's mouth.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The temperature at which methane and water are made to contact is preferably more than -3 degrees C and pressure is 2.77 MPa or more.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The apparatus further comprises a pressure regulator to set the contact pressure of methane and water to 2.77 MPa or more.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Properties: The temperature of the reactor gas introduced into the last stage of the catalytic reaction device is maintained at 180 degrees C or less.Preferred Substances: The metallic oxide which supports the ruthenium contains silicon as a base metal component. The metallic oxide is a meso-pore molecular sieve. The meso-pore molecular sieve is an inorganic organic hybrid meso-pore molecular sieve. The molecular sieve contains methyl group and/or phenyl group as organic components. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The metallic oxide which supports platinum is aluminum oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Features: The fermenter is compartmentalized before or after filling. Chamber sections have individual supply and disposal. Supply is periodic and sequential at the base, or alternatively at he top using e.g. a feed ram, open channel or flexible ducts. Insulation takes panel- or rolled form. Several fermenters are serviced by centralized supply and disposal equipment. Heat exchanger and percolation vessel are integrated as a single structural unit in the fermenter. The airtight cover is sealed by a surrounding water channel, or a clamping system. Cover gas-tight construction is planar or curved. It is whole or sectioned, the implementation permitting lifting or hinging. Biogas outlet, venting, percolation recirculation and distribution are included. Insulation and gas storage are integrated in the roof construction. Percolate is drained away at a given gradient. Filling and emptying is effected by penetrating and also external conveying equipment. The plant can be employed without transfer of residual fermentation materials for compost preparation. Heating is supplied optionally through tempering the percolate, or using conventional heating pipes and -walls.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - AGRICULTURE - Preferred Components: The composite further comprises a soil additive selected from spores of Mycorrhizal fungi, living bacteria and/or a biodegradable carbon source. The biodegradable carbon source is selected from humates, compost and/or a biodegradable source of carbohydrates as a food source for microorganisms. The soil additive comprises a mixture of spores of different varieties of mycorrhizal fungi. ACTIVITY - Fertilizer. No biological data was provided.    MECHANISM OF ACTION - None given.    ADMINISTRATION - The composite is added to the soil or to the plant growth medium in an amount of 2 - 12 (preferably 2 - 7)kg/m3 of soil.    EXAMPLE - A mineral composite (A) comprised the following element containing compound (wt.%) Si (not more than 20), Ca (10 - 20), Mg (2 - 10), Fe (2 - 10), K (1 - 10), Al (1 - 5), Na (0 - 3), Ti (0 - 5), Mn (0 - 1), P (0 - 0.5), Ba (0 - 0.01) and Cr (0 - 0.005). Two groups of soil filled pots were taken, one of which was supplemented with (A) and the other was not supplemented, was watered and treated as control. No plants were grown in the soil. Within the first seven days, total fungal biomass was increased by nearly a third greater in the pot supplemented with (A). The total bacterial biomass was also found to have doubled in two weeks in the test pots. The test pots showed no harmful effects to protozoa or nematodes during two weeks test. Within two weeks, active fungal biomass was increased by a factor of fourth greater in the supplemented test post.
EXAMPLE - A stainless steel reaction tube containing ammonia gas (in ml) (686) and blast furnace gas (184) was filled with a catalyst A (10) in the upstream side and a catalyst B (10) in the downstream side. Catalyst A contained cobalt-alumina in a weight ratio of 20:80. Catalyst B contained nickel-cobalt-alumina in weight ratio of 20:20:60. After a reaction time of 5 hours, ammonia conversion ratio was 100% with a heat generation amount of 2515 kcal/Nm3. Ratio of methane to carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide (CH4/(CO+CO2)) was 69.6%. After a reaction time of 500 hours, ammonia conversion ratio was 98.1%, with a heat generation amount of 2505 kcal/Nm3. Ratio of methane to carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide was 68.5%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Process: The heating in the composting process, is preferably performed at 40-80 degrees C, more preferably 50-80 degrees C.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Microorganism: The microorganism is Archaebacteriums of acidic Bacillus, Sulfolobus, Thermoplasma, Thermoproteus or Desulfurococcus, preferably Bacillus acidocaldarius ATCC27009 and Sulfolobus acidocaldarius ATCC49426. EXAMPLE - Bacillus acidocaldarius ATCC27009 was cultivated in American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) culture medium 573 (pH 3.0) at 55 degrees C for 48 hours, in a shaking culture. The culture was charged into an organic refuse treatment tank, and mixed uniformly with saw dust (32 L), to form microorganism base. An organic refuse (3.2 kg) was charged into the treatment tank, reacted, stirred, heated, and processed for about 5.5 months. The organic refuse was charged every week in 3 alternative days, with reduced moisture content. The compost formed above the fixed capacity of the tank, was removed. Simultaneously, vinyl unsuitable to composting which was currently mixed with compost, was removed, and the lump of compost sticking to the bottom column portion corner of the tank was scratched off. Till the end of 5.5 months the culture microorganism and saw dust, were not exchanged. There was no generation of fly throughout the operation. The content weight in the organic refuse treatment tank at the end of the operation was 26.5 kg. The formed compost (15 ml) was uniformly extracted from several surfaces of the tank. The weight of the compost (taken out of the tank) was 7.8 kg.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - AGRICULTURE - Preferred Amount: The fertilizer contains 10-60 weight percent (wt.%) of coal ash, 20-40 wt.% of rice bran, 10-30 wt.% of oil cake, 5-20 wt.% of fish meal and 30-40 wt.% of water for total of 100 wt.% of solid raw material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Modifier: The modifier has two or more separately arranged catalysts (A,B). An air supply device is arranged near the raw material entrance side between the catalyst (A,B) and within one container. The air supply device is arranged just before the catalysts (A,B) and the heat exchanger is provided after each catalyst. The air supply device is arranged before the heat exchanger. The modifier is an integrated unit of catalyst A provided in a container A, heat exchanger, catalyst B provided in a container B, and air supply device.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Hydrocarbon: The hydrocarbon comprises city gas with CH4 as its major constituent. An Ni/SiO2 catalyst is used for decomposing the hydrocarbon and for burning the carbon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Organic Constituent: The organic constituent is a methyl group.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst contains iron as low temperature activated component, preferably 5-70 wt.% for 100 wt.% of platinum and iron. The catalyst is carried on a support.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The fuel is hydrogen bearing fuel such as methanol.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred System: The walls of fuel tank comprises material having selective permeability to different molecular species. The walls of fuel tank comprises silicone rubber for allowing higher permeability of methanol over water.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Method: The algae are cultured in the series of open reactors over 3-15 generations. The biomass concentration in the series of open reactors is kept constant. The surface area of the series of open reactors doubles in the downstream direction for every generation or every two generations of the cultured organism. Medium comprising waste (water) streams and optionally supplementary nutrients is added at two or more locations in the series of reactors. Backmixing of reactor contents of an open reactor towards the open reactor located directly upstream amounts to at most 5%. EXAMPLE - No examples provided.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: Adsorption storage of the mixed gas of methane and carbon dioxide is performed after separating hydrogen sulfide and water from the sewage gas. A gas of high heating value for regulating calorific value is mixed with the mixed gas during discharge of the stored mixed gas. The gas of high heating value is a natural gas and calorific value regulation is performed with a cascade system. The natural gas for calorie regulation is obtained from supply piping of a town gas.Preferred Adsorbent: The adsorbent used for adsorption storage of the mixed gas is activated carbon, zeolite, silica gel or an organometallic complex. The activated carbon used as adsorbent has a specific surface area of 800-2400 m2/g, a pore volume of 0.4-1.5 cm3/g and a pore diameter of 7-20 Angstrom. The activated carbon, zeolite, silica gel and organometallic complex are adsorbents of mixture of grain size of 0.2-3.5 mm and grain size of 1-1000 microns. EXAMPLE - A sewage gas was passed through a metallic oxide packed column, and hydrogen sulfide was absorbed and removed. Adsorption storage of a mixed gas of 65% methane and 35% carbon dioxide was performed at normal temperature and a pressure of 1 MPa using a gas holder containing filled activated carbon powder with a specific surface area of 1146 m2/g, a pore volume of 0.42 cm3/g and a pore diameter of 9 Angstrom as adsorbent. The adsorbent mixture had a grain size of 0.71-2.8 mm and a grain size of 5-500 microns. The amount of storage of mixed gas after steady state was 58 Ncm3/cm3.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred System: The amount (b) of occluded hydrogen in the first storage part at the start of hydrogen transfer, is set to bat least0.5a.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Film: The storage material has a film made of metal or an alloy. The metal or alloy is platinum, palladium or hydrogen occlusion alloy. Preferred Method: The film dissociates a hydrogen molecule to hydrogen atom, so that the hydrogen gas is stored. EXAMPLE - An iron radical board was installed in a heat chemical vapor deposition (CVD) apparatus which was made vacuum. Mixed gas of hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide, was introduced into the apparatus under 1 atmospheric pressure. The iron substrate was heated at 650degreesC using an electric furnace and graphite nano fiber crystal was formed on the substrate. The substrate with fiber was taken out from the heat CVD apparatus. The graphite nano fiber had cylindrical shaped structure (formed by laminating graphite nano crystal having cone shape) with penetration void (hollow or filled with amorphous carbon) and a metal particle, when absorbed by scanning electron microscope. 100 g of graphite nano fiber was stored in a gas container which was made vacuum. A hydrogen gas was introduced in a sealed container under pressure application and amount of hydrogen storage was calculated from the hydrogen gas flow rate. Similarly the amount of hydrogen storage was calculated on palladium film formed on the surface of graphite nano fiber by vacuum spraying method. The amount of hydrogen storage using storage material of graphite formed with film was higher than the amount of hydrogen storage using graphite without film.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - AGRICULTURE - Preferred Process: Penicillium microbe is proliferated by the aerobic-fermentation. A gas-passage unit is provided for performing aerobic-fermentation. The granular compost is subjected to solar-drying after performing an hydrolysis and mixing process.Preferred Culture Medium: The culture medium includes hen droppings, rice bran, oil cake, bone meal, fish dregs, Kanuma soil, satsuma soil and/or activated carbon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The wet or dried organic waste is collected and classified in polylactic acid bag. The classified organic waste is then mixed with alkaline solution in the polylactic acid bag, sterilized and fermented in presence of microorganism, by continuous or half-batch process.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The alkaline solution is an aqueous solution of alkaline compound chosen from ammonia hydroxide, alkaline earth metal, alkali metal of carbonic acid and alkaline earth metallic salt.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The oxygen-containing hydrocarbon comprises one, two or more hydrocarbon(s) selected from a carbonate-based compound, an ethylene glycol-based compound, and an ether-based compound. The hydrocarbon precursor has a 50% temperature per percent recovered of 40 degrees C or above and contains a fraction having a boiling point of 140-270 degrees C of 90% or more. The hydrogen is manufactured by steam reforming, using the hydrocarbon composition.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The pH value of the second part is reduced by feeding a selected acid, preferably sulfuric acid (H2SO4) to the wash-water circulation. A small side flow (9) from the wash-water circulation of the second part is led to the wash-water circulation of the first part, to prevent the crystallization of an ammonium slat, e.g. ammonium sulfate, corresponding to the acid. Excess water removed from the first part is sprayed back into the finished compost. The washing processes are set on top of each other. The process is dimensioned in such a way that the anhydrous ammonia content of the exhaust gas leaving the second process is less than 5 ppm, having been 100-1000 ppm in the exhaust gas entering the process. The first washing process cools the saturated exhaust gas of the composting processes by 5-40 degrees C, preferably by 15-30 degrees C. An outlet flow is led from the second washing process to the first washing process, the amount of the outflow being 0.1-2% of the circulation flow of the second washing process.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Oil: The oil contains 5-30 vol% of an olefin compound. The fuel oil comprises desulfurized light naphtha and/or desulfurized heavy naphtha and polymerized gasoline. The oil contains 20-30 vol% polymerized gasoline. The sulfur component concentration of the fuel oil is at most 0.5 weight ppm. The catalytic partial oxidation treatment is carried out in the presence of a ruthenium catalyst. EXAMPLE - To desulfurized light naphtha containing no olefin component, 1-hexane is added in an amount of 20 vol%. The sulfur component concentration is 0.3 weight ppm. Using a nickel absorption desulfurizing agent, desulfurizing treatment is performed at normal pressure, 120degreesC and LHSV 0.5 hr(power-1). A desulfurized oil is obtained of sulfur content of 0.1 weight ppm. Using the desulfurized oil, partial oxidation reforming treatment is carried out using a catalyst to produce hydrogen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymer: The microporous polymer is high density polyethylene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The hydrogenation method converts carbon oxide into other compounds. During hydrogenation, the carbon monoxide is removed and a gaseous fuel is manufactured. The mixed gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide, is obtained by water vapor reforming and/or partial combustion reforming of hydrocarbon group gas and alcohol. Preferred Alloy: The hydrogen occlusion alloy is rare earth group hydrogen occlusion alloy. The hydrogen occlusion alloy occludes hydrogen in the mixed gas during production of gaseous fuel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Support: The support comprises adsorbate as substrate and a substance having high enzyme activity and/or growth promotion properties.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The carrier further contains a hydrophilic thermoplastic resin and a substrate absorbent which improves enzyme activity and/or growth promotion.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Resin: The thermoplastic resin consists of hydrophilic thermoplastic resin or hydrophilic thermoplastic resin, and one or more different kinds of other thermoplastic resin. The surface of the support is uneven. Preferred Method: The thermoplastic resin is melted using a soluble particle and then the soluble particle is removed from the surface of the molded resin. The thermoplastic resin is cut preferably by hot cut or mist cut method. EXAMPLE - Hydrophilic polyurethane resin 80 weight parts were mixed with 80 weight percent ethylene oxide content, and 20 wt.pts of mixture of polytetramethylene glycol and 1,4-butanediol, and extruded. After extrusion, the resin was subjected to cutting using an aquatic cutter with revolution number of 2700 minute-1 and water temperature of 35-40degreesC to form a spherical support. The obtained support was charged into a water tank, and the surface of the support was not abraded even when it is used for two weeks, showing that the support had excellent durability. The support was immersed to an activated sludge and the microorganism was made to adsorb on its surface. Inorganic artificial waste water containing 0.0943 g of ammonium sulfate, 0.6 g of potassium dihydrogen phosphate, 0.375 g of sodium hydrogen carbonate, 10 mg of magnesium sulfate heptahydrate, 1.8 mg of calcium chloride dihydrate and 1 mg of iron ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid was treated using support at 20degreesC for 5 hours. The result showed that the adherence of microorganism on the uneven surface of the support increased.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: Fermentation is performed by mixing an aerobic fermentation microbe and coffee lees. Preferred Condition: The coffee lees are dried to 20% with the fermentation heat of 75degreesC (which is produced during fermentation of coffee lees).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Organic Compound: The organic compound consists of a chlorinated aliphatic compound, trichloroethylene, or dichloroethylene. The polluted environment consists of ground water, a waste liquid, soil and/or air. Examples of the microorganism include microorganisms belonging to Escherichia, Pseudomonas, Burkholderia, Acinetobacter, Moraxella, Alcaligenes, Vibrio, Nocardia, Bacillus, Lactobacillus, Achromobacter, Arthrobacter, Micrococcus, Mycobacterium, Methylosinus, Methylomonas, Welchia, Methylocystis, Nitrosomonas, Saccharomyces, Candida and Torulopsis.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Organic Compound: The organic compound consists of a chlorinated aliphatic compound, trichloroethylene, or dichloroethylene. The polluted environment consists of ground water, a waste liquid, soil and/or air. Examples of the microorganism include microorganisms belonging to Escherichia, Pseudomonas, Burkholderia, Acinetobacter, Moraxella, Alcaligenes, Vibrio, Nocardia, Bacillus, Lactobacillus, Achromobacter, Arthrobacter, Micrococcus, Mycobacterium, Methylosinus, Methylomonas, Welchia, Methylocystis, Nitrosomonas, Saccharomyces, Candida, Torulopsis.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The oxygen containing gas is air, or oxygen enriched with respect to atmospheric air. It contains contaminant degrading microorganisms to accelerate the biodegradation of the contaminant material to form gaseous degradation product. It is also air heated to accelerate the volatilization of vaporized degradation products and the biodegradation of the contaminant material to form gaseous degradation products.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Method: The method also includes extracting water through water extraction wells extending into a saturated zone in the matrix, heating the water, and returning the water to the saturated zone.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The feedstock may be stored in a storage chamber to pre-treat the digester feed material. Storage data are also collected from the storage chamber. The collected storage data are telemetered to a cumulative database, which is then mined for a predictive feed forward control of the system. The biogas generated within the digester may be collected with the aid of a biogas recovery system. The digester data include measured metabolic activity within the digester. The cumulative database, which is telemetered from the digester data, can be utilized to construct feedstock correlations between the metabolic activity within the digester and an analysis of the feedstock into the digester.
EXAMPLE - Groundwater from carbon tetrachloride impacted section of an aquifer was dispensed in sterile vial. Hydrogenated solid cotton seed oil beads and carbon tetrachloride were added to the vial. The vial was inoculated with 0.1% (v/v) strain KC culture grown in nutrient broth. The solid hydrogenated cotton seed oil beads supported carbon tetrachloride removal by Pseudomonas stutzeri when supplied with an electron acceptor such as nitrate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The volume reduction agent is obtained by spraying mixture of toluene and alcohol in citric acid aqueous solution containing larger amount of water. EXAMPLE - 100 cc of styrene foam volume reduction agent containing water, citric acid, toluene and isopropyl alcohol at a volume ratio of 7:1.5:0.75:0.75, was prepared and was found to dissolve styrene foam of double the volume completely in 1 minute. Styrene foam of 154 times the volume of the volume reduction agent had been dissolved completely.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The selective oxidation removal of CO is performed using catalyst which carries ruthenium and/or alkali and/or alkaline earth metal, on titania and alumina support. The hydrogen content gas is obtained by modification or partial oxidation of the hydrogen production raw material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Support: The porous support carrier contains alpha-alumina. The catalyst contains 0.1-10 weight% of ruthenium and platinum.Preferred Property: The particle diameter of ruthenium and/or platinum is 200 Angstrom or less.Preferred Relation: The weight ratio of ruthenium (Ru) to platinum (Pt) satisfy the relations: 0.7 at most(Ru/Pt) at most 9.5 and 0.1 at most (Ru/Pt) less than 0.7.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst contains monmorillonite which is activated by an acid. Monmorillonite has interlayer ions containing calcium ions.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The amount of introduction of oxidizing agent into the CO oxidation device (II) is fixed.Preferred Composition: The ratio of amount of oxidizing gas supplied to the device (I) and that of oxidizing gas supplied to device (II) is 3:1-10:1.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The mixer is filled with alumina or filled with steel wool. The mixer comprises a spiral pipe with holes, inside a container. While passing the reformed gas into the container, air is passed through the spiral pipe and introduced into the mixer through the hole.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The organic waste material of foodstuff are processed using lactobacillus which comprise lactic acid fermented foodstuff, lactobacillus culture and/or lactobacillus dried microbial cells. 105-1010 cells of lactobacillus are added per 1 kg of organic foodstuff waste material in a container under anaerobic condition. 10-100 g of saccharide are added per 1 kg of organic foodstuff waste material.Alternatively, organic foodstuff waste material is processed by adding koji microbe under aerobic conditions to form an intermediate processed material. The obtained intermediate material is processed by removing water content by metabolic fermentation and/or heating koji microbe and stabilized. The water content of the processed material is adjusted to 80% or less. The koji microbe cultivated previously is added as a starting material for processing waste material. The intermediate processed material is previously subjected to heat sterilization.Preferred Components: The saccharides comprise sucrose, lactose, glucose, fructose and invert sugar. EXAMPLE - Cabbage, apple, dried fish and cooked rice were mixed and soaked in water. Water was drained from the above material and poured into a plastic container. Yogurt (5 g) was added as a source of lactobacillus. The container was left at room temperature and the pH was measured gradually for 60 hours. 1/50 amount of sugar was added and air was interrupted for 36 hours.    An intermediate process material was obtained which was processed at 80degreesC for 30 minutes. 1/100 amount of yogurt and 1/50 amount of sugar were mixed and added to the above processed material. The mixture was treated at 25degreesC for 36 hours in anaerobic conditions and an intermediate processed material was obtained. Koji microbes were added to the above material and heated at 80degreesC for 30 minutes. A dry material was formed at a thickness of 3 cm inside the container without any bad smell.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Metal: 0.1-50 weight% (wt.%) of the metal is carried on the catalyst. Base metal components (M1) such as iridium, rhenium, nickel, molybdenum, tungsten, vanadium, osmium, chromium, cobalt and/or iron and additional metals (M2) such as platinum, palladium and/or ruthenium are carried on the catalyst with atomic ratio (M2/M1) of 0.001-10.Preferred Support: The support which carries metal is porous support(s) of activated carbon, carbon nanotube, molecular sieve and/or zeolite, or silica gel and/or alumina.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Aromatic Compound: The aromatic compound is benzene, toluene, xylene, mesitylene, naphthalene, methylnaphthalene, anthracene, biphenyl, aromatic hydrocarbon compound which contains phenanthrene and/or compound containing alkyl derivative.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred System: The system has raw material and product storage part (1) which stores the hydrogen storage unit (S1) and hydrogen supply unit (S2), reaction container (2) which stores metal supported catalyst, and raw material and product feed zone (3) which supplies the raw material and product into the reaction container. A gas separation part (4) which separates gas in reaction container and recovery part (5) for recovering the separated hydrogen storage unit and hydrogen supply unit from raw material and product storage tank, are comprised. A hydrogen feed zone (6) which supplies hydrogen to the reaction container, is comprised. The hydrogen storage unit is hydrogenated by hydrogen obtained from electrolyzer water. The hydrogenation of hydrogen storage unit or dehydrogenation of hydrogen supply unit is performed at 50-500 degreesC and at pressure of 0.1-50 atmospheric pressure.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Apparatus: The lid comprises a layer of Styropor (RTM) sandwiched between a bottom layer of concrete and a top layer of plaster and has a predetermined region that is perforated with 2-10 holes and is covered with a sheet of elastic material, especially rubber, which is fixed to the surrounding portion of the lid. The stirrer port and opening(s) for introducing and withdrawing biomass are located outside the predetermined region. The apparatus includes a biogas outlet pipe extending from one of the holes in the predetermined area to a hole in the side of the tank.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The reclaimed goods constitute waste plastic and foodstuff containing containers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Apparatus: The monitoring reactor has an anaerobic treatment part (4) supporting anaerobic microbes in the reactor, in the form of a vertical cylinder. The waste water from the branch line is introduced to the bottom of the cylindrical part. The anaerobic treatment part comprises support sheets (6) comprising bundles of tabular magnet (5) containing a magnetic powder, separated with spaces in between. The anaerobic microorganism is made to adsorb on the support sheets. An exhaust valve (10) is opened when the internal pressure of a storage part (9) in the reactor, is greater than a fixed pressure. A counter (11) measures the number of opening-closing of the exhaust valve. A substrate feed zone (15) supplies anaerobic microbial growth substrate solution to the reactor through the branch line. The branch line is equipped with a heater (18) for heating the waste liquid to predetermined temperature before introducing it into the reactor. A dilution line mixes a part of the treated water from the treatment installation (P) to the branch line and dilutes the waste water in the branch line.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Details: Enough strong base or a precursor to a strong base derived from powdered and/or mechanically mashed calcium and/or potassium and/or sodium is added to the mixture and the mixture is left to rest for long enough to start an exothermic acid- base chemical reaction and complete dehydration of the mixture. The waste is domestic waste with metallic components removed, or liquid organic waste. The precursor to the strong base is powdered potassium oxide. At the start of the reaction at least one reactant or liquid catalyst is added, in particular a catalyst based on octophenol to keep the oils and essences contained in the waste in emulsion, and/or a reactant based on ferric sulfate to destroy germs and parasites and/or aluminum chloride to deodorize. The gases from the reaction are washed and the resulting aqueous solution is reintroduced into the mixture at the beginning and/or during the dehydration reaction to limit and/or complete the supply of the precursor of the strong base. At least one powdered solid catalyst is introduced during or at the end of the reaction to coagulate the latex present in the waste and/or inhibit corrosion of the reactor walls. To let the mixture rest in the presence of air it is moved to a large vessel (24) which gives it a large surface area in contact with the air. The resulting mixture is graded to obtain a grain size less than or equal to 5mm. The process operates continuously.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Method: The method further comprises melting the mixture before the heating step at a temperature lower than the temperature for the thermal decomposition by 50-100degreesC, and blowing an oxygen or a gas including an oxygen into the plastic in a melted liquid state. The gas component generated is cooled and liquefied to recover the gas component as fuel oil. A natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, or another organic macromolecule is used as a material other than the plastic.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: An agent for accelerating an oxidization comprising a metal salt naphthenate, a metal salt fatty acid, or other metal salt organic acid is added during the decomposing step. The unsaturated fatty acid oil is added by 5-100 wt.% with respect to the material plastic. It has an iodine value of more than 80.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The diluted slurry is produced in a separate stage which takes place right before the sieving or during sieving. The dilution into a slurry already takes place during a pre-treatment, e.g., during an aerobic fermentation or hydrolysis when the dry substance content is low. Non-ferrous metals are removed by a separator working on the basis of rotational flows. The waste is sieved which has been diluted into a slurry with a dry substance content of less than 10%. The slurry is oxidized, e.g., aerated after removal of the ferrous metals (8). The sand fraction is dewatered after the separation in the sand separator. The slurry is first sieved with a sieving device which lets particles through of which at least direction smaller than 5 mm, and preferably at least two dimensions smaller than 5 mm. The fibrous fraction is removed by sieving using sieving device with openings which can let particles through with dimension in at least one direction, and preferably in at least two standing directions smaller than 1 mm. It is further separated in pure fibers and other substances by sieving device whose dimension in one direction, and preferably in at least two standing directions smaller that 500 microm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The high temperature catalyst is platinum catalyst or ruthenium catalyst with a high activity at operating temperature of 150 degrees C or more. The low temperature catalyst is platinum/mordenite with high activity at low temperatures, especially normal temperature to 150 degrees C.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The low temperature catalyst at the downstream side chamber treats relatively a small amount of hot gas, such as the quantity necessary for starting a fuel cell and operates at normal temperature to 150 degrees C. The high temperature side catalyst treats a large amount of hot gas such as the quantity required at the time of normal operation of fuel cell, at high temperatures greater than 150 degrees C. During the selective oxidation, the high temperature catalyst reduces the carbon monoxide concentration in the hot gas to a level suitable for subsequent oxidation in the low temperature catalyst. The low temperature catalyst reduces the carbon monoxide concentration to that suitable for fuel cell operation.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Apparatus: The pore size of fine hole of molecular sieve charcoal, is 3.5-4 Angstrom. The installation comprises several adsorbers which are provided in parallel for performing refining and regeneration processes. The front stage of adsorber is equipped with desulfurizer (12). The adsorber filled with dehumidification agent (19) is provided in front of molecular sieve charcoal. The adsorber removes sulfide and moisture content in digestive gas. A part of purified methane from adsorber is circulated and mixed with digestive gas.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The reactor is a bubble column with a diameter of more than 2 m.The superficial gas velocity (Ug) is less than 35 cm/sec and Pel is 0.005-8.The catalyst comprises a Group VIII metal (especially cobalt) on a support, preferably comprising alumina, silica, titanium dioxide, zirconia and/or rare earth metal oxides.The reaction is effected at 160-350 degreesC and 0.1-10 MPa with an H2/CO molar ratio of 0.5-3. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Process: The process includes a preliminary stage for the formation of the CL. The signal is obtained using a time-modulated monochromatic light source (specifically a laser) and a microphone as a detector. Preferably laser light is modulated in frequency and/or amplitude, especially by pulsing or chopping. A microphone is used over each region; preferably one microphone is used over more than one region, especially over the whole substrate. The CL formation, reaction and analysis stages are carried out in parallel and/or sequentially, especially in parallel. The substrate is a tube bundle reactor or heat exchanger and the regions are channels (preferably tubes); or the substrate is a unitary block having channel regions. The IE are heterogeneous catalysts or their precursors, preferably complete contact or supported catalysts (or their precursors), in the form of a heap, coating on a tube wall or coating on an auxiliary carrier. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - AGRICULTURE - Preferred Composition: The aquacidal concentration comprises at least 1 wt.%. The contact time with the organism is 1-96 (preferably 2-48) hours. ACTIVITY - Pesticide; antibacterial; pesticide; fungicide; virucide.    The effectiveness and toxicity levels of the compounds of the invention were evaluated using active plant and animal species, where 2-methyl-5-hydroxy-1,4-napthoquinone was toxic to T.isochrysis galbana (at 50 ppb), Neochloris (500 ppm), Zebra larvae (200 ppb), E.affinis (5 ppm less than 10 min), Artemia salina (5 ppm), Fish eggs (kills and hatch prevention at 1 ppm).    MECHANISM OF ACTION - None given.    ADMINISTRATION - Delivered as a water treatment or as a protective surface coating. The aquacidal concentration is 0.1-500 (preferably 1-200) ppm. The coating concentration is 100-500 ppm. The contact time is 2-48 hours.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: A feeder (6) to transfer primary carbide before activation, is provided to a discharge pipe (5). The water vapor feed pipe supplies water to the space between quartz glass board which covers the top of the feeder and the primary carbide material. The heater is provided in the upper part of the quartz glass board.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The fire-proof inorganic oxide support is titania, alumina, silica and/or zirconia. The alkali metal is potassium, cesium, rubidium, sodium and/or lithium. The alkaline earth metal is barium, calcium, magnesium and/or strontium. The gas containing hydrogen is used for fuel cells.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The device includes series of parallel tubes (24) having open ends for conducting a second process gas. The tubes do not communicate with the horizontal and vertical passages. Adjacent tubes are longitudinally connected to form a sheet (44). The horizontal passages are defined between adjacent sheets.Preferred Configuration: The tubes have a circular, octagonal or hexagonal cross-section.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Components: The tubes and the connection between adjacent tubes comprise a cathode material. An electrolyte layer is applied to an exterior surface of the tubes. An anode layer is applied on the electrolyte. An interconnect strip is applied to tube's longitudinal surface.Preferred Parameters: The thickness of the anode layer increases while that of the cathode material decreases in the direction of current flow through the sheet stack.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The agricultural waste is dried before introducing into the reactor. The waste is mixed with (i) less than 50 wt.% water or (ii) hydrogen gas and 50-80 wt.% water which may be supercritical water as hydrogen donor for the waste. An iron-sulfide based disproportionality catalyst (1-2 wt.%) may be employed. The process is performed at 350-400 degrees C and 15-150 psia.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - AGRICULTURE - Preferred Organic Fertilizer Production: Steam discharged from the organic waste is condensed with cooling water outside the chamber (3) for use as supplementary coolant in the circulation route, which is deodorized within the route.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: A condenser (6) is provided to liquefy the steam by heat-exchange prior to supplying to the cooled water to the circulation route as coolant, particularly by condensing the steam through the flow-path (13) with coolant from flow-path (14) with a water-driven vacuum pump (4) to move the circulation flow.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Microbe: A microbe tolerant to the subject material (e.g. sea water) is obtained during the microbial cultivation. EXAMPLE - An apparatus was assembled as specified for producing organic fertilizers, e.g. by decomposing pig-sty waste with Shimose 1 (FERM BP-7504).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Device: The fuel processor further includes a filter assembly (60); a purification region; an air delivery system; and a combustion chamber with a heating assembly. The fuel processor, a hydrogen-consuming device, fuel cell stack, energy-consuming device(s) are integrated together.Preferred Component: The hydrogen-producing region includes a reforming region (32) with reforming catalyst bed(s). Each reforming region forms a separate modular component that can be removed and replaced as a unit from the fuel processor relative to the rest of the reforming region. The separation region (38) and the modular component comprise hydrogen-selective membrane(s). The modular component includes a filter assembly comprising filter element(s); and a purification region comprising a methanation catalyst bed or a reforming catalyst bed. The energy-consuming device comprises a heater, a motor vehicle, an appliance, a lighting assembly, communications equipment, signaling equipment, sea craft, or a dwelling.Preferred Function: The filter assembly removes particulate from the mixed gas stream. The purification region receives the hydrogen-rich stream and reduces the concentration of selected components of the hydrogen-rich stream to form a product hydrogen stream. The air delivery system delivers an air stream to the fuel processor or the heating assembly. The combustion chamber and the air delivery system selectively delivers the air stream to the combustion chamber to regulate the temperature of the combustion chamber. The separation region separates the mixed gas stream into the hydrogen-rich stream and the byproduct stream via a pressure-driven separation process. The hydrogen consuming device receives at least a portion of the product hydrogen stream from the fuel processor. The fuel cell stack receives at least a portion of the product hydrogen stream from the fuel processor and to produce an electric current.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The hydrogen production step comprises a reforming step, a carbon monoxide shift reaction step, and a carbon monoxide selective oxidation step, respectively.During (VI), (II) is brought into counterflow contact with (VII) to enrich the concentration of methane, after which, the method further comprises a heat exchange step for heating (VII). This is achieved using waste heat generated when producing (IV), and/or the fuel cell power generating step. A further step is also included to regenerate (VII) by contacting the solution with the heat exchange step or a combustion exchange gas discharged from the hydrogen producing step. (VI) further comprises the step of bringing the gas after absorption into counterflow contact with water to eliminate any droplets of (VII) carried over in the gas. A controller for regulating the concentration of methane in the gas after (VI), to a certain value. Furthermore, a bio-desulfurization step is provided to biodegrade hydrogen sulfide contained in the off-gas produced from the regeneration step. A desulfurization step is also included where (II) is brought into counterflow contact with a desulfurizing solution containing an alkali chemical and a water-soluble oxidizing agent to oxidizing agent to absorb and oxidatively decompose hydrogen sulfide, which is then supplied to (VI). Preferred Temperature: The temperature of (VII) prior to the regeneration step is 2 degrees Centigrade (or less) to 10 degrees Centigrade lower than that of the stack cooling water in the fuel cell power regeneration step. The temperature of (VII) is 10 - 35 degrees Centigrade lower than (VII) prior to regeneration. The temperature of (VII) is higher than that of (I) by at least 2 degrees Centigrade.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - (V) comprises a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, or a phosphoric acid fuel cell. EXAMPLE - No suitable example was provided.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The organic compounds are DMO, EG, formic acid ester of EG, ethylene oxalate, and poly(ethylene oxalate). They can also be mixed with known fuels, preferably with methanol.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The cathode comprises an oxygen reduction catalyst and a fuel oxidation catalyst in a ratio of 1-50%, preferably 5-20%, (w/w). A thin hydrophobic porous matrix is placed in the anode compartment or in the fuel tank to release the carbon dioxide produced during the operation of the fuel cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The fuel oxidation catalyst is platinum-ruthenium, platinum-tin, platinum-ruthenium-tin, platinum-silver-ruthenium, and/or platinum-osmium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The fuel cell system uses an electrochemical reaction for providing electrical energy, e.g. for an automobile propulsion drive.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The fuel cell system uses an electrochemical reaction for providing electrical energy, e.g. for an automobile propulsion drive.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred System: The gas separation is cooled by a cooling coil linked to a refrigeration system including a chiller/heater which burns the methane gas.The heated methane gas is supplied to a digester system.Preferred Liquid: The liquid is water.Preferred Process: The cooling temperature is less than 5 degreesC.Preferred Other Gases: The other gaseous components are hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The removed gases are hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide.    EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The anode side is in fluid connection to a fuel supply system comprising a reformer and a fuel gas supply line. A hydrogen storage device comprising a pressure vessel is in fluid connection with the cathode side or the fuel inlet.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The membrane electrode assembly comprises a sulfonated fluorocarbon polymer sandwiched on either side by a platinum based catalyst layer. It comprises a proton exchange membrane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred System: A heat exchanger (9) is arranged between storage tank (8) and catalytic reactor. Heat exchange of hydrogenated aromatic compound, and of dehydrogenated product are performed in the heat exchanger. Hydrogen is supplied to the catalytic reactor through a valve and reverse reaction of dehydrogenation is increased by supplying hydrogen from this valve.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The dehydrogenation catalyst is chosen from platinum, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, iridium, nickel, cobalt, rhenium, vanadium, tungsten and molybdenum. The system comprises a catalyst support chosen from activated carbon, zeolite, titania, carbon nano tube, molecular sieve carbon, zirconia, mesoporous silica materials e.g FSM-16 MCM-41, alumina and silica. The hydrogen separator is silver-palladium film, zeolite film or porous silica glass film. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The hydrogenated aromatic compound is tricyclic, bicyclic or monocyclic components such as cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, dimethyl cyclohexane, 1,3,5-trimethyl cyclohexane, decalin, methyl decalin or tetra deca hydroanthracene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Reactor: The second feeding ducts lead into a mixing chamber (3) where mixing of the oxidizing gas flow with the second flow of fuel gas takes place. The mixing chamber directly outflows into the main combustion chamber. The first feeding ducts comprise two axial ducts leading into the pre-combustion chamber. The mixing chamber surrounds the second chamber coaxially. The main combustion and pre-combustion chambers are cylindrical in shape and are coaxially arranged one after the other.Preferred Gas: The fuel gas is a natural gas or methane.Preferred Composition: The reducing composition is used for the reduction of iron ores.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuels: The first group of fuels comprises hydrocarbons, especially higher alcohols, petrol, diesel, LPG and NG, excepting methanol and dimethyl ether. The second group comprises: methanol and dimethyl ether.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The promoter is molybdenum (Mo) or Mo with A (where A is manganese, zinc, nickel, tin, iron, cobalt, titanium, zirconium, bismuth, aluminum, copper, and antimony). The binder is silicon dioxide.Preferred Composition: The ratio of molybdenum to vanadium on the surface (Mo/Va surface) of the catalyst to molybdenum to vanadium in the overall bulk (Mo/Va overall) of the catalyst is: Mo/V surface at least 1.10 Mo/V overall. Mo with A is in amounts of formula (Mo1-xAx)yD.x = 0-1 (preferably 0-0.75);y = 0.001-0.4 (preferably 0.01-0.05);D = vanadium, vanadium phosphorus oxide catalyst optionally with a binder. EXAMPLE - Bismuth trichloride (1.3104 g) was mixed with molybdenum (V) chloride (1.135 g) and dissolved in ethanol (35 ml). The mixture was added with Calsicat, E79517-119-1 (RTM: vanadium hydrogen precursor) (70 g), and dried under vacuum at 120degreesC for 5 hours. The catalyst (Sample A) (20 g) was subjected to calcination/activation steps in a fluidized bed at: 25-390 degreesC in air, 390 degreesC for 1 hour in air, 390-460 degreesC for 20 minutes in 1.5% butane/air, 460 degreesC for 18 hours in 1.5% butane/air, 460-420 degreesC in 1.5% butane/air, 420-360 degreesC in 1.5% butane/air, and 360-25 degreesC in nitrogen. A comparative sample (B) using the same starting precursor (100 g) was prepared by adding ethanol (10 ml) to the precursor. It was subjected to the same activation steps. The samples were tested on a microreactor in 2% butane/air at 380 degreesC. The first order rate constant (k) for the disappearance of butane was 1.12 / sec for sample A and 0.59/sec for Sample B. The selectivity at 40 % conversion of butane was 87 for Sample A and 81 for Sample B.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Gas: The reactant gas stream comprises a fuel gas.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Liquid: The humidifying liquid stream is water.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Method: The reactant gas stream is humidified by transporting water through a preparation membrane (410) (e.g., reverse osmosis membrane or dialysis membrane), which prevents contaminants (e.g., metal ions) in the water from passing into the reactant gas stream. During humidification, contaminants (e.g., nitrogen oxide and sulfur oxide compounds) are removed from the reactant gas stream. A second reactant gas stream (500) comprising an oxidant gas may further be humidified with the humidifying liquid stream (800) using a preparation membrane (310). Preferred Parameter: The reactant gas stream has a pressure that is 15% of the humidification liquid stream.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The cooling and fractionation of the feed gas mixture is performed in a dephlegmator.The portion of the refrigeration required in (a) and (b) is provided by indirect heat exchange with the light overhead gas stream and a warmed light overhead gas stream from (b), respectively. It may be provided by partially vaporizing the liquid product stream of (b).The warmed gas resulting from (a) and (b) is compressed, cooled, and work expanded to provide the cold refrigerant stream of (c).A portion of the refrigeration required for cooling the resulting compressed refrigerant gas is provided by partially vaporizing the liquid product stream of (c).The cooled refrigerant gas is further cooled and work expanded to provide a partially warmed refrigerant gas.A second portion of the cooled refrigerant gas is work expanded and combined with the partially warmed refrigerant gas.The resulting combined refrigerant gas is utilized to provide a portion of the refrigerant required to cool the feed gas mixture in (a) to provide the warmed refrigerant gas during the compression step.The liquid product steam of (b) is introduced in a stripping column.Bottom streams are withdrawn having ethane, ethylene, propane, or propylene and an overhead stream enriched in hydrogen.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The refrigerant gas is nitrogen and/or methane, or air.The feed gas mixture further comprises lower-boiling components of methane, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, or nitrogen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The exhaust port side of rotary kiln is inclined to an arbitrary angle upwards within heating furnace.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: Alternately, pH of the waste liquid is adjusted such that the molar concentration of the amino polycarboxylic acid is larger than the concentration of metal in the diluted solution.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Reactor: (I) has inlets at the upper side and an outlet valve on the lower side. The conical tank has at least one transportation screws attached to rotatable mechanical arms at the upper side of the conical vessel. The conical tank is provided with a substantially spherical lid, and spherical valves.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Gas: The residual gas to be removed is isobutane (which is preferably reclaimed), pentane or propane.Preferred Method: The material is subjected to a vacuum (preferably at 28inHg) for up to 20 minutes (preferably 10-20 minutes) and the volatile gas is reduced by up to 60% or more.Preferred Embodiment: A method of accelerating diffusion of isobutane gas from a foamed extruded product comprises extruding a thermoplastic material with isobutane gas (to produce a foam), placing the material in a vacuum chamber, subjecting it to a vacuum and drawing the gas from the vacuum chamber. This process is carried out at ambient temperature (or alternatively above ambient temperatures), for 10-20 minutes and at a vacuum level of 28inHg. The drawn isobutane gas is reclaimed (preferably then oxidized to heat a room). After reducing the isobutane gas content, the material is withdrawn from the vacuum chamber and stored for 48 hours prior to shipping.Preferred Apparatus: The apparatus has a means for adjusting the level of vacuum and further includes a conveyor belt for transporting the material to and from the vacuum chamber. the apparatus preferably accommodates four pallets of foamed thermoplastic material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The polymer is a polyurethane (PU), polyacrylate, styrene/butadiene copolymer, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer and/or acrylic/methacrylic acid copolymer (claimed).Preferred Condition: The minimal film-forming temperature is below 100, preferably below 50 degreesC.Preferred Composition: The polymer is present at 40-60 wt.% (claimed). SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The propellant gas is propane, butane, isobutane, dimethylether, CO2 and N2O. The foam stabilizer is preferably betaine.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: A precursor mixture containing a copper compound and a zinc compound is baked such that the copper and zinc compounds are converted to their oxides. An oxide of magnesium, silicon, cerium and/or gallium is added to the mixture and baked, to obtain the catalyst. A slurry-like mixture or a dry powder mixture is obtained from the precursor mixture containing copper and zinc compounds by coprecipitation. The precursor mixture containing copper and zinc compounds coexists with a boron compound, and the mixture is a copper inorganic acid salt aqueous solution and a copper alkali precipitation agent. Hydrogen is manufactured using zinc oxide and carbon dioxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The organic compound is chlorinated aliphatic compound such as trichloroethylene or dichloroethylene. Preferred Method: The organic compound is contacted with the microorganism contained in the carrier. The liquid is introduced from one end of the container which contains the carrier containing microorganism and allowed to contact the microorganism. Then, the purified liquid is recovered from the other end. The liquid containing microorganism is introduced from the injection well, into a container containing soil. The microorganism having decomposition ability of organic compound is rearranged with a degradation enzyme gene of organic compound. The degradation enzyme is catalase gene derived from transform body which make K-12 strain of Escherichia coli as host. SPECIFIC MICROORGANISMS - The microorganism having organic compound decomposing ability is Burkholderia cepacia KK01 (FERM BP-4235) strain or JMI(FERM BP-5352) strain.    EXAMPLE - The JMI FERM BP 5352 strain was inoculated to co-express catalase gene having dichloroethylene (DCE) decomposition activity. Cis-1,2-dichloroethylene and trans-1,2-dichloroethylene were mixed to microbial suspension of JMI strain catalase gene. The container was tightly plugged and sealed and incubated at 30degreesC. The concentration of DCE was measured by gas chromatography. The result showed that the co-expressed catalase gene of microorganism had increased decomposition efficiency against DCE for long period of time.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: HC optionally mixed with water is uniformly flown through the gap between the tubes. Air or oxygen is homogeneously jetted from the interior to the exterior of the tubes, in perpendicular or orthogonal direction to the HC stream. The stream is then ignited to form a diffusion flame layer on the outer surface of the tubes.The HC gas is replaced with a synthetic gas obtained by pyrolysis of waste plastic.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: A non-porous tube (7) is provided surrounding the periphery of the porous tubes in concentric fashion.A distributor (8) is provided at the inlet side of the column. A gas cooling portion directly connected to the column, rapidly cools the pyrolyzed gas.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred System: A control system is for measuring the reforming exit temperature, increasing or decreasing a first flow rate of the first air stream to achieve the reforming exit temperature at 500-700degreesC, measuring the flue gas temperature, and increasing or decreasing a second flow rate of the second air stream to heat the flue gas to a temperature of 500-800degreesC (500-700degreesC). Pre-reforming temperature is 300-700degreesC. EXAMPLE - A simulated system converted a natural gas stream at ambient temperature into electric power using a PEM fuel cell. The anode waste stream withdrawn from the fuel cell was the only source of fuel to heat the pre-reforming zone. The fuel processor was designed to produce 130 NL/mn hydrogen to be converted to 10 kW electricity from a fuel cell using 70% of the hydrogen per pass. Within the system, the exit temperature of the combined partial oxidation/reforming zone was maintained at 650degreesC and the temperature of the flue gas leaving the burner zone was maintained at 650degreesC by controlling the rate of the first and second air streams passed to the partial oxidation/reforming zone and the burner zone, respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Condition: The amount of oxygen-containing gas increases near the carbonized product inlet compared to the oxygen gas supply port.Preferred Method: The oxygen containing gas supply amount is based on multiple height measurements performed on the surface of the carbonized product deposit in the tower.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Environmental hazards are reduced by the ability to treat carbon monoxide and unburnt hydrocarbon in waste gas.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Concentration: The concentration of water in (A) exceeds 5000, preferably 300, ppm. The concentration of methane in (A) exceeds 1000, preferably 300, ppm.Preferred Components: The components include water, methane and carbon monoxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - COMPUTING AND CONTROL - Preferred System: The control system includes at least one sensor to measure the concentration of components of the product hydrogen stream, and a controller in communication with the sensor to compare the concentrations with one or more threshold values. The threshold values are stored in a memory component of the control system. The controller further actuate the isolation assembly if the measured concentration of carbon monoxide exceeds 1, preferably 50, ppm. The isolation assembly includes at least one isolation valve to prevent flow of (A) to the fuel cell stack by diverting (A) to form a waste stream. The fuel processing assembly produce the product stream via at least one of steam reforming, electrolysis, pyrolysis, partial oxidation and autothermal reforming. The separation assembly includes a hydrogen-selective membrane, an absorbent bed and a catalytic reactor. The fuel processing system further includes a purification region to reduce the concentration of impurities in (A). The purification region includes a polishing catalyst bed and a reforming catalyst bed.Preferred Method: The method includes automatically shutting down the fuel processor if the measured concentration exceeds the determined threshold value. The method further includes automatically actuating the response system if the measured concentration exceeds the determined threshold value. The response system includes a user-notification device.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The refrigerant composition comprises 45-55 wt.% (preferably, 50 wt.%) of R-22, 35-45 wt.% (preferably, 39 wt.%) of R-124, 5-15 wt.% (preferably, 9.5 wt.%) of R-142b and 1-2 wt.% (preferably, 1.5 wt.%) of R-600a. EXAMPLE - Two pieces of identical freezer equipment, each equipped with a top mounted condensing unit were used, to evaluate the actual operation of refrigeration equipment. The operation temperature of the units was 0degreesF. Unit (II) was charged with 50 weight% (wt.%) of chlorodifluoromethane, 40 wt.% of 1-chloro-1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethane and 10 wt.% of 1-chloro-1,1-trifluoroethane. Unit (I) was also charged with the same composition similar to the composition charged in unit (II) but including 2 wt.% isobutane. Compressor dome temperature, interior freezer temperature, compressor amperage and operating pressure were recorded at 6 hour intervals. At the completion of test, the compressors were opened and examined for wear and damage. When the compressors were opened, the unit (I) was clean with no apparent wear caused by lack of lubrication. The unit (II) contained less than 1 ounce of oil. The piston walls were scarred and black, and pistons showed signs of lack of lubrication. The evaporators of both units were removed, the oil was removed from them. The evaporator of unit (I) had one-and-half ounces of oil in it, and evaporator of unit (II) had 7 ounces of oil in it, indicating that a large portion of oil had separated from the refrigerant in the evaporator and did not travel further through the system with the refrigerant. It was apparent from this test that the addition of small amount of isobutane increased oil miscibility enough to return oil to the compressor in unit (I) for lubrication, and unit (II) without the added hydrocarbon refrigerant failed because of lack of lubrication.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Hydrocarbon: The raw hydrocarbon is paraffin oil, naphtha and/or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Cell System: The gas containing hydrogen from steam reforming part is contacted with water vapor modification catalyst and heated. The high purity hydrogen is separated by absorption separation and/or inorganic hydrogen separation membrane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: A phototrophic bacteria is added along with Lactobacillus to the processed blood, which is subjected to irradiated light. EXAMPLE - The waste blood from chicken was extracted from chicken meat processing factory. The blood was heated for 3 hours at 60 degrees Centigrade and cooled to 40 degrees Centigrade or less. Lactobacillus acidophilus was seeded for 6 days at 40 degrees Centigrade and added to the processed blood. The above fermented liquid was centrifuged and the solid substance was improved. The supernatant liquid was oven-dried and equivalent weight ratio of zeolite was added. Zeolite adsorbate (26 mg of iron chain compound with respect to 1 kg of zeolite) was obtained.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: A precursor mixture containing a copper compound and a zinc compound is baked such that the copper and zinc compounds are converted to their oxides. Another precursor containing zirconium oxide is added to the mixture and baked, to obtain the catalyst. A slurry-like mixture or a dry powder mixture is obtained from the precursor mixture containing copper and zinc compounds, by coprecipitation. The precursor mixture containing copper and zinc compounds coexists with a boron compound, and the mixture is a copper inorganic acid salt aqueous solution and a copper alkali precipitation agent. Hydrogen is manufactured using zinc oxide and carbon dioxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The catalyst is formed by baking a precursor mixture (formed by coprecipitation) comprising copper, zinc and aluminum compounds and converting into their respective oxides. The palladium and/or platinum component is obtained by baking a catalyst precursor comprising platinum and/or palladium and converting into their respective oxides.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The equipment has three or more injection parts (41A). One injection part (42A) injects gas or the liquid in a swirling manner only to the liquid fuel raw material injected from both ends of the other injection part (41A).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Resin: The thermosetting resin is resol type phenol resin. Acrylonitrile butadiene rubber is cross-linked or carboxy modified acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, having total acrylonitrile content of 30-45 mol%. EXAMPLE - (In weight%) Phenol resin (18), graphite (having mean particle diameter of 100 mum and specific surface area of 0.6 m2/g) (75), carboxy modified acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (5) PNC-38 and dimethyl ether type resol phenol resin (2) were mixed in Henschel mixer. The ground composition was then kneaded into pellets at 80degreesC and molding material was obtained. The molding material was compression molded, at die temperature of 170degreesC and pressure of 200 kg/cm2, thrice for 3 minutes and molded product was manufactured. The molded product was found to have volume resistivity of 20 mOMEGA.cm, bending strength of 75 MPa, fluidity of 40 g and curvature of 0.8 mm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The apparatus has mixed unit of inlet (I1) for introducing water and inlet (I2) for introducing hydrocarbon liquid gas. A cooling unit connecting I1 and injector, for cooling arc reaction chamber and electrode holder is provided. A flow rate adjustment unit is provided in I2, and between injector and mixed unit. A steam generation unit arranged by the electrode holder is connected with cooling unit. A micro arc forming material equipped with high melting point granule is filled inside arc reaction chamber equipped with three phase alternate current electrode. The micro arc is performed on crack between the granules. The electrical supply unit is three phase alternator. The apparatus has front cover fixed to housing, and rapid cooling unit covering the front cover. A ground electrode is arranged by the edge portion of arc reaction chamber, and arc is generated between the electrode and ground electrode.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Granule: The granule comprises 1:1.5-1.5:1 of conductive granule and non-conductive granule. The granule is obtained from high melting point solid shaped catalyst of titanium oxide group catalyst, iron oxide group catalyst or silicon oxide group catalyst. The non-conductive granule is obtained from silicon oxide group catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The substrate of the plate is a metal selected from titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zirconium, niobium, silver, platinum, tantalum, lead, aluminum or alloys of these. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The electrocatalytically active material further comprises in addition to ruthenium oxide, at least one of platinum oxide, antimony trioxide, tantalum pentoxide, palladium oxide, cerium dioxide, cobalt oxide, titania, tin dioxide and iridium dioxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: A preset amount of timber chips is added during moisture content control of inflammable waste materials such as waste organic refuse from houses or food processing works, and wastes from stock breeding material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: 0.5-4 times more of oxygen with respect to CO is contained in hydrogen containing gas. The hydrogen containing gas is contacted with the catalyst at 20-120 degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The oxygen removal catalyst is provided on a support and it comprises platinum, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, manganese, vanadium, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, ruthenium, rhodium, iridium, silver, gold and/or palladium. The support consists of alumina, titania, zirconia, silica and/or carbon. Preferably, selective oxidation removal of carbon monoxide is performed using a catalyst containing ruthenium or alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal, on a support containing titania and alumina. The hydrogen containing gas is obtained by reforming or performing partial oxidation of raw material for hydrogen production.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The heating tube is of U-tube form and has hollow double layered structure consisting of long and slender test tube type inner and outer cylinder. The header is connected to pressure unit, so that interior pressure of ceramic pipe is made lower than external pressure of ceramic pipe. Pressure unit comprises carbon dioxide liquefier.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred composition: The pulverized raw material is a metal, preferably iron. The binder comprises a biologically decomposable material, preferably plastic, especially polyesteramide which is decomposable in the presence of live culture, such as microorganisms in compost or fermenting mud. The binder comprises up to 60, preferably 20 % for the mold body, which has a density of 5 - 10 g/m3.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Device: The individual detectors pyroelectrical detectors. The concentration of methane can be detected. The transmission of the infrared filters (8, 10) is 3.2-3.4 microns, and the transmission of the infrared filters (9, 11) is 3.8-4.0 microns.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preparation: Preparation comprises treating and drying (a) nitrate of ruthenium on the carrier and/or (b) an alkaline earth metal compound, sintering and reducing. The inorganic oxide carrier is alumina or alumina-titania mixture which has a fine pore radius of 100 Angstrom or lower. The alumina has a maximum fine pore radius distribution at 60 Angstrom or lower. The method is applied in fuel battery gas containing hydrogen. EXAMPLE - 2cc Ru nitrate solution having a Ru content of 50 g/l was added water based on the water absorption of alumina carrier. 10 g gamma-alumina powder having a max fine pore distribution at radius of 19 Angstrom was impregnated in the above solution and dried at 120 degrees C for 2 hours. The amount of Ru carried was 1.0 wt.%. 1 cc of the catalyst was filled in a micro-reactor to treat a gas mixture containing 0.6(all vol.)% CO, 0.6% O2, 2.4% N2, 15 % CO2, 20% H2O, and 61.4% H2. The concentration of CO at the exit was 1 ppm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The heat exchanger fluid conduit includes tubes which are connected to a coolant source. The tubes which closest to the coolant source are the coldest tubes, and are positioned closest to the fuel inlet manifold. The assembly further includes an external selective oxidizer bed residing outside the fuel inlet manifold. It also has an output plenum which is connected to the internal selective oxidizer bed. It also includes a selective oxidation catalyst and a heat exchanger fluid conduit routed through the catalyst. Another temperature sensor is provided in the external selective oxidizer bed in connection to the heat exchange fluid conduit.Preferred Catalyst: The selective oxidation catalyst is catalyzed open cell foam or catalyzed heat exchanger fins.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: During conversion of the C2+ components to methane and CO2, reactions represented by the equations, (a) CnH2n+2 + n H2O = n CO + (2n+1) H2 (where n = integer, at least 3); (b) 5 CO + 15 H2 = 5 CH4 + H2O; and (c) CO + H2O = CO2 + H2, take place in the pre-reformer. The synthesis gas in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis unit is converted into a heavy FT product stream, a light FT product stream, and a tail gas. The heavy FT product stream is delivered to a hydrocarbon product upgrading unit to modify the heavy FT product stream. The tail gas is delivered to a CO2 scrubber to remove the CO2 for utilization in the pre-reformer. At least a portion of the tail gas (having less than 200 degrees F boiling point) is removed and recycled back to the pre-reformer. The light hydrocarbons generated in the upgrading step maybe delivered back into the pre-reformer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The commercial grade chemical is ammonia, methanol, or dimethyl ether.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The synthesis gas is divided into two portions.The first portion of the synthesis gas stream is introduced to a shift reactor, in which the portion is reacted with water to produce a shifted gas stream having an increased ratio of hydrogen to CO.The shifted gas stream is mixed with the second portion of the synthesis gas stream, to produce a synthesis gas stream having a desired ratio of hydrogen to CO suitable for the synthesis of methanol, or methanol and dimethyl ether.The heterogeneous waste is compressed into a fraction of its original volume prior to the pyrolysis step. Pyrolysis is conducted in a gasifier, in which an excess carbon inventory is maintained in the gasifier during the pyrolysis step.The commercial grade chemical is recovered from a distillation column that separates the chemical from water.It is condensed from the gas exiting the liquid phase reactor, in which the unreacted synthesis gas components are recycled back to the liquid phase reactor.The molten pyrolysis product conversion step includes allowing the molten pyrolysis stream to gravitationally segregate into metallic portion and a mineral portion.The metallic portion is separated from the mineral portion. The metallic portion is quenched to form a metallic alloy, and the mineral portion is quenched to form a vitreous material that is suitable for use as an abrasive. The heterogeneous waste has a net heating value of at least 3000 Btu/lb.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Catalyst: The active catalyst is made of any one of the metals such as rhodium, palladium, ruthenium, platinum, gold, iridium, osmium, iron, nickel, cobalt, manganese, cerium and various compounds insoluble or partially soluble in water.Preferred Support: The catalyst support is made of one of the metals titania, zirconia, titania-zirconia, alumina, silica, alumina-silica.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Product: The molar ratio of oxygen and carbon is 0.01-0.1. The molar (S/C) ratio of water vapor (S) and carbon originating from hydrocarbon is 2-3, during steam reforming. The inlet temperature of the water vapor modification catalyst layer which performs steam reforming is 630 degrees C or less.Preferred Hydrocarbon: 50 vol.% or more of the hydrocarbon fraction has a boiling point of 40 degrees C or more. 90 vol.% or more of the hydrocarbon fraction has boiling point of 140-270 degrees C. The sulfur content of the hydrocarbon is 1 weight ppm or less.Preferred Catalyst: The steam reforming is performed in the presence of a water vapor modification catalyst containing ruthenium, zirconium, cobalt and/or magnesium. The water vapor modification catalyst contains zirconia or alpha-alumina as a carrier.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The oxygen-rich gas is oxygen enrichment gas converted from air.Preferred Apparatus: The oxygen and nitrogen separator contains a separation membrane. The modification catalyst layer is filled with copper and zinc-type catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Arrangement: A water vapor inlet (28) which supplies water vapor to carbon monoxide formed during oxidation reaction of a fuel is provided. A secondary catalyst layer (23) which activates the water gas shift reaction of carbon monoxide is provided below the primary catalyst layer. The hydrogen permeation film is formed as a cylindrical inner tube (20) so that a gas flow path for introducing water vapor and ejecting hydrogen is formed. An outer tube (21) is provided around the inner tube, such that the catalyst layers are formed between the outer tube and inner tube. The hydrogen formation device is provided with an oxidation device which carries out partial oxidation of carbon monoxide contained in the exhaust gas after removing hydrogen.Preferred Composition: The hydrogen permeation film is formed from inorganic porous material or is covered with non-porous film comprising palladium, ruthenium, platinum, rhodium or iridium (preferably, palladium or palladium-silver alloy). The primary catalyst layer contains rhodium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Hydrogen Occlusion Alloy: The hydrogen occlusion alloy is a rare earth group AB5 type alloy treated with liquid or gas containing fluorine or fluorine compound. In AB5 type alloy, A site is substituted by lanthanum or Mm (sic), and B site is substituted by nickel, aluminum, manganese or cobalt.Preferred Gas: The gas containing hydrogen and CO is a reformed gas formed by water vapor reformation of hydrocarbon gas or by partial combustion of hydrocarbon gas.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The porous flow field comprises a three-dimensional reticulated metal structure. It further comprises a protecting layer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The reticulated metal structure includes porous copper, porous nickel, porous aluminum, porous titanium, or porous aluminum-titanium alloy (preferably porous nickel). The protecting layer includes a metal or metal oxide comprising tin, copper, nickel, aluminum, titanium, gold, ruthenium oxide, titanium oxide, or tin oxide (preferably tin oxide). The tin oxide is 1-5mum (preferably 1-2mum) thick. The intermediate layer includes high surface area carbon particles.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The intermediate layer also includes a polymer including polytetrafluoroethylene, perfluoroethylene- perfluoropropylene copolymer, perfluoroalkyl, or polyvinylidene fluoride. The electrode includes a polymer electrolyte and an electrocatalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The system also includes a combustor, a first heater for heating the reforming fuel, a second heater for heating the oxidizing agent, a third heater in which a catalyst is held in an entrance of the reformer, a carbon monoxide remover for oxidizing carbon monoxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The methanol reforming catalyst further comprises two catalyst portions. The first catalytic component is mainly contained in the first catalytic portion, and the second catalytic component is mainly contained in the second catalytic portion. SPECIFIC MATERIALS - The metal oxide consists of alumina, cerium oxide, zirconia, silica, titania, magnesia, zinc oxide, gallium oxide, or indium oxide. The second catalytic component contains palladium, zinc oxide, cerium oxide, or zirconia.    EXAMPLE - A slurry was prepared by mixing copper/zinc oxide based methanol reforming catalyst (100 g) and nitric acid alumina sol (100 g). The slurry was coated on a ceramic monolithic substrate, dried at 150 degreesC for 10 minutes, and burned in air at 400 degreesC to obtain the first catalyst layer. A palladium nitride aqueous solution was sprayed onto zinc oxide, dried, and burned to prepare the catalyst powder. The catalyst powder (100 g) was mixed with nitric acid alumina sol (100 g). The mixture was coated on the first catalytic layer, dried at 150 degreesC for 10 minutes, and burned in air at 400 degreesC to form the second catalyst layer. The first catalytic layer contained copper oxide and zinc oxide, and the second catalytic layer contained palladium and zinc oxide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Components: The fuel in-feed includes a regulating fuel valve (40) and the liquid water in-feed includes a regulating valve. The valve can be regulated electromagnetically, hydraulically, or pneumatically, and includes a spray insert, in particular a swirl insert (42) or a multiple-hole insert (50). The fuel valve in the region of the valve seat includes a water cooling mechanism (38) having a switching valve or proportional valve at its outlet. The liquid water in-feed is integrated with the water cooling mechanism. The water cooling mechanism in the region of the liquid water in-feed in the inlet has a switching valve, an adjustable throttle valve, a clocking valve, a metering pump, or a proportional valve for setting a water pressure. A diaphragm spring element is seated sealingly, up to a predetermined water pressure, in front of an outlet opening of the reactor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The nitrogenous compound is urea. The fluid fuel is natural gas.Preferred Ratio: The molar ratio of the nitrogenous compound to a NOx concentration in the combustion products is at 0.1-5.0. The concentration ratio of fluid fuel equivalent to nitrogenous compound equivalent is at 5-15.Preferred Method: The fluid fuel is injected into an upper region of the furnace or into a convective zone of the furnace.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Polynucleotide: The polynucleotide is the DNA of the fully defined 951 amino acid sequence given in the specification and encodes a mature enzyme. The polynucleotide has an ATCC deposit number 97245. EXAMPLE - A pBLuescript II clone containing the DNA encoding the enzyme was obtained from ATCC Deposit No 97245. This was used to transform Escherichia coli XLI Blue Cells which were used to innoculate a culture of Luria Broth medium. A 1 ml aliquot of the culture was used to innoculate 1 liter of 5XLB (Luria Bertani) culture media. Cells were grown overnight at 37 degrees C. Each cell culture pellet was suspended in buffer (pH = 8), suspension at 4 rpm, sonicated and respun at 12k revolutions per minute (rpm). The resulting supernatant in 10% ethanol was incubated at 75 degrees C for 20 minutes. The flocculated proteins were spun out, the supernatant was filtered and subjected to an anion exchange chromatography to isolate the active fractions.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: A constant current meter is installed to convert electricity into constant electric current which is supplied for electrolysis and amount of oxygen generated is calculated. The liquid level sensor has a mechanism for detecting the conduction of the electrolyte between the electrodes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Structure: Modification unit is provided along outer side of combustion gas flow path. A high radiation heat transfer unit (14) is fixed to wall surface of combustion gas flow path opposing heating surface of modification unit. The modification unit is equipped with unit for introducing outer air. The air introduced is passed into heat exchanger configured in combustion unit, and is made to exchanges heat generated by combustion gas.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process The gas is held at 150-200degreesC between the two cooling process for a predetermined time (claimed). Oxygen is introduced and the high temperature treatment is at above 1000degreesC (claimed).
EXAMPLE - In an EMBODIMENT homogenization of the material is used to compensate for inhomogeneity of the catalyst. The free active cross-section of the reaction chamber is increased as the catalyst ages by altering the geometry of the piston mounting. The reaction chamber has porous walls containing catalyst. The porous material is especially a metallic fleece. Alternatively it is divided into reaction channels (22) containing catalyst. The catalytic material has a gradient of activity along the direction of motion of the piston such that its activity increases as more material flows through the reactor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The hydrocarbon can be ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), normal butane (n-C4H10), normal- and iso-pentane (C5H12).Preferred Composition: The composition contains 0-50% i-C4H10, 0-40% n-C4H10, less than 30% C3H8, 20-70% low flammability suppressant, less than 1% C2H6 or lighter hydrocarbon, and less than 1% C5H12 and i-C5H12 or heavier hydrocarbon.Preferred Component: The additive is volatile, non-flammable, non-toxic, and non-corrosive substance that has normal boiling point of -45 to 35 degreesC. It has a concentration of 20-70% mass fraction and it can be pure or a mixture of a substance. The composition is adjusted so that the saturation pressure at its operating temperature is equivalent to the saturation pressure of CFC-12 with deviation less than 5%. EXAMPLE - None given.
ACTIVITY - Fertilizer.    In a test the content of nutriments in soil was analyzed by measuring the contents of nitrogen and phosphate in the soil before the cultivation of crops and after the harvest of the crops. For lettuce treated with OS and cattle and human excrement the % of nitrogen and ppm of phosphate were 3.06 and 7356 respectively, compared to the control of 2.36 and 6496 respectively.    MECHANISM OF ACTION - None given.    EXAMPLE - A mixture of excrement (90%) and microbial mixture (10%) was maintained at 30 to 50 degrees C for one month to give the fertilizer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Surface Area: The catalyst has specific surface area of 20 g/m2 or more.Preferred Crystal Structure: The zirconium oxide is amorphous, cubic or tetragonal. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The active metal is at least one selected from palladium, platinum, ruthenium, iridium and rhodium. The raw material of zirconium oxide is selected from zirconium oxy chloride, zirconium oxy nitrate and zirconium hydroxide. The zirconium oxide is a complex oxide chosen from zirconia-alumina (ZrO2.Al2O3), zirconia-titania (ZrO2.TiO2), zirconia-silica (ZrO2.SiO2), zirconia-phosphorous pentaoxide (ZrO2.P2O5), zirconia-boron trioxide (ZrO2.B2O3) and sulfate radical support (SO4+/ZrO2).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Features: The vessel (20) includes a dosing unit (28) as part of the inclined conveyor (9). It is coupled to a controller (29) fed with a signal from the weigher, such that the dosing unit (28) releases a predetermined quantity of material. The dosing unit has a cover over an opening, an extractor. The controller adjusts the degree of cover opening, to release a desired quantity through the open cross section. The extractor speed or extraction interval, is simultaneously adjusted in correspondence. The weigher includes a weighing beam system (22, 23) on which the vessel is mounted, preferably integral with the vessel. A comminution and/or mixing roller (24, 25) is included in the vessel. The dosing screw is held in a cylindrical casing with top funnel section. The casing is cylindrical or polygonal and it may include replaceable wear plates of wood, plastic or sheet metal. It is vertical, passing through the fermenter gas tight. The casing projects below the liquid level. The mixer vessel is to one side of the fermenter, its sloping conveyor feeding the screw funnel opening. The extraction conveyor is an inclined belt and/or scraper conveyor, under speed control. A supportive framework is provided. The screw itself, includes curved edge recesses forming sharp edges which tear and cut the material fed. The screw is driven hydraulically and/or electrically. It is alternatively driven by a universally-jointed shaft from a mixing roller.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Equipment: Summarizing potential for electronics, a controller and automatic weighing system are included, with an actuated cover and variable speed motor drive.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The iron catalyst is FeO, which can be replaced by a nickel catalyst. The salt catalyst is NaCl.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The material leaves the thermal cracking chamber via its end which is connected with a reactor discharge conduit. It enters the chamber via the region proximate to the end of the thermal cracking chamber which is connected to the reactor discharge conduit via a conduit through which a pump (51) draws the gases. The burner is in the lower part of the reactor. The reactor is connected to oxygen source. The thermal cracking chamber has a semi-circular cross-section which decreases in the material advancement direction. The plant has a scrubber (8) connected to the reactor gas discharge conduit. The reactor comprises an overflow for fluid ash and a tank (77) for quenching.Preferred Method: The hot gases which are passed through the thermal cracking chamber are derived from the stream of gases generated by the reactor. They have a temperature of 500-700 degrees C. The deaeration is performed by subjecting the material to 450-550 mm Hg. The gases drawn from the thermal cracking chamber are enriched with oxygen for flameless oxidation of the volatile products. The gases produced from the reactor with the gases withdrawn from the thermal cracking chamber are subjected to scrubbing operation in water to remove ash. The scrubbing is performed by adding calcium carbonate to the material to reduce the chlorine. The gas leaving from the scrubber is further subjected to filtration.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The non-combustible gas can be nitrogen, carbon dioxide, helium, and/or argon.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The non-condensable gas is a non-combustible gas or a combustible gas, preferably methane having a condensation temperature lower than the hydrocarbonaceous material in the mixture.Preferred Material: The hydrocarbonaceous material is 3-6C hydrocarbonaceous material., preferably 1,3-butadiene or n-butane.Preferred Composition: The non-condensable gas added to the oxygen (O)-containing mixture is 0.1-10, preferably 0.5-5 moles/mole of O in the mixture.At least 2%, preferably 5-95% of the hydrocarbonaceous material in the mixture is condensed.Preferred Process: The process further comprises recovering the condensed hydrocarbonaceous material. EXAMPLE - A purge gas stream containing 78 mol % n-butane, and 20 mol.% oxygen was at 90 psia and at 60 degreesC. The O content of the mixture had to be 28.4 mol.% to be in the flammable region. The purge stream was condensed at 85 psia and at 5 degreesC. Without the addition of non-condensable gas, the 85 psia, 5 degreesC vapor from the condenser would composed 21.1 mol.% butane and 78.9 mol.% O, which was in the flammable region. Methane (0.468 moles/mole of purge) was added to the purge stream which resulted after condensing, a composition with 21.1 mol % butane, 25.2 mol % O, and 53.6 mol % methane. It was calculated that 29.2 mol.% O was necessary for the mixture to be flammable, and 76% of butane in the purge gas stream was recovered without forming a flammable mixture.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The insulation material is FRIGOLITE material, preferably the EPS Super 200 type.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Apparatus: The moisture content in the raw material which is supplied to fermentation apparatus, is adjusted to 50-70degreesC, when the raw material is dried to 80degreesC or less. The evaporated steam from the raw material in dry apparatus and fermentation apparatus, is recovered by the dry apparatus. The steam is cooled and condensed, by decreasing the temperature using dehumidification apparatus. Air after dehumidification, is supplied to dry apparatus and fermentation apparatus. The chain-like member swings with the relative target.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The water (vapor) is saturated by evaporating water, with heat of reformed gas which passed through the selective oxidation part, or heat of combustion gas which supplied the heat energy of water vapor modification reaction to the reforming part. The saturated water (vapor) is heated using heat of reformed gas, before introducing as water component into reforming part. The resultant water vapor is introduced into the shift reaction part.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: An ozone generator is provided at the exit of the ventilator, for injecting ozone to the fermenter in variable amounts. An alkaline water injection unit is provided at the exit of the acidic water injection unit, for injecting alkaline water into the exhaust gas. A dehumidifier is provided between the ventilator and the ozone generator. The fermenter consists of a heating unit which is controlled by a thermometer, and a humidification apparatus which is controlled by a hydrometer. An ammonia meter is provided in the fermenter. The ozone generation amount of the ozone generator is controlled by a control unit, based on the signals obtained from thermometer, hydrometer and ammonia meter.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The spacers can have bulbous inner edges. They can also be formed integrally with the outer receptacle.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The grill is an integrally cast or molded component that comprises uniform openings. It comprises an array of parallel elements, in perpendicular alignment to the first array. The drum is mounted on a stand (2) for rotational movement about its axis, or is supported on rollers and is received in a cavity on the top of the stand. The cavity is a funnel that directs compost material escaping through the grill to a drawer (4) at, or adjacent the base of stand.Preferred Parameter: The parallel elements in each array are spaced apart by 10-16 (preferably 14) mm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The fuel maybe propane or alcohol e.g., ethyl alcohol which is preferably 100 proof. Preferred Composition: The nitrous oxide-to-propane weight ratio in the monopropellant is 10:1. The nitrous oxide-to-ethyl alcohol weight ratio is 4.4:1. The ethyl alcohol maybe present at 50 vol.% or 42.9 wt.%.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The monopropellant may further comprise an inert diluent e.g., carbon dioxide, at a carbon dioxide:nitrous oxide:propane weight ratio of 10:4.5:1 or 45:10:1. Preferred Component: The monopropellant may also contain helium, argon, xenon, or iso-butane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Bag: The sealed bag is made up of blow molded polypropylene and can hold 5-55 gallons liquid growth medium.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Microorganism: The microorganism is naturally occurring soil microorganism selected from Pseudomonas or Bacillus (preferably Pseudomonas).Preferred Process: The microorganism present initially is at least about 10 power 10 CFU (colony forming units) and after the growth period (preferably 24-32 hours), the cell numbers increase to about 10 power 9 cells per milliliter. The container may be a crate or a drum. EXAMPLE - Concentrated microorganism (10 power 10 - 10 power 14 cells per gram) that were dried (freeze-drying, lyophilization or air-drying) were placed in opaque or translucent flexible polypropylene bags along with the growth medium. The dried growth medium included (%) soy digest (9), yeast extract (36), sodium nitrate (19) and dextrose (36). The bags were folded and packaged in a shipping carton. The carton was stored in a freezer before use to maintain the microorganism in the visible state. The bag was filed with warm (15-35 degrees C) water to make a liquid growth medium and activate the microorganism from their dried state. The bag held about 5-55 gallons of the aqueous solution. Once filled the microorganism were allowed to grow to 108-109 cells per ml in about 24-32 hours. The mixture was then used to degrade phenol in a pond.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Process: The organic waste contained in the fermenter is covered with a heat insulation cover during fermentation of organic waste. The ground paper, timber and inorganic substances are added to the fermentation processed material before performing compaction drying. The article (compost) formed by compaction drying of fermentation processed material, is filled in a container containing seed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The composite piece is subjected to negative electrification using direct current power source.
EXAMPLE - The microorganism strains such as SIID174-1, SIID174-2, SIID174-3, SIID174-4, SIID174-5 were screened and metribuzin, trifluralin and vinclozolin were added to nutrient agar medium. The strains were separately inoculated into the culture medium containing agrochemical. The growth of strains were evaluated and growth of microorganism was observed. The concentration of agrochemicals were reduced.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Process: The organic material is kept in motion by aeration during aerobic digestion, which can be performed e.g. with Aspergillus niger, Pyrococcus furiosus or Escherichia coli. Anaerobic fermentation is effected at 18-90 degreesC, especially 45-65 degreesC, e.g. using Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum, Methanogascina or Methanococcus EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The hydrocarbon used is methanol.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The supply of heat energy in the first heat-exchanger is by catalytic combustion of the off-gas from the fuel cell and/or of additional fuel, the combustion in the second or later heat-exchanger being in countercurrent mode. Alternatively, the combustion is in a pre-combustion device (10) giving almost complete oxidation of the off-gas from the fuel cell and/or of the additional fuel. An after-burner can also be used between the heat-exchangers (3,4). One of the heat-exchangers is of significantly smaller mass than the other. The valve distributor is a proportionating valve or a 2- or 3-way tap. The flow of the hydrocarbon or a hydrocarbon/water mixture is controlled in relation to the temperature by valve or by a dosing device (5).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: A flow meter detects the rate of flow of organic waste and solidification material supplied to the chute (13a,13b) of the hopper (11). The mixing apparatus has vanes (19) spirally arranged along the periphery between the screws (18a,18b) arranged at the both sides of the shaft (17). The vane has the shape of sickle and has a end bent along the direction of movement of mixture of organic waste and calcined lime, and twisted to the axial direction of the shaft. The organic waste processing apparatus can be mounted in a motor vehicle.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Process: The organic waste is mixed along with the fermentation agent, and filled in net-like bag. The temperature and humidity during secondary and tertiary fermentation are controlled by supplying air. The odor generated in the secondary and tertiary fermentation is removed by odor absorption agent which contains charcoal powder impregnated with wood vinegar. An additive mixed with a organic refuse before performing tertiary fermentation. The waste liquid produced during dehydration of organic waste is recycled effectively. Preferred Device: The fermenter is provided with a sensor to detect the temperature and humidity of fermenter, and automatic sprinkler (humidifier) for humidifying the fermenter. The intake fan and automatic sprinkler are controlled based on the signal from sensor. The odor absorption agent which removes the odor from fermenter is provided in the middle of flow path. The deposition tank is provided with a sensor which detects the temperature and humidity of the deposition tank, and humidifier for humidifying the deposition tank. The humidifier and the intake fan are controlled based on the signal from sensor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The ozone generator has an ozone generating lamp. A stirring apparatus (11) such as stir paddle shaft tube having air blow-off nozzle or paddle fixed by the stir paddle shaft tube, for stirring organic sludge, is connected to the air supply port. A circulation path (17) for circulating exhaust gas between exhaust port and the inlet of ventilator, is provided. The apparatus further comprises water injection mechanism (21) connected with exhaust port, for injecting water into the exhaust gas ejected from exhaust port. An ultraviolet light apparatus for irradiating ultraviolet rays to exhaust gas to enable decomposition of residual ozone, is connected with the outlet of water injection mechanism. A bypass path (30) for bypass of air to the outlet of water injection mechanism without passing through the fermenter, is provided between inlet of fermenter and outlet of water injection mechanism. The entire fermentation apparatus is enclosed inside a storage container.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Arrangement: The baffle plate arranged in the catalyst layer is movable along the horizontal direction. The distance between the baffle plates is small at the gas outlet side of the catalyst layer and large at the gas entrance side of the catalyst layer.Preferred Material: The upper portion of the catalyst layer has a cushioning material for filling the space produced by subsidence of the catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Reactor: The volume of the reforming zone is at least twice that of the heating zone. The exothermic reaction catalyst is a combustion catalyst or a carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation catalyst for selective oxidation of CO in the gas from the reforming zone(s). Each heating zone is the space between a pair of corrugated plates, and two such pairs of plates define a reforming zone. Each reforming zone contains spacers for supporting the adjacent pairs of plates.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred System: The system further comprises an electricity generator coupled to the incineration and/or gasification reactor; a manure dryer (1); a heating gas purification installation; an engine coupled to the gas purification installation; a flue gas purification installation; a cyclone; heat exchanger(s); and a poultry farm or a glasshouse market garden. The reactor is a Torbed reactor. The biomass is animal manure, particularly chicken manure. The heating gas purification installation purifies heating gas from the gasification reactor. The flue gas purification installation purifies the flue gas from the gas engine. The cyclone captures fly ash from the incinerated/gasified biomass. Preferred Method: The heat coming from the incinerated and/or gasified biomass is used to dry wet biomass prior to being incinerated and/or gasified in the reactor to provide heat that is converted into electricity.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The fuel cell block is used for generation of electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen to form water.
SPECIFIC MICROORGANISMS - Burkholderia cepacia (JS850), Hydrogenophaga palleronii (JS863), Burkholderia cepacia (JS872) and Burkholderia cepacia (JS922) are specifically claimed as the bacteria.    EXAMPLE - Burkholderia cepacia JS872 (2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT) degrading strain) and Hydrogenopha palleronii JS863 (2,6-DNT degrading strain) were combined in non-sterile 10% (weight/volume) soil slurries containing 2,4-DNT (800 microM) and 2,6-DNT (200 microM). The total volume of soil slurries was 25 ml in flasks with glass center wells. Initial biomass of JS872 and JS863 added was 0.36 and 0.40 mg/ml of protein. Three cultures also received radiolabelled 2,4-DNT and three received radiolabelled 2,6-DNT. One of each of these cultures was sterilized with HgCl2 (2.5 microg/ml). Additional flask with added DNT and radiolabel but without DNT-degrading strain was used as control. To each flask, 5N KOH (200 microl) was added, sealed and incubated at 30 degrees C, with shaking at 150 rpm (revelations per minute). Daily samples were collected for analysis of 2,4-DNT, 2,6-DNT, NO2- and radiolabel in the culture fluid as well as 14CO2 trapped in KOH. The KOH was replaced daily. The results showed that both 2,4- and 2,6-DNT became nondetectable in the culture fluid with 48 hours. Two mol of nitrite were released per mol of DNT degraded, indicated complete degradation of DNT. Over 40% of the initial radiolabel was trapped as 4CO2, indicating levels of mineralization well within the norm for growth substrate. Control cultures released no NO2-, 14CO2 and DNT concentration in the culture fluid remained unchanged.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Method: The strain attaches mold/fungi formed during production of dried fish, is inoculated to the processed substance containing phthalic ester.Preferred Substance: The processed substance is a culture medium mixed with phthalic ester, containing glucose and water as main compounds.Preferred Concentration: The maximum concentration of phthalic ester present in the processed substance is 0.5 mg/ml.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Compost: The fermented sludge is mixed with an electrolyte-free substance having electric conductivity of less than 3.0 dS/m. The electrolyte free substance is peat-moss and/or sand.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The n-butane fraction is distilled at a temperature between the boiling points of n-butane and isopentane to reduce the C5+ content to 1 wt.% or less. The purified n-butane fraction is isomerized at 100-300 degreesC and 0.5-5 MPa, with a hydrogen/hydrocarbon molar ratio of 0.005-10, using a catalyst comprising either (i) a Group VIII metal on sulfated zirconia or (ii) a Group VIII metal on a chlorinated alumina support that is activated with hydrochloric acid before use. The isomerizate is recycled to the fractionation column at a point between the n-butane and isobutane outlets.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Catalyst: The metal oxide is cerium oxide, zirconium oxide or a mixed cerium-zirconium oxide. The palladium:zinc weight ratio is 1:1-50. The catalyst is prepared by process (ii) in which the calcination step is performed at 400-600 degrees C and is followed by a reduction step performed at 400-600 degrees C. EXAMPLE - A cerium-zirconium oxide powder (500 g) was impregnated with a mixture of a palladium nitrate solution (188.7 g, 26.5% palladium) and a zinc nitrate solution (139.8 g). The product was dried at 150 degrees C and calcined at 500 degrees C. The resulting catalyst powder (100 g) was slurried in an 8% nitric acid/alumina sol (100 g), applied to a ceramic monolith, dried at 150 degrees C for 10 minutes, calcined in air at 500 degrees C, and reduced in a hydrogen stream at 500 degrees C for 1 hour. In a reforming test performed at 400 degrees C and 4 LHSV, the catalyst gave a methanol conversion of 98% with a carbon monoxide concentration of 2.5%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The post-foaming agent contains at least one organic solvent with boiling point below 40 degreesC, preferably propane, isobutane, n-butane, pentane, isopentane or dimethyl ether. The dyestuff is included at 0.1-5.0 weight % and the uric acid at 0.1-5.0 weight %. The concentration of uricase is 1000-30000 IU/g. EXAMPLE - Dye composition contains (in weight parts) p-phenylene diamine (0.5); 1,3-dihydroxybenzene (0.3); N-acetyl-L-cysteine (0.2); propylene glycol monomethyl ether (20.0), hydroxyethylcellulose (2.0); alkyl(8-10)glucoside (5.0); monoethanolamine (to pH 9.0); uric acid (1.0); uricase (20 IU/mg) (1.0); isopentane (2.0); water (to 100).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: Mixing of activator and carbon material is performed alternatively by wet blending.Preferred Material: The carbon material is chosen from petroleum pitch, lignite, charcoal, coal, coke, minerals, timber, saw, arrowroot, coconut husk, walnut husk, fruit husk, coffee dregs, soybean dregs, corn, used paper, cellulose and polysaccharide.Preferred Condition: Heating of activator and carbon material mixture is performed at 400-1000 degrees C.Preferred Adsorption Gas: The gas adsorption material adsorbs mixed gas containing lower hydrocarbon such as methane, ethane, ethylene, acetylene, propane, butane and hydrogen. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The activator comprises lithium carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, rubidium carbonate and cesium carbonate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Arrangement: The carbon monoxide removal catalyst layer which is arranged in the heating gas circulation layer removes carbon monoxide by selective oxidation of carbon monoxide. The reformer has a vaporizer (35) which vaporizes the reforming raw material, and oxidizing catalyst is provided in the vaporizer. At the time of rapid increase of load, air is supplied to the vaporizer and partial oxidation is performed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Form: The substrate bodies are in the form of flat, conical, annular disks arranged in coaxial, spaced manner; one or more pairs of opposed spaced rectangular plates, two or more coaxially spaced hollow cylinders, perforated single hollow cylinder;or flat rings stacked upon each other. EXAMPLE - No examples provided.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Device: The modifying catalyst of the shift reaction part is a heat resistant noble metal catalyst such as Pt or Pt-Ru alloy. A heat exchanger is provided which heat exchanges with the raw material gas of the raw material gas passage by radiating the reaction heat and the apparent heat of the shift reaction part. The reformed gas flows from the center to the outside of the shift reaction part.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred System: A separator or matrix is attached to the electrodes, to reduce methanol outflow at the anode or to minimize the reaction of methanol at the cathode. One of the separator is a proton exchange membrane (PEM) type separator. The separator or matrix is a microporous material such as asbestos. The temperature of the cell is 70 degrees C or more, such that methanol distillation recovery loop is possible.Preferred Electrolyte: The circulating electrolyte is a highly conductive salt solution having pH of neutral to low acidic values. The salt solution is KSCN or NH4SCN and acidified K2SO4 or super acids.Preferred Fuel Feed: The fuel feed is an aqueous solution of methanol or methanol vapor. The concentration of methanol (% in water or methanol gas vapor pressure) is increased to give a higher anode voltage which is simultaneously increased due to adjustment of methanol barriers and speed of electrolyte circulation which reduce the cross-over.Preferred Electrodes: The electrode is a porous carbon electrode which is tubular or plate shaped, containing proper catalysts for anode and cathode reactions, or stainless steel screen supported foil structure. The electrode comprises sprayed or layered poly tetrafluoro ethylene (PTFE) bonded porous carbon layers on a woven carbon (graphite) sheet, carbon fleece or carbon fiber carrier. The foil structure is layered with a mixture of activated carbon, suitable catalyst, fillers which are pore-formers (bicarbonate) or repellent binders (PTFE or polyethylene). A mixture of carbon, PTFE and NAFION, is used to produce the anodes of the fuel cell, in which the carrier is stainless steel wool.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Polyethylene Composition: 30 g of nucleating agent is present in the composition per 800 pounds of polyethylene.The blowing agent (A) consists of 40 wt.% or more, preferably 50 wt.% or more of ethane and a different alkane which is 3C and/or 4C hydrocarbon, preferably 4C alkane.The blowing agent (A) optionally contains fluorinated ethane.Preferred Alkane: The alkane is propane, n-butane and/or isobutane.Preferred Polymer Composition: The composition contains 1-4 wt.% of a material which slows down migration of alkane, which is glycerol monostearate and/or glycerol monooleate. Blowing agent (B) is isobutane, propane, HFG-152a (TM), HFC-134a (TM), HFC-143a (TM), n-butane and/or nitrogen.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Nucleating Agent: The nucleating agent consists of talc, hydrocerol, sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, zinc oxide, antimony oxide and/or other fine powder. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The nucleating agent is hydrocerol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The step of deriving the top and bottom feed portions is conducted by approach and further comprises separating the cooled first gas portion into a first liquid phase comprising condensed components and a main vapor portion. The process further comprises expanding the bottom feed portion through an expander thus further cooling the stream prior to introducing it to the lean reflux absorber below the condensed top feed portion.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Components: The organic raw material contains plant waste material from wooden fiber board production, surplus sludge generated from activated sludge processing of waste water and/or building dismantle. The waste water is white water ejected from a wooden fiber board paper making process. The cement and wood pulp used in the manufacture of compost is ground wood pulp reinforced plate, or waste from wood pulp reinforced cement plate production.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: Component (c) is 1-2 wt.%. Component (b) is 1.5%. Component (a) is preferably pentafluoroethane (R125) at 35-65, preferably 45-52, wt.%. Component (b) is 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R134a) at 35-60, preferably 47.5-55 wt.%. The mixture of components (a) and (b) are 35-60, preferably 45-55, wt.%. Component (c) is n-butane (R600). EXAMPLE - A refrigerant composition contained R134a, R125 and R600. It was charged to a calorimeter from liquid phase cylinder access. The capacities (heat extraction rate or duty) of the refrigerant compositions were determined by measuring the heat input to the bath balanced against the heat extraction by the refrigerant. The power consumption of the compressor was measured enabling the coefficient of performance to be determined. The compositions were evaporated at 0degreesC, condensed at 40degreesC, and superheated at 8K. The results of formulations for R600 were shown in figure 1.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: After the non-stop passage through the reactor, the conductive bodies which are metal spheres and the resulting reaction products are subjected to a phase of rapid cooling with water. The carbon-based products to be processed are converted into combustible gases. Products of a polymeric nature to be processed are depolymerized with the formation of substances with lower molecular weight. Fibers of silicates, e.g. glass, asbestos, in the materials to be processed are fused and transformed into non-hazardous vitreous slag. Metallic parts present in the materials to be processed are depurated of their contaminants. The temperature induced in the material to be processed is controlled by modifying the characteristics of the electromagnetic flux in which the products are immersed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Apparatus: Each of the fuel gas flow passage and oxygen-containing gas flow passage is designed to have a meandering configuration in a surface direction of each of the electrodes.The pressure of the oxygen-containing gas supplied to the oxygen-containing gas flow passage is set to be higher than a pressure of the fuel gas supplied to the fuel gas flow passage.The fuel cell further comprises: a gas-humidifying device for humidifying at least one of the fuel gas and the oxygen-containing gas for a predetermined time before operation.The fuel cell further comprises: a detector for detecting the amount of water in a discharged gas; and a controller of judging whether or not initial humidification before start of operation is completed on the basis of a detection signal from the detector and controlling the gas-humidifying device.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Method: The moisture content of organic waste is adjusted before granulation and aerobic fermentation.Warm air is supplied until the resulting temperature reaches target temperature for fermentation.A secondary anaerobic fermentation is carried out in a separate fermenter after completing primary fermentation.Preferred Apparatus: The surrounding wall of dispersion apparatus has several pipes with ventilation property combined in the shape of lattice or panel and inserted into charging air housing.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The gas-liquid contact part provided between the inlet and outlet, is equipped with a flexible partition which separates the gas-liquid mixture passing along each path. The surface end (17a) of fat and oil suctioning pipe is opened in the shape of a funnel. The pipe is equipped with an expandable and contractable part (bellow-type) which changes the length of the pipe. The inner surface of the gas-liquid contact part is made of a porous material (for aerobic bacteria). A weir interrupts the flow of water in the waste water tank by partitioning the tank at the purified water ejection part. The fat-splitting purifier is installed in a water purification part and is provided with overflow pipe which carries out drain of purified water from tank, externally.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Method: A germination promoting agent such as an amino acid e.g., L-alanine, L-asparagine, L-isoleucine, L-tyrosine, DL-valine, DL-aspartic acid, or a polypeptide or carbohydrate such as D-glucose, galactose, fructose, mannose or an oligosaccharide, polysaccharide or its hydrolysate or oxide, is added to (S) containing EB (preferably, a Bacillus bacteria), while mixing it with OW. Preferred Apparatus: The waste water processing apparatus also comprises a piping which supplies EB to spore germination tank. The apparatus also has a piping (8) which supplies germination promoting agent to spore germination tank. EXAMPLE - Common sewage having a total organic content (TOC) of 280 ppm, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of 200 ppm, was processed by the following method. The waste water was mixed with sludge containing endospore forming bacteria in spore germination tank. The sludge residence time in the spore germination tank for germination of endospores is 0.33 and the temperature was maintained at 30degreesC. 50 ppm of D-glucose and 5 ppm of L-alanine were added as germination promoting agent to the spore germination tank to form vegetative cells of bacteria. This process liquid was provided to aerator. The sludge residence time was 0.33 and sludge return ratio was 0.5. The biological treatment of waste water was carried out in aerator under aerobic conditions. The operation was continued for two weeks, and after two weeks it was found that the BOD of treated water was 10 ppm and TOC of treated water was 20 ppm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Apparatus: When the sensor unit detects the quality of water purified to preset level, the electromagnetic selector valve (5) automatically opens. Operating of the circulating unit is interlocked with a timing unit when the purification extent of treated water exceeds the dead line, the timer unit detects it and the valve (5) is automatically opened and purified water is drained out. An alarm unit (8) is coordinated with the timing unit. Accommodation cases (11,12) are arranged in microorganism culture filtration layer part of the aeration tank. Natural water supply pipe (2) which supplies water to the aeration tanks is connected from bottom of one aeration tank to the other tanks lying downstream of it.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Surfactant: The surfactant is nonionic surfactant, preferably polyoxyethylene sorbitan mono oleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan mono-laurate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan mono palmitate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan mono stearate, or polyoxyethylene sorbitan tri oleate.Preferred Process: Alternately, the soil is contacted with the microorganism production enzyme which has decomposability of chlorinated dioxin, after maintaining the moisture content in soil. Titanium oxide is blended with the soil, after adding the surfactant, and subsequently, light of wavelength 400 nm or less, is irradiated.Preferred Composition: The moisture content in the soil is maintained to 10 weight% or more. EXAMPLE - Wheat bran (2 g), sawdust of rice bran (2 g), cherry sawdust (1 g) and oak sawdust (1 g) were added to 500 ml flask, as a culture medium component. Tap water (100 ml) was added to the flask, 0.05 volume% of polyoxyethylene sorbitan mono oleate (surfactant), was added and sterilized at 121 degrees C for 15 minutes in an autoclave. A solution (1 ml) containing 25 mg of 2,4,8-trichloro dibenzofuran (chlorinated dioxin) dissolved in 100 ml ethanol, was added. Schizophyllum microorganism having chlorinated dioxin decomposability, was made to grow at 28 degrees C for 150 minutes by shaking the culture for 8 days. 2,4,8-trichloro dibenzofuran which is remained in the culture solution was extracted using toluene and assayed by gas chromatography. The decomposition ratio of 2,4,8-trichloro dibenzofuran, was 32%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The heating gas supplied to the fuel modifier is heated by town gas. Waste gas from the anode and cathode chambers of fuel cell is mixed.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The heat recovery unit is integrated with a carbon monoxide convertor comprising several converting units (7,8) with differing reaction temperatures. The reaction temperature of the CO convertor is adjusted w.r.t the rate of flow of waste gas supplied to the heat recovery unit. A combustor (19) for heating the gas supplied to the fuel modifier is provided at the outlet of fuel modifier. The burning temperature of the combustor is controlled by the fuel utilization factor of the fuel cell and according to the rate of flow of waste gas supplied to the combustor. A heating unit (26) to heat the heating gas supplied to the fuel modifier during initiation of the process is provided. The heating unit controls the inlet temperature of heating gas of the fuel modifier during operation. A water supply unit (90) for supplying water to the reformed gas to cool the reformed gas is provided between fuel modifier and CO convertor. A recuperator (6) for controlling the inlet temperature of the reformed gas from the CO convertor is provided. The fuel modifier, combustor and recuperator are arranged integrally.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Process: Alternately, processing method of benzophenone or oxy benzophenone contained in waste water involves using activated sludge containing Bacillus genus bacteria or using biological saline containing Bacillus bacteria. SPECIFIC MICROORGANISMS - The Bacillus bacteria is Bacillus brevis GU-1 FERM P-17615.    EXAMPLE - Sterilized liquid medium (100 ml at pH 7.2) containing 0.01% of benzophenone, 0.65% of di-potassium hydrogen phosphate, 0.26% of potassium dihydrogen phosphate dodecahydrates, 0.051% of ammonium chloride, 0.675% of magnesium sulfate heptahydrates, 0.875% of calcium chloride and 0.0075% of ferrous chloride hexahydrates was autoclaved at 121 degrees C for 15 minutes and cooled to room temperature. Bacillus brevis GU-1 FERM P-17615 was inoculated, cultivated for 28 days at 30 degrees C. Sampling was performed after (1, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28) days and residual amount of benzophenone was measured. Similarly, a comparative sample was prepared without inoculating microbe. Methanol (9 ml) was added to 1 ml of test and comparative samples of culture solution and stirred well. The residual amount of benzophenol was measured in test and comparative samples and compared. The residual amount of benzophenone was found to be 0% in 10 days which showed excellent benzophenone degrading ability of Bacillus brevis GU-1 FERM P-17615.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: Each screw has a spiral screw vane (24) provided at the leading end part, and grinding, stirring and conveyance blade (26) of single leaf type, provided at the back part. The forward tilting angle of plate is adjustable. The rotation of screw is variable in right and left direction. The treatment tank further has a fresh air blowing hole (30), provided to its upper part, and the blow off angle is adjustable.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Units: The apparatus is equipped with inlets (I,II). Cooling routes (38,40) are provided for connecting inlet (I) and injector and for cooling the arc reaction chamber. Inlet (II) is equipped with flow rate adjustment units. The flow rate adjustment units are provided between injector units and the inlets. A steam generation unit (50) is arranged on the electrode holder and is connected with cooling route units. Micro arc formation unit (78) equipped with a granule of high melting point is arranged in the arc reaction chamber. A micro arc is formed on the crack between the granules. A granule (non)conductor is formed from electrode material. The mixed ratio of granular conductor and granular non-conductor is 1:1.5 - 1.5:1. The electrode unit (A) consists of tubular shaped anode (26). The electrode unit (B) consists of tubular shaped anode and concentric cathode assembly (42). The apparatus also consists of three-phase alternate current tubular shaped electrode in which electrode unit (A) is arranged by leaving axially from the electrode. The electrode unit (B) is equipped with neutral electrode prolonged in tubular shaped liquid. The electric supply unit supplies electric power to tubular shaped electrode in three-phase alternate current electric power (106). The electric supply unit depends on an three-phase alternator (108). The apparatus has front cover which is fixed to housing units and has rapid cooling unit (110).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The filler is sediment of soil or compost. The biodegradable plastic is aliphatic polyester, polylactic acid, synthetic group polymer like polycaprolactone, or natural group polymer like starch.Preferred Arrangement: Circulating pumps (8,12) are provided to circulate water after ejection of nitrogen from tank (6) to water sprinkler of tank (1). EXAMPLE - Sewage sludge compost (raw material gas) containing 110.6 parts per million (ppm) of ammonia, 0.289 ppm of methyl mercaptan, 0.528 ppm of methyl sulfide, 0.963 ppm of dimethyl sulfide and 0.532 ppm of trimethyl amine, and zeolite in weight ratio of 75:25, was supplied into a denitrification tank which was filled with 5 weight percent of aliphatic polyester biodegradable plastic and 0.7 m of filler.    The raw material gas was denitrified and the offensive odor component in the processed gas disposed from the lower portion of the denitrification tank was measured. The processed gas had 0.8 ppm of ammonia, 0.002 ppm of methyl mercaptan, 0.164 ppm of methyl sulfide and 0.378 ppm of dimethyl sulfide. The removal ratio of ammonia, methyl mercaptan, methyl sulfide and dimethyl sulfide was 99.3%, 99.3%, 68.9% and 60.7%, respectively. The nitrogen component contained in denitrified water had ammonia of 7.5 mg/l, nitrite nitrogen of 189 mg/l and nitrate nitrogen of 565 mg/l.
EXAMPLE - Wheat bran (10 kg) was mixed with 9.0 kg of bark compost containing 55.4 weight % of water and having a pH of 6.8 as the substrate and 14 thousands CFU (colony forming units)/g of Streptomyces albulus 619 was introduced and sealed in a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) bag and cultured at a room temperature of 28 degrees C for 14 days. The number of the microbes increased to 35 millions CFU/g. In the culture period, no excessive heat generation occurred and the temperature of the mixture was held at 25-38 degrees C. In the control no wheat bran was used and after 14 days no growth of the microbe was observed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The blast weight and ventilation strength of air ejected from air feed pipe is adjusted, so that the temperature distribution in fermenter is uniform.Preferred Structure: The air feed pipes are arranged along longitudinal direction of fermenter, such that the supply of air is controlled. Based on the temperature sensor provided in the fermenter, emission pneumatic control of air feed pipe is carried out and the temperature distribution of fermenter is made uniform.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Material: The organic material is starch, green vegetables, root crops, fruits, grains, internal organs of livestock, blood of livestock, bone parts of fish and scallop.Preferred Process: When more than one organic material containing different components, is used, the organic material is stirred and then the microorganism is injected and stirred. The microorganism is repeatedly reinjected until the organic material is decomposed, and stirred with organic material. An enzyme and nutrient required for reaction promotion, is injected after injecting the microorganism. The stirring process is performed using a stirring unit having magnetic material or adsorptivity member. The pressure after injection of the microorganism or organic material, is made into negative pressure.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Substances: The coal ash is clinker or fly ash. The source of nitrogen is hen droppings.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Material: The mineral material used are porcelain, limestone, glauconite, ceramic made from dry calcium phosphate and magnetized treated water.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Arrangement: The diffusion tube for aeration is attached to lower portion of mineral material unit. A space is kept in between upper part and lower part of mineral material unit. The upper part contains rock or ceramic having magnetism and the lower part contains magnetized treated water.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Structure: Fuel reformer and combustor are provided within single container (25). The combustor is provided with an inner tube (29) which functions as raw gas passage. The space between tube and container is filled with combustion catalyst (28), and the gas supplied is catalytically combusted. An electrical heater (26) is arranged between fuel modifier and combustor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Arrangement: The reformer has a detection unit to detect the advance state of warming-up state of the reformer. The supply unit has an alteration unit to alter the area of gas flowing into (16) by intake unit, based on the result of detection unit. The catalyst part has heating units to heat HC or oxygen and a control unit to control heating of the gas by heater, based on the result of detection unit. The in-flow unit is provided in the upstream side from catalyst part. A guide unit is provided to lead gas to predefined area in the upstream side of the catalyst part. The catalyst part has two or more heat transfer units and temperature detection units to detect temperature of heat transfer units. The warm state of reformer is detected based on the result of temperature detection unit. The modification catalyst and oxidation catalyst are single catalysts.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The alkali metal is sodium or potassium. The alkali metal compound is alkali metal hydride.Preferred Process: The film covering the alkali metal lump is destroyed by application of physical strength.Preferred Apparatus: The alkali type fuel cell comprises an aqueous solution of alkali metal hydroxide, as electrolyte contained in electrolyte layer. The fuel cell has electrolyte operator which supplies aqueous solution of alkali metal hydroxide produced by inducing unit, as new electrolyte. The fuel cell has detector for detecting degradation of electrolyte. The flow path for supplying aqueous solution of alkali metal hydroxide is changed. The fuel cell has switching unit which determines whether the aqueous solution is used for exchange of electrolyte, or is used for removal of carbondioxide in the mixed gas. The controller of the fuel cell controls switching unit so that the aqueous solution is used for exchange of electrolyte, when the detector detects the degradation of electrolyte.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: A porous surface layer containing magnesia and catalyst or magnesia and mixed conductivity oxide, is formed on the oxide porous body.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst Layers: The upper catalyst layer contains noble metals such as ruthenium, platinum and palladium. The lower catalyst layer contains copper and zinc group catalyst.Preferred Method: The lower catalyst layer has a temperature of 150 degrees C.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Reformer: Each of the vaporization part, hot spot and catalyst layer has a part formed as a path for unsteady supply, independently.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Arrangement: Some of the through-holes in the apparatus are formed on the whole surface of the encasement. Some of the through-holes are connected to the tubular object inside the encasement. The tubular object is penetrated through the encasement parallel to the surface of encasement. The apparatus is equipped with two or more tubular objects in an equal distance. The encasement contains a heat insulating material (12). The apparatus can be closed or opened from one part of encasement.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred System: The constructional section around a container or around a component can be converted into a container. The fermenter is equipped with at least one agitating device and devices for bringing in the substrate. The biogas is energetically used in gas turbines, where an energy reserve for the guarantee of the operation with a lack of biogas is provided with stock, where energy reserves from fuel oil/diesel fuel or from public utility systems are preferentially used. Liquid manure, liquefied muck or other organic and organically chemical substances or materials suitable for the bio-gasification can be used as substrates. Immobilized bacteria can be used for the fermentation. The substrate is pre-treated before the transfer into the fermenter.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred System: The constructional section around a container or around a component can be converted into a container. The fermenter is equipped with at least one agitating device and devices for bringing in the substrate. The biogas is energetically used in gas turbines, where an energy reserve for the guarantee of the operation with a lack of biogas is provided with stock, where energy reserves from fuel oil/diesel fuel or from public utility systems are preferentially used. Liquid manure, liquefied muck or other organic and organically chemical substances or materials suitable for the bio-gasification can be used as substrates. Immobilized bacteria can be used for the fermentation. The substrate is pre-treated before the transfer into the fermenter.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - FOOD - Preferred Method: The bacteriophage is applied to the produce by spraying, misting, washing the produce in the bacteriophage, immersing the produce in a solution containing the bacteriophage(s), or periodically or continuously applying the bacteriophage to the produce. The method further includes applying at least one chemical sanitizer to the produce simultaneous with the application of the bacteriophage to the produce. It may also include applying bacteriocin nisin to the produceThe bacteriophage is applied to the produce in an amount to reduce the colonization of pathogenic bacteria susceptible to the bacteriophage by at least one log.Preferred Sanitizer: The bacteriophage is a bacteriophage cocktail and is targeted against at least one food-borne pathogen comprising one of Salmonella, shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes. It comprises at least one pH-resistant phage mutant. EXAMPLE - A study was performed to determine the survival and growth of Salmonella enteritidis on fresh-cut apple and honeydew melon slices under conditions likely to be encountered during their processing and storage, and the effectiveness of specific phages for use as a biocontrol agent on fresh-cut fruits contaminated with Salmonella. The fruits were disinfected before slicing. A rifampicin-resistant phage-preparation-susceptible S. enteritidis strain was used to experimentally contaminate the fruits. After applying the Salmonella strain, 25 microl of the phage mixture were applied to the wounds made in the fruits, and the slices were placed in covered jars. The results of the study showed that S. enteritidis survived at 5 degreesC and grew at 10 and 20 degreesC on apple slices and honeydew melon slices stored during 168 hours.    The effect of the phage mixture was independent of temperature and time during the duration of the experiment.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Foil Sheet: The foil sheet comprising iron, titanium, niobium, nickel, cobalt, zirconium, hafnium, tungsten, tantalum, their (super)alloys, is embossed with the flow fields.Preferred Properties: The foil sheet has thickness of up to 20 mils (0.51 mm), preferably 2-10 mils (0.05-3.5 mm). The flow fields have rectangular, square, (semi)circular, multi-sided or annular cross-sectional geometry. The foil sheets when assembled, form at least three separate flow passages (41,43,45). Non-metallic gaskets (38) are located between the foil sheets. The electrochemical cell stack has another membrane assembly having anode and cathode disposed on opposite sides of an electrolyte membrane. The cathode is disposed adjacent to other side of bipolar plate. Electrode supports (32) are disposed between bipolar plate and two membrane assemblies. The cell preferably comprises three bipolar plates, the second plate being adjacent to first cathode and third plate being adjacent to second anode, and an elastomeric gasket between bipolar plate and first membrane assembly, contacting the periphery of bipolar plate. Another elastomeric gasket is disposed between the bipolar plate and second membrane assembly. The foil sheets are embossed with fluid flow fields and coolant flow fields such that when assembled, each sheet forms two separate fluid flow passages and a coolant flow passage.Preferred Membrane Support: The membrane supports are made of carbon paper, carbon felt, carbon cloth, porous metal, expanded metal screen, woven screen, non-woven screen, metal fiber or metal particulate. Screen packs are disposed between each membrane support which is preferably carbon paper and bipolar plate.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The process also involves:(i) determining a characteristic of each catalyst, either activity or selectivity;(ii) determining the yield of each catalyst from the catalysts;(iii) measuring the temperature within the catalyst bed; and(iv) sampling, simultaneously, each effluent prior to the analysis, preferably with the effluents continuously analyzed.The catalyst bed comprises 1 mg to less than 1 g of catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Microbes: The aerobic microbes are AGRIMICROBE SALES FORMULA V microbes (RTM; a mixture of 18 naturally-occurring microbes).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The means for providing oxygenated air to the water bath, and the means for creating a negative pressure over the bath comprise a first and second piping system, respectively. The first air piping system is connected to an output port of an external air compressor and the second air piping system is connected to the input port of the air compressor. The first piping system has aeration holes (22) that provide oxygen to the microbes in the water bath. The second piping system has an air suction mechanisms (26) that create a negative pressure over the water bath. The water bath and the piping systems are positioned beneath a flooring of a housing structure for farm animals. The flooring has openings where waste excreted from animals falls through the openings and into the microbe-inoculated water bath.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The flooring is slatted fiberglass.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The piping systems comprise polyvinyl chloride pipes and pipe fittings.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Materials: The polymer electrode membrane reactor comprises gas manifold, flow channels, membrane electrode assembly, and current collector.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The carboxylic acids of the structures (I) and (I') are in the vapor state.Preferred Process: An inert carrier gas is fed to the anode side of the polymer electrode membrane reactor concurrently with the carboxylic acids. The process is operated from freezing point of the carboxylic acids up to 120 degrees C. EXAMPLE - No relevant example given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Method: The second fraction has a pH of 9 due to the treatment in the first chamber and is stored in isolation in the second chamber for approximately 6 months. A partition wall (4) is provided in the first chamber between its inlet and the connection leading to the second chamber, in order for already deposited material to act as a filter for freshly deposited material, by forcing surplus liquid to flow under the wall and equalize the level of liquid on either side of the wall. Sludge removed from the first chamber is evaporated or dewatered by filtration and then burnt in order to convert it into fertilizer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: Slaked lime is used to increase pH. A stirring device is used to agitate the faecal sludge. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Process: The mixture of base material and organic substance is accumulated in the shape of a ridge of height 20-50 cm and width 2-10 m. An organic substance to be treated is again mixed with the ripened compost and accumulated in the required shape and ripened subsequently. The organic substance is accumulated on a pallet.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: Heat treatment of the biological treated sludge is performed at 100-200 degreesC.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The drying container comprises a drying unit in which the sludge is heat dried, and a heating decomposition device in which the sludge is heat treated.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Source: The colored fermentation waste water is obtained from bread yeast fermentation process and the activated clay is obtained during purification of animal and vegetable fats. Preferred Properties: The coloration degree of colored waste water containing humus is 80 or more. Preferred Method: The obtained fertilizer is collected after fermentation.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The synthetic gas manufacturing device further comprises a cooling line (38,40), arranged between inlet and injection unit, for cooling arc reaction chamber and/or electrode holder, a flow rate adjustment unit (66) arranged in the cooling line, a neutral electrode (23) arranged near the edge part of arc reaction chamber, and a front cover (12) fixed to the housing. The front cover has a rapid cooling chamber (82,88), arranged near the outlet. The arc electrode is a three phase alternate current electrode. The electrical supply unit consists of three phase alternator. The arc is generated between three phase alternate current electrode, and neutral electrode.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Structure: The apparatus is equipped with a holder (22) which supports the electrode B (tubular shaped cathode). The electrode A (tubular shaped anode) and electrode B are arranged concentrically. A steam generating unit (50) is connected with the cooling units. An injector ring (24) is provided for supplying steam to arc reaction chamber. A neutral electrode which is connected to the earth is provided. A front cover (12) is fixed to the housing, and a rapid cooling unit (88) is arranged in the front cover near the outlet for ejecting synthetic gas. A flow rate adjusting unit is provided between the steam generating unit and injector ring. The electric supply unit is a thin phase alternator.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Microorganism: The microorganism is Azoarucus MA-23.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: Alternatively, the waste water is contacted with microorganism in presence of amino acid containing sulfur. The microorganism is activated in the presence of yeast extract or sulfur-containing amino acid.Preferred Components: The sulfur-containing amino acid is methionine or cysteine.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Furnace: The carbonization furnace is an indirect heating furnace.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: Carbonization of municipal solid waste containing garbage is carried out in a nitrogen atmosphere. The temperature of the furnace is initially set to 250 degrees C and temperature increase rate is set to less than 2 degrees C/minute, such that the final temperature of furnace is in the range of 300-600 degrees C. Water vapor is used for carrying out gas activation of the carbide.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: After detecting the supply of original heating gas to the modifier, the supply of oxidizing agent gas is initiated. The rate of partial oxidation during regular operation is 21-30% and at the time of initiation is 40-60%. A control is carried out so that the fluctuation curve of the rate of partial oxidation which considered the fluctuation of catalyst layer inlet temperature and defined previously the value of rate of partial oxidation which results from time of initiation and time of regular operation, is followed simultaneously.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The modification catalyst layer comprises copper-zinc group catalyst as modifying catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The spiral piping comprises a spiral outer piping (27) connected to a spiral inner piping (28). The fuel introduction pipe passes through a heating apparatus, so that the fuel is vaporized by the heat of the heating apparatus.Preferred Material: Platinum is carried as combustion catalyst on the vacuum vessel. The heating apparatus comprises platinum supported on porous fiber as catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Reformer: The noble metals are platinum or palladium. The catalyst layers have equivalent cross-section. The length of catalyst layer (31) is 5-35% of the sum total of the length of both catalyst layers.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: Oxidation is carried out at 80-200 degrees C. The catalyst contains 0.5-5 wt.% Ru.Preferred Support: The Ce content in the support is 5-20 wt.%. The support is selected from alumina, titania, silica and zirconia.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Solubilizer: Acetone and/or methyl ethyl ketone.Preferred Components: Blowing agents contain:(a) 10-90 (preferably 20-60) wt.% carbon dioxide,(b) 1-50 (preferably 1-14) wt.% water,(c) 0.1-50 wt.% acetone,(d) 0-70 (preferably up to 30) wt.% R134a,(e) 0-70 (preferably up to 60) wt.% R152a,(f) 0-70 (preferably up to 30) wt.% R245fa and(g) 0-70 (preferably up to 30) wt.% R365mfc,with the total content of (d) to (g) not more than 70 wt.%.Preferred blowing agents for production of PS foam comprise:(1) 52.5 wt.% CO2, 11.4 wt.% water and 36.1 wt.% acetone (for foam with 6.6 wt.% blowing agent);(2) 61 wt.% R152a, 23 wt.% CO2, 2 wt.% water and 14 wt.% acetone (for foam with 8 wt.% blowing agent);(3) 56 wt.% R152a, 3 wt.% water, 18 wt.% acetone and 23 wt.% other components;(4) 23 wt.% R134a, 3 wt.% water, 18 wt.% acetone and 56 wt.% other components;(5) 49 wt.% CO2, 10 wt.% R365mfc, 3 wt.% water and 38 wt.% acetone; in each case the amounts given may vary by up to 30 (preferably up to 10) %.Other possible blowing agent components include 3-5C hydrocarbons (up to 50 wt.% of the total) and/or nitrogen (up to 10 wt.%).Other additives include ionic surfactants in amounts of 0.1-5 wt.% based on the water content, especially alkyl ether sulfates, alkylphenol ether sulfates, alkyl-sulfonates, alkylbenzene-sulfonates, alkylphenol ether sulfates, fatty alcohol ether sulfates, ethoxylated alkylphenols, ethoxylated fatty alcohols, dialkyl sulfosuccinates, fatty acid salts and/or alkyl ether phosphates.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Products: PS foam sheet with a bulk density of 25-45 kg/m3, PP foam with a density of 25-35 kg/m3 containing 6-9 wt.% blowing agent and PE foam with a density of 15-25 kg/m3 containing 9-12 wt.% blowing agent. Preferred Process: The components of the blowing agent may be at least partly added at different points in the extruder. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Method: The compostable waste in each lift is aerobically bioremediated by adding air into the lift using the piping layer of the preceding lift. Water is added to the first lift of shredded waste material through the first layer of piping. Water is also applied to the top of second lift. Air addition to second lift using first piping layer is stopped to give a partially composted second lift and the first lift is allowed to undergo anaerobic decomposition. Leachate is collected in the leachate withdrawal piping and directed into the first lift using the first piping layer. Air addition to the second lift is halted after construction of the third lift is complete. The first and second lifts are then mechanically compacted.Preferred Source: Water added to the lift is landfill leachate, fresh water, and/or waste water.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The bioreactor cell has gas vent pipes.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Components: The site selected is a sewage pumping site in the sewer pipeline infrastructure or a temporary untreated sewage collection site in the sewer pipeline infrastructure.The pumping site includes a pump and the agent is mixed with the sewage flow upstream or downstream of the pump at the pumping site.Preferred Method: The step of providing the agent source includes providing an agent generator and injector at the selected site.The agent is introduced by a mixing device interposed in the piping of the pipeline infrastructure at the selected site and receiving the introduced agent from the source and mixing the agent with the sewage flow at the site.Preferred Materials: The agent is an oxygen-bearing gas for changing the sewage flow from an anaerobic to aerobic state, or an enzyme for increasing the microbial activity in the sewage flow.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The mechanism device comprises air feed (8) and burner (9) comprising a catalyst. It may also comprise methanizing mechanism for converting carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide (CO/CO2) to methane in the presence of hydrogen. It has also a feed for CO/CO2.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The sweeping gas is produced by introducing air and allowing oxygen to react with hydrogen, or by providing CO/CO2 and allowing it to react with hydrogen, thus giving methane. SPECIFIC MATERIALS - The fuel gas is hydrogen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Device: The electrode segments are shaped as a pin having a blunt tip and a flat ring having a hole. The segments which are either solid, porous or hollow are disposed proximate and separated a predetermined distance from the first dielectric, and in contact with the first dielectric. The device further comprises a planar plate, and a second dielectric proximate the second electrode. The capillaries are arranged so that spacing between adjacent capillaries is equal. The first dielectric has an auxiliary channel connected to the capillaries.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The treatment tank is provided with a stirring blade and a closed position confirmation switch which detects the pushed-in and closed position of the elimination shutter. A microswitch detection piece abuts, when the shutter has the closed position confirmation switch in the closed position. A fermentation promoter tank for receiving and liquefying a fermentation promoter is attached to the treatment tank.Preferred Method: The overflow opening is made to move to and fro from the rotation axis of a stirring blade and overflow start time is forwarded or delayed according to the direction of rotation of the stirring blades. The treatment tank is automatically replenished with water from a water tank when the moisture content sensor provided, detects over-drying of the organic refuse processing machine. A fermentation promoter sensor measures concentration of the promoter and when the concentration detected is low, the promoter is replenished automatically to the organic refuse process machine.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: Methane recovered during anaerobic digestion is utilized as a fuel for boiler during solubilize and as a fuel of prime mover for warming water. By adjusting the supply of generated methane, compost production quantity is adjusted. Methane fermentation is performed for 7-20 days and aerobic fermentation is performed for 5-20 days. The liquid phase of the solubilization process is maintained at an absolute pressure of 0.5-2.5 MPa. EXAMPLE - Organic waste slurry comprising organic refuse is subjected to anaerobic digestive process by a digester, and methane is recovered. Oxygen containing gas corresponding to 5-25 mass% of CODCr value is supplied to the slurry which is then solubilized. Processing time was 15-60 minutes at 150-200 degrees Centigrade during methane collection, and the liquid phase of slurry (21) was maintained. At least one part of the processed material is dehydrated (37) to contain 70% or less of the original moisture content. The slurry is then subjected to aerobic fermentation and composting process. No quantitative data was given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Condition: The angle between the central line of rotation of the container and the normal line of the horizontal surface of the processing container is acute or 0-180degrees.Preferred Apparatus: The stirrer is plate-shaped with several projections and is attached spirally.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - AGRICULTURE - Preferred Process The storage time is 2-6 months in a sealed container (claimed).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - AGRICULTURE - Preferred Apparatus: In the container the first divider means has a first closed position effective to separate the second chamber from the first and has a open position effective to enable communication between the first and second chamber. The container further comprises a third chamber located below the second and a second divider means dividing the second from the third chamber which is movable to effect transfer of decomposing material from the second to the third chamber. The divider means comprises planar divider walls movable in the plane of the wall between closed and open positions. The container also comprises a roof member closing the open top of the container and openable to enable introduction of material for composting into the first chamber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Conditions: The metabolic conditions include a pH of 5-9 at 15-110, preferably at 30-55 degrees C.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The C-N bonds are e.g. quinolines, quinoxalines, hydroxyquinolines, hydroxyquinoxalines, methylquinolines, methylquinoxalines, ethylquinolines, or ethylquinoxalines. SPECIFIC MICROORGANISMS - The microorganism is Pseudomonas ayucida strain ATCC PTA-806 (claimed).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Unit: The first two stages are coated heat exchangers cooled by a common oil cycle. The third stage is a reactor with a CO oxidation zone and a cooling zone, in which the H2-rich gas stream can be cooled to under 200 degrees C. The unit may also have an uncooled fourth stage. There is a heat exchanger between stages two and three, in which the heat exchange preferably is a stream of medium already in the system. The oxidant feed is regulated in all four stages or regulated in stages one to three and carried out passively through a by-pass pipe in stage four. At least stage one and two are carried out in a plate structure and/or at least stages three and four are tube aggregate reactors.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Process: The sample (grass or maize; typically 100 g) is first comminuted and (I) is extracted with hot water (typically 300 ml). The solution is treated with lactic acid bacteria (at about 30 degreesC), preferably in the form of capsules, and the mixture fermented with exclusion of air at about 33 degreesC. After 24 hours, the pH is measured using a pH meter or by titration. The farmer then uses a chart, relating pH to ensilaging quality, to estimate how much (if any) soluble (I) needs to be added to the material to ensure satisfactory ensilaging.Preferred Kit: This may also include a stirrer and a titration buret. EXAMPLE - A sample of 'Rotschwingel' (a material that has a low content of water-soluble carbohydrates) was fermented with lactic acid bacteria and all available sugar was consumed within 20 hours, producing a pH no lower than 3.95. When a sample was mixed with 3 or 5 wt.% sugar (molasses), the pH fell to about 3.3 after 45 hours and was still falling at that time.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Reactor: This is supplied with material (which may include stable manure) at the top and with air at the base. It is composed of heat-insulating material and has a capacity of 0.2-7 cubic m. The housing is of modular construction; has a smooth, slidable surface and is suited for self-assembly. The comminuter operates only when the feed port is closed and stops automatically when the process is complete. The level of material can be observed through a viewing window in the housing or is monitored electronically. The system is completely air-tight and includes a feed port; comminuter; compost store and optionally a press, and moveable components are operated by hand or electrically (particularly with power derived from sunlight). The necessary oxygen is supplied by electrolysis of water in the rotting material or by adding external air, through a perforated base plate. In all parts of the reactor, the moisture content and temperature are maintained (by a PC-controlled measuring probe) at values that ensure odorless rotting, i.e. proper levels of moisture, oxygen and microorganisms (aerobic and anaerobic) are maintained throughout. Also the optimum carbon/nitrogen ratio is maintained by adding appropriate nutrients. The upper third of the reactor is at 40-50 degreesC, the middle third at 50-70 degreesC and the lowest third at 70-85 degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The reactor maybe disposed in an inclined or horizontal configuration. The neighboring main screws have helical screw threads, and are rotated in reverse rotational sense with each other. The configuration of the screw threads, pitch, and/or rate of revolution of the main screws maybe varied to forward the reaction mixture at different velocities. Cooperative screws (8, 9) are arranged near the delivery end of the main screws. They are operative to forward the reaction mixture in the direction opposite to the forwarding direction caused by the main screws.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: Each set of injectors comprises a vertical tubular injection ring; first and second fuel feed lines connected to the injection ring; two sets of equally spaced gas injection nozzles around outer and inner circumference of the injection ring, respectively; a centrally located gas injection device within the interior of the AAR, with six equally spaced gas injection nozzles around its circumference; and a third fuel line connected to the gas injector device.Preferred Arrangement: The first and second sets of injectors are positioned perpendicular to the outer casing of the AAR, with each set extending inward into the interior.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Condition: The first and second temperatures are 1850-2200 degreesF and 1650-1850 degreesF, respectively.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Component: A ceramic layer (48) is affixed to the inside of the outer casing.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Structure: The solid-liquid separation tank and aerobic treatment tank are connected through a opening provided at the lower part of tank. The opening is covered with a net having pores whose size is smaller than the porous support.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The porous support is polyurethane group support having hardness of 0.1-1 MPa according to JIS K 6401. Preferred Process: The waste water containing organic solid substance is introduced into a settling tank before introducing it in aerobic treatment tank.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INDUSTRIAL STANDARDS - The hardness of polyurethane group support is measured according to JIS K 6401.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The crusher used for pulverizing waste is a biaxially shearing type crusher. The two axis are arranged vertically right angle to each other.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Features: The installation comprises a distributor system downstream from the hydrogen separator to direct the hydrogen to a motor application or to storage. The catalytic reformer may comprise a fixed bed reactor and means for recycling some of the H2 produced by the reaction upstream of the reactor. Alternatively, the reforming unit comprises a rotating barrel containing the catalyst which consists of a collection of reactor tubes arranged in parallel to the vertical axis of rotation of the barrel, so that each tube effects a cycle comprising phases of regeneration as a function of the rotation of the barrel. Means are provided for the circulation of fluids across the reactor tubes including injector orifices and upper and lower covers. Temperature control is effected by thermal exchange with exhaust gases from the motor in an envelope surrounding the barrel. The installation also includes means for drying injected air, used for regeneration phases, and for purification of the H2 produced ; the materials used are molecular sieves used in phases of adsorption, desorption and cooling. The motorization may comprise an internal combustion engine supplied with the high octane petrol and optionally a quantity of H2., or an electric motor supplied with energy produced by a hydrogen fuel cell or a combination of both fitted to a vehicle. EXAMPLE - A commercial catalyst, Procatalyse CR201 (RTM) was used. The sequence of catalytic treatments included (I) purge to eliminate hydrocarbons present, by passage of exhaust gases depleted in O2; (II) combustion at 350 - 550 degreesC., using exhaust gases and air; (III) combustion at 400 - 600 degreesC. using exhaust gases and air; (V) oxychlorination at 400 - 600 degreesC, using air and a chlorinating product; (VI) calcination, using pure dry air at 400 - 600 degreesC; and (VII) reduction using purified hydrogen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - FOOD - Preferred Method: The supplied vegetable biomass is precut prior to feeding to the mixing zone. The removed minor portion is used for the extraction of organic products by fermentation or enzyme degradation and concomitant production of fermentation or enzyme degradation products. The removed minor portion can also be utilized for the fermentation of organic products and concomitant production of biogas that is utilized to provide combustion heat. The combustion heat may be used for drying the produced fiber product or the extracted organic products. Preferred Parameters: The final comminuting stage of the comminutor has an effective shearing gap whose width is greater than 1 mm. The ratio by weight of the major portion of the aqueous juice to the minor portion is greater than 4:1.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The media divider is a material which is carbon, nickel, cobalt, titanium, zirconium, niobium, tungsten, hafnium, iron, their oxides, their mixtures, and/or their alloys.Preferred Properties: The media divider is up to 0.5 (preferably 0.001-0.3) inch thick. It has a bubble pressure of greater than 0.01, preferably 7-8 psi.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The electrochemical cell (30) includes a hydrogen flow field (32) disposed adjacent to and in fluid communication with the hydrogen electrode; an oxygen flow field (34) disposed adjacent to and in fluid communication with the oxygen electrode; and a media divider (40) disposed adjacent to and in fluid and electrical communication with the oxygen flow field. The system includes a mechanical force bias capable of maintaining a gas/liquid pressure differential of up to the bubble pressure. The movable divider (48) is bladder, bellows, piston, or diaphragm.Preferred Method: The method includes passing the water from the compartmentalized storage tank (42) to a water flow field (38) through the media divider and the oxygen flow field to the oxygen electrode.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - COMPUTING AND CONTROL - Preferred System: Each cell further comprises sensor(s) for generating a feedback signal representative of pressure, temperature, flow rate or oxygen, methane or carbon dioxide concentration. The signal is communicated to the computer and it controls the respective valve in response.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Conditions: The first selective hydrogenation zone is operated at 200-500 psig, and 90-180 degrees F. The contacting step is conducted at 150-500 psig, 90-500 degrees F, and a solvent liquid hourly space velocity of 0.5-10/hour.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The diolefin hydrocarbon stream comprises 3-5C diolefin, preferably butadiene. The polymer solvent is hexane.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The selective hydrogenation zones contain a catalyst comprising copper metal.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Apparatus: The stirring blades mounted in the stirring apparatus are in trapezoidal triangular spiked or rectangular forms.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The quantity of hydrogen supplied to electricity generation unit is compensated by filling of insufficient hydrogen produced by insufficient supply of raw material to the reforming unit from a different hydrogen cylinder.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The second column comprises a de-ethanizer column that receives a wet liquid feed gas (186) and an integral water removal contractor. It produces a purified product fluid (170). The integral water removal contractor (150) utilizes triethylene glycol as a dehydrating agent. The condenser is an integral overhead condenser, and further receives refrigerant from a turbo-expander. It employs at least in part propane as a refrigerant. A feed gas separation element (180) receives a wet process gas (182) and produces a wet gaseous feed gas (184) and a wet liquid feed gas (186).Preferred Material: The de-ethanizer column is fabricated from low temperature carbon steel. The absorber column is fabricated from stainless steel.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The recovery of propane from a feed gas comprises recovering up to 99 mol.% of propane from the feed gas.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Product: The purified product fluid predominantly comprises propane and higher hydrocarbons.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Length: The bamboo chip has longitudinal fiber orientation length (d) and orthogonal direction length (e) of 2-10 mm, preferably the longitudinal fiber orientation length (d) is at least 5 mm.Preparation: If bamboo chip is obtained from undried bamboo material, the material is left aside in air-tight space for a predetermined time, alternatively if the bamboo chip is obtained from dried bamboo material, the material is immersed in water containing nutrient. Bamboo chips are formed by cutting fibers longitudinally, or by crushing bamboo. EXAMPLE - No example is given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: Carbonization is performed after adding and stirring a water absorption agent to the crushed waste vegetables and fruits.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: A slaked lime supply unit is provided which supplies slaked lime (water absorption agent) to the screw conveyor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Apparatus: Two or more catalyst layer cells are provided in the carbon monoxide reduction apparatus. The gas diffusion part which is formed of a mesh and/or a porous substance, is provided in one or more gas inlet sides of the catalyst layer cells.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The process is alternately carried out by introducing water into reaction zone (12), contacting water with carbon containing material in presence of plasma to form synthesis gas, introducing the synthesis gas into reaction zone (14), and contacting with carbon containing material in presence of plasma to form methane rich gas. The methane or methane rich gas is cooled rapidly. The methane rich gas contains methane and water vapor. The water vapor is condensed to form methane and condensed water which are then separated. Hydrogen is formed from condensed water. The hydrogen is introduced into the reaction zone (14) with the synthesis gas. Preferred Apparatus: The apparatus has casing containing plasma reaction unit, a cylindrical polyphase electrode in which counter electrode is provided, neutral electrode arranged in center portion and polyphase alternator (16) in which electric power unit is connected to cylindrical polyphase electrode and cylindrical neutral electrode, collector chamber (20), rapid cooling chamber (22) adjoined with collector chamber, methane conversion unit (discharge electrode) filled with methane conversion catalyst, separation unit to condense water vapor and to separate methane and condensed water, plasma generation unit to form hydrogen from water, pipeline for adding hydrogen to synthesis gas, and high-frequency pulse electric power unit which generates cold plasma.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The gaseous mixture supply unit is provided with a pump to compress the reactor, and spraying device through which water is sprayed as microparticles into the reactor. The sprayed water is subsequently contacted with the gaseous mixture. Alternatively, the apparatus is provided with a carrier for water which is contacted with the supplied gaseous mixture. A water-soluble organic compound is present in the water supplied to the reactor.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The energy necessary to initiate the reaction between the gaseous phases is electrical, in the form of an incandescent or spark plug.The amount of O2 introduced is greater than that necessary for the complete combustion of the hydrocarbon, and the reaction between the gaseous phases takes place at a temperature greater than 1000degrees C.The addition of water is effected in stages.After the functioning temperature has been reached, a constriction at the gaseous outlet is effected to establish a pressure in the reformer.The installation comprises two reaction zones separated from each other by an intermediate gas-permeable element; the first zone is supplied with nozzles for the introduction of hydrocarbons, O2 and water, and also a means for introduction of electrical energy.The intermediate zone comprises a sintered metallic material, metallic trellis or a bulk filling of high surface area.The secondary zone contains a catalyst on a metallic honeycomb support or supported on a metallic or ceramic balls.It is heated by thermal conduction and by contact with the intermediate element. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Structure: Water and carbon dioxide are reacted using an optical catalyst to form methane gas. CO2 and CaCO3 can be recovered using a solution having Ca(OH)2 dissolved in it.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The metal or metal oxide catalyst is from chromium, magnesium, nickel, iron, ruthenium, platinum, silver, calcium, manganese, tin or oxides of these.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: M is complexed with at least one solvent molecule S which is a Lewis base. The Lewis base is a heteroatom donor such as a dialkyloxyethane, tetrahydrofuran, a diene, a nitrile or an ether. The complex is preferably of formula (II).S = dimethoxyethane.Preferred Process: The compound to be reduced is an organic compound and the catalyst effects alkylation . The reduction product is an alkylated organic compound. The alkylation agent is of formula RJ (R = alkyl; J = I, Br, Cl or F).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Process: The compound to be reduced comprises a polymerizable unit (e.g. isoprene) and the reduced product is a polymer. Preferred Definitions:    M = thulium, dysprosium, neodymium, cerium, praseodymium, gadolinium, terbium, holmium, erbium, lutetium, lanthanum or yttrium (especially Tm, Dy or Nd); and    G1, G2 = iodine.    EXAMPLE - DyI2 (10 mg) was added to a mixture of isoprene (5 ml) and hexane (5 ml) and stirred for 8 hours. The thick purple solution was evaporated to give an elastomer which was re-dissolved in hexane. A 13C NMR spectrum showed high cis-1,4-polyisoprene as the only observable product.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The composition contains water, 1-20 percent by weight.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Arrangement: The apparatus comprises a control unit which controls the bacteria supply unit, culture tank, organic acid supply unit and supply of bacteria to demand side. The apparatus comprises 4 independent culture tanks and the supply of bacteria after finalizing culture is carried out to each tank. The independent culture tank performs preparation of aqueous liquid containing VLFA, proliferation of culture for 3 days and supply of bacteria to demand side in cycle. The high concentration organic aqueous liquid is waste milk.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: A waste gas line (6) is connected to the reformer and a combustion unit (11) supplies heat to the reformer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The salt is an a chloride, sulfate and/or nitrate, preferably cobalt hexahydrate (claimed).Preferred Process: The salt is used at 0.01-4 (0.05-0.1) mg/l and the TBA and/or TAA is used at 0.001-10 g/l (claimed). EXAMPLE - Burkholderia cepacia cultured on a saline medium containing 0.1 (0) g CoCl2.6H2O and tert. butanol (TBA) had an initial TBA concentration of 346.5 (365.5) mg/l, a final concentration of 0 (0) mg/l and a final organic carbon content of below 10 (below 10) mg/l after 72 (150) g.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Peroxide compound (b) is H2O2, an H2O2-addition product (especially an H2O2-urea adduct) and/or a per compound (especially a perborate, percarbonate or persulfate); and pH stabilizer (c) is an aqueous solution of a buffer such as an alkali metal (especially Na or K)-phosphate, -citrate, -acetate, -formate and/or -borate, especially tri-Na- or tri-K-phosphate or -citrate, di-Na- or di-K-hydrogenphosphate, Na- or K-dihydrogenphosphate, di-Na- or di-K-citrate, mono-Na- or mono-K-citrate and/or Na- or K-acetate, -formate or -tetraborate. SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - Some 110 hydroxybenzotriazole compounds are listed in the claims for use as mediator compound (a). These include 1-hydroxybenzotriazole and its Na, K, Li, ammonium, Ca and Mg salts; 1-hydroxybenzotriazole-4-sulfonic acid and its mono- or di-Na or -K salts; 1-hydroxybenzotriazole-6-N-phenylcarboxamide; 4,5-, 4,6-, 5,6- or 4,7-dichloro-1-hydroxybenzotriazole; 6-sulfamido-1-hydroxybenzotriazole; 6-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydroimidazo-(1,5-a)-pyridin-5-yl)-1- hydroxybenzotriazole; and 6-Me-4-nitro-1-hydroxybenzotriazole.    EXAMPLE - A formulation of pH 5 which retained 87.8% of its peroxide content after 7 days at 60 degrees C and 71.1% after 13 days comprised Na phosphate (94g), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (1g) and Na perborate tetrahydrate (5g). By comparison the corresponding peroxide retention values for a 1-hydroxybenzotriazole-free formulation containing only Na phosphate (95g) and Na perborate tetrahydrate (5g) were 9.0 and 4.5% respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Features: A first vertical nozzle assembly (10) is introduced into the reaction chamber. A second, horizontal nozzle arrangement (20) comprises at least two horizontal, mutually-parallel interconnected tubes extending through the reaction chamber, each with a number of nozzle openings. The horizontal nozzle assembly rotates about a horizontal axis. The fermentation vessel has a tapering base cross section. This leads into an inclined drain channel with valve (40) at its lower end. Gas is supplied from a pressure vessel (44) also containing a bioreactive liquid (50). The nozzle system takes compressed air or fluid from the pressure vessel. Pulsating compressed air is supplied. Nozzle assemblies are height-adjustable. Various pressure vessels containing different bioreactive liquids are connected to the mixer vessel. The mixer vessel includes pressure equalization. Pressure vessels are interchangeable and can be autoclaved individually. The drain is covered by a mesh. A pressure cover (8) of the fermentation vessel holds the first nozzle arrangement (10), the tubes hanging vertically from it into the reaction chamber. They are interchangeable in the cover.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The aluminum oxide hydrate is selected from boehmite, pseudo-boehmite and boehmite gel.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Composite Material: The hydrogen-separating metal is particularly carried inside the support in a film, or layer, form. Such support can also carry a catalyst for chemical reaction to produce hydrogen from a specific raw material. Such catalyst is particularly detached from the hydrogen-separating metal e.g. in layers, and both layers are of different physical structures, or compositions, from the support. The composite material has protrusions and recesses in the thickness direction, and at least 1 of the faces in the thickness direction is bound to a porous material in a thickness enough to ascertain mechanical strength.Preferred Composite Material Production: The composite material in composition and structure is as already defined. Microparticles constituting the porous support includes not less than 2 types of particles of different specific gravity.Preferred Device: Hydrogen is particularly produced by catalytic decomposition of a specific raw material like hydrocarbon and steam. Transportation means are particularly provided for supplying raw material, steam and the obtained hydrogen. The used pipes are specifically with a curvature inside where a catalyst is held for chemical reaction, particularly a double tube modified to reduce carbon monoxide with a catalyst in the outer tube. Other means are also available to stir the internal gas, separate the mixed gas and transported gas, and prevent gas leakage by pressure adjustment. EXAMPLE - A composite material was produced for use with the fuel gas-reforming device and fuel cell as specified.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The carbon monoxide is contacted with oxygen at 30-200 (100-200)degreesC in the presence of a catalyst comprising cobalt and platinum such that the amount of oxygen contacted is 0.5-2 (0.5-4) times the amount of carbon monoxide contained in the hydrogen-containing gas. The amount of catalyst used is 1000-100000 (100-100000) (1/h) in terms of a gas hourly space velocity.Preferred Catalyst: The catalyst components contain 0.1-80 wt.% cobalt, nickel, copper or manganese and 0.05-50 wt.% platinum. EXAMPLE - An aqueous solution in which cobalt acetate dihydrate was dissolved in an amount of 0.5 wt.% in terms of Co, and alumina balls were placed in an evaporator and dried under reduced pressure to support 0.5 wt.% of Co on the alumina support, followed by further drying. Then an acetone solution containing acetylacetonato platinum in an amount of 0.5 wt.% in terms of Pt was charged into an evaporator together with the obtained Co-supporting alumina, and dried under reduced pressure to further support 0.5 wt.% of Pt on the alumina support. The resultant Co/Pt-supporting alumina was dried and then calcined at 360degreesC to obtain an alumina-supported catalyst on which 0.5 wt.% Co and 0.5 wt.% Pt were supported.    When using the catalyst, no methane was produced at 40-260degreesC, and the CO concentration of treated gas was reduced to 0.05 mol % or lower in a reaction temperature range of 40-190degreesC. Further, in the above temperature range, the oxygen reaction rate was 90% or higher, and the oxidation selectivity was about 50%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The fluid stream is a vapor rising from a distillation section below the intermediate distillation section below.The multicomponent fluid is air and the three components are nitrogen having a highest volatility, oxygen having a lowest volatility, and argon having an intermediate volatility between the highest and the lowest volatilities.The multicomponent fluid is nitrogen/oxygen/argon mixtures.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The multicomponent fluid is benzene/toluene/xylene mixtures, nitrogen/carbon monoxide/methane mixtures, combinations of three or more components from 1-5C alcohols, or hydrocarbon mixtures.The hydrocarbon mixtures are pentane-hexane-heptane, isopentane-pentane-hexane, butane-isopentane-pentane, iso-butane-n-butane-gasoline, or combinations of three of more components of 1-6C hydrocarbons or 4C isomers.The argon-enriched stream has an oxygen of less than 60 mol.%.
EXAMPLE - No suitable examples are given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The solid fuel dissolved in caustic soda is recovered from the gasifier in the form of a smelt and supplied to a causticizer plant from which caustic soda is regenerated. The refined waste gas is heated in a combustion furnace.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Microbiological decomposition of pollution due to hydrocarbons. EXAMPLE - Alpha proteobacterium MBIC4524 (FERM P-17496) was inoculated in a culture medium containing 0.1 weight/volume% of weathering oil and cultured at 30 degrees Celsius for 30 days. The residual rate of alkanes, naphthalene and fluorene was about 7, 100 and 83%, respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: The hydrogen-permeable device includes fixed high polymeric hollow fibers made of polyimide.
EXAMPLE - The gas inlet is connected to the pressure chamber via a flow regulating valve (12) which can be shut off by the second connector (16). The inlet and outlet valves are electrically operated. A venturi nozzle (22) is mounted in the gas outlet downstream from the outlet valve, allowing liquids, aerosols or microorganisms to be added to the gas.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - TEXTILES AND PAPER - Preferred Pocket: The permeable pocket is made of textile bag, non-woven made cloth bag, net bag or perforated plastic bag.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Arrangement: The reaction vessel is filled with mixture of catalyst layer (5) for methane decomposition provided in first stage and catalyst layer (6) for carbon dioxide decomposition provided in subsequent stage. The catalyst layer for methane combustion (5) is mat-like, in which a portion of methane is burnt on the catalyst and the carbon dioxide fixation reaction is induced on the catalyst layer (6) for carbon dioxide fixation on lower portion.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Features: The fat is filtered through grape pulp to separate liquid and viscous phases. The fibrous material is dung, the absorbent is sawdust and the fruit pulp is grape pulp. The dung and pulp are mixed together before mixing in the viscous fat. The mixed material is formed into windrows and turned regularly to aerate and homogenize the material. The liquid fat is sprayed onto the windrows to make up for evaporation due to the heat produced by composting.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Materials: A thermoplastic is included in the glass support and sealing system, such as PTFE.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - METALLURGY - Preferred Electrodes: Electrodes are flat, linear and made of nickel or other metal with low overvoltage factor, including coatings of tungsten, molybdenum or gold.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRONICS - Preferred Details: A semiconductor suspension catalyses the photolytic process. Electrodes are switched in automatically in accordance with the actual voltage supplied. The voltage applied is (0.75 to 1.2) x N where N is the number of electrodes. Glass or ceramic insulators are employed.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - COMPUTING AND CONTROL - Preferred Features: The control system includes a controller (4), sensors (5), automatic switching system (6), electrolyte maintenance system (7), electrolytic gas treatment unit (8) and permanent current supply (9) with stabilizer (10). Sensors (26-32) measure temperatures of gas and electrolyte, electrolyte level, gas pressure, voltage, ambient temperature and sunlight intensity. The switching system automatically controls plant components including the gas pump, introduction of natural or bio-gas, release of electrolytic gas, electrolyte supply and release, as well as current supply.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Features: The reactor includes a support frame enclosing two glass panels, screws and rubber seals with other fittings to form a hermetically-sealed intermediate chamber between the panels. A mirror is included with the glass panels. This is filled with electrolyte and includes multiple electrodes. The electrolyte is alkaline. Both processes reinforce each other, for high reactor efficiency. Electrolyte is renewed, and the electrolytic gas is processed and mixed automatically, during operation.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Condition: The safe liquid fuel has initial boiling point of 0-15degreesC, and final boiling point of less than 75degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: (III) is present in an amount of 1-50 (preferably 1-8) wt.%.At least one (II) is n-pentane, isopentane or cyclopentane (preferably isopentane). EXAMPLE - A rigid polyisocyanurate foam was prepared by using following contents (wt.%): polyol blend (polyester polyol with an OH number of 240) (75), isopentane (16.8), an inorganic potassium based amine (0.2), a trimerization catalyst (0.2), an alkyl phosphate solution (3.2), a polysiloxane polyether copolymer (1.6) and 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane (3). A comparative was prepared same as above, except that isocyanate (18.6 wt.%) was used as a blowing agent with the alkyl phosphate solution without any addition of 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane. 76.2 wt.% of the polyol blend was used. Results were as follows: Flame spread for the test/comparative was 0.27/1 and smoke index was 0.34/1. This showed that the addition of 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane resulted in a near improvement in the flammability characteristics of the foam.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The particle diameter of ruthenium or ruthenium and platinum mixture, is 200 Angstrom or less. The catalyst comprises 0.01-10 weight% of ruthenium or ruthenium-platinum mixture.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Features: The intact microorganism is preferably immobilized onto a porous support. Such microorganism can express a recombinant lipase but with deletion of a sequence related to its secretion. In the reaction, the water content is not less than 0.3 wt.%. The fats and oils can be vegetable oils, animal fats, fish oils, fats produced by microorganisms, or their mixture, or their waste oils. The lower alcohol is particularly methanol, and the total amount of methanol and water in the reaction system is adjusted to not more than 30 wt.%. Such lower alcohol can be added in portions. EXAMPLE - A mixture of soya-bean oil (9.65 g), methanol (0.35 g) and water (1 g) was treated with an immobilized intact microorganism for reaction at 30 degreesC while agitating for 20 hrs., The produced ester was determined by GC. Yield of the ester was 100% after reaction for 30 mins.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The fuel cell stack uses an electrochemical reaction for generating electrical power.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred process: Where (I) is MTBE, at least of the bacteria Burkholderia cepacia CIP I-2052; Alcaligenes sp. CIP I-2561; Mycobacterium sp. CIP I-2562; Arthrobacter globiformis ATCC 53596; Bacillus coagulans ATCC 53595; Pseudomonas stutzeri ATCC 53602 and M. vaccae JOB5 ATCC 29678 is also added, and where (I) is TAME at least one of the first three specified bacteria. These additional bacteria degrade tert-butanol and or tert-pentanol formed by degradation of the ether.The supplemental bacteria are grown in presence of the tertiary alcohols (at 0.01-10 g/l of effluent) and of at least one cobalt salt, particularly the chloride, at 0.01-4 mg/ml. ETBE is degraded without additional bacteria.The concentration of (I) is not over 5 g/l, particularly 0.01-400 mg/l, and the bacteria are grown in a biofilter system, with the (I)-containing effluent supplied to the filter, in presence of oxygen or air, at 0.1-2 l/l/hr.Alternatively, the water is in an aquifer and then the bacteria, plus (II), are added, together with air or oxygen, to wells driven into the aquifer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred microorganism: I-2194 has been selected from the known strain I-1889 by growing on minimal medium containing ETBE as carbon source. It expresses the genes required for ETBE degradation in a constitutive manner. Preferred substrates: (II), used at a concentration at least equal to that of (I), is e.g. a 2-5C alcohol, mono- or di-saccharide, dibutyl ether, acetone etc., particularly ethanol and/or acetone. EXAMPLE - CIP I-2194 was inoculated in minimal medium containing (i) methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) or (ii) tert-pentyl methyl ether (TAME) as carbon source, at 200 mg/l, and cultured at 30 degreesC. Both ethers were converted to the corresponding alcohol, but the process quickly slowed down and 50% conversion required about 150 hr. At this point ethanol was added and then all the remaining ether was degraded within 30 hr.
EXAMPLE - Underground water exhausted from an underground petroleum tank, underground water around the tank and sealing water were sampled. The underground water exhausted from an underground petroleum tank was contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbon showing a total organic carbon concentration of about 50 parts per million (ppm). Microbes were collected from them by filtration through a 0.22 m pore size membrane and the DNA was extracted from them. The V3 region fragment of 16S ribosome gene was amplified from the extracted DNA by a PCR and subjected to a denaturating gradient gel electrophoresis to analyze the fragment. Band e was specifically detected on the lane of the petroleum-contaminated underground water.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Agent: The agent contains 104-108 cells of B.subtilis kubota per ml. EXAMPLE - Bacillus subtilis kubota (FERM BP-5847) was inoculated in a culture medium containing starch (10 g), meat extract (3 g), peptone (10 g), sodium chloride (5 g) and water (1000 ml) in a 500 ml flask. Stationary culture was carried out for 20 hours at 37 degrees C. The culture solution was centrifuged and microbial cells were separated. Liquid (500 ml) containing 1.5x10 power 6 microbial cells/ml was prepared. The liquid was added to eel dispersed medium in a water tank and the water was circulated for 5 days. After 5 days, the water was examined for the presence of organic substances. The results showed that the water was clear, organic substances were not present and the smell of eel was eliminated.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Hydrocarbons: The hydrocarbons are materials which contain n-alkanes and isoalkanes. SPECIFIC MICROORGANISMS - The microorganism is Gordonia rubropertinctus p-105 strain (FERM P-17460).    EXAMPLE - Culture medium (10 ml) containing 1.2 g hydrated disodium hydrogen phosphate (Na2HPO4.12H2O), 0.4 g potassium acid phosphate, 1 g ammonium sulfate, 0.2 g epsom salts, 1 g yeast extract and 10 ml of pristane, was added to the test tube with an internal diameter of 21 mm and sterilized. Soil sample (0.5 g) collected within Saitama Prefecture was cultured in the medium, for 4 days aerobically at 30 degrees Celsius and 250 rpm. Culture solution (0.1 ml) was added to new culture medium, and the culture was performed for 4 days. A culture solution was diluted to 108 increment using sterilized water and 15 g/l of agar was added, and 200 microliter of pristane was added. The stationary culture was performed for 7 days at 30 degrees Celsius. The formed colonies were gathered on a platinum loop, inoculated into liquid medium, and cultured for 2 days, as above. Then diluted again with sterilized water and a single colony was grown. Similarly 105 strains of Gordonia rubropertinctus p-105 strain (FERM P-17460) microbes with petroleum type hydrocarbon decomposing ability was obtained.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Features: The laser beam is guided in the NIR via light waveguides directly to the mirror (6'').
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Fused Gene: The secretory signal peptide has an amino acid (aa) sequence of 88 aa, and the DNA encoding such peptide has a base sequence of 264 bp. The polypeptide capable of capturing a metal has a sequence of 6 aa, which is encoded by a DNA with a sequence of 18 bp. The protein localized on cell surface has a sequence of 320 aa, and its encoded DNA contains a sequence of 960 bp.Preferred Transformant: The transformant can be a transformant yeast, animal cell, plant cell, slime mold, bacterium or insect cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Material: The environmental material can be sea water, fresh water, waste water, exhaust gas or soil which is for treatment e.g. purification of the environment and metal recovery.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Agent: The chelating agent is particularly ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid. EXAMPLE - A gene for expression and direct presentation of a histidine polypeptide on cell surface was constructed, e.g. as described by Sikorski et al. (Genetics, 1989, vol. 122, 19), Inokuchi et al. (Mol. Cell. Biol., 1987, vol. 7, 3185) and Sawai-Hatanaka et al. (Biosci. Biotech. Biochem., 1995, vol. 59, 1221), for transfer to Saccharomyces cerevisiae MT8-1 to give a transformant S. cerevisiae MT8-1 (pGMH6) for subsequent applications e.g. metal recovery.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Method: The method further comprises separating (IV) into sludge and a supernatant (II) by means of a belt process. The supernatant is subjected to biological conditioning. (III) and/or sludge is subjected to the aerobic process to obtain a compost. (II) before undergoing the anaerobic process is collected into a discharge region and is then pumped into a homogenization tank. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Details: The formaldehyde generated from the low temperature plasma is removed by water absorption.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Bio-limiting Agent: A metal or organic toxin, preferably a tin, copper or nickel metal, alloy or organic complex, and most preferably a copper or copper alloy particle.Preferred Article: The article further comprises a biomass on the bio-supportive matrix, which consumes the bio-supportive matrix.Preferred Substrate: A metal or fiberglass vessel.Preferred Anti-fouling Method: The biomass produces at least one allelochemical which inhibits attachment of fouling organisms to a metal, fiberglass, wood, cement or combination substrate, especially a boat hull or cement support.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Nutritional Source: The siurce is carbon, nitrogen or phosphorus, preferably a nitrogen and carbon containing polymer, most preferably a polyepoxide or polyurethane polymer and especially a crosslinked polyepoxide prepared from an epoxy resin and a polyamine crosslinking agent.Preferred Bio-supportive Matrix: The matrix contains at least one cross-linked modified polymer, selected from polyepoxides, polyester, polyurethanes or rubbers, preferably a polymer or copolymer of acrylonitrile, methylacrylonitrile, acrylamide, methacrylamide, vinyl chloride, vinyl acetate, acrylates or methacrylate or styrenes. ACTIVITY - Anti-bacterial; anti-fungal. The bio-limiting agent consisted of copper metal particles, of size 20-41 microm, with a cuboidal shape. The biosupport matrix included a cross-linking agent such as tetraethylene triamine, which acted as a cross link modifier and a nutrient. The excess amine interfered with the polymerization and increased the porosity of the matrix, allowing bio-degradation to occur at an optimum rate. The dissolution rate of occluded copper was 10-20 microg per day.    MECHANISM OF ACTION - No details provided.    ADMINISTRATION - No details are provided.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The exhaust component is nitrogen oxides or carbon monoxide from smoke, unburned hydrocarbons, or volatile organic compounds.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: The combustor includes a diluent air inlet. Preferred Method: The method further comprises activating an indicator connected to a computer programmed to activate the indicator when any of the concentrations fall outside a predetermined range. Operating the selected combustor includes selecting a point at which production of the exhaust component is complete and the combustion gases are well mixed, and sampling gas flow at the point. The concentration of the exhaust component is performed by sampling the exhaust component with a single probe (a heavy- walled tube) connected to the computer through an analyzer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: In using fluid intelligent tracers, the tracers are released at contact with either an oil, gas or water flow. In using various perfluorinated hydrocarbons encapsulated in polymer matrices
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: A feed valve (9) linked to air inlet, and exhaust valve (6) linked to exhaust port are provided in the apparatus. A sound wave generator or ultrasonic generator (15) is arranged in the container for oscillating air. The compost maturation apparatus has a deodorizing container which decomposes odor components in the compost using a microorganism and these odor components are absorbed by a filter in the deodorizing container. The deodorized cultivating soil are supplied to plant cultivation container. The plant cultivation container has a detector for detecting the carbon dioxide concentration. When the concentration of carbon dioxide in the plant cultivation container is more than a predetermined value, the excess carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere and when the concentration of carbon dioxide in the plant cultivation container is less than a predetermined value, more carbon dioxide is taken into the chamber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - AGRICULTURE - Preferred Material: The agricultural waste materials include chaff, rice straw, wheat/barley skin, bagasse, maize seed coat, corn cob, soybean seed coat, straw and/or buckwheat noodles husk.Preferred Method: The agricultural mixture is mixed with an acid solution or a buffer having a hydrogen ion concentration of 10-6-10-1 mol/dm3.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: An aerator to send oxygen to the stored liquid is provided in the process machine. A heater maintains the temperature of the stored liquid. Heat retention of dilution by water supply to the drainage pipe and aeration of the stored liquid are operated simultaneously.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The culture apparatus (1) is an externally installed apparatus, comprising a tank with vertical flow inlet and outlet openings at the ends. The culture apparatus is immersed into sludge in a sludge tank. The apparatus has multiple support legs (3) under the culture tank. A filter medium (Z) is laid on the perforated panel before arranging the humus or stone layers. The stones radiate far infra-red radiations of wavelength 8-10 micrometers and have an emissivity of 95 % or more, of wavelength 6-14 micrometers in normal temperature.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The infra-red radiating stones are preferably, graphite silica. The filter medium for the perforated panel comprises pumice stone collected from Shirasu plateau.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: A part of the extract is stored in a tank and circulated to the organic waste processing fermenter.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The apparatus further comprises a water circulating pump for pressurizing the extract stored in the water-storage tank (12) and recirculating the extract to the organic waste processing fermenter. The surrounding wall (14) of the fermenter is equipped with at least a water-permeable unit containing holes. A water circulating pump pressurizes water through a water sprinkling unit fermenter containing organic waste. The fermenter is inclined slightly such that the insertion opening of the organic waste is in a raised position. A protrusion on the surrounding wall of the fermenter turns the fermenter to a required position.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Bag: (B) comprises one or more of crude and processed starches and paper and pulp powders. (C) is one or more of fatty acid amides, liquid lubricants and finely powdered silica. Typical resins for (A) include homo- and co-polymers of caprolactone, 3,5,5-trimethyl caprolactone, 3,3,5-trimethyl caprolactone, beta-propiolactone, gamma butyrolactone, and valerolactone.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - TEXTILES AND PAPER - Preferred Method: The chip and/or fibrous lignocellulose material is bark and/or herb stalks which is molded as an essential raw material by applying a pressure of 10-50 kgf/cm2 at 100-200degreesC, heating or pressing, and carbonizing. Vapor is injected into the mold during manufacture of the molded article.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The adsorbent of the second zone contains lithium, titanium and/or boron ions as the strongly nitrogen-bonding metal ions., with zeolite and/or silicate as carrier material. The second adsorption zone contains a mixture and/or mixed crystal of a non-exchanged zeolite and a carrier material doped with strongly nitrogen-bonding metal ions.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Process: The type or amount of nutrient medium (especially sugar cane molasses) supplied to the bioreactor is controlled in response to the pH or redox potential of the medium after introducing the microorganisms.Preferred Bioreactor: This comprises at least two series-connected fermenters, especially an aerobic pre-fermenter, an anaerobic main fermenter and (it is stated) a post-fermenter for inactivating the microorganisms. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred composition: the sediment is pretreated by contacting the it with perchlorate before contacting it with the material, preferably maintaining the contact with the material contaminated by nitrate for a time using an at least partially reduced level of oxygen content (especially anaerobically or under microaerophylic conditions). The amount of perchlorate used is less than 1.0 mM. A carbon source (e.g. acetate, organic plant, or sugar source) is in contact with the sediment. In the perchlorate removal, the carbon source used comprises acetate, hay, straw, cattail or molasses, and an incubation temperature of 25degreesC or more. DM-17 is a gram-negative motile polymorphic facultative anaerobe, which can be used as a substitute for anaerobic bacteria currently in use in biological systems for removing perchlorate and/or nitrate from water, soil, or other contaminated materials. EXAMPLE - The potential of perchlorate to interfere with normal denitrification processes was investigated using unconditioned marsh sediment (previously unexposed to perchlorate), using 0.1 mM and 1.0 mM levels of perchlorate, and a control lacking perchlorate. All groups received 100 micro-M KNO3. All treatments received acetylene as a blocking agent. The experiment showed that denitrification was inhibited by perchlorate only when perchlorate concentration was higher. The 0.1 mM perchlorate treatment produced 14.0% more nitrous oxide compared to the control without perchlorate, while the 1.0 mM perchlorate treatment produced 22.0% less nitrous oxide. In treatments without added acetylene (i.e. no nitrous oxide reductase blocking agent), results indicated that 0.1 mM perchlorate also enhanced denitrification ( p = 0.00015, two tailed).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preparation: PS-2 was isolated from a soil sample by repeated selection in a minimal salt medium (1.5 g/l diammonium phosphate, 0.7 g/l monopotassium phosphate, 0.5 g/l sodium chloride, 0.8 g/l magnesium sulfate, pH 7.2) containing increasing amounts of polychlorinated biphenyls (100-400 mg/l).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Features: The central region and the exterior surface of the catalyst bed is cylindrical or frustoconically-shaped. The exterior surface of the bed approximates a cylinder with a diameter equal to the interior diameter of the reactor, stacked on top of a conical frustum. The central region has a surface area greater than the cross section of the reactor. The height of the central region is at least 70% of the height of the bed. A cylindrical or frusto-conical mesh defines the central region within the bed. The catalyst and restrainers are constructed such that they can be introduced into the reactor through a manhole.Preferred Particles: The catalyst is in the form of cylindrical pellets, 1 - 10 mm high and wide, with an aspect ratio from 1 - 5. The cylindrical particles with less flow resistance than the catalyst particles have a minimum dimension that is at least 1.5 times the minimum dimension of the catalyst particles. They also have at least one axially-extending through hole.Preferred Process: The second particle restrainer, which is flexible, is removed during or after charging the particulate materials. It comprises a ring which is progressively moved as the particles are charged from between the catalyst and other particulate material. The second region is a fixed bed of catalyst around the central region forming either the first or third region, the remaining region is the space between the catalyst restrainer and the interior wall of the reactor, and is filled with particulate material.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compounds: The hydrocarbon is preferably ethane and/or propane.Preferred Composition: The natural gas is present in the liquid at 0.5 vol.% or greater but not in sufficient quantity to form a liquid phase at the storage temperature and pressure.Preferred Process: The mixture is preferably transmitted by pipeline. EXAMPLE - No examples given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Features: The fuel is added to a fossil fuel in an amount of 1-25 % and used to generate electricity.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Method: A combustible waste material acting as a binder is added to the crushed waste, and the blocks are dried to a moisture content of less than 20 %. The blocks have a volume less than 1 m3. The binder is an oil, fat, rubber material or casein-containing material.Preferred Installation: The drying device comprises a non-fired, covered and ventilated region.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Structure: The holes at the base of the catchment member are of diameter 3-6 mm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - AGRICULTURE - Preferred Method: The method is for the preparation of compost. EXAMPLE - In a mixture of 0.1 liters of cultured Bacillus sp. TAT105 (FERM P-17558) and 3.0 kg of swine feces, sawdust and water were added to make water content of 65 %. The mixture was aerobically cultured for 2 weeks with turning at week one. Generation of ammonia in the test group was less than that of control group exhibiting a total nitrogen content of 25.3 g. The control group showed a corresponding nitrogen content of 24.1 g indicating the assimilation of ammonium compounds.
EXAMPLE - A culture medium containing potassium hydrogen phosphate (K2HPO4) (0.56%), potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) (0.24%), ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4) (0.1%), salt (0.1%), hydrated magnesium sulfate (MgSO4. 7H2O) (0.02%), yeast extract (0.01%), liquid containing vitamin and trace metallic salts was prepared. 0.4 l Of the above culture medium (pH 7) was heat-sterilized at 120 degreesC. Epichlorohydrin (10 mM) was then added and the concentration was set to 370 mg/0.4 l. Arthrobacter ureafaceiens 3CL7 (FERM P-17450) strain was inoculated in the culture medium and shaking culture was carried out at 30 degreesC. The concentration of the chloride ion in the cultured medium was measured as described by Iwasaki et al., Bull. Chem. Soc. Japan, 25,256 (1952). The epichlorohydrin concentration in the culture medium was reduced and disappeared completely in about 40 hours. The growth of microorganism was became maximum at 100 hours and the chlorine ion concentration in the culture medium reached 10 mM (maximum) after 150 hours.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred System: The baffle (704) has two ends. The ports are positioned proximate to a second end of the baffle. The baffle directs the fluid from the inlet port (714) in antiparallel, and from the outlet port in parallel, to the light source. The fluid is flowed from outside of the baffle to the housing (702) through the inlet port and is then withdrawn by the outlet port. The light source is positioned along a central axis of the baffle.The baffle and the watertight housing are cylindrical in shape. The baffle has an inner surface that is reflectorized for reflecting light emitted from the light source. An inner surface of the outlet port is exposed to light emitted from the light source. The system further comprises a removable recirculating hose that is connected with the ports, and an annular baffle near the inlet port to help distribute the fluid flowing through the inlet port.There is a gap between the baffle and the housing that is formed by the ends of the baffle terminating to ends of the housing. The cooling material filters the light from the tubular light source. Lamp holders (708, 712) are attached to the ends of the housing and configured to provide access to the light source.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The jacket of the system is a quartz jacket.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The heavy hydrocarbon fuel comprises hydrocarbon molecules containing at least 6C (preferably gasoline, kerosene, jet fuel, or diesel fuel). It has a sulfur content greater than 500 ppm by weight.Preferred Condition: The catalyst contact time is not more than 500 milliseconds, and a liquid hourly space velocity is greater than 25 hr.-1.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The catalytic structure is a noble metal mesh or a noble metal coating on a metallic mesh. The noble metal is platinum, palladium, iridium, or preferably rhodium. The oxygen containing gas comprises air or oxygen-enriched air.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Support: The open-channel support comprises a ceramic monolith, a porous alumina monolith, or ceramic-coated metallic monolith. EXAMPLE - A hydrocarbon feed of surrogate fuel containing 500 ppm dibenzothiophene was contacted with oxidizer gas comprising 20% oxygen and 5% argon, in the presence of 21 wt.% rhodium catalyst maintained at 1150 degrees C. The contact time was 100 milliseconds. The carbon monoxide production yield was 95% and the hydrogen gas yield was 87%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preparation: The strain of Bacillus bacteria is isolated using a method adapted from Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, Vol. 2, pages 1104-1139. SPECIFIC MICROORGANISMS - The microorganism is Paenibacillus macerans CG subgroup A also referred to as Bacillus macerans.    EXAMPLE - Soil (1 g) from the vicinity of Seattle, Washington, was added to Tryptic Soy Broth (RTM) (Difco) (300 ml). This mixture was pasteurized by heating to 70degreesC for 10 minutes. The flask was then incubated for 48 hours at 30degreesC. The culture was struck into Tryptic Soy Agar (RTM) (TSA) (Difco) plates at the beginning of the incubation period, following 24 hours of incubation period, and at the end of the 48 hours of incubation.    The plates were incubated aerobically at 30degreesC and examined for their bacterial growth. Bacterial colonies were picked and serially transferred to TSA plates every 24-48 hours until stable bacterial colonies could be isolated. Taxonomic determination was accomplished via colonial morphology, cellular morphology, Gram stain, biochemical tests, and Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Analysis performed by Microcheck, Inc., of Northfields, Vt. using Trypticase Soy Broth Agar (RTM) (TSBA) version 3.9 at 28.0 degreesC of Microcheck's database.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The variation in the supply ratio of oxidizing gas (with respect to heating gas) and changing time of supply ratio are altered based on change in modifier output.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel Modifier: 70% of the catalyst layer is cooled with air for partial oxidation. The catalyst layer contains a manifold part which does not contain the catalyst, in the intermediate part of the heating gas flow direction. The manifold part is cooled using a cooling flow path which is provided in the wall surface of the manifold part. The modification catalyst layer, heating gas inlet manifold and the outlet manifold are connected along the heating gas flow direction. A baffle plate is provided between the inlet manifold and the outlet manifold such that heating gas is passed alternately to the respective manifolds.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: Process liquid previously stored in settling tank (5), water, aqueous fertilizer solution (from treated organic wastes) and liquid waste (L) are injected into treatment tank and mixed to reach a predetermined high water level (Sm). After circulation completion, a part of the mixed liquor in treatment tank is passed to settling tank. Again, the whole quantity of the mixed liquor in storage tank (3) is supplied to treatment tank and aerated. The liquid waste in storage tank is stirred, passed to relay tank (4) which is provided between tanks (1,5). The relay tank has pump (40) to inject liquid waste to settling tank by pumping operation.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Microbe: The microorganism which degrades benzothiophenes is Rhodococcus strain T09 or its mutant. The gene which degrades dibenzothiophenes is obtained from Erythropolis strain KA2-5-1, Rhodococcus strain IGTS8, Sphingomonas strain AD109, Paenibacillus strain 11-1 or 11-2, or their mutants. The gene is from Rhodococcus strain pRKPP/T09 or pRKPPR/T09. SPECIFIC MICROORGANISMS - Rhodococcus strain T09 or its mutant is specifically claimed.    EXAMPLE - Rhodococcus strain T09 was inoculated in sterilized LB (undefined) culture medium and cultivated for 24 hours at 30 degrees C. The culture solution was then centrifuged, the bacterial cells were precipitated and then suspended in 10% glycerol aqueous solution. Aqueous solution containing the pRKPP or pRKPPR gene was added to the bacterial cell suspension. The cells were then cultured in SOC (undefined) culture medium for 3 hours. The transformed cells were selected by kanamycin selection and cultured in fresh LBAK (undefined) culture medium. The microbial cells were then purified and analyzed for the presence of pRKPP/T09 or pRKPPR/T09 plasmids.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The circulation flow is continued by supplementing the raw material gas with fresh natural gas. The natural gas and water are contacted at 0-6.5degreesC and 26-60 kg/cm2 atmosphere. A slurry containing hydrate content, is separated from the mixed slurry formed by contact process and supplied to storage tank (13), after the hydrate formation concentration of raw material water, becomes predefined.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The contact temperature of natural gas and water, is adjusted by two or more coil evaporators (3) arranged in the contact space (2). The hydrate is melted by removing the liquid phase from the bottom part of hydrate storage tank, and returning the liquid phase to the upper part of storage tank through a load heat exchanger (17). The hydrate adhered to the porous board is dissolved by a heater (26).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - COMPUTING AND CONTROL - Preferred Apparatus: Raw material gas supply piping (7) introduces natural gas from upper part of storage tank to gas space in pressure container. The natural gas supply unit comprises methane, ethane, propane and butane supply units. Hydrate return piping (21) connected with raw material water supply piping (11) is connected to the bottom part of buffer tank. Liquid from heat release load piping is extracted and returned to upper part of storage tank through heat exchanger. Unconverted gas recirculation piping (19) connects raw material gas supply unit upwardly from the last stage unit to the first stage unit.Preferred Process: Natural gas or partial component gas is removed from gas-liquid contact space by blowing fine bubbles of residual natural gas during raw material water circulation. Gas hydrate component (13) formed by contacting natural gas and raw material gas is separated and the hydrate component is stored in storage tank which carries gravity separation of the hydrates. The stored hydrate is circulated to gas-liquid contact space of corresponding pressure container. Natural gas as raw material gas is introduced into the gas space of post stage unit. Residual natural gas after circulation is reused as raw material gas for hydrate production. The temperature in the pressure container is controlled using coil evaporator.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Component: The fuel cell system has a mechanism for determining the CO and hydrogen content in the stream. It has a second electrically energized injector supplying a second group of pulses of gaseous mixture comprising oxygen into the stream to catalyze the oxidation of at least a portion of any remaining CO in the stream. The second injector also has an ECM. Preferred Process: The second CO content is determined and the pulse duration is changed proportional to the second CO content to maximize CO consumption. Hydrogen content in the feed stream is determined and the pulse duration is changed inversely with the hydrogen content to minimize hydrogen consumption.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The first adsorbent layer is activated alumina. The second adsorbent layer has sodium Low-Silicon X (NaLSX) zeolite with a Si/Al elemental ratio of 0.95-1.05. The third adsorbent layer has a calcium Low-Silicon X zeolite (CaLSX) with a Si/Al elemental ratio of the zeolitic phase of 0.95-1.05 and a cation composition comprising 95-100% of calcium ions and 0-5% of cation from Group IA ions, Group IIA ions other than calcium, Group IB ions other than gold, Group IIB ions other than mercury, and/or from ions of the lanthanide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The hydrocarbon is ethylene. EXAMPLE - A feed air stream was saturated with water and contained (ppm) impurities of CO2 (approximately 400), methane (CH4) (2.2), N2O (0.3-0.35), acetylene (C2H2) (0.4-0.48), ethylene (C2H4) (1.4-1.6), ethane (C2H6) (1.4), propene (C3H6) (0.55-0.75), propane (C3H8) (1.5-1.6), and normal butane (n-C4H10) (1.6-1.8). The air stream was passed through a bed packed with a 28-inch packed bed of a CaLSX zeolite adsorbent. CO2 was broke through the adsorbent bed and the impurities was broke completely through CH4, C2H6, and C3H8. Neither N2O nor C2H4 broke through the column. TSA-pre-purification unit was based upon CO2 breakthrough which implied that no traces of the impurities would enter the cryogenic plant and resulted for a safe operation. A deeper bed of CaLSX employed could remove other impurities and C3H8.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The adsorber material is made of a metal oxide of the MXOY type or a metal oxocarbonate of the MxOy(CO3)z type (where, M = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, La, Mn or Y, and x, y and z = whole numbers), or a hydrotalcite or a complex carbonate compound with a structure-maintaining matrix of the (M2+)x(M3+)y(OH)zCO3.n.H2O type. Preferred Process: Vapor reforming is carried out at 200-900 degreesC with complete removal of CO2 to produce a gas free from CO2 and which is rich in hydrogen.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Features: The anode waste gas is methanized during recycling.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The harvesting assembly includes rake members (26) interconnected to rake in unison and fixed to a rake frame (28), a pair of guide rails provided with a cover assembly (37) that prevents the accumulation of organic waste, and a drive assembly (32) to drive each rake member across the digester bed. The drive assembly has power source (38), drive screws, and threaded anchor points fixed to the rake frame and adapted to receive the drive screws. Each rake member has a triangular cross-section and is oriented so that its apex is directed toward the waste support.The waste support comprises a portion of resilient wire mesh (16) in the form of 50 mm square steel wire mesh. The digester bed comprises access cover(s) (18) to facilitate the introduction of organic waste material, and the collection chamber has access hatches (20) to facilitate removal of the worm castings. Both the digester bed and the collection chamber are formed of an insulative material.The waste digester (10) may include waste bin(s) in the collection chamber, temperature control system and sensor (44), moisture control system and sensor (46), pH monitoring system, and central control unit (48) comprising a central processing unit, a programmed erasable programmable read only memory, and /or read only memory. The temperature control system is provided as reverse-cycle air conditioner (50) to withdraw air from the digester bed and to re-introduce cooled or heated air to the collection chamber. The moisture control system comprises a reservoir (62) and outlet piping (66) and is provided as micro-spray system to deliver fine mist of water to the digester bed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Process: the apparatus further comprises an offgas conduit for removing offgas from the reactor vessel; injection conduits for the injection of caustic, micronutrients, ferrous chloride, ferric chloride, macronutrients, or lime; and a blower coupled to the oxygen conduit, with a microprocessor connected to the sensor and blower.The pH of the bulk liquid is maintained at 6.5-9.0.The process further comprises removing the treated effluent from the reactor vessel, and recycling at least part of this to the reactor vessel by injection with the oxygen-containing gas, imparting a mixing energy and oxygen transfer efficiency in proportion to the rate of recycled treated effluent. The rate of injection of the oxygen-containing gas is adjusted to maintain the oxidation-reduction potential of the bulk liquid within a predetermined range. EXAMPLE - Preferred ranges for the primary and secondary process parameter were indicated in a table, such that the temperature used was 135-145 degrees F, the oxidation reduction potential was -200 mV to 0mV, the pH was 6.5-9.0, the volatile fatty acids generated were less than 1500 mg/l, the amount of sulfides produced was less than 1.0 mg/l, the amount of oxygen in the offgas was 10-15%, the amount of hydrogen sulfide in the offgas was less than 10 ppm, and the amount of carbon dioxide in the offgas was plant specific.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - (I) further comprises:(a) a shredding device in the separator;(b) a filtration and separation subsystem (108) with feed lines feeding into the crusher and the acetogenic fermenter;(c) filters in the methanogenic fermenter;(d) a generator; and(e) aerobic fermenters.Additive sources supplement the effluent.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - The homogenized waste is incubated at 60 degrees Centigrade. The gases emitted during the heating of the homogenized waste are removed. The pump in the reactor tank is a chopper pump. The manure pit is beneath the hog barn. The method includes enriching nutrient content of the liquid material by bubbling the emitted gases into the liquid material. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Carrier: The carrier is particularly a continuous foaming carrier or hydrophobic foaming carrier, especially resins of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, ABS, phenol, epoxy, polystyrene or silicone, natural and synthetic rubbers or polyvinyl acetal. EXAMPLE - A polyethylene continuous foam of 5 x 5 x 5 mm size (100 weight parts) was treated with a mixture of 30 weight parts of hydrophilic polymer of aminoethyl resin with acrylic resin structure, 1.5 weight parts of an agar for improvement of affinity to microorganisms and 300 weight parts of pure water to give the aimed treatment agent. The resultant carrier exhibited waste water treatment capacity of 6.0 kg-N/m3/day or over.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: A moving blade (23) is provided for scraping the hydrate adhered to porous board which is provided with a heating unit at its lower portion. Raw material supply pipe supplies a raw material into lower space of the pressure container and natural gas pipe supplies natural gas to the upper coil evaporator. Hydrate storage tank (12) is connected to outlet of pressure container through a buffer tank (9). Liquid phase extracted from bottom portion of the hydrate storage tank is returned to upper portion of the tank through a load heat exchanger (16). An ultrasonic vibrator (4) is provided in the upper space of pressure container corresponding to coil evaporator. The coil evaporator provided in upper space of the pressure container carries out temperature control of the pressure container. Preferred Process: The natural gas bubble is supplied into the container from its lower portion which then mixes with the circulating raw material in upper space. Raw material and natural gas are made to contact by the vibration imparted by ultrasonic vibrator into the mixture of raw material water and natural gas. Hydrate adhering to lower surface of porous board is dissolved by the heating unit. The methane hydrate formed in pressure container is introduced into buffer tank from where it is transferred to hydrate storage tank. Raw material water separated by gravity is extracted from lower portion of the hydrate storage tank. Natural gas contained in the liquid phase extracted from hydrate storage tank is recycled through load heat exchanger as raw material gas.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The introduction line has flow path with check valve in the middle, to allow liquid fuel to flow from cylinder (1) to heat exchanger (2). The introduction line also has another flow path with check valve, in parallel to the previous flow path, to allow liquid fuel to flow from heat exchanger to cylinder. Pressure loss is generated in introduction line, due to thin structure of flow path. The exhaust heat generated from reformer during electricity generation of fuel cell is supplied as a heat source to the heat exchanger.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Liquid Fuel : The liquid fuel is butane, propane, paraffin oil, gasoline and/or methanol.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: A rod-shaped member (31) is arranged vertically in the reaction chamber (19), for guiding water to vapor generation layer (5).Preferred Process: The cylindrical rod-shaped member is surface-treated, in order to improve wettability of water. The vapor generation layer is formed by filling granules of high heat conductivity in the reaction chamber.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The hydrogen gas which is occluded in the hydrogen occlusion alloy powder (by supplying reformed gas containing hydrogen directly or indirectly into the container from the fuel reformer) is released and supplied to a fuel cell. The surplus hydrogen gas supplied to the fuel cell from the fuel reformer is absorbed by the supply apparatus and used during initiation or high output of fuel cell.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Component: The two gas cells (60, 70) are disposed in a housing comprising locator(s) that allows the gas cells to be replaced in the gas analyzer without calibrating the gas analyzer. The set of seals comprises a first seal associated with a first end of the gas cells, a second seal associated with a second end of the gas cells, a third seal associated with a first end of the second gas cell, a fourth seal associated with a second end of the second gas cell, and an O-ring. Purged gas flow channel(s) couples the source and detector sections, and enables purged gas to flow between the source and detector sections. The source section comprises a light source (20). Two lenses are disposed between the light source and the respective gas cells. Two spatial filters (30) are disposed between the light source and the respective lenses. They position light from the light source on the two lenses, respectively, such that the lenses (40, 50, 120, 130) transmit light through the gas cells, respectively, without the light contacting an interior surface of the gas cells. Two air inlet portions are disposed in the housing, and allow incoming air to flow into the respective gas cells. A heat exchanger is disposed in the air inlet portions, and is operative to equilibrate a temperature of incoming air to a temperature of the housing. A light disrupter (25) disrupts transmission of light from the light source through the gas cells.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Features: The part of the waste air for regenerative purification is replaced by introducing fresh air into the feed region of the rotting stage. Methane gas production is increased in the rotting stage. The oxygen content in the rotting stage is reduced by changing the ratios of the fresh air and circulating air. The fresh air, waste air and/or circulating air is cooled. The rotting stage is carried out in a tunnel, box, container or store.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - AGRICULTURE - Preferred Composition: The composition comprises 20-80, preferably 60 % sodium gluconate, 0.2-1, preferably 0.7 % iron(II) ions, 0.1-0.5, preferably 0.3 %, manganese(II) ions, 0.2-0.8, preferably 0.45 %, ammonium ions, and 20-80, preferably 40 % water. The solution also contains electrolyte ions, especially 1-3, preferably 1.8 % sulfate. The soil matter is 50-80, preferably 70 % powdered dry clay or kaolin. The optional inorganic ingredient is manganese(II) ion, zinc ion, ammonium ions, sulfate ion, copper(II) ion and/or cobalt(II) ion, especially dolomite chalk and/or ashes. The compost accelerator is used as 0.2-5, especially 2 % based on the total volume of compost or 0.5-8 %, especially 5 %, based on the total volume of biowaste. EXAMPLE - An accelerator solution was prepared by mixing a solution of ammonium ferrosulfate hexahydrate (200 g), manganese sulfate (20 g) and sodium gluconate solution (1500 ml) in water (2000 ml) and a blend of ground clay (150 g), manganese sulfate (20 g), dolomite chalk (30 g), ashes (10 g) and cobalt sulfate (0.05 g) was prepared. A layer of peat (10 l) was covered with a layer of chopped biowaste (15 l) and then clay/sulfate powder (0.5 dl). The accelerator liquid (1 l) was poured onto the biowaste and chips (5 l) were placed on top. This was repeated until all the biowaste had been used. The mixture was placed into an efficiently aerated composter. The temperature of the compost increased to 68 degrees C in three days and in two weeks the biowaste had been fully converted to homogenous humus.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Component: An under-pan (514) supports the disposal volume and filters water from the disposal volume. It includes a channel for draining the water, scraper support, and filter mesh. The scraper has blades (552) attached to a chain, and backplates interposed between the blades. The back plates clean the blades as the chain rounds a sprocket.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Method: The method is performed in situ. Depositing putrescent waste on a surface of a disposal volume is performed in a uniform deposition rate. The method utilizes insect larvae as the bio-conversion living system. The waste residue maybe aerated and deposited to a waste residue receptor. Liquid from the disposal volume may be filtered. The insect larvae may be reared to adult insects, the adults insects bred and insect eggs deposited in the disposal volume from the adult insects.
EXAMPLE - In an EMBODIMENT of the apparatus, a sweep-control circuit controls a beam deflection circuit (16) to sweep the electron beam (e-beam), back and forth in a plane perpendicular to a direction where items are conveyed. Detector arrays (40a-40c) comprising individual detectors (42) that measure e-beam strength (electron current), are positioned adjacent the e-beam. After e-beam detection, outputs of the detectors are conveyed to an amplifier (44) and to a converter (46). Digital outputs from the converter are converted to video signals, which are then converted to electronic format. A processor compares the beam strengths, and determines a dose of the beam absorbed by the item. The sweep-controller, a beam-strength controller in the beam generator and a conveyor speed controller are then selectively adjusted based on the absorbed doses.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: A pair of trucks (10,20) are provided in the side walls (4,5) to drive the stirrer. The screw is rotated by a motor and a drive mechanism (30) performs reciprocating motion of the truck (10). Another drive mechanism (40) reciprocates the motion of truck (20). The two trucks move in horizontal directions.
EXAMPLE - In 5 ml crude enzyme solution containing 2 mg/ml of protein prepared by culture of Cellulomonas sp. K32A (FERM BP-6766), 1 g of straw or husk of rice was added and cultured for 7 days. The decomposition rate of straw of rice was 9.8, 14.5, 22.1 and 32.1% at 20, 30, 40 and 50degreesC, respectively. Corresponding decomposition rate for 3 days was 5.7, 8.0, 12.2 and 18.1%, respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Microorganism: The microorganism is filamentous fungi which is preferably Aspergillus genus.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Compositions: The moisture-absorbing material is a water-soluble polymer and/or a water-swelling polymer, preferably cellulose or its derivatives, a carboxyl group-containing water-soluble polymer and/or a water-absorbing polymer. The resin composition contains 100 parts by weight (pbw) of polyolefin type resin, 1-10 pbw of a moisture-absorbing material, 1-10 pbw of glycerol derivatives and 2-40 pbw of inorganic filler. The foam has continuous cells in the inside and the continuous cells comprise through cells in which at least two parts are passed to the surface of the foam and half-through cells in which at least one part is passed to the surface of the foam and has 15 % or less of volume of the continuous cells based on the total volume of the foam.The expanding agent comprises a decomposition type expanding agent consisting of ammonium carbonate, alkali metal carbonate, ammonium hydrogen carbonate and/or alkali metal hydrogen carbonate and an organic acid as the main components. The expanding agent is that having boiling point of minus 50-70 degreesC. The amount of the expanding agent is 1-30 pbw based on 100 pbw of polyolefin type resin. A nucleating agent is added in an amount of 0.1-5 pbw based on 100 pbw of the polyolefin type resin. EXAMPLE - Polyethylene resin (100 parts by weight (pbw)), refined fibrous cellulose (1.8 pbw), glycerol monostearate (1.8 pbw), talc (5.0 pbw) and butane (15 pbw) were mixed and molded by extrusion molding method to give foam. The foam had 7 volume % of continuous cells. The composition had sedimentation rate of 80 % and good flowability.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Features: In addition to the spawn, peat-moss, waste paper powder, shredded waste, wooden powder, single wooden particles or their mixture is sealed as mushroom bed material in the spawn container.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - AGRICULTURE - Preferred Process: Pretreatment comprises reducing OR to a size of less than 10 mm. Bacteria are added to the mixture after mixing OR together. Homogenization is effected at 60-70degreesC for at least 10 hours. The product is dried and pelletized. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: In the reactor cold-start phase, fuel and a gas stream containing oxygen are passed over (I) until the monitored temperature of (I) exceeds a predeterminable switch-over value, before treatment with (II). To retain the heat content of the reactor, the (I) temperature is monitored continuously after operation and compared with a third, lower threshold and treatment with (II) is started at the latest when the temperature is below this value and stopped when the maximum is exceeded. Reactivation is restarted at the earliest when the monitored temperature of (I) is below a first threshold. (II) is an air stream diluted with steam and (I) is purged with steam before and/or after each treatment with (II). Reactivation in a reactor in a vehicle is started by detection of refueling or by the driver. The tolerance value is not more than 100 K, preferably not more than 20 K. In the cold start phase, the initial fuel-gas mixture contain a stoichiometric excess of oxygen and the stoichiometry can be changed during this phase. The switch-over temperature is 100-200, preferably about 150degreesC. The temperature of (I) is monitored and compared with a second lower threshold and reactivation is started directly by adding (II) when this threshold is exceeded.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Equipment: In an alternative arrangement, the high pressure water jets are arranged on the supports, such that they are directed vertically downward. Nozzles travel on or with the traverse, vertically and in the radial direction. They, with the bridge (3), are moved by an external drive or by reaction from the high pressure water jets. A combination of horizontal and vertically-downward high pressure water jets is employed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Features: Water is mixed with the crushed raw material to give a moisture content of 30-70, approximately 55 wt.%. The mixture is heated using a heater (22) in the digestion container. The non-digested residues are pumped from the digestion container and used as fertilizer.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: In the gasification process containing water vapor and hydrogen and/or carbon monoxide, the gasification temperature range is 900-1500 degrees C and the temperature of the formed gas is at least 900 degrees C. A heating auxiliary can be introduced into the high temperature gasification process.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: Specific compositions comprise 28.6-42.9 weight% R600, 10.7-28.6 weight% R125, 14.3-28.6 weight% R508A (R23/R116 (hexafluoroethane): 39/61) and 19.6-46.4 weight% R14, and 28.6 weight% R600, 10.7-28.6 weight% R125, 14.3-28.6 weight% R508B (R23/R116: 46/54) and 19.6-46.4 weight% R14.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Apparatus: The detector uses air flow measured by an air flow sensor. The measured response of the component sensor (53) calculates the flux of the component. A second sensor (54) has gas sensor(s) of identical response characteristics to the component sensor. The detector measures the difference in responses between the component and second sensors, and uses the difference to calculate the flux of the component. A shield impermeable to the component shields the second sensor from the gaseous atmosphere. The second sensor is disposed in a gas conducting pathway. The gas conducting pathway is coated with oxalic acid (55). A gas manifold (50) has conducting pathways (51, 52) in which gas can both connect the component and second sensors. A selection pathway (56) selectively connects one of the gas conducting pathways to the component and second sensors. A reference sensor has identical response characteristics to the component sensor. The conducting polymer gas sensors comprise the direct current resistances of the sensors. The gas sensors comprise metal oxide, quartz, SAW, or electrochemical gas sensors.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The frame for determining the loading area is arranged on the flat pallet. The mixture is loaded within the limited area and frame from the flat pallet is removed. After fermentation decomposition, the flat pallet is taken out from the shelf and passed to drier for adjusting moisture content of the loaded mixture. The flooring after fermentation is recycled.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The frame is relatively movable with respect to flat pallet which is conveyed on a conveyor, and consists of side boards parallel to the flat pallet feed direction. The mixture is loaded between side frame boards. On conveying the flat pallet further, the frame is removed from the flat pallet. Alternatively, the frame is rectangular shape arranged in an elevated manner from the flat pallet. The elevation mechanism removes the rectangular frame from the flat pallet. The flat pallet has surrounding wall (31) for preventing spilling of mixture during loading. Several flat pallets may be conveyed to the shelf and loading and unloading of the conveyance frame is carried out to the shelf.
EXAMPLE - Waste pulp aggregated test is performed in the waste water from paper manufacture. Algae were added to the waste pulp, with a concentration of 100 ppm, which floated in waste water from capacitor insulation paper manufacture, to obtain waste pulp-alga body containing suspension. The suspension was filtered to obtain aggregate of waste pulp and algae which were isolated and reused for paper manufacture.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Unit: The nondecomposable residues are removed by the hole in the board fixed to the bottom of the tank.Preferred Material: The nondecomposable material ejected from the bottom of the tank contains copper residue. The material for decomposing the organic waste is polypropylene of polygon structure.Preferred Structure: The cylindrical or granular waste decomposition material is formed by subjecting polypropylene resin to molding to form a hallow spherical shape.Preferred Additive: Barium, zeolite, calcium carbonate, slaked lime, gypsum or carbon black is added to a polypropylene resin and subjected to molding to form organic waste decomposition material. The organic decomposition material also contains traces of ferrous sulfate, ferric chloride, ferric nitrate, copper chlorophylline sodium, copper sulfate, cuprous oxide, cupric oxide, copper nitrate, copper chloride, zinc, zinc oxide, zinc carbonate, aluminum chloride, aluminum silicate, aluminum sulfate, aluminum hydroxide, sodium aluminate or aluminum alum.Preferred Composition: The cylindrical shaped or granular organic waste decomposition material is obtained from polyethylene, polystyrene, fluorine, vinyl chloride, polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin or wood pieces.
EXAMPLE - In an EMBODIMENT the tank is fitted with a pump (17) which feeds its contents to the separator. The tank contains enzymes and/or bacteria which decompose biowaste. The tank has a sump (23) which can be separately pumped out and contains a stirrer and sensors (19, 22) which measure the height of the contents in the tank and are connected via a central control unit (20) to the pump and separator. A second grinder (7) is positioned between the feeder and the intermediate tank.
EXAMPLE - In an EMBODIMENT the hopper is held between mobile upper (14) and lower frames. The upper frame can be moved upwards by hydraulically or electrically driven cylinders (21, 22) to put the walls under tension.
EXAMPLE - No suitable example given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: A reforming section (160) is also disposed within the vessel. It comprises a combustion and gasification catalyst bed (162) which is spaced apart and in fluid communication with the reactant mixer (140), and a steam reforming catalyst bed (164) in contact with the combustion and gasification catalyst bed. Two heat exchangers (120) and a fuel vaporizer (130) are also disposed within the vessel. Preferred Arrangement: The injection tubes and the mixer tubes are arranged in a hexagonal array. Preferred Dimension: The length of the mixer tubes is at least ten times their inner diameter.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The composition contains 98-85 (91-87) wt.% R 134a and 2-15 (9-13) wt.% R 125. The hydrocarbon additive is 2-methylpropane, 2,2-dimethylpropane, n-butane, n-pentane, 2-methylbutane, cyclopentane, hexane, 2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane, 2,2-dimethylbutane and/or methylcyclopentane, preferably n-pentane or n-pentane plus butane in ratio 1:3-8 (preferably 1:5). The amount of hydrocarbon additive is trace-10% (preferably 1-8%, especially 2-4%). EXAMPLE - A refrigerant was prepared from R 125 (11 wt.%), R 134a (89 wt.%) and pentane (4 wt.% of the HFC blend). The refrigerant had discharge pressure = 12.91 bar (11.21), discharge temperature = 116.4 degreesC (127.6), COP = 1.33 (1.36), capacity = 695.9 kW/m3 (698.2), glide in evaporator = 0.93 degreesC (0) and glide in condenser = 1.20 degreesC (0). The figures in brackets are comparison measurements for R 12.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: (I) is selected from carbon dioxide, sulfur hexafluoride, nitrous oxide, lower (e.g. 1-5C) alkanes (e.g. methane, propane, butane, isobutane or pentane), alkenes (e.g. ethylene or propylene) or various other organic liquids such as methanol or ethanol, and is preferably in the supercritical state. (II) is selected from water, aqueous solutions (specifically solutions of buffers (e.g. phosphate and/or hydrogen phosphate), antifungal agents and/or antibiotics (e.g. penicillin) or antioxidants (e.g. ascorbic acid)), alcohols (e.g. 1-5C aliphatic alcohols) and/or ketones. (II) is added to (I) at 0.01-10 (preferably 0.2-1) wt. %. In particular (I) is carbon dioxide and (II) is water or an aqueous solution. Preferred Process: Treatment is carried out using compression/decompression cycles, preferably with a pressure variation amplitude of 10-100 bars and a time interval of 10 seconds to 10 minutes. After the treatment (I) and the extracts are separated, and (I) is recycled in gaseous form. EXAMPLE - Treatment of cork boards, initially containing 75 parts per billion of each of pentachlorophenol (PCP) and trichloroanisole (TCA), with carbon dioxide (density 378 g/l; containing 0.02% distilled water as cosolvent) at 50degreesC for 1 hour removed 100% of the PCP and about 90% of the TCA.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The process further includes compressing and then cooling at least part of the lighter vapor portion, and then removing a condensed hydrocarbon fraction having at least three carbon atoms before passing the feed gas across the feed side, in which the feed gas comprises an uncondensed stream. It further includes subjecting the permeate stream to additional treatment comprising condensation, distillation, or olefin/paraffin splitting to recover at least one hydrocarbon product. It further includes subjecting the residue stream to additional treatment comprising pressure swing adsorption or membrane separation to recover a hydrogen product stream.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Material: The membrane comprises silicon rubber, a super-glassy polymer, or a polyamide-polyether block copolymer.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Product: The hydrocarbon product comprises liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), propylene, and/or ethylene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Microorganisms: The microorganisms used for preventing pressure build-up are denitrifying, sulfuric acid reduction, methylation, iron reduction, manganese reduction, or homoacetic acid forming bacteria previously cultured in a medium containing hydrogen, nitrate, hydrogen sulfate or sulfite, hydrogen and carbon monoxide, hydrogen and trivalent iron, hydrogen and tetravalent manganese, or hydrogen and carbondioxide, respectively. The microorganisms are cultured by departing from composite microorganism systems of soil, underground water and waste water treatment sludge.Preferred Process: The microorganisms are added to shock absorbing material by confining within a polyethylene bag made which is impermeable to the microorganisms but permeable to hydrogen. The microorganisms are fixed by fixation agents such as polyacryl amide and agar added to the shock absorbing material. The radioactive waste disposal container may be replaced by metal tainted with radioactivity such as aluminum or reinforced steel rods. EXAMPLE - No suitable example given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Properties: (I) has a concave part, and is formed in a rod, ball or board shape. (I) also comprises a protrusion consisting of a rigid material embedded on the surface. EXAMPLE - No suitable example given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Process: The enzyme-anaerobic treatment process includes enzyme treatment by cellulase and anaerobic treatment by anaerobic bacterium or by using enzyme added microorganism formulation. The process further includes digestion of used paper sludge. SPECIFIC MICROORGANISMS - The photosynthetic bacteria is at least one kind chosen out of Rhodobacter sphaeroides, Rhodospirillum rubrum, Rhodobacter capsulatus, Rhodopseudomonas palustris and Chromatium genus.    EXAMPLE - The culture solution containing Rhodobacter sphaeroides as photosynthetic bacteria in MYC culture medium was prepared. After inoculating 1 ml of the culture solution into 120 ml of SVS culture medium, cultivation under anaerobic condition was carried out. After suction filtration, photosynthetic bacteria pellets were obtained. Four different samples of paper sludge (paper sludge, sludge containing calcium carbonate, waste corrugated cardboard, sludge containing 10% ink) were taken separately in a glass container. 0.1 g of cellulase was added into each container and maintained in anaerobic conditions. The treated enzyme liquid was separated and anaerobic bacterium pellets of 5 g was added into each container. Anaerobic treatment of each sample was carried out. After pH adjustment, the supernatant liquid was separated and analyzed for chemical oxygen demand (COD). The COD value of the four sample was 188 ppm, 349 ppm, 248 ppm and 116 ppm respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: A condenser for collecting the water component ejected from the fuel cell is installed to the water supply apparatus. The heat exchanger is equipped with piping (62) for cooling media arranged above the liquid fuel supply apparatus. Alternatively, the system has heat exchanger installed with fuel tank above mixing tank. A water flow pipe is arranged around the fuel tank. The fuel tank may be arranged in the condenser.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Adsorbent: The adsorbent is activated carbon. Preferred Process: The decomposed volatile organochlorine compound is further contacted with pressurized gas ejected upon exposure.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The apparatus contains exposure unit containing gas permeable film, culture unit for cultivating microorganisms and another transportation unit for conveying microorganisms between culture unit and removal unit.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - AGRICULTURE - Preferred System: Waste water from the fish industry is fed into the mixer. The process of mixing waste water from pisciculture and sewage yields a value-added compost with low levels of methane and carbon dioxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred System: M1 also comprises heating the waste sludge and moving the gas under pressure.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred System: M1 comprises a system for maintaining water at 15-16 degreesC, and using oil to cool the turbines. M1 is also applicable in all water treatment plants. EXAMPLE - No suitable example is given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The waste contains an infectious agent containing protein which is preferably prion. The alkaline substance comprises air pollution controlling residues, preferably cement and/or lime. The pH of alkaline substance is at least 12 after mixing with waste substance. The water is potable water preferably mixed with contaminated waste water. The amount of water used is 20-50 w/w%, preferably 23-32 w/w%. The ratio (w/w) of alkaline substance to waste material is 1.5-0.7, preferably 1. At least a portion of alkaline substance is dissociated to form hydroxide ions which are reacted with proteins contained in MBM so as to denature and render inactive some of the proteins. The prions are those responsible for Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSE). Preferred Process: The infectious agent or TSE are inactivated by at least 90%. A suitable site is identified for landfill into which the mixture is deposited so that leachate is produced within that site. The deposition is effected by a trailer or belt conveyor and the mixture is deposited into monofill cells within that site.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Process: The mixed material is then dried at ambient temperature using a drying device, e.g. conventional type of sludge- or wood chip dryer where a heating medium such as oil, steam, water, or electricity is used. The material is dried until it has reached a consistency akin to solid matter.Preferred Ratio: The volume ratio of water-containing material to plant material is 1:0.1-0.1:1, preferably 1:1. The weight ratio of water-containing material to plant material is 100:1-100:10, preferably 100:3 EXAMPLE - The wet sludge mixture containing sphagnum plants (25 L) was dried in conventional sludge drier at 120 degrees C. The sludge initially contained dry matter (140 g), oil, (23-58 g), and water 969-1004 g). Maximum drying temperature was 225 degrees C. No contamination of, or sticking to the heating surfaces was observed. The materials did not clump. After drying process, the material had the consistency of fine powder. The sludge was then dried to 98% degree of drying.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The granular carbonaceous fuel is coal.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Composition: The mixture of hot oxygen and carbonaceous fuel has a stoichiometric ratio of 0.1-0.6. The hot oxygen is 70 mole% oxygen.Preferred Condition: The hot oxygen is at 2000-3000 degrees F.Preferred Process: Hot oxygen and carbonaceous fuel are accelerated prior to forming a mixture. They are passed into a gasifier, and the fuel-rich gas phase mixture is passed from the gasifier into a furnace zone where it contacts the combustion gases. Some combustion gases are entrained into the hot oxygen prior to the mixing of hot oxygen and carbonaceous fuel.
EXAMPLE - No suitable example given.
EXAMPLE - No suitable example given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Arrangement: The anaerobic fermenter has an organic waste storage tank distributed in front of the fermenter. Preferred Amount: 2% or more (capacitance ratio) of activated carbon is added with the organic waste. Preferred Carbon: The activated carbon is chaff leaf charcoal. Preferred Method: The gas and digestive liquor obtained after anaerobic fermentation, is stored and/or collected from the fermenter. The digestive liquid is converted into an organic fertilizer. EXAMPLE - Excrement of adult cows was collected. 2 L of tap water was added to 1 L of the excrement. The diluted sample was mashed in a fermenting machine to form a uniform sample. The sample was mixed with chaff leaf charcoal (10%), supplied to a fermenter and heated at 40degreesC under continuous supply of air. The amount of hydrogen sulfide (HS) generated after decomposition was found to be 160 ppm. HS generated by conventional method was found to be 500 ppm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The carbonization apparatus further comprises a supply apparatus for supplying organic substances to the carbonization tank, a secondary combustion furnace for burning gas, generated in the carbonization tank and a cyclone for separating a solid substance from combustion gas, generated in the combustion furnace. The carbonization tank is a vertical mold tank, made of refractory material and has a discharging apparatus provided at bottom portion, to eject carbide, and several projected load distributors provided at its inner wall. The stirring apparatus has a rotation shaft provided in the vertical direction and several vanes provided to the rotation shaft. The air supply apparatus has an air blowing nozzle provided to the bottom board of the carbonization tank.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The secondary thermolysis device has a secondary combustion zone for cracked residue of waste gas. The reformed gas obtained from modifier is introduced into the secondary combustion zone. The incinerating apparatus has an electrical power generating device having internal combustion engine which uses the reformed gas as fuel. A high temperature water vapor introducing pipe introduces the water vapor into the reaction zone connected to baking region. The cracked residue is fed into the reaction zone where secondary thermolysis is carried out in presence of high temperature water vapor. A solidifying agent is injected into the reaction zone, by an injection unit and the residue is solidified into a material residue lump. The reformed gas is introduced into secondary combustion zone, by a reformed gas introduction pipe. The secondary combustion zone where cracked residue flows, is collected with baking region. The secondary thermolysis is carried out with heat of combustion of reformed gas.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: A heat exchanger circulates the thermolysis gas and/or reformed gas, and heats a heat carrier fluid by the sensible heat retained by thermolysis gas and/or reformed gas. The sensible heat retained by thermolysis gas and/or heating gas, forms water vapor and is exhausted from the incinerating apparatus.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - The ion exchange membrane is produced by coextruding in a film shape the polymer containing the repeating unit of formula (1) and the polymer containing the repeating unit of formula (2) at a temperature higher than the melting points of the polymers from a slit die.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The bimetal catalyst contains rhenium and the noble metal selected from the elements of group 2B or 3B, preferably zinc, gallium or indium, more preferably platinum. The support contains a metallic oxide.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Fuel: The hydrocarbon type fuel which is modified by the catalyst is methanol. Preferred Process: Manufacture of the bimetal catalyst involves reducing the support (impregnated with the bimetal catalyst), at 300-600degreesC, in hydrogen atmosphere at reduced pressure.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Catalyst: The irradiation is performed, optionally in the presence of catalyst chosen from metallic oxide, metal, metal chloride, metal sulfate or metal nitrate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The carbonate solution is prepared by reacting carbon dioxide with aqueous alkaline solution. The radiation source is radioactive waste. EXAMPLE - 0.2% aqueous sodium carbonate solution was irradiated with gamma radiation for 18 and 36 hours. The amount of carbon monoxide and methane produced after 18, 36 hours were 149 ppm and 37 ppm, 307 ppm and 88 ppm, respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Radiation Source: The radiation source is radioactive waste. EXAMPLE - Copper sulfate was added to water bubbled with carbonate, and the solution was exposed to radiation for 18 hours. The amount of carbon monoxide and methane synthesized were 337 ppm and 42 ppm, respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: Fine tourmaline particles (0.01-10 wt.%) are contained in the modified PVA group fiber.Preferred Process: The fiber is subjected to an insoluble process. EXAMPLE - Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) 27.7 weight parts (wt.pts) with a saponification degree of 99.9 mol% and an average degree of polymerization of 1200, 10.3 wt.pts of polyethylene imine (having a average degree of polymerization of 5000) and 62 wt.% of water were introduced into a kneader. Heat melting was performed under air tight conditions. The fiber forming stock solution of viscosity 41.0 Pas at 80 degreesC was obtained. The solution was dry spun and the thread formed was drawn 5 times and then heat treated. Etherification was subsequently performed in a process bath containing polyethylene imine. The fiber and fiber web subsequently produced was subjected to needle punching. The non-woven fabric was subsequently produced by heat-crimping and was dipped into a PVA decomposed pseudomonas activated sludge tank for 24 hours. The microorganisms adhered strongly to the fiber. A mat was produced (comprising non-woven fabric) by heat treating the fiber forming stock solution followed by acetalization and etherification. The mat was used to increase the subcutaneous blood flow and temperature of the cutis of a person's feet by 1.3 degreesC.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Function: The low temperature reactor with fluid bed performs primary gasification to form gas and char which are introduced to secondary gasifier and scrubber to purge the gas. Subsequently, the cleaned gas is separated from carbon dioxide by passing through CO conversion and through second acidic gas remover to form hydrogen (H2) and CO. The CO2 separated from first and second acidic gas remover are mixed together and supplied to low temperature gas reactor as fluidization gas and to high temperature gasifier as oxygen diluent. The aqueous ammonium chloride formed at the bottom of high temperature gasifier is collected and supplied to the low temperature gasifier as oxygen gas diluent.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The impurity removal unit comprises combustion unit which burns the organic substance, nitrogen oxide (NOx) and sulfur oxide (SOx) and adsorption unit. The combustion unit consists of catalyzed combustion layer. The heat produced from combustion unit is used for increasing temperature in fuel cell system. The combustion unit consists of a burner. Waste gas ejected from the reformed gas of fuel electrode is used as fuel for the burner.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Design: The inlet and outlet of the heat exchangers are arranged such that the fuel supplied to the heat exchanger from the reformer zone flows along parallel direction. A partition is placed between adjoining pair of inlet and outlet of the heat exchangers. The fuel reformer has at least two pairs of plates with a waveform fin interposed in between.Preferred Unit: The heat supply unit supplies heat to the inlet and outlet of the heat exchanger, and a coolant supply to supply the coolant to the fuel reformer. An exhaust gas supply ejects the gas formed during reforming process.Preferred Function: The amount of supply of heat exchange can be varied. The fuel reformer is mounted to the vehicle and the reformer responses to the acceleration-deceleration condition of the vehicle by adjusting the amount of hydrogen and oxygen present in the gas.Preferred Gas: The fuel supplied to the reformer is hydrocarbon, water vapor and oxygen containing gas.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The H2 and CH4 are mixed with the solvent phase and condensed to give a liquid phase that is recycled and a vapor phase rich in H2 and CH4. The 3+C fraction obtained from the second distillation column is condensed using water hand fraction is recycled. Adsorption is at -10 to -60 (-35 to -45) degrees C at 10-50 (25-35) bar over 15-40 plates using a ratio of solvent to charge of 0.3-2 (0.1). Hydrogenation is at 10-150 degrees C and 5-50 (10-30) h-1 at 10-30 bar using a catalyst based on Pd and optionally a group IB metal using 0-10% H2 excess w.r.t stoichiometry of purity above 80 mol.%. The second distillation is at 20-70 degrees C and 10-20 bar. EXAMPLE - A mixture of 46.63 mol.% H2, 0.3% CO, 7.79% CH4, 1.21% acetylene, 37.01% C2H4, 4.79% C3H6, 0.24% propadiene, 0.22% C3H6, 0.02 C3H8, 0.82% butadiene, 0.23% butanes, 0.18% pentanes, 0.54% benzene, 0 toluene and trace xylenes was passed through an adsorption column (24 plates, toluene:charge ratio 0.7, 30 bar, 20 degrees C solvent temperature, -40 degrees C reflux temperature) to give a gaseous effluent comprising 84.9% H2, 0.5% CO, 14.2% CH4, below 2 ppm acetylene, 0.35 C2H4, 50 ppm C3H6, 0.24% 3+C and below 20 ppm toluene. Hydrogenation at 80-100 degrees C and 20 h-1 using 99.9% pure H2 at 18 bar using a Pd catalyst, followed by distillation (30 plates, effluent above 85 wt.% ethylene/ethane, 17 bar, -40 degrees C reflux temperature), a second hydrogenation (200 degrees C, 16 bar, 20 h-1, 99.9% pure H2, Pd catalyst) and a second distillation (20 plates, water condensation, 160 degrees C charge temperature, 8 bar) gave an effluent containing 87.7 wt.% ethylene (yield 98.25%).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Process: The carbon-enriched solid is transferred, with a first combustible gas product, to a reaction zone (120), where it is reacted with steam at an elevated temperature (315 - 450 degreesC) to produce a mixture containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide. This gas mixture is burned to heat the reaction zone and to generate heat and second gaseous combustion products. Any gas not used to heat the pyrolysis and/or reaction zone is withdrawn as combustible gaseous fuel. The pyrolysis and the reaction are carried out in the same reactor. The steam used in the reaction stage is produced in the pyrolysis step.Preferred System: The gas conduit includes a gas separator, in which any hydrogen in the generated gases is separated from other gases, to produce hydrogen-rich and hydrogen-depleted streams, the latter of which is transferred to the heater. A second gas conduit transfers gaseous combustion products between the heater and the vessel. EXAMPLE - Laboratory scale trials indicated an excess gas production from the destruction of most wastes, compared to the quantity of gas required for the waste destruction.
EXAMPLE - The following steps were carried out:    (1) identification and establishment of dominant flock forming microorganisms in phenol decomposing and organic substance rich activated sludge;    (2) investigation of organic nutrient capable to selectively stimulate the growth of dominant flock forming microorganism in phenol decomposing activated sludge; and    (3) investigation of increase of phenol load by addition of organic substance which selectively stimulate the dominant flock forming microorganism.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process The H2 and CH4 are mixed with the solvent phase and condensed to give a liquid phase that is recycled and a vapor phase rich in H2 and CH4 (claimed). The gas obtained from the second distillation column is condensed and the liquid fraction is recycled (claimed). Adsorption is at -10 to -60 (-35 to -45) degrees C at 10-50 (25-35) bar over 15-40 plates using a ratio of solvent to charge of 0.3-2 (0.1) (claimed). Hydrogenation is at 10-150 degrees C and 5-50 (10-30) h-1 at 10-30 bar using a catalyst based on Pd and optionally a group IB metal using 0-10% H2 excess w.r.t. stoichiometry of purity above 80 mol.% (claimed). The second distillation is at 20-70 degrees C and 10-20 bar (claimed). EXAMPLE - A mixture of 46.63 mol.% H2, 0.3% CO, 7.79% CH4, 1.21% acetylene, 37.01% C2H4, 4.79% C3H6, 0.24% propadiene, 0.22% C3H6, 0.02 C3H8, 0.82% butadiene, 0.23% butanes, 0.18% pentanes, 0.54% benzene, 0 toluene and trace xylenes was passed through an adsorption column (24 plates, toluene:charge ratio 0.7, 30 bar, 20 degrees C solvent temperature, -40 degrees C reflux temperature) to give a gaseous effluent comprising 84.9% H2, 0.5% CO, 14.2% CH4, below 2 ppm acetylene, 0.35 C2H4, 50 ppm C3H6, 0.24% 3+C and below 20 ppm toluene. Hydrogenation at 80-100 degrees C and 20 h-1 using 99.9% pure H2 at 18 bar using a Pd catalyst, followed by distillation (30 plates, effluent above 85 wt.% ethylene/ethane, 17 bar, -40 degrees C reflux temperature), a second hydrogenation (200 degrees C, 16 bar, 20 h-1, 99.9% pure H2, Pd catalyst) and a second distillation (20 plates, water condensation, 160 degrees C charge temperature, 8 bar) gave an effluent containing 87.7 wt.% ethylene (yield 98.25%).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The energy carrier is an alcohol, especially methanol, or a hydrocarbon. For the reforming stage, a process with partial oxidation of hydrocarbons or alcohols, an autothermal reforming of hydrocarbons or alcohols, an autothermal reforming of fuels miscible with water or an autothermal reforming of fuels non-miscible with water.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The gas shift reaction is adjusted so the CO2/CO ratio in the exhaust gas of the fuel reformer is at least 0.2. The supply ratio of fuel and steam is such that the H2O/C ratio is at least 0.5 (at most 3). The exhaust gas temperature of the reformer is at most 800 degrees C. The supply amount of fuel and oxygen is such that the O2/C ratio is at least 0.9 times the O2/C theoretical ratio in the partial oxidation reaction. Specifically, the O2/C ratio is at most 1.5 times the O2/C theoretical ratio. The activation point of the catalyst is formed by rhodium and/or ruthenium. The catalyst is supported on a honeycomb-type monolithic support.Preferred System: An exhaust gas supply means (25) is provided to supply steam-containing gas from the oxygen electrodes of other fuel cells to the reformer. An output current controller is provided which controls the output current of the fuel cells by setting the oxygen concentration and steam concentration of the exhaust gas supplied to the reformer to a fixed range.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Aeration Device: The shafts are disposed in parallel alignment with one another. Each of the shafts have a crank arm. The first, second, third and fourth vanes are mounted respectively, on the first, second, third and fourth shafts. The crank arms are linked by a common member such that the movement of the common member moves the four shafts. (1B) is either an integral part of (2) or is independent of (2) and is attached to (2). The aeration device additionally comprises a sensor for compost conditions and to direct the aeration device to be either in the first or the second mode of operation based on the compost conditions. Preferred Method: The method of directing the flow of the pressurized air in the air distribution system additionally includes the step of linking the four vanes together and actuating the movement of the four vanes by the common actuator. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The gas flow path is inclined by packing it with catalyst particle whose packing density can be changed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Components: The device further includes filters (40) comprising sample filters and reference filters. The first sample filter, second sample filter, first reference filter, and second reference filter comprise band pass filters centered around 4.25, 2.59, 4, and 2.3 nm, respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The layers are surrounded by a gas-tight foil. These is also at least one vent with catalyst between the foils and layers. The catalyst is pressed onto a metal mesh support, especially of dendritic copper.The edge of the catalyst is sealed by:(a) greater compression;(b) by adding other material(s) to the edge before pressing to form a gas-tight seal on pressing; or(c) by applying a gas-impermeable, thermostable material to the stack of pressed layers.Preferred Process: In method (b), the layers are sintered after pressing or the added material forms a gas-tight edge seal under the process conditions. In method (c), the material is applied by dipping or plasma or flame spraying; or a solder foil is applied and the apparatus is heated, so that the foil penetrated the layers and forms a gas-tight edge seal.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Polymers: The grafted polymers gave a hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic polymer base structure. Polyalkylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl amide, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyether, polyester, polyurethane, polyacrylamide, polysaccharide, cellulose ether, polyalkylene imine, polycarboxylic acid, polyvinyl sulfonic acid or polyvinyl phosphonic acid or their copolymers are use as the hydrophilic base structure. Polyalkylene glycols such as ethylene oxide/propylene oxide-co- or block copolymers, polyether, poly(meth)acrylic acid ester, polyolefin, polystyrene or styrene copolymers, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl ether, polyvinyl formal, polyvinyl acetal, polyvinyl chloride or other halogenated polyvinyl compounds, polyacrylonitrile, polyamide, polyurethane, silicone, polycarbonate, polyterephthalate, cellulose, cellulose ether or cellulose ester or polyoxymethylene or their copolymers are used as the hydrophobic base structure. The polymers contain water-soluble and/or water-insoluble monomers as grafted units which make up 10-90 wt.% of the polymer. The monomer units are selected from N-vinyl lactam, N-vinyl amide, acrylic ester, acrylamide and/or vinyl ester, especially N-vinyl caprolactam.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The process also comprises:(i) repeating steps (a)-(e) as above; and(ii) inoculating the mixture with an aqueous suspension of the fermentation product from step (e) and anaerobically fermenting the mixture to produce the fertilizer.The calcined dolomite was calcined at 850-950degreesC. The pH adjustment is accomplished using gaseous CO2. The process also comprises adding the aqueous solution of step (c) to mixture obtained in pH adjusted mixture.The process also comprises adding an alkali metal stearate and stearic acid to the mixture obtained in step (b) to form ca and Mg stearate, the latter dissolving during the pH adjustment. The aqueous acidic medium is selected from acetic, nitric, sulfuric and phosphoric acids and acid potassium phosphate/sulfate. When the fermentation product is an aqueous suspension, it is filtered and the filtrate is used as source of water for the hydration of the dolomite. The product of step (e) is aerobically fermented and products of step (e) and (a) are dried.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: At least one part of liquid used for the liquid contact process is activated sludge obtained from waste water treatment apparatus where the refuse is treated prior to composting.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Apparatus: Urethane, glass or wool is useful as heat insulating material. Reaction vessel surface is separated from the other surface. A source of heating is arranged between the plate and heat insulating material. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: The main body of catalytic reactor is inserted into the heating unit. The carrier is a metal carrier.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Process: A gas storage unit is formed on an upper portion of a filling unit of organic waste. The gas stored in the gas storage unit is circulated through a bottom portion of organic waste filling unit and is stirred with organic waste.Preferred Microorganism: The microorganism has halophilism and is a soil microorganism origin. The microorganism is a microbe which is mixed and accumulated on an organic refuse in air-tight chamber. The bacteria and organic waste are mixed after preparing a former microbe and composted.Preferred Method: The light energy is solar light.Preferred Arrangement: The gas transportation machine is arranged on a circulation path of the gas. The gas pipe has gas transportation material. The gas piping has liquid transport air plane in the middle between bottom crevice and ceiling side of air-tight chamber. The dispersion piping has a dispersion nozzle at the end. A waste liquid storage unit is formed on the bottom portion of organic waste filling unit. The fermentation and decomposition liquid stored in the waste liquid storage liquid unit is dispersed on the top of organic waste filling unit.Preferred Material: The light transmission material is plastic transparent sheet.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Compound: The organic compound to be decomposed is chlorinated aliphatic compound, like trichloroethylene.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Microorganism: Biodegradation efficiency is increased by adding . Preferred Process: The mixture of two or more microorganisms are fed into a separate tank comprising an organic compound. Microorganisms are introduced on a carrier or injected into the tank. EXAMPLE - A microbe suspension containing strain JM (FERM BP-5352), strain J (FERM BP-5102) and strain KK01 (FERM BP-4235) was prepared in an agar medium, where the strains were inoculated with M9 culture mediums. 10 ml of the suspension, and tetrachloroethylene (TCE) were injected into a vial container, and the container was sealed and shaken at 30degreesC. TCE concentration in liquid was set to 1-40 ppm and 0.1 ml of gaseous phase was collected and measured by gas chromatography. TCE degradation was found to be excellent.
EXAMPLE - A pickled ume waste liquor having a COD of 100000 ppm and containing 15 %w/v NaCl was neutralized with 1 N NaOH and Staphylococcus sp. CH-4 was added to 3 million/l and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 144 hours in air. The COD was decreased to 73421 ppm and the removal rate was 26.6 %.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The purification is carried out in a reverse jet scrubber reactor, comprising a vessel with a water sump (1) filled with a liquid, a first gas duct (2) running vertically into the vessel, a second gas duct (3) running out of the reactor to release the gas flow again from the reactor, and a nozzle (5) arranged in the first gas duct for direction of water flow counter-currently to the gas flowing vertically downwards into the vessel and to generate a froth-zone (6). The froth-zone enhances the intensive mixing and transfer of contaminants from the gas flow to the liquid.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The microorganisms are freely dispersed in the scrubbing liquid, preferably water. The quantity of the drain water from the reactor vessel is adjusted to control the concentration of the biomass. Thermophilic microorganisms are used for the oxidation of the contaminants. The operating temperature of the scrubbing liquid is at 40-70degreesC. The nutrients for the microorganisms are added to the scrubbing liquid, and oxygen is added to the reactor vessel. The liquid to gas ratio is 8-40.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - AGRICULTURE - Preferred Methods: The components are preferably sieved and formed into a sandwich bed. The product preferably has a moisture content of less than 10% and contains at least 50% of dry solids of undecomposed organic matter and nutrients, micronutrients and mycocelial filaments. EXAMPLE - Peat and animal manure was screened to a particle size below 50mm into 15-cm thick layers. A reactor was batched to height of 1.5m with a screen bucket with a mixture extracted from the sandwich bed. The reactor was sealed and an overpressure of 5 to 10Pa generated. The temperature rose to above 70degreesC and was maintained above 70degreesC for 24 hours. An under pressure of 100 to 125Pa was generated and the mixture was dried for 2 days to give a moisture content of about 50%. The pH of the product was 7.8 and contained 448g/kg dry solids, 223g/kg ash, 14.3g/kg phosphorus, 11.9g/kg nitrogen, 7.9g/kg potassium, 120g/kg calcium and 4.7g/kg magnesium.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Method: The refractory, hazardous substances are particularly 6C aromatic compounds, or 1-4C halogenated hydrocarbons. Such aromatic compounds can be selected from dioxins, halogenated biphenyls, bisphenols, alkylphenols, halogenated phenols and phthalates, while the halogenated hydrocarbons can be chosen from monochloromethane, dichloromethane, trichloromethane, tetrachloromethane, monochloroethane, dichloroethane, trichloroethane, monochloroethylene, dichloroethylene, trichloroethylene and trichloropropylene. The support for immobilizing laccase or for use with the microbes can be activated carbon, charcoal, silica, porous ceramics, alginic acid, ion-exchange resin and/or a photo-crosslinkable resin, or urethane foam sheet-like or cylindrical fabric made from carbon fiber or fibrous synthetic resin. The magnetic particles for immobilizing laccase can be maghemite, manganese ferrite, cobalt ferrite, nickel ferrite, zinc ferrite, magnetite and chromium dioxide. Such refractory, hazardous substances, laccase or/and its producing microbes are in contact in water at pH 3-11 or soil.Preferred Decomposing Agents: The agents also contain a mediator, with the refractory substances, support for immobilization or magnetic particles as already specified. SPECIFIC MICROORGANISMS - The laccase-producing microbes can be of the genus of Schizophillum, Peurotsu, Trametes, Lentinus, Rhizoctonia, Funalia, Pycnoporous, Merulinus, Myceliophtora, Coprinus, Agaricus, Pholiota, Flammulina, Lyophyllum or Auricularia.    EXAMPLE - Schizophillum commune IFO6505 was cultured at 28 degrees Celsius for 14 days before producing a formulation for treating dioxins e.g. 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin by culturing in a medium containing polydextrose, nonane and polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, at 28 degrees Celsius for 20 days while stirring up to 81% the dioxins decomposed as determined by GC-MS (undefined).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Process: The step of dissolving the portion of the article further comprises degrading the article by grinding, shredding, cutting, chopping or crushing. It involves contacting the article with a disposal liquid at a pH greater than 10 and at above 90degreesC. The treatment of the waste solids comprises separating the waste solids from the disposal liquid, degrading the waste solids, sterilizing the waste solids, chemically treating the waste solids, or disinfecting the waste solids. The waste solids are treated to render a non-regulated waste. Preferred Contaminants: The contaminant comprises paint, a liquid hydrocarbon, oil, ink, radioactive material, and/or biohazardous material.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Article: The article comprises polylactic acid, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, polybutylene, polyolefin, polyester, polyurethane, polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, poly aspartic acid, polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid, polyacrylamide, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyalkylene oxides, complex carbohydrates, cellophane, and/or preferably polyvinyl alcohol or novel degradable polymer (NDP) (ethylene-(meth)acrylic acid copolymer).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - TEXTILES AND PAPER - Preferred Articles: The article comprises cotton, wool, leather, and/or silk.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: Each of the anaerobic and aerobic zones comprises first and second compartments. The microplant further comprises vertical tubes in anaerobic and aerobic zones to permit introduction of suction tubing of pump to the bottom of zones. A controlled air injection apparatus is disposed to recirculate current from primary sedimentation compartment (1) of the anaerobic zone. Air compressor (13) and valve (29) are connected to control oxygenation in the aerobic zone. Tubes or pipes are inserted into anaerobic and aerobic zones to purge mud accumulated in the treatment plant.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Component: The aerobic biomass comprises nitrifying autotrophic bacteria, or preferably heterotrophic aerobic bacteria.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Method: The treated water is recirculated into primary sedimentation compartment with air, to simultaneously oxidize the pumped sedimented mud with nitrogen supply and dilute influent organic loads entering the treatment plant. The oxygenation of aerobic zone is regulated by a controller according to oxygen requirements of the zone.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Properties: The inoculum of Marasmiellus troyanus strain no. 216-1867 in a non-toxic gel carrier increases the survivability of microorganism species introduced into a contaminated soil. The carrier excludes toxic pollutants and sequesters nutrients to the Marasmiellus species. The source of nutrient is carbon or nitrogen. EXAMPLE - Alginate bead formulations of Aspergillus niger (A), Pharnereochaete chrysosporium (B), and Marasmiellus troyanus (C) were cultured for 7 days, and the resultant inocula were transferred separately to duplicate flasks having 50 ml sterile water and benzo(a)pyrene in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). Two similar flasks of sterile water and benzo(a)pyrene in DMSO were not inoculated and served as control (D). After 17 days of incubation, the amount of benzo(a)pyrene recovered from each flask was quantified and determined to be (A) 114.3%, (B) 86.1%, (C) 15% and (D) 104.6%. The results demonstrated that inoculum of (C) formulated as alginate beads had the ability to degrade benzo(a)pyrene.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Method: The surfactant is cationic. The microorganism containing PHA is a strain into which the PHA synthetic enzyme gene derived from Aeromonas caviae was introduced. PHA is a 2 component copolymer of D-3-hydroxy butyrate (3HB) and D-3-hydroxy hexanoate (3HH), or a 3 component copolymer of 3HB, D-3-hydroxy valerate (3HV) and 3HH. EXAMPLE - The poly-3-hydroxy alkanoic acid (PHA) enzyme gene derived from Aeromonas caviae was introduced into Alcaligenes eutrophus and cultivated. A microbial cell containing 50 weight% of 2 component polymers was obtained. The solution was subjected to centrifugation and the microbial cell was isolated. The cell was freeze-dried, suspended in chloroform and stirred. The 2 component polymer of D-3-hydroxy butyrate (3HB) and D-3-hydroxy hexanoate (3HH) was extracted. The extract was stirred with benzyl trimethyl ammonium chloride and the undissolved cell residue was aggregated from the extract containing the microbial cell. The aggregated cell residue was isolated and filtered. Methanol was added to the filtrate and the crystals of the 2 component copolymer of 3HB and 3HH was precipitated and dried. 98% of 2 component copolymer of 3HB and 3HH was recovered.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Apparatus: The long wall on one side of fermenter may be extended to the width direction covering the breadth of the fermenter, and forming a U-shaped enclosure, open on one side.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Substance: Paper waste material for culturing white-rot fungi is a corrugated-cardboard. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - AGRICULTURE - Preferred Process: Water in crystalline fossil shells is removed by heating. Nekton mixed with fossil shells is fermented and added with OW containing humus. The mineral reinforcing fertilizer uses soil and OW, such as livestock waste material, not contaminated with pathogenic microbes, to adjust water-content of the mixture. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The sintered carbon iron rod serves as an anode and cathode such as stainless steel, titanium or tantalum rod is used to electrolysis the waste water containing high concentration of microorganisms. The electrolytic cell is placed in denitrification tank to perform biological treatment and reduce the high BOD and hexane extract component.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Arrangement: A tube is arranged slightly raised from the base of decomposition tank, upwards, and the air nozzle is attached under the tube, so that aeration is concentrated inside the tube.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Composition: The rigid thermoplastic resin is high density polyethylene and/or polypropylene, and contains 2-10 weight % (wt.%) of polystyrene and 0.1-20 wt.% of inorganic powder. The thermoplastic resin is mixed with 0.2-3 wt.% of surfactant. EXAMPLE - (In weight parts) The mixture containing polypropylene (86), activated carbon (1), polystyrene (5), non-ionic antistatic agent (1), talc (9) and azodicarbonamide (1), was extruded through a stride die having four holes, to obtain a foam strand. The strand was cut to 3 mm length by a cutter, after solidifying it by cooling in a water tank. Thus, a foam carrier with a length of 3 mm, and an expansion ratio of 1.80 times was obtained. The specific surface area (measured according to mercury pressure process) and density of the foam carrier were found to be 25.5 m2/cm3 and 0.975 g/cm3, respectively. The obtained foam carrier was filled in the aerator of waste water treatment apparatus and the waste water treatment was carried out. The biological oxygen demand (BOD) of the waste water was measured after 20 days and found to be reduced to 55 mg/l from 200 mg/l.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Materials: The solvent is an aqueous tenside solvent, an oil-based solvent, an aliphatic/aromatic solvent or a biological solvent. The solvent is present in excess.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Heater: The seal is an insulating mat between the air and gas housings. The jet is a turbulence jet and ends inside the bore of the heating stone. The ducts for the reaction tubes are evenly distributed over the area of the heating stone and each is surrounded by not less than 3 ducts for fuel gas jets. Preferred Furnace: The reaction tubes consist of ceramic material with a catalytically active coating on the inside. Each reaction tube is surrounded by not less than 3, especially 4-6 fuel gas jets. EXAMPLE - HCN by the BMA process using (A) the specified bottom heater or (B) a lateral flat heater. Ammonia in an amount of 32 mole/hour per reaction tube was reacted with methane in (A) 1.1, (B) 1.17 molar ratio at 1320degrees C. The NH3/CH4 difference in the entire chamber was (A) 1.02, (B) 0.50 vol.%, i.e. (A) allowed the NH3/CH4 molar ratio to be reduced without reducing the difference to a value promoting soot formation. The analysis of the individual tubes was (A) 0.98, (B) 0.54 vol.%, with a standard deviation of (A) 19, (B) 33%.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The bed height of the inert material in the non-fluidized state is 1.0-2.5 , preferably 1.5-1.7 m. Quartz sand is used as the bed material having a particle size of 0.6-2.0, preferably 0.8-1.2 m. The process heat from the waste gases is removed using a heat exchanger (12) and released to the fresh air. The H2S component in the fuel gas is made harmless by adding CaO to the fluidized bed.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: In the hydrolysis step, gassing of the reaction mixture, e.g., with air, alters the redox potential and the pH in such a way that the medium conditions favor acid-forming bacteria. In the second step, regulation of the inflow of materials from the hydrolysis step favors formation of methane gas. Regulation of the inflow is carried out by alteration of pH values, redox potential, temperature, methane content and gas flow. In the outlet from the methane reactor, methane bacteria are continuously filtered off and recycled to the methane reactor. Organic components from the reactors are separated and recycled to the process as a concentrate. This results in organic compounds obtained being enriched in the reactors and being more rapidly converted.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - The fuel cell system uses electrochemical energy conversion for providing electrical power.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ELECTRICAL POWER AND ENERGY - Preferred Fuel Cell: A separator is placed between the anodic electrode coating and reformer catalyst layer. The concentration and/or composition of the catalyst in the coating is variable. The amount of second reformer catalyst layer is 3-50 mg/cm2. The membrane of the electrode assembly preferably is reinforced with textile fabric.Preferred Process: The function as DMFC is used for cold starts, in which a liquid methanol-water mixture is reacted at the anode. In long-term operation, the operating pressure and/or temperature is sufficient for the reforming reaction to occur inside the fuel cell. These conditions are not less than 150 degrees C and/or not less than 5 bar and the cell especially operates long-term as high temperature fuel cell (HT-PEM).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The containment tank includes a water inlet (89), an H2 outlet (90) and a water outlet (83) in its lower portion. The alkaline metal injector comprises a hydraulic piston (98) and metering wheel device. It incrementally introduces alkaline metal into the containment tank while remaining sealed from the ambient air, without loss of hydrogen pressure. It is signaled by a pressure sensor to add an incremental amount of alkaline metal when pressure in the containment tank falls below a predetermined pressure. When the pressure in the containment tank fails to reach a predetermined maximum pressure within a predetermined number of incremental amounts of alkaline metal within a predetermined period of time, the alkaline metal injector is not signaled to add an additional incremental amount of alkaline metal.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Layers: The upper material layers comprise a drying layer (3) and a surface layer (4) in which the gas becomes biologically oxidized.Preferred Method: The flow of gas is turned by a plate-like structure impermeable to gas which is embedded above the penetration aperture. The gas is led to perforated pipe(s) from the penetration aperture to spread the gas to an upper material layer. The air and/or moisture is directed to the surface layer by a separated piping (15) to intensify the oxidation of the gas.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Gas: The gas generated from the waste is methane.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The penetration aperture is a well (10) with a cover (11) and an edge extending above the sealing layer to prevent water from flowing to the lower waste layer. The perforating pipe has a valve (14) for controlling the gas flow.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The pressurized mixed sludge has a calcium hydroxide content of 20-60 wt.% by dry weight, and a silicate content of 1-20 wt.%. The mixture of pressurized mixed sludge and coal fines is pelletized. The sludge is dewatered prior to blending such that it has a water content of less than 93 wt.%. A binder selected from a water soluble polymer, wax, paraffin and molasses is added to the mixture of coal fines and sewage sludge prior to solidifying.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Method: The fermentation process is performed by inoculating an aerobic spawn to a mixture containing organic waste, silicic acid containing material or silicic acid and fermenting aerobically.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The silicic acid containing material is diatomaceous earth (DE), preferably DE obtained as industrial waste. The organic waste is preferably beer lees with 60-70% moisture content.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - AGRICULTURE - Preferred Fertilizer: The silicic acid content organic fertilizer has 10% or more of silica content. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - AGRICULTURE - The membrane preferably splits the micro-organism containing effluent into a micro-organism enriched stream to be recirculated and a micro-organism free stream. The biomass may be used to wash contaminated air originating from a stable for intensive stock farming. After separation of the biomass and optional purification, the salt-containing purified waste water may be used for drying and/or decontamination of the air originating from a stable for intensive stock farming or may be electrolytically treated to split the salt into acid and base. The apparatus preferably also includes a means for separating solid manure from urine to prevent formation of ammonia. The solid phase may be further processed by fermentation, combustion and/or gasification optionally combined with rendering the residue products inert by glazing/glass foaming.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - COMPUTING AND CONTROL - Preferred Process: The amount of styrene in the thermolyzed gas is measured alternative to measurement of styrene concentration in oil. When the cetane value is lower than the preset value, the fixed temperature (II) is increased and when the cetane value is greater than preset value, the paraffin oil is mixed with recovered oil.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Apparatus: Sand and unscreened gravel are laid on the base with pavement surface on the top. The pavement surface is air permeable. The depression for drying fermentation formation is dug on the ground surrounded by the side wall on either sides in predetermined depth. The water barrier sheet is laid in the state where the whole top of the depression is covered. The matte portion is composed so that embossing die waste drain and a protection matte cover the top of the depression. The piping connection for blow-off is provided in the state with adequate number of pipes with which the warm air blow-off hole is established parallel to the side wall at right and left in a warm air pipe. The support clamp (3A) has supports (3A1) of traverse plane arch shape arranged with a predetermined interval so that the drying fermentation apparatus is covered. The support pillars are connected by horizontal beam. The cover (3B) is made of translucent synthetic resin. The warm air generator consists of a warm air blowing pipe (4B) which is connected with the warm air blow-off pipe. The warm air generator can be a warm air suction pipe which consists of a warm air blowing-in pipe on either sides and the suction pipe on either side connected through the warm air blower on either sides.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Refuse: The organic waste is waste material ejected from the food industry or brewing industry.Preferred Method: The solid content is fermented into compost by adding Actinomyces. The wet grinding selector has integrated pulper and separated-type pulper. EXAMPLE - None given.
SPECIFIC MICROORGANISMS - The microbe is Bacillus cereus CCC-b (deposition number: FERM-P-16176).    EXAMPLE - Bacillus cereus CCC-b was inoculated in a medium containing 5 g of peptone, 5 g of meat extract and 2.5 g sodium chloride in 500 ml of water (pH 7.7), and incubated for 1 day at 30degreesC. Microbial cells were obtained from the culture solution by centrifugation. They were washed, adhered to a carrier (baked and powdered diatomaceous earth) and inoculated into test water. 0.2 g/l of starch was added to 100 times liquid of cows milk in sea water. The supernatant was used as a test solution. Change in COD was measured according to JIS0102-17, amount of total phosphorous was measured according to JIS0102-46.3 and amount of total nitrogen was measured according to JIS0102-45.2. The results after two hours showed that B.cereus CCC-b had high water purification and deodorization functions. Metals in water were removed effectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The raw material is crushed and the space between grains of particles is reduced. The change in shape and magnitude of each raw material is restricted so that the compressed block is again converted into particles of original sawdust, chaff and coffee husk. The contents are mixed with components such as microbe agent, pH regulator, deodorizer, water content regulator and decomposition activator simultaneously.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Reactor: The reactor comprises a culture solution inlet (4) which supplies culture solution to CSL and a drainage liquid outlet (5) which removes the culture solution from CSL. The culture solution has high light transmittance. The permeable film permeates substances other than microorganism, between PML and CSL. The light receiving surface in the reactor contains a transparent material such as quartz glass or an acryl glass, while the inner surfaces (excluding light receiving surfaces) of the reactor are made of optically reflective material(s).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Microorganism: The photosynthetic microorganism in the reactor is a photosynthetic bacteria, cyanobacteria and/or a green alga.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The fermentation is set to 50-90degreesC by irradiating using far infrared radiation. The organic material contains marine product residue. Marine product residue is fermented for more than a predetermined time. The liquid organic fertilizer is manufactured by adding distillate collected at the time of organic fertilizer production and performing cultivation for more than the predetermined time. EXAMPLE - Shrimp of Beppu bay, crab residue and small fish were mixed. The above organic material was supplied to high temperature fermentation apparatus and spawn was added to the mixture. The mixture was stirred under aerobic condition and allowed to ferment for 12 hours. Powder-like organic fertilizer was obtained. 30 weight% of the powder was mixed with same quantity of spawn and allowed to ferment for 12 hours at 70-90degreesC and the fermentation was repeated for several times. The obtained fertilizer was found to contain (in weight%) water (17.30), nitrogen (2.86), ammonical nitrogen (0.25), nitrate nitrogen (up to 0.001), phosphate (1.31), potassium oxide (1.09), calcium oxide (2.85), magnesium oxide (0.49) and carbon (40.35). Nitrogen mineralization of kuroboku humus using the obtained organic fertilizer was performed. The mineralization rate and the rate of nitric acid formation were measured after 1, 2 and 4 weeks. The mineralization rate was found to be 0%, 9.2% and 13.2%, respectively and rate of nitric acid formation was found to be 0%, 8.4% and 13.2%, respectively.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Composition: The lubricating oil contains 0.05-2 wt.% of epoxy stabilizer. The mixed working fluid further contains additive and/or copper deactivator. The mixture of butane and isobutane contains 30-70 wt.% of each butane and isobutane.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Amount: The amount of epoxy stabilizer in the lubricating oil is 0.05-2 weight%. Preferred Oil: The lubricating oil in the mixed fluid contains high pressure additive and/or copper deactivator.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Battery: The battery is equipped with a ratio regulator to adjust the ratio of waste gas and air in the oxidizing gas. A temperature detector (51) detects the temperature of water supplied by the water vapor supplier. A heat controller, pressure regulator and air supplier are also provided.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The waste starting material may comprise household and industrial wastes, agro-alimentary waste, sludges, wood, mineral and vegetable oils and greases. The binding agent consists of oils, greases or sludges. In the secondary phase, the particles are transferred to the combustion chamber by screw conveyors and the combustion chamber is automatically controlled by additional injection of products of high calorific value.The ashes are recovered and graded automatically into heavy, medium and fine fractions in a primary, secondary and multicyclone separator respectively. The unburnt gases may undergo a post-combustion. The energy liberated is used in the production of vapor by thermal exchange at high temperature. After de-dusting the expelled gases are washed and filtered through active carbon. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred system: The system also includes a microbial decomposition tank under the waste separator to communicate with the interior of the cylindrical member through the open bottom, an activated sludge treatment device comprising tanks and connected to the discharge port of the waste separator, a discharge pipe connected to the discharge port and formed with holes, and an evaporation mat in which at least the portion of the discharge pipe formed with the holes is buried and a storage tank communicating with the discharge port.The liquid part of the waste is supplied from the storage tank into the microbial decomposition tank to keep constant the water content in the microbial decomposition tank.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Process: Combustible substances, especially pollutants, are concentrated by recycling the air repeatedly through the waste material. The air can be treated to remove carbon dioxide and/or supplemented with fuel before combustion. The combustion time is at least 2 seconds, and the air leaving the combustion unit is rapidly cooled to prevent reformation of pollutants, especially dioxins, and then passed through a microfilter.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Process: The sewage is treated with ammonium and/or magnesium peroxodisulfate or ammonium peroxodisulfate and magnesium hydroxide, especially in an amount of 5-7 g/l. The treated sewage is heated to 90-100 degrees C. EXAMPLE - Cow manure (8 tonnes; dry content = 7.5 %) and water (8 tonnes) obtained from washing the cowshed is passed through a solid separator to remove 40 % of the solids as fertilizer. The remaining manure (15.4 cubic meters) is treated with ammonium peroxodisulfate (60 kg) and heated to 90 degreesC. Dry product (360 kg) separates and leaves behind a solution with 0.12 %, by weight, dry content which is processed in a biogas plant and evaporated to produce water for washing or industrial use as well as ammonia.
EXAMPLE - In an EMBODIMENT the hose has a textile lining with a rough or textured surface. The hose is arranged in parallel loops and is contained in a bath (1) of heat exchange liquid (2).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Bacillus: The Bacillus can produce a fat-degrading promoter such as protease, cellulase, amylase, lipase and biological surfactant, particularly biological surfactant, or protease and amylase.Preferred Process: The microbial agent preferably contains at least 2 kinds of Bacillus. SPECIFIC MICROORGANISMS - The Bacillus is Bacillus substilis FERM BP-7370 or FERM BP-7271.    EXAMPLE - Bacillus strains R1-R14 were obtained after incubating rock powder in an agar medium containing 0.5% yeast extract, 1% peptone, 0.5% sodium chloride and 1.5% agar, at 30 degrees C overnight. The generation time for strain R5 was 30 minutes. Its culture supernatant solution was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) compared to chromatogram obtained with Surfactin (RTM; biological surfactant). Such Bacillus was used to decompose oil satisfactorily.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Packing: The packing is corrosion resistant, stainless steel or perforated separable piece.Preferred Method: The partial biodegradation method comprises:(i) supporting a population of microorganisms specific to petroleum-derived hydrocarbons on and within a substrate packing confined in a chamber devoid of pumping equipment, disposed underground in the path of an underground stream to be treated, the chamber configured to allow the mixture to flow through by natural hydraulic gradient, so that the stream contacts the microorganisms; and(ii) allowing the aqueous stream or mixture to pass through the packing by natural hydraulic gradient so that the microorganisms decompose (partly) the hydrocarbons in the mixture or stream as it flows through the packing.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Microorganism: The microbial population is heterogeneous, comprising mixture of microbial population originated from indigenous soil. The stream or mixture to be treated is passed through packing under microaerophilic condition. EXAMPLE - None given.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - AGRICULTURE - Preferred Process The cellulose component is from industrial and household waste (claimed). The pH is 6.8-7.2 and the worm culture is used at 100,000-200,000 per m3 substrate (claimed).
SPECIFIC COMPOUNDS - The microorganism which is grown in a culture medium containing caffeine is, Micrococcus sp. SAM2240 (FERM P-17511) strain.    EXAMPLE - The Micrococcus sp. SAM2240 (FERM P-17511) strain was identified from mycological characteristics. The microorganism was cultivated in a suspension containing 10 kg of caffeine in 100 ml water (980 parts per million (ppm) of caffeine concentration) for 1 hour at 30 degrees C. The caffeine concentration after 6 days was reduced to 50 ppm or less. The microorganism was found to grow efficiently in the medium containing caffeine. The organic substance obtained from the culture solution was found to have excellent growth promoting effect.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The organic refuse comprises protein, carbohydrate, lipid and fiber group components. The raw material to adjust the pH is chosen from fish meal, oil cake, hen droppings, peat composed, shellfish shell powder, porous calcium silicate, sulfur, organic acid, iron sulfate or powder charcoal. The raw material to adjust the C/N value is chosen from vegetable or fruit waste, nitrogen group chemical fertilizer, organic fertilizer, hen droppings or peat composed such as ammonium nitrate. The raw material to adjust voidage is chosen from chaff leaf charcoal, zeolite, vermiculite, baked diatomaceous earth, peat, porous calcium silicate or powder charcoal. The pH of the mixture is adjusted to 5.5-9, C/N ratio to 15-20 and voidage to a state more sparse than a rhombohedral fill up. The microorganism is chosen from actinomycetes like yeast and genus belonging to Bacillus, Cellulomonas, Flavobacterium, Micrococcus, Pseudomonas, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Sacchromyces, Pichia or Streptomyces.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Method: The movable frame (A) has its inlet (21) connected to the discharge pipe of the treatment tank (41) which guides the process liquid. A splash prevention cover is integrally arranged to the higher-order of the frame. The frame is movable and positioned at a proper position on the compost board.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Process: The moisture content of compost raw material is detected by front stage infrared ray-type moisture meters (15,16), and the moisture content of compost raw material after passing through moisture content adjusting unit is detected by latter stage infrared ray-type meter (35). The moisture content of compost raw material is adjusted by mixing it with supplement materials (4) and water which is added from water addition unit (25). After adjusting the moisture content of raw material by moisture content adjusting unit, the compost raw material is supplied to a fermenter (18) equipped with a stirrer (32) which mixes the compost raw material, and compost raw material is fermented to obtain compost.Preferred Apparatus: The infrared ray-type moisture meter has an optical system which receives the infrared ray reflected from the compost raw material during irradiation of infrared ray to the compost raw material (for measuring the moisture content of raw material). The amount of infrared ray absorbed by the compost material changes with the moisture content of compost raw material. An analytical curve selection unit calculates a characteristic decision factor based on the amount of reflected infrared rays received by the optical system. A calculation unit calculates the moisture content based on the amount of reflected infrared ray received by optical system, and the information obtained from analytical curve selection unit.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus Arrangement: A water supply hole is provided on the top portion of dehydration cylinder wall and drainage hole is provided to the bottom of cylinder wall. An exhaust outlet (24) with a door is provided to one end side of the cylinder and a refuse inlet is provided to the other end side of cylinder. The piston inside the cylinder operates in a reciprocating manner. An automatic controller (26) pushes the door attached at the end of the cylinder and advances the piston to discharge settled desalted organic refuse to the compost treatment tank via the exhaust outlet.Preferred Process: The organic refuse collected in the cylinder is compressed by piston, dehydrated and ejected via drain hole. The piston after performing compression is reciprocated, after which pressing of organic refuse is ceased. Water is supplied from the water supply hole and water is made to absorb by the refuse again. Dehydration by compression using a piston is once again performed. The reciprocating movement of the piston is stopped when the saline concentration in drained waste water, is less than a fixed value.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: Multiples of a reformed gas flow path provided with air feed zone for supply of air at the upper part is provided to the heat exchanger. The air feed zone supplies air to the flow path cuff part (32a) at upper part of reformed gas flow path. The mixed air is made to flow through the cuff part of the reformed gas flow path at least for more than 1 time.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method - The filling point is sterilized using hydrogen peroxide and steam treatment. The microorganism include a pure cultured fungus isolated from the natural field, microorganism group formed by mixing the pure cultured fungi, mixed organism integrated under a condition exhibiting high degradation activity relative to polluted substances, gene combination improved by gene recombination manipulation, and their mixture.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Materials: The bacterivorous protozoa are flagellates.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Method: The bacterivorous protozoa are added alone or in combination with a bacteria (at a ratio of one flagellate to bacteria of 1:10 - 1:100,000).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - AGRICULTURE - Preferred Method: Composting is carried out for 6-8 weeks with monitoring and measuring of the temperature. The worms are acted on the composted material for 10-14 days. The worms are added at the composted material at a high weight ratio (preferably at least 10% by weight of the composted material). The worms are introduced into the composted material at the lowermost level, then removed immediately prior to the completion of the method. The topmost material layer in the bin is removed and is utilized as a lower layer in the subsequent operation. The remainder of the material in the bin is sieved, dried, and bagged.Preferred Materials: The shredded material has a maximum size of less than 0.25 cm2. The worms are obtained from a previous production method.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - AGRICULTURE - Preferred Process The nitrogen source is ammonium nitrate, urea, ammonium phosphate, and/or calcium nitrate. The phosphorus source is ammonium ortho-phosphate, simple super phosphate, triple super phosphate and/or potassium nitrate. The potassium source is potassium sulfate, and/or potassium nitrate. In step (c) nutrients are added to provide a nitrogen:phosphorus:potassium ratio of 1-20:1-20:1-20, e.g. 5:10:10, 10:2:2 or 3:2:10. In step (b) 95 % of the fine particles have a size of 150 microns or less. ADMINISTRATION - The fertilizer pellets can be applied to farm fields and gardens.    EXAMPLE - Stabilized compost was sieved to recover the fine fraction having a size below 200 microns. This organic fertilizer contained nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium from natural sources in the ratio 2:1:1. To reach the recommended levels for radish, lettuce and tomato, chemical nutrients were added to the organic fertilizer, nitrogen, as ammonium nitrate, phosphorus as phosphorus pentoxide and potassium, as potassium sulfate. Each of the blended fertilizers was pelletized at 2000-4000 psi. Radish, lettuce and tomato were grown in various substrates. The prepared enhanced fertilizer pellets and conventional fertilizers were each separately applied to samples of the 3 crops. The enhanced fertilizer pellets produced a higher tomato fruit yield of 8-10 % and a higher yield in the radish crop, assessed as the edible part of the radish, of 26.6 % in comparison with conventional fertilizers used alone.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred process: The fuel cell comprises a phosphoric acid fuel cell, solid oxide fuel cell.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred process: The fuel cell comprises a molten carbonate fuel cell. The carbonaceous material comprises a material selected from coal, pulp and paper waste, wood products, municipal waste, sewage, food waste, plant matter, animal waste and mixtures, most preferably wood.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Apparatus: Two or more air feed pipes (22) are provided to blow air into the tank and a vertical stirring auger (30) is movably provided in the treatment tank.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Arrangement: The processing container is arranged at an inclined angle inside the apparatus main body. The container is provided with a vertically arranged shaft. A baffle plate or cone-like guide member for assisting the stirring effect of the screw member is provided to the center portion of the container. The pipe member, preferably a ceramic heater member, is provided with a hole for discharging hot air.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Apparatus: A boiler (11) for heating water is connected to the warm water pipe. A warm water circulating pump (12) for circulating heated water is connected to the warm water pipe. A compressor (15) for supplying air to the air pipe of each fermenter and a pre-heating air pipe (17) for heating air supplied to the air pipe are connected to a boiler.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Building: The building is made air tight by spraying foaming urethane. The deodorizing space is filled with methane gas and treated in a deodorant primary treatment chamber (71) by ozone and the ammonia gas is treated in the deodorant secondary treatment chamber (72).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Apparatus: Two more nitrification units and another phosphorus removal unit are further provided.Preferred Method: Phosphorus is removed by contacting the treated water with an absorbent. Magnesium salt is added as an addition agent in the phosphorus removal process and phosphorus is separated as magnesium ammonium phosphate. Alternatively, a mineral salt and polymer flocculent are added to form a hydroxyapatite which is removed or ferrous sulfate is added to remove phosphorus as iron phosphate. The absorbent of the second phosphorus removal process is activated alumina or aluminum sulfate attached activated alumina.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Process: The timber chips are also mixed with grain-like slag generated during casting of pig iron. The diameter of grain-like slag is 0.2-5 mm.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The apparatus further comprises scavenging unit and heating unit installed at the air passage route, and their operations are regulated and normalized. An alarm device emits alarm during generation of clogging at the odor guide duct (50) which connects the treatment tank (20) and deodorant case of processing portion. The thermosensor is installed near heat emitting element which heats the catalyst.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Method: Air is supplied and exhausted from each of the packed beds, so as to maintain a pressure gradient between the gaseous phase portions of packed beds. The pressure of gaseous portions is measured by means of barometer (23) provided to each of the gaseous phase portions. The waste is subjected to multi-stage fermentation using fermenting apparatus provided with a unit for supplying organic waste or fermented material to upper portion of the fermenter, a device for ejecting fermented material from the lower portion of the fermenter and a transfer unit to convey fermented material ejected from lower portion of fermenter to the upper portion.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOLOGY - Preferred Process: At least one part of the grown microbial cell is held to the polystyrene surface and peeled by applying physical strength by peeling means. The microbial cell peeling means is provided in the draft tube.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Arrangement: The peeling unit is a protrusion provided to the wall portion of the draft tube through which the culture solution passes and the draft tube further comprises an outlet for culture solution. EXAMPLE - A culture medium containing 5 ppm of phosphorus and 50 ppm of nitrogen was added with 1000 ppm of phenol as a source of carbon, was diluted to one tenth concentration using buffer (potassium hydrogen phosphate) and cultivated with contaminated soil. The medium was centrifuged, filtered and the soil microparticles were removed. The obtained microbial liquid was filtered with a cellulose nitrate filter. The obtained microorganism were inoculated in agarose flat plate and incubated at 30degrees C for 5 days. The grown colony of microorganism were isolated and phenol utilizing microbe of Burkholderia cepacia 1A strain which was a gram negative bacteria, was identified by physiological examination. The decomposition of phenol by the microorganism was evaluated by cultivating the grown microbial cell in plastic tube containing culture medium (initial phenol concentration was 100 and 1000 ppm). The amount of decomposition of phenol was determined using gas chromatography after 3 and 6 days. 100% phenol decomposition was observed after 3 days. The culture medium was added with 4 beads of polystyrene and Teflon or Derlin and inoculated with Burkholderia cepacia 1A for 1 day at 30degrees C. The decomposition of phenol was carried out in short time using polystyrene bead, when compared with the beads of Derlin and nylon.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred Properties: The microorganism is dispersed in water. The deodorant bag is in a sheet, mat or stick shape.Preferred Process: The deodorant is sprayed on the substance to be deodorized, and it decomposes odor causing components in an anaerobic atmosphere first, and then in an aerobic atmosphere to aerobically remove the odor substance.Preferred Apparatus: A nozzle (14) inside the deodorizing tower, sprays a liquid on the substance to be deodorized, in a counter-current direction to the direction of conveyance of the substance. The deodorant member is installed in arbitrary places in the deodorizing tower.The apparatus comprises a circulation pump (19) to recirculate the sprayed liquid. A pellet layer (16) in the deodorant tower further deodorizes the substance. EXAMPLE - Two containers were filled with 90 litres of organic refuse. The organic refuse in one container was unprocessed (blank). The organic refuse in the other container was sprayed with the deodorant (3 ml) before and after introducing the organic refuse into the container. It was found that the odor concentration was 1300 in the blank, and was 42 in the treated refuse. The deodorant had excellent deodorization effect.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Component: Each processing cell is made of reinforced concrete dividing walls.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - TEXTILES AND PAPER - Preferred Component: Each processing cell is also made of compartmenting cloth elements.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ENVIRONMENT - Preferred System: The compartmenting of the bio-oxidation section into independent volumes allows to hold suitable environment condition in the sector in which the operating steps are performed. This is obtained by differently controlling the number of air intra-exchanges by hour through the different cells by holding a single air inter-exchange per hour in the rest cells, i.e. the non operating cells for a time for carrying out the turning over and transferring operation being performed in the active cell. This provides an active cell up to 10 air inter-exchanges by hour. The material being transformed into heaps has a constant height and a width decreasing from the supply way to the unloading way in order to overcome the biomass volume reduction. The system comprises a mechanism for transferring and turning over the biomasses. The mechanism includes an adjustable length conveyor belt. The air distribution assembly comprises a respective fan for each way. The system has floor channels including air distribution polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes, extending along a longitudinal axis of the way, protected by a wood chip layer and devoid of covering grids.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Materials: The injected material comprises treated sewage, preferably a pre or post digested sludge. The aqueous stream may or may not comprise water produced from the reservoir containing hydrocarbons.Preferred Method: The cellular organisms are oxidized by incorporating air, oxygen or oxidizing materials into the injection system. The cellular wall of the organism is disrupted by mechanical, chemical or other methods to release the cell contents into the carrier aqueous stream, or to control the degree of penetration within the oil bearing formation. The cellular material deployed in the reservoir is anaerobically digested to release methane. The organic material is degraded under pressure and temperature conditions to form a synthetic oil. Hot gases of diverse origins are subsequently injected to degrade the organic material. The hydraulic fractures are induced in the reservoir formation to create an increased injection area for the organic materials into the rock matrix, or to provide a storage area for the build-up of an organic filter cake.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Structure: The porous structure (100) includes foam, felt, and/or wad.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Material: The porous structure is metal.Preferred Layer: The porous interfacial layer (104) is gamma-aluminum oxide, silicon dioxide, zirconium oxide, titanium (IV) oxide, magnesium oxide, vanadium oxide, chromium oxide, manganese oxide, iron oxide, nickel oxide, cobalt oxide, copper oxide, zinc oxide, molybdenum oxide, tin oxide, calcium oxide, aluminum oxide, lanthanum series oxide(s), and/or zeolite(s). The buffer layer (102) is aluminum oxide, titanium (IV) oxide, silicon dioxide, and/or zirconium oxide. The buffer layer includes sublayer of titania.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CERAMICS AND GLASS - Preferred Material: The porous structure is ceramic.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Arrangement: The combustion catalyst unit is of smaller diameter than heater. A heat exchange unit is provided to down stream side of catalytic combustion unit. The device has a combustion exhaust gas recovery line for recovering portion(s) of combusted exhaust gas, ejected from catalytic combustion unit. A mixer is attached to catalytic combustion unit which carries out back flow of combustion exhaust gas recovered along the inner surface.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Process: The recovered combustion exhaust gas is supplied to catalytic combustion unit sites below active temperature, along the axial direction.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Microorganism: The microorganism used for processing the organic refuse, is high temperature aerobic bacteria.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Method: The pH measuring unit detects the pH of moisture content of cracked gas generated by the degradation of organic refuse. The predetermined pH value is pH 6.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Method: The nitrous oxide is maintained in liquefied state by integrating a refrigeration unit with the purification tank. The distillates refluxing from distillation column is collected. The liquefied nitrous oxide free of light impurities is converted to a gas by passing through vaporizer and then guided to dry bed vessel (110) containing sodium hydroxide where acid gas containing carbon dioxide and other acid impurities are absorbed. The nitrous oxide gas is then conveyed to another dry bed vessel (114) containing activated molecular sieve to remove water and ammonia and then to product tank (118) to recondense the nitrous oxide gas. The particulate filter is arranged between the second dry bed vessel and product tank. The purified nitrous oxide is conveyed to a holding vessel through a manifold system. Preferred Conditions: The purification tank is maintained at a pressure of 350 psig (24 bar) or less and temperature of -10 to -25degreesF (-23 to -32degreesC). The vaporizer is maintained at 75-150degreesF (24-48degreesC) and condenser is maintained at -20 to -40degreesF (-29 to -40degreesC). Preferred System: The distillation column is a cryogenic distillation column. The manifold includes a liquid pump (120), liquid filter (122) and a bypass for distributing purified nitrous oxide to holding vessel (124).
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred System: The fuel processing system further includes a heating assembly for heating the water in the reservoir through heat exchange with a heated fluid stream; a combustion chamber with an exhaust stream; a fuel cell stack including fuel cell(s) for producing electrical power from the product stream, a cooling fluid stream; and controller for regulating the delivery of heat to the reservoir by the heating assembly responsive at least in part to the temperature of the water in the reservoir. Preferred Components: The feed assembly further includes a regulator for controlling the pressure of the stream of the feedstock responsive to changes in the pressure or temperature of the water in the reservoir; a pressure sensor for measuring the vapor pressure of the water in the reservoir; a regulator for controlling the ratio of the water to the feedstock in the product stream by controlling the pressure at which the stream of the feedstock is delivered to the reservoir. The regulator is in communication with the pressure sensor for controlling the pressure of the stream of the feedstock to be greater than that of the water in the reservoir by a predetermined increment. The reservoir includes conduit(s) passing through the reservoir, and through which the heating assembly delivers the heated fluid stream; and a shell surrounding portion(s) of the reservoir, spaced away from the reservoir to define a cavity.